Redemption

3

"I promise you, no alcohol or drugs or guns. You're safe with my words."

The summer air was blaring hot, even at this time of the night. It was slightly windy, my favorite weather, the roads filled with heat waves and soda cups.

Soda cups? I thought as Eleanor and I stepped out of her Mercedes, closing the door behind us. The party's music was booming through the speakers, the familiar tune from Armin Van Buuren. The whole yard was trashed with toilet paper and red plastic cups. A few people were entering the doors of the Harries' manor, a few leaving in somebody's arms or with messy hair and crumpled clothes.

I barely got any sleep last night, having some sort of nightmare about being in someone else's perspective, deliberately walking through a dark alley with a knife in my hand.

From the reeking sickly air of this one night, I smelled the beer and wine, the aroma of perfume and cologne as people strutted past my confused expression.

"So much for 'no alcohol,'" I muttered, crossing my arms over my chest. Eleanor had settled a fancy dress for me; tight around my waist and puffy like a too too mid-thigh. It was pretty, and I had thought it was too pretty but I didn't have anything else in mind except for jeans and a shirt--which Eleanor wouldn't allow because I'd 'embarrass her'--. She decided on something 'sexy' with a tight red dress. I was still uncomfortable in a room of drunk boys with me wearing a dress but, hey, I'm not attractive.

"Shut up," Eleanor snapped calmly and slapped my arm, and I rolled my eyes. "It's just one party. Chill." The two of us walked towards the staircase, and soon found ourselves inside the large house. The place was ginormous, beautiful sketches and paintings of art plastered on the walls which were bare white. A staircase was in the corner, spiralling towards the top where I caught several doors; which were most likely bedrooms and bathrooms because they were on the second story. A few shelves and draws filled the large corridor we were currently in, a few decorative quartz vases placed firmly on the creamy white colored furniture.

My eyes scanned the place as Eleanor dragged me towards the living room. A large desk sort of thing was at the back, a makeshift dance floor below everybody's heels and shoes as people thrusted and jerked awkwardly to the music. I searched for somebody I knew, like Finn or Jack, but I couldn't seem to find them. There was definitely more than a hundred people here, unlike what Eleanor said. People must've overheard the party and increased the guests by arriving uninvited. I cared a lot, because the room was crowded; like a club, and I could barely breathe. I saw a fan and air conditioner working, but it did little to dispose the chemicals lingering in the thick air.

I choked on the air of somebody's smoke, and watched as a man kissed the tip of the cigarette. It was a boy, watching over the audience as if he was looking for someone. The dark look in his eyes proved that he was dangerous, and I shuffled towards Eleanor, only to realise...I had lost her.

I cursed loudly, craning my neck to find the brunette haired girl. Unfortunately for me, I couldn't see her. I bit my lip nervously, hoping desperately to find this only girl I knew.

A dark chuckle erupted behind me and I froze, slowly turning around to meet the man with the smoke. His jaw line was definitely not concealed, along with his biceps and powerful body. His height was overwhelming and intimidating, looming over me easily, and I felt small and helpless towards him.

I took deep breaths to calm myself down. He hasn't said anything yet, so I didn't understand why my chest was sharply rising and falling and my heart beat sped rapidly.

"Are you lost, sweetheart?" The boy's voice was gruff and deep, almost seductive, and if he hadn't looked so frightening I would've thought he was attractive with his black hair spiked upwards and his chocolate colored eyes boring into mine.

I smiled politely, my knees feeling weak just by his presence. "Just waiting for my friend," I mumbled, fiddling with my fingers. I didn't want to leave this spot to look for my best friend because I was next to the door and I could breathe properly, and though I was next to a large teenage boy and wanted to run away from him, I did not want to enter the crowd of intoxicated people before me.

"I don't think she will come," he smirked, and my shoulders slumped. The boy moved closer and I took a step back, finding myself stuttering, "She's here, I j-just lost h-her."

The charming boy snickered, and I swallowed. "Are you sure about that?" he grinned, and I frowned in confusion. Didn't he believe me? "Pretty and innocent girl comes to a party like this. Will it be rude to ask why you are here? Do you know the people hosting this party?"

I bit my tongue so I don't scoff, instead, I answered, "Yes, these people are in my class. But I don't recognise you." It was true, I've never seen him before and I was wondering if he was related to Jack or Finn or if he was good friends with them. "Do you know these people?"

The taller boy grinned and turned his head for a second. "Nope," he said casually, whilst I panicked inside. "I'm looking for somebody, too." His eyes flickered back to me, and I blinked. "The name's Zayn."

I really needed to find Eleanor, which will be probably close to impossible with the amount of sick humans here. I nodded to the boy apparently known as Zayn before shyly pulling my phone out of my purse. "I'm Evelyn." I dialled my friend's number before pressing the cold item to my ear. "I just need to find my friend." He smiled in understandment before returning his gaze to the thick mob. I waited eagerly, for about two minutes, before I pulled the phone away, annoyed, and realised Eleanor couldn't hear her ringtone,

"I really need to find my friend," I sighed, and Zayn chuckled. "I'll be leaving now." I spun on a heel and cautiously walked towards the doors that lead me to the living room.

"Wait!" A raspy voice called, and I whirled around to face Zayn yet again. "Can I have your number?" My eyes widened in shock as I thought of something to say. "Uh," Against my better judgement, I handed my phone to Zayn, and as he retrieved the device from my small--compared to his--hand, his big hand brushed mine warmly. He handed me his phone, and I pressed a button on his iPhone to open up a picture of a beautiful girl on his lock screen. She had short blonde hair and sparkly blue eyes. Her back was faced towards the camera but she was looking to the right, grinning. I noticed the tattoo on her neck; a small chain about two centimetres long.

I shook my head softly, feeling a little bad for eyeing his girl; he might've thought I was judging her, so I quickly opened up his phone and typed my number in it before handing it back to him.

Why was he getting my number when he was already taken? Maybe she wasn't his, and was a random person he thought was hot. He looked like the kind of guy to do that. However, when I caught the same symbol on his neck as the pretty girl on his phone, I knew he had found his mate.

"Thanks, sweetheart." Zayn smiled. I scoffed, "I prefer Evelyn, thanks." Zayn smirked coldly, and straightened, his height towering over me once again. "Whatever you say, sweetheart," he smirked and I glared at him. He began to walk the other direction of myself. At one point, he turned around and said, "I really like your tattoo, seems familiar," before walking off, leaving me utterly speechless.