SOULMATES

SNITCH!

15.

PERCY’s POV.

I sat back on the chair and the girl turned to look at me

"What? " she asked.

"Nothing. Let's just....sit here for a while. It's still pretty early you know."

My watch read 11:17 then. She smiled happily and resumed her position next to me,oblivious to how abnormal my heart was beating and how I wish to be any where but there at that moment. She placed her hand on my thigh but i didn't move, I sat still. I knew how this looked like and it was really bad.

Fuck ! What was she even doing here? She could’ve left a message or called to let me know she was coming and this situation would’ve been avoided. Honestly I didn’t think she would ever show up unannounced. She hated these parties and it took so much effort to get her to come . Why would I ever think that she would decide to show up, today of all days.

*Right. Today was a weekday and there isn’t suppose to be a party. She probably thought so*

I chewed on the inside of my lips, a bad habit I slipped into when I was nervous. How long had she been standing there? What exactly did she see? I shut my eyes briefly as I recalled the events of the past minute or so. I had the girl on my lap, my hand around her waist , eyes shut as she grinded against me, we stood up to leave which meant going to continue what we started somewhere private and Phoebe may or may not have see all that. f**k !! My hands were too shaky I had to drop the cup on the table.

"Bro what happened?"

Sam asked. I was sure he knew what. The smirk on his face proved it. I glared at him. I had my back to the crowd but he didn’t and I’m sure he saw Phoebe come in. He could’ve said something but didn’t. What the hell was his problem?

"I want out of this bet shit."

Those were the words that left my lips. My friends looked confused for a moment then they burst into laughter. My head snapped up. I didn’t think I said anything funny.

"The girl too tough err."

Lucky said through his laughter. I shook my head. I wanted to lie. I wanted to say that the only problem i had is that I didn’t find her attractive. She wasn’t a bad girl and it was hard turning me on. But instead i said,

“I think this isn’t necessary anymore. It doesn't feel right to treat her like that. She's actually a nice person if you get to know her. So I thought maybe we should let her be.”

I blurted. Sam looked at me in amusement.

"Why, have you suddenly grown soft and kind? You were the very person who vowed to give the girl a treat for acting so insolent with you the other time. Then Luc here challenged you were never going to have your way with her so we made a bet. And you even got more furious when you found out Harold wanted her too so why the sudden change of mind"

I went cold at the mention of Harold and suddenly I remembered my reason for carrying out this mission. But still, should my anger towards Harold be carried out on Phoebe? i didn't even have anything against the guy except him flaunting around boasting of being the only guy Phoebe paid mind to was annoying. I didn’t even care anymore because now I know the trust. Phoebe did care about him but what we had was unique, she loved me and it would be nice to flag it in his face. I didn’t care about him so I decided,

"Let's just forget about all this. I want you people to know there's no bet now."

"You can't be serious. You know you can't back out now. You know the rules. Not when she slept in your room last night."

Vanessa!

She came telling she found Phoebe in my room. That s**t!!! . I gritted my teeth. Sam leaned forward, voice dropping.

“The rules say you show proof. Otherwise we pick the forfeit. Remember?”

My eyes flicked between them. I remembered the rule alright —one we had all laughed about weeks ago. One that seemed harmless when she was just a stranger. Before she smiled at me, trusted me. Before she became the only thing i thought about when i tried to sleep.

"Percy,are you sure there's no other reason? Have you, fallen for her or something? "

Sam asked quietly. Then he slapped me on the shoulder

“Look, man… we get it. She’s pretty. Maybe interesting in ways we may never get but don’t go soft. Not over a girl.”

The girl whose name i couldn't even remember was returning with two cups of vodka now. What was wrong with me? Why couldn’t I just own up to my feelings. Instead I felt shame and embarrassment for being associated with the four letter word. I threw my head back and laughed the fakest laughter ever.

" Are you serious? Me, fall for her ...."

I laughed again.

*God! I'm so pathetic*

“So,”

Marcus drawled, leaning back in his chair,

“when are you going to stop pretending and show us the proof? A bet’s a bet, Percy.”

My jaw clenched.

“I told you—there’s nothing to prove. Nothing happened man..”

“Oh, come on,”

Sam laughed, nudging Marcus.

“He definitely did it. He’s just too whipped to admit it.”

The others smirked, nodding in agreement.

I felt heat crawl up my neck, not from embarrassment, but anger. If they knew how much she meant to me now—how deeply i regretted ever letting them drag me into this stupid, cruel challenge—they’d never shut up.But they didn’t know. They couldn’t know.

Marcus tapped a finger on the table.

“We all agreed: no proof, no win. And no win means you pay the price. Unless…”

his grin sharpened

“You are willing to approve the forfeit”

Lucky added.

“What kind of forfeit?”

A slow, twisted grin spread across Marcus’s face.

“Something that will make you regret breaking the rules.”

The others murmured approval, their eyes glittering with excitement at the idea of a punishment.

My fists tightened until my knuckles turned white. Every instinct screamed at me to walk out, to leave these boys who still thought they ruled my world.

But this wasn’t just about me anymore.If they decide to go after her—if they decide she should be part of the forfeit…

Cold dread surged through me.

I glared at them, voice shaking with controlled fury.

“Touch her, involve her, even speak her name—and your done for!”

Sam’s smirk returned. “Who said the forfeit would involve her?”

My jaw locked. Every part of me knew they were lying. My friends had a reputation—they always went after the weakest point. And right now, she was mine.

Kobby stood, clapping a hand onto my shoulder

“Relax. We won’t hurt your little girlfriend.”

I shrugged him off. I didn’t trust them. Not with her. Not with anything. I saw what they did to other girls. If I wanted to protect her I should be able to keep my cool. Sighing,

“Guys this isn’t a big deal. Come on you know me. When have I ever pulled a fast one on you? I always fulfill my part of the bargain. Let me off the hook just this once. Remember her father is a professor. Things can get sore for all of us if this backfires and I’m telling you that girl is too soft she can’t handle something like this. Seriously she’s not worth it.”

Some of the boys nodded in agreement but I could tell Sam wasn’t having it. The bastard .

“You have a point. We’ve come too far to loose it all because of some chic. We can’t get into trouble.”

Jayden reasoned and my nerves began to calm. That was so close. Sam and Marcus didn’t look too happy about that but I could relax. Majority carried the vote.

i groaned to myself remembering the look on Phoebe’s face when I came face to face with her. I wondered if i should go after her or just sit here, faking laughs and denying emotions.All of a sudden someone shoved me from behind and I nearly landed on the floor.

"What the fuck....."

I turned and came face to face with Harold.

"What's your problem huh! "

I yelled. Harold shoved me again and i went crushing into a nearby table. He came for me again but some boys held him from behind.

"Stay away from Phoebe! Why is she crying? You brought her in here and hanged out with some s**t? Percy I'll tolerate anything from you but not hurting Phoebe ."

Oh so he was here for Phoebe? I was already beating myself up as it was and didn’t need a lecture from some looser who couldn’t even tell when a girl did not like him.

"Listen you imbecile, you don't come making trouble you can't handle. Is it my fault she chose me over you? And one more thing, you don't dare teach me how to leave my life. I'll do whatever I want with whom ever I want!"

I fired back.

"You seriously think Phoebe is gonna go for a guy like you? No she won't. Not even after tonight."

Then he laughed.

I was boiling with anger because he was so right and i knew it. Phoebe would never want me. I was too much damaged to have a girl like her. It made me more angry. Why couldn't i be like Harold, a real gentleman and layed back?

He went on,

"No body,I mean no body can take my place in Phoebe's heart.she belongs with me so back off! "

he yelled and turned to go. The f**k this guy knows?

"I don't actually care who she ends up with, some jerk like you isn't my problem but just to prove to you that you deserve nothing but my left over, if I don't f**k this girl, change my name!"

I lied. I very much cared about who she ended up with because I wanted it to be me. I wanted her. I could deceive everyone around me but I could deceive myself.

He was gone before i was done talking but i didn't care. I wanted to say more so he followed him out, blinded by rage but he was gone.

*He better be gone or I’d beat the s**t out of him should he say another word about Phoebe.*

Usually id ignore him and continue with whatever it was i was doing but today was not the day. Already i was pissed and frustrated because i couldn't get the girl out of my head when i knew very well she wasn't going to be mine.I needed to release some of the pent up anger and Harold seemed like the perfect punching bag at the moment. I’d see how he will come here bragging about Phoebe liking him if i dislocated his jaw permanently.

I knew, Phoebe would never be with me. No girl in their rightful senses would. She found her with a girl just after the day we made out and I had promised her that things were different with her. There was no doubt about how she felt about me now and that thought wasn't helping with my already sore mood.

Ignoring the pang in my chest, i told myself it was better that way. Now she'll stay away from me, move on with her life while i went back to mine.

That was when it hit me..

Harold said Phoebe came out crying? Who knows what she probably would be up to. It wasn't as if she was gonna kill herself for a jerk like me but the neighborhood was quite dangerous with all these drunk freaks around. If she wasn’t with him, she might be in trouble.

*I had to go after her. Hell! What did i care?*

Of cause I did care! I was dying inward right there.I ignored Lisa or whatever her name was and set out,not knowing where to start from.....