Antonio Takes Her Up on the Offer

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“I’m down,” he says, still acting. He feels dumb, because he can’t stand the taste of liquor. But Antonio is used to hiding how he feels, so he grabs the bottle and takes a long drink, fighting the urge to cough. It burns all the way down.

“Wow,” Vanessa says.

“I’m used to it,” he lies. “I drink all the time with my brother.” He takes another drink, and feels the heat rising to his ears. He’s starting to feel dizzy, and Vanessa is looking at him strangely.

“Are you OK? You’re kind of swaying.”

“Fo’ sho,” he says. “I’m chill.” Reaching for his Vine vocabulary, Antonio starts improvising to impress her.

“Dang, Gina!” he says, nodding his chin at the tequila bottle.

Vanessa laughs and then covers her mouth. “You better go,” she says. “My mom’s going to be home pretty soon.”

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