Chapter 3
1625 Words
I locked my dorm room door and flopped onto my bed, staring at my phone. My heart was still unsteady from what had happened with Bastien…the strange symbol…and the feeling I was getting anytime I saw Eli.
But I didn’t want to think about any of those.
I wanted to think about Guzman.
The distance between us was unbearable. It had only been a few weeks since I moved to New York, but already, I felt like something between us was slipping.
I clicked on our chat. I texted him hi and he replied almost immediately….
Guzman: What are you wearing?
I smiled at his usual confidence.
Me: a hoodie and shorts.
Guzman: Boring.
Me: What did you expect? a red lace dress?
Guzman: I was hoping for nothing.
I bit my lip, my skin heating up.
Me: You wish.
Guzman: You know what I miss?
I stared at the screen, waiting.
Guzman: The way you looked at me when I kissed your neck. The way your breath caught in your throat.
My fingers hovered over the keyboard. I could almost feel his lips against my skin, the way he used to whisper against my ear before….
I exhaled, my body tingling.
me: I miss that too.
Guzman: Close your eyes. Imagine my hands on your waist, pulling you closer.
I did.
I could hear his voice in my head, and could almost feel the warmth of his body pressed against mine. My thighs squeezed together, craving something I couldn’t have right now.
Me: Keep going.
Guzman: You always got breathless when I touched you here…
a picture flashed in my mind—his lips trailing down my stomach, his hands gripping my thighs, pulling me beneath him.
I swallowed hard.
Me: Guzman…
His typing bubbles appeared, then stopped. Then started again.
Guzman: I can’t take this. Pick up the phone.
My phone buzzed with an incoming call. I hesitated before answering.
“Hey,” I said softly.
His voice was lower than usual. “I need to hear your voice.”
I smiled. “You just did.”
“Not like this.”
There was a silence between us, heavy, charged. I could hear him breathing, could picture him running a hand through his hair, his jaw clenched the way it always did when he wanted me.
“are you alone?” he asked.
I bit my lip. “Yes.”
“Good.”
His voice dropped an octave. “Tell me what you want, Nadia.”
I closed my eyes, gripping the sheets. “I want you.”
His breath hitched. “Damn it. I miss you.”
I smiled. “Then come visit me.”
Silence.
Then, his voice changed less heated, more serious. “I wish I could. But it feels like you don’t even need me anymore.”
My stomach twisted. “That’s not true.”
“Isn’t it?” He exhaled. “We barely talk anymore, Nadia. You used to call me first. Now I feel like I’m chasing you.”
Guilt settled in my chest.
“I’m just busy,” I said weakly.
“Too busy for me?”
“No, I….
“You’re slipping away,” he cut me off. His voice was raw. “and I don’t know how to stop it.”
My throat tightened.
I wanted to tell him he was wrong, that nothing had changed.
But something had.
I just didn’t know how to explain it.
“I love you, Guzman,” I whispered instead.
He sighed, the tension still there. “I love you too.”
But for the first time, I wasn’t sure if love was enough.
The day started like any other until I saw Eli and Aiden
I had barely stepped into the hallway when I spotted them near the lockers. Their voices were low, but their body language said it all. Tension. Sharp and heavy. Aiden's jaw was clenched tight, and Eli stood with his arms crossed, his face unreadable but cold.
I slowed down, pretending to check my phone, hoping to catch a word, anything, but the sounds of students moving past couldn't make me hear a thing. Whatever was going on between them, it wasn’t friendly.
“Hey,” Ava nudged me, breaking my focus. “Why are you staring at them?”
“I’m not.” I shoved my phone into my pocket. “They were just… arguing or something.”
Ava raised an eyebrow. “Well, boys fight over dumb stuff. Trust me, it’s not worth caring about.” She looped her arm through mine. “Come on, we’re gonna be late.”
After class, Tasha, the queen of the rich kids, stood by the door with a wide grin plastered across her face. “Okay, losers,” she said, flicking her perfect blonde hair over her shoulder. “I’m throwing a party tonight. My parents are out of town, so it’s gonna be wild. and yes, you’re invited.”
Ava gasped, already buzzing with excitement. “a Tasha party? We’re so going.”
“I don’t know…” I hesitated.
“Oh, come on, Nadia,” Tasha rolled her eyes. “You’re new. You need to loosen up.”
I didn’t answer right away, but when Ava clapped her hands like a kid on Christmas morning, I gave in. “Fine. But if I hate it, I’m leaving early.”
Tasha’s house wasn’t far, but it was massive like a mansion ripped straight from some reality TV show. The bass from the music shook the walls, and the smell of alcohol and weed hung thick in the air.
Inside, bodies pressed together, moving to the music. Laughter echoed through the rooms. a group of seniors crowded around the kitchen, passing drinks like it was a contest to see who could get wasted the fastest.
I spotted Eli leaning against the wall near the living room, his eyes scanning the crowd like he didn’t want to be there. Aiden stood nearby, but he didn’t look as calm as usual. His shoulders were tense, fists curled like he was barely holding something back.
“You made it,” Tasha said, sliding next to us with a red plastic cup in her hand. “and just in time, Truth or Dare.”
Ava, already tipsy, cheered. “Yes! Let’s play.”
I shook my head. “I don’t really……”
“Relax, it’s just a game,” Tasha interrupted, pulling me toward the circle forming in the middle of the room.
I sat next to Ava while Eli settled across from me. Aiden, still looking annoyed, leaned against the wall.
The game started harmless enough, silly dares, embarrassing confessions. But then, Tasha’s lips curled into a wicked smile. “Nadia, truth or dare?”
I should have said.. truth. I knew better. But something about the way she was looking at me made me say, “Dare.”
“I dare you to kiss Eli,” she said, dragging out his name like it was some juicy secret. “I mean, you two have been eyeing each other all night.”
Heat flooded my face. I glanced at Eli, expecting him to back out, but instead, he tilted his head slightly, a challenge in his eyes.
“Unless you’re scared,” Tasha teased.
“I’m not scared,” I said, pushing myself up and moving toward him. My heart pounded in my chest as I knelt down.
Eli didn’t hesitate. The second I leaned in, his hand brushed my jaw, and his lips found mine. The kiss wasn’t soft or hesitant. It was deep, intense. a spark shot through me, curling low in my stomach. His fingers slid into my hair, pulling me closer as if he didn’t want to let go.
I forgot we were in a room full of people. I forgot everything except the way he felt like he wanted me just as much as I wanted him.
When we finally pulled apart, my breath hitched. But it wasn’t just the kiss that left me shaken, it was the way his eyes glowed for a split second. Bright and wild.
“You two need a room,” Tasha giggled, breaking the moment.
I forced a laugh, brushing my hair behind my ear. But when I glanced toward the corner of the room, Aiden was watching us. His face was tense, and something flickered behind his eyes, jealousy. Why would he care? I wondered.
I didn’t have time to figure it out. The walls suddenly felt too tight, the air too heavy. “I need some air,” I said, pushing myself up.
“Nadia….” Eli stood, but I raised a hand.
“I’m fine. It was just a game, okay? Nothing more.” The words tasted like a lie, but I said them anyway. “I can find my own way back.”
His jaw clenched, but he didn’t stop me.
By the time I left Tasha’s house, the streets were quiet. The sky had turned darker, the last traces of sunlight fading away. I checked my phone 8:07 PM.
I hugged my arms to my chest as I walked, the cool air brushing against my skin. My mind replayed the kiss over and over, no matter how much I tried to shake it off.
Then I felt it.
a chill ran down my spine. Someone was following me.
at first, I thought I was imagining things, but the sound of footsteps, soft but steady, echoed behind me. My heart hammered in my chest as I quickened my pace.
Don’t panic. It’s just someone walking home.
But when I turned the corner, the footsteps followed.
and whoever it was, they weren’t stopping.
- Writer
