= Chris POV =
The karaoke session went well. I had never really hung out with the accounting side of the cafe, as that was Heather's dominion. However, it was surprisingly fun, and I could see why Sarah did well, as everyone was kind, nerdy, and supportive of one another. Bonnie from Gym management and Mr. Nishimura from events and party management were great singers and stole the show with a beautiful duet. At the same time, I was too nervous to drink, so my singing was pretty flat despite how Heather had hyped me up so much. I couldn't concentrate with Sarah's eyes on me, so I resolved to help set up other people's songs and go for food and drink runs for the table.
"Ccchriiisssy, sing already," Sarah slurred as she finished singing Over the Rainbow and plopped down on the chair with a drink in hand, pressing my microphone into mine.
I took the microphone and put it down. It looks like someone had to be the designated driver of the group. When Sarah started plying me with drinks, I sighed and shook my head.
"I think I'll stick with water. Is everyone finished with their songs? Maybe we can call it a night, Heather?" I asked and turned to find Heather snoring in her seat.
Out of nowhere, a short, slender girl with a blonde pixie cut strode over from another side of the room, a determined look in her eyes. She made a beeline for Heather's sleeping form and, to my surprise, flopped over the woman's body as if she had done that countless times before.
"Wakey, wakey! Time to go home, Heather Senpai!" the girl said, poking Heather lightly on the cheek as if to her up, but it didn't look like she was trying that hard.
Heather made a soft groaning sound in response to the girl's touches however she seemed to go right back to sleep. I was about to reprimand her but was cut off by the sound of Sarah's drunken laughter.
"Amber, don'tttt; Heather might waaaake uppp and get maaaaad at youuuu," Sarah said, slurring the entire time as she was waving the girl off.
"Well, someone has to take her home, and I can't carry her, so she has to at least walk to my car," the girl called Amber said.
The minute Amber spoke I finally recognized her; she was the one with Sarah when I that confrontion with Ruby for force-feeding cake to Sarah months ago.
"Oh, um, I can help you get her to the car; I've carried her before," I suggested and stood up, walking over to Heather and dragging her limp body out of the seat.
After I hoisted her up onto my shoulder and over my back, my arms wrapped firmly around her legs, I looked over at Amber, "Lead the way," I said.
Amber said, "Follow me," and led me through the room doors and out to the main lobby.
There was a side entrance to the car park, which Amber led us out by. Within minutes, we reached her car, which she had parked nearby.
After Amber opened the door for me, I backed up and eased Heather into the back seat of the car, folding her legs so that she was tucked into the car safely for the trip home.
"How will you get her out once you reach her place?" I asked Amber.
"Oh, that's not a problem. Heather often sleeps over at my place. Once we get there, I'll know how to wake her, no worried!" Amber said as she slammed the door to Heather and hopped into the driver's seat of the car.
As she drove away, I wondered if I had just handed Heather over to a friend, a potential partner, or a stalker. Shaking my head, I decided to call in and check if she was alive in the morning.
I returned to find Sarah snoring on the table. Most people had started to file out in pairs or trios, some calling cabs while others fumbling around for their car keys as they struggled to hold up their drunk friend/colleague.
I reached down and tapped Sarah on the shoulder.
"Hmm?" Sarah stirred and woke up, looking up at me blurrily eyed.
"Let's go home; come on, it's late," I said and cupped her elbow, coaxing her to stand up.
"Is it over already? But I didn't hear you sing like a nightingale," She whined, wrapping her hands around my bicep and standing up on wobbly feet.
"Well, someone needed to stay sober to drive us home, so you'll just have to be the next one who remains sober if you want to hear that?" I said, chuckling as she clutched at me, drunkenly leaning her body into mine.
I sighed, relishing the feeling of her body flushed against me, however I knew there was no way we could get to the car like this. I pulled my arm out of her grasp but then wrapped an arm firmly around her waist, making sure that she couldn't fall over.
Sarah whimpered a little from being forced to let go of my arm, so I took her delicate limb and hung it loosely over my shoulder. I leaned into her ear and took advantage of the moment to nuzzle her ear a little.
"Hold on to me, baby," I purred and smiled as the reaction was immediate. Sarah's warm hand grabbed hold of my shoulder, sighing as she leaned against me, practically melting into my hold.
"That's my girl" I grinned and started to walk us out of the lounge, over to my car.
As we stepped outside, the crisp night air hit us, making Sarah shiver a little. I held her closer to my body and walked us quickly over to my car to get us out of the cold.
I pulled open the passenger seat and helped Sarah to get in, helping her to put on her seat belt before I went over and entered the driver's seat, closing the door and putting on my own seat belt. As I started the car, Sarah fell asleep almost immediately, her soft snore making my heart flutter as she sounded like a small kitten, so peaceful and at ease in the sanctuary of my cat. I ran a hand through her hair, taking a moment to just admire her sweet sleeping form before I drove off.
I hummed to myself as I took us back to a lovely, warm home, where awaited a particularly strong anti-hangover medication and a nice warm blanket for Sarah.