Soulbond

Chapter 4

"No way. I told you to wear something sexy! And this is what you came up with?" Kaylee was throwing her usual tantrums over my outfit for the past 15 minutes.

"Come on, It's not that bad," I stated before she could ask me to change into something else.

All of a sudden, Kaylee's expressions changed, realizing we were late.

"s**t. You know what, I'm picking your outfit next time, besides we're already late." Kaylee said picking up the car keys and sprinted out of my room.

"And where are we off to?" I said, just as we got out of the house, and walked towards the car.

"You'll see," Kaylee said passing me a smile as we hopped inside the car.

"You know it's hard pretending, that nothing happened yesterday and carrying on just fine," I said resting my head back on the seat as I run a hand through my hair in frustration.

"That's because you're thinking too much about it." She put a hand on my shoulder in a comforting gesture. "I have the whole day planned because I don't wanna see you crying by my side." She said with a concerned expression on her face.

"Hey! The last I cried was last night!" I said scowling.

"Yeah yeah, whatever you say."

Starting the engine, we drove off to the mysterious destination Kaylee had in her mind.

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"Awe! Celine, welcome! Didn't expect you to be here today.." I was being squished in a tight hug by Malcolm, a very extra and cheery friend of Kaylee's.

Yes, Kaylee had brought me over to this weirdo's house over a party. Also, a party at ‘noon’ could only be expected from him.

Stomping on his foot hard, I freed myself from his choking hug before I could die of suffocation.

"Oomph," Malcolm said releasing me out of his grip.

"Weird of you to not expect me here." Actually, I might have known the reason. They all must have seen the picture Mike posted. But oh well, let them say it on my face and see the consequences.

"Uh never mind, great party Malcolm!" Kaylee said changing the topic.

"Oh it's nothing, that's all I could plan in a day. I was also planning to get a whole bar beside the kitchen next time." He said while showing his overly decorated house for "A noon party".

I made my way towards the kitchen leaving them both behind. As I made my way to the kitchen the first thing I saw was a liquor corner which was definitely not an option for me since I didn't want this day to end with a hangover. I grabbed a few snacks from another corner and poured myself some coke which I was shocked to see there, as Malcolm rarely did anything less than alcohol, maybe water.

The next moment, I regretted going out in the lounge. My world almost stopped for a few seconds as I spotted him, no... Not them.

Mike and Layla. The last people on earth I wanted to see now.

They were glued together just like before. Mike had his hand wrapped around Layla's waist. He was smiling while Layla laughed. Putting my coke and snacks on a table, I made my way towards them.

"Oh, Celi-"

Before I could even register it, my hand struck across his face.

The whole room went silent.

Call it a reflex action or the built-up anger inside of me, but it happened naturally. It actually felt good slapping him hard across his face. Even though the whole room was staring at me in disbelief, even Mike himself, but I somehow felt relieved and this weird energy radiating through my body making me braver with each passing second.

"What the f**k?" Kaylee ran towards me from another room. Malcolm was trailing behind her and he looked devastated. After all, I ruined his so-called "Noon Party".

Mike was fuming like a f*****g pressure cooker. Layla looked stunned, and they both glared at me.

“Oops.” Turning around, I muttered to Kaylee.

"I need some time alone." Passing her a wry smile I made my way past the gaping people and a glaring couple, towards the door.

Slamming the door shut behind me, I realized I couldn't take Kaylee's car leaving me with no choice but to call an uber. I started walking away from the house, scrolling through my phone. After a few minutes, I sat on the edge of the footpath just then a message popped on my screen. It was from Ashton.

"It's alright, been busy too. Will visit soon."

Visit?

Oh, how much I wanted to talk to him right now.

"Hoping you were here already. Miss you Bff :( "

I typed back and started walking again while looking for the uber driver I called.

It was after a few minutes when I realized the sound of footsteps behind me. Was someone following me? I took a peek over my shoulder and panicked when I couldn’t see clearly.

Shit. I needed to do something. It couldn't be anyone from the party. I don't socialize much, and Layla knew to give me some time alone.

I started walking faster; my uber was pretty close now. I didn't even want to turn around to see who it was. Suddenly I heard the sound of metal and a shiver ran through my body. Calm down, Celine! You can do this, probably call someone.  I tried to calm myself down by taking out my phone.

Ting!

A notification appeared on the screen and without thinking who it was from I called back the person. At that moment, it seemed like the only option, and it was probably from Layla. I stuck the phone to my ear, eagerly waiting for the person on the other side to pick up.

The footsteps were nearing now. I started walking even faster.

"Hello? Celine?" A manly voice echoed through the speaker.

It took me a minute to recognize the voice and I almost stopped in my track.

Wait.

Ashton? What the hell? Usually, he took ages to reply back. Oh my God, he was way out of town. He couldn't help me. I was so screwed.

I could literally feel the person nearing me to a corner. That was it.

"Ashton? I'm being followed! Call Layla, tell her I need help- "

I couldn't complete the sentence as something was placed over my mouth, making my go wider. I struggled against the hold but soon my senses started weakening and blackness engulfed me. The last thing I remembered was Ashton's panicky voice calling my name.