Chapter Text
“You don’t think you’re going too hard there, Lex?”
Lexi rolled her eyes at the sound of Rue, not even debating in her head whether to retort. “Coming from you, Rue?”
Rue recoiled at her snark, eyeballing the glass in her hand, full to the brim with liquor. Lexi turned away from Rue, swinging the glass with her, carelessly spilling on her way. She knew she was being reckless, but to be quite fucking honest, she didn't really give a damn.
“Fuck Lexi, that was fucking awesome!” Another voice called. She smiled as she continued walking down the hall. She was riding the high of her life, at a party where everyone was celebrating her creative vision, discussing it, complimenting her, cheering her on. Well, almost everyone.
She was celebrating, too. In a less than responsible way, but after so many weeks of preparation, along with all her coursework and the emotional turmoil going on in her home, she figured she deserves to let loose this one time. Plus, she was trying to forget the fact that Fez hadn’t shown up.
Lexi pulled the glass to her lips, inhaling deeply, then shuddering as the burn hit her stomach. She stopped at the end of the hallway, leaning on the wall while she scanned the room. It felt like everyone was there. Her eyes landed on Ethan, who was being chatted up by a cute girl from the show, and she couldn’t help but smile. His confidence got a major boost tonight. Her eyes bounced around, trying to figure out if any of her friends were lingering, and also keeping an eye out for Cassie. Then they landed on the opposite side of the room, where Fez was beginning to enter from. Her breath hitched in her throat as she lowered her glass, face consumed in red as his eyes locked with hers.
She stumbled backwards a bit as his eyes lit up, beginning to make way for her. She whirled around, heart beating as the rest of her body tensed. An overwhelming sense of embarrassment came over her. She hadn’t expected to see him here. Now she was 4 drinks deep and completely off her face.
“Shit,” she cursed herself, stumbling down the hallway towards the kitchen.
“Lex!” She snapped her gaze up to an unfamiliar face. “Everyone loved your show!”
“Yeah,” she breathed out, still heading further into the kitchen until she heard his voice behind her.
“Lexi!”
She came to a halt, took a deep breath, and forced herself to turn around, plastering a smile on her face. “Fez, hey.”
“Hey, you avoidin’ me?” He stopped in front of her, tilting his head to the side. She shook her head quickly, avoiding his eyes. “Sorry I couldn’ make it…shit came up I had to deal with.”
“It’s fine!” she squeaked out, waving her hand in front of her face.
“Really, I’m sorry.” He leaned in a little closer, scanning her face. “I really wanted to come y’know. I’m real disappointed.”
“It’s no worry, really,” she continued, raising her face to meet his, “you have stuff to do and uh…I don’t know. I understand. It’s fine.” She plunged her eyes back down into her drink before raising it to her lips, gulping as much as she could bare, dribbling down her chin as she did. He raised his eyebrows at her, watching her take a good 15 second drink.
“Celebratin’, then?” He inquired, watching the now empty glass leave her lips.
“Yep,” she gasped out, slamming the glass on the counter. “I’m gonna go get another.”
With that, Lexi brushed past Fez, leaving a burning sensation on his upper arm as she did. He looked over his shoulder after her, eyebrows knitted together as she stopped at the table full of liquor, pouring a seemingly random combination of liquors together. He turned his body towards her to watch her actions, and she felt his eyes burning a hole in her as she tried to act like she knew what she was doing. He watched as people seemingly randomly stopped to speak with her, congratulating her, patting her on the back, clinking their glasses to hers. When the glass was full to the brim once more, she averted her eyes from his direction and brought it back to her lips, sucking in the toxic juice.
He crossed his arms and leaned on the wall, seeing how she shuddered in her skin as the drink left her mouth. Then she turned and began walking a different way, leaving him to ponder whether they would be speaking at all again. He let out a sigh as he pulled a joint from his sweater, bringing it to his lips to light as he made way for the backyard.
-
“Whoa, seriously Lexi!” Kat grabbed Lexi’s wrist as she stumbled into her, about to tumble to the side. “You have to slow down.”
“Slow down, shmo down,” Lexi snorted, righting herself one again with her half empty glass.
“How many have you had?” Maddy snapped, staring at the drink in her hand.
Lexi genuinely did not know anymore, but she knew one thing. “Gotta pee.” She shoved the drink into Kat’s hands as she tripped away, hurriedly for the nearest bathroom. Kat brought the drink to her nose and immediately recoiled, her face scrunching up as she held it to Maddy to get a whiff.
“Jesus!” Maddy gagged, stepping away from the drink. “She’s drinking pure rubbing alcohol.”
“God…should we call her mom or something?” Kat poured the drink into the punch bowl, then setting the glass aside.
“No.” Maddy shook her head. “Just try to keep an eye on her. Rue’s been gone and I really doubt Cassie’s here.”
Lexi stumbled into the bathroom, fighting back nausea as she took care of her business. When she got to the sink, she looked herself in the mirror. Despite looking a mess, she couldn’t help but puff out her lips and tease her hair, trying her best to give herself that “sexy” stare. She jumped at the sound of a knock at the door, whipping around. “One second!”
“Aight.” The voice called back, causing her to inwardly cringe when she recognized it as Fez’. She turned back to look at herself again, scrunching up her eyebrows. She quickly washed her hands, using the excess water to pat down a flyaway. She took a deep breath as she dried her hands, then opened the door.
“Fez!” She acted surprised as he stood before her, his trademark downward, concerned eyes looking her over.
“Lexi…” he frowned, noting her glazed over eyes and red cheeks. Hair everywhere, a stain on her shirt. Normally these things in girls didn’t bother him, it only bothered him because he knew this wasn’t her. He shook his head and stepped forward. “Uh, just gotta piss.”
“Right!” She let out an obnoxious giggle but didn’t move. He raised his eyebrows again, looking at the doorway behind her then back at her, her oblivious.
“Can you…excuse me?” He chose his words carefully, trying his best not to come across short with her.
“Oh!” She let out another burst of laughter, stumbling off to the side, causing her to tumble downwards. As she dramatically fell on her ass, she let out more laughter.
“Shit, Lexi!” Fez dove towards her, late on keeping her upright. “You good, girl?”
“Oh, I’m good!” Lexi raised her hands, shaking her head at her lap. She batted him away, letting her auburn locks shift around her eyes as she continued shaking her head.
“Alrigh’, I’ll be right back.” He put up his hands with his palms outwards to signal for her to stay, then disappeared into the bathroom.
“Oh, I’m an idiot,” she sang to herself, raising her head to hit the wall behind her, “fuck!” She rubbed the back of her head, squinting her eyes shut. She resumed hanging her head, watching the patterns on her skirt spin in front of her. She pursed her lips together as she realized she had the spins. “Oh no.”
“Hey.” His voice was muffled now as she felt herself overcome with nausea. Her head bobbled away as she tried to keep her vision straight. She brought her hands to her head and tried to steady herself. “Lexi? Lexi?”
“Fuuuck,” she groaned, raising and lowering her head, the sickness developing in her stomach as everything around her became wobbly and curved.
“You got the spins?” He crouched next to her, resting a hand on her knee, unable to meet her eyes, but got the slightest nod from her as confirmation. In one motion, he snaked his arms around her waist and began pulling her up. “Gotta get you to the toilet if you gonna puke.”
“I-I’m fine…” She managed to croak out as he pulled her into his chest, attempting to right her into the bathroom. After successfully maneuvering her, he gently lowered her to her knees in front of the toilet before joining her on the floor.
“You not fine that’s for sure,” he chided her in a gentle voice, eyes laid upon her face. Her eyes were hanging low and her head was still circling.
“Why d’you care anyhow?” Her words were slurred, but he could understand her just fine.
“I been in your shoes, it aint a good feelin’,” he spoke softly, but his deep voice radiated in her head, “having someone to take care of you…I just wanna take care of you.”
And then, it came. Her chest heaved and he instinctively gathered her hair from her face into a fist behind her head, as gently as he possibly could to prevent her vomit from hitting it. He sat quietly as she hurled, resting his other hand on her back and rubbing in small circles. As she finished, he glanced around, concern on his face. “Shit, water.” He carefully released her hair and raised to his feet scanning the sink for a cup. He quickly grabbed the nearest one, rinsed it, then filled it with cold tap water before returning to her. “Try to drink this.”
She carefully lifted her head, wiping her mouth on her sleeve as she observed the cup of water. She nodded and a shaky hand reached out for it, spilling as she grasped it. He steadied it for her, helping her bring it to her lips. After she took some sips, he took it back and set it down. Hair draped her face as she rested her head on the toilet seat again. He caringly pushed it behind her ear. Her eyes fluttered shut at his touch, and she felt herself slip into unconsciousness.
After a few minutes of pounding at the door, he finally decided it was time to get her out of the bathroom. He rose to his feet and wrapped his arms around her torso, careful to not cross any boundaries, and lifted her up enough for him to get her into the newlywed position. He exited the bathroom to angry faces, one pushing past him in a rush.
“Damn, she ok?”
“Shit, she really went all out.”
“Didn’t think she was the type.”
“Shit, Lexi?” Fez stopped at an actual concerned voice and turned to see someone he hadn’t met before: Ethan. “Oh fuck, is she okay?”
“Uh, yeah.” Fez spoke awkwardly, shifting on his feet as her deadweight drained him, but he wouldn’t let others see that. “She drank kinda a lot. Needs rest.”
“Sorry, but who exactly are you?” Ethan spoke suspiciously, glancing him up and down.
“A friend…look man, I’m just tryna get her somewhere to lay.” Fez frowned, beginning to walk away.
“Uh-well, let me help you.” Ethan left his place in line to join Fez, which Fez wasn’t sure whether to appreciate or be concerned by. They made way down the hall while Ethan knocked on doors along the way, trying to find one that was unlocked.
When one opened, they greeted a naked couple on a bed, which Fez promptly broke up. “’Ey! We need this bed, out!”
“What the fuck?”
“Fuck man.”
“You heard him, get out,” Ethan commanded, grabbing clothes off the floor to throw at the couple. Though irritated, they followed and left with a huff, allowing Fez to finally relieve himself by laying her down on the unoccupied bed. Ethan hovered over them, arms crossed and concern painting his face. “Is she gonna be okay?”
“Yeah man, don’ trip.” Fez spoke calmly, turning to face Ethan. “Really tho, should prolly get her home.”
“Yeah,” Ethan huffed, hands on his hips as he stared down at Lexi, before lifting his head to look over Fez. “Who are you, man? Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad you carried her but I’d just like to make sure everything’s…you know…”
“Safe?” Fez finished, turning away. “That’s real chivalrous of you, man.” Ethan chuckled at the compliment, shaking his head. “I’m Fez. Just a friend of her and Rue. Saw she gettin’ dizzy an’ took her to puke it out.”
“Right.” Ethan nodded. “I’m Ethan. You might’ve uh…seen me in the play.”
“Didn’ make it…”
“Oh, well. Anyway. Alright, well, should we take her home?”
“Dunno where she live…but I would if I did.”
“I know her friends. Hang tight.”
Ethan slipped out the door, leaving Fez and Lexi on their own, but really just Fez since Lexi was blacked out. He stared down at her with woven eyebrows. Her chest rose and fell with each deep, shuttered breath. He seated himself next to her, brushing the hair from her face.
-
Ethan brushed through the crowd, scanning for familiar faces. When his eyes finally landed on Kat, he frowned, but pushed forward. As he approached, her eyes lit up at the sight of him.
“Ethan!”
“Hey, Lexi’s in a bad way.” Ethan cut right to the chase, glancing between her and Maddy.
“Yeah, we know.” Maddy rolled her eyes, pulling a cigarette to her lips.
“No, like-“ he huffed, shaking his head “-like she’s passed out. She puked her brains out and now she’s passed out.”
“Where is she?” Kat questioned.
“Some guy took her to a room-“
“What?” Maddy interrupted, eyes widening.
“No-I mean-“
“What the fuck, Ethan?” Kat cut in, her eyebrows furrowing.
“Not like that! Just to let her rest!”
“Where?” Kat pressed, stepping closer.
“Just-come on.”
-
“You’re silly as fuck y’know?” Fez whispered, rubbing his thumb along the space between Lexi’s thumb and pointer finger. He shook his head, rubbing his temple with his other hand. “Silly as fuck girl…”
“Here!” Fez heard the voice of the guy from before call, busting in the door.
“Oh fuck! Fez?” Maddy stopped short, hands on her hips.
“You know him?”
“Uh-yeah. Duh.” Kat rolled her eyes, stepping in.
“Uhh…sup, ya’ll?” Fez pulled his hand behind his neck, rubbing in circles.
“How is she?” Maddy knelt next to the bed, brushing the hair from Lexi’s face.
“Damn fam.” Fez groaned, looking up to the side. “She’s aight. Just drank to much. Just wanna get her home.”
“Well, I can tell you where she lives, but I can’t go.” Maddy rose to her feet, arms crossed as she lowered her eyes on Fez. “You’ll take her?”
“Yeh.” Fez mumbled, looking down at Lexi. “Happy to.”
“Is he trustworthy?” Ethan whispered to Kat, to which she looked up at him incredulously.
“God Ethan! Why are you so suspicious? What are you hiding?”
“Wha-“
“Aight.” Fez shot to his feet, stepping between the two.
“Fez is good.” Maddy spoke bluntly, glancing towards Ethan, then Fez. Fez nodded, eyes shifting uncomfortably. “Alright, let me see your phone and I’ll put in her address.”
-
After telling Ash to hold tight while he drove Lexi home, Fez and Ethan loaded her into the backseat of his car. Fez’ car came to a quiet screeching halt as he pulled off to the curb in front of the address in his phone. He glanced up at the small condo, then back down at Lexi. He let his eyes rest on her unconscious body, feeling guilty. Never had he seen her in this state, and he blamed himself. He formed a bond with her, a bond that he should never have formed. Now, she was drinking herself unconscious because his life would always force them apart. He heaved a sigh, reaching over to pull the hair from her face.
“Damn Lexi…I got you fucked up.”
The night was quiet, and he knew he would be disrupting it with his grunting and maneuvering to get her to the front door.
Ding dong
“Good god!” A voice called from the other side, stomping coming his way. As the door knob turned, the voice complained, “eleven o’clock at night, who come to the door at eleven o’cl- shit!”
Fez stood uncomfortably before the small woman who was clutching a half full glass of red wine, her daughter draped along his arms and head hanging.
“Oh, come in, come in.” She immediately began ushering the two into the house, which Fez breathed a sigh of relief for. “Is she drunk?”
“Uh, yeh…” Fez spoke reluctantly, unsure of whether he should divulge the details to who seemed to be her mom.
“Jesus Christ Lexi.” She sighed, leading him upstairs to a bedroom with two beds. “Right here.” She pointed at the farther bed, and Fez willingly obliged, laying Lexi carefully down. “Didn’t expect this from you, girl.”
“Well, I better get goin’.” Fez took a step back. “She puked a bunch before we left so ‘m pretty sure she got out all those like, toxins or whatever. Prolly just need some water.”
“Well I appreciate you bringing her home.” She nodded, crossing her arms while she looked down at her daughter. Then, she turned towards Fez, who was making his way out. “Not going to at least introduce yourself?”
“Sorry ‘bout that.” Fez turned and walked back as she walked towards him, stopping to hold out his hand. “Shouldn’ forget my manners. I’m Fezco.”
“Fezco?” She took his hand, raising her eyebrows. “I’m Suze Howard, Lexi’s mom.”
“Mom? Thought you were her sis.” Fez offered a small smile as he gently shook her hand before releasing it. Suze immediately threw up the hand, waving her face.
“Oh stop!” She couldn’t help but grin as she escorted him to the door. “Well Fezco, thank you for taking care of her. I hope to see you around under better circumstances.”
She pulled the door open for him and he gave her a short nod as he stepped out. “Yeh, me too. See you, Ms. Howard.”
“Call me Suze.”