Chapter four
1000 Words
dripping
Vicky glared at Spring with exasperation.
“What?” Spring asked, confused.
“You obviously don’t know her—especially what she likes.” Spring turned to me.
“Dear roomie, are you really not enjoying this?” she asked, her poker face looking more like she was begging me not to admit the truth, knowing full well Vicky was right.
I stifled a laugh. “I think I need a drink,” I said, fleeing the scene before Spring could protest.
“I told you,” I heard Vicky say to Spring.
“Shut up, Vicky—but don’t drink too much. One of us has to drive,” Spring yelled after me. I didn’t respond, not wanting to be caught in between.
I grabbed a drink from one of the tables and headed outside. My eyes caught the serene pool, glowing invitingly, like it was calling me. Too bad I didn’t have my bikini on.
That didn’t stop me from walking closer. I squatted beside the pool and dipped my fingers into the water, just to feel it.
The balcony was less crowded, bright lights reflecting off the pool and displaying its vibrant blue color.
“Tempting, isn’t it?” a calm, subtle voice said behind me.
I turned and found myself face-to-face with a really cute guy—though not as cute as the one Spring had shown me earlier.
He had brown-gold hair, golden eyes, and a strong, masculine build—pretty common among cute guys these days.
“Yeah. Too bad I don’t have my bikini with me,” I replied, stepping away from the pool to face him.
He smirked, his cuteness blooming even more. I noticed the resemblance—he looked like the host of this chaotic party.
“I could grab you one, if you don’t mind,” he said, gesturing toward the building behind us, his calm nature added to his allure.
I smirked, amused. “No thanks.”
“Ouch.” He placed a hand over his heart, pretending to be hurt.
“No, I didn’t mean it that way—sorry,” I said, grinning when I realized he was joking.
“Are you here with someone or by yourself?” he asked, scanning the area.
“Yes—my roommate. She’s inside with her friend Vicky. I needed some fresh air. Crowds aren’t really my thing.”
“Same,” he said. “This is my brother’s idea of fun. I’m graduating, so he decided to throw this party it's like a sent fort”
That’s when it clicked—he was related to the guy in the picture.
“So you graduating and I’m a freshman. What a combo,” I teased.
“Yeah, what a combooo,” he echoed, and we slapped hands playfully.
“So you’re not enjoying your party?” I asked.
“Not really,” he admitted. “I appreciate the gesture, but the noise isn’t my thing.”
“I get that.” somehow I felt free with this guy usually it took me a while to get acquitted with anyone but i just felt like I could say anything to this guy.
“So, this is your house?” I asked.
“Yeah. And trust me, it wasn't always like this it was peace and quiet before he showed up.”
“Okay, but you didn’t need that whole explanation,” I joked.
“Sorry, I wasn’t very generous with the Oxford Dictionary,” he said, and we both laughed.
“By the way, I’m Alec—and you would be?” he said with a warm smile, extending his hand.
“Camberley. But my roommate and her friend call me Cam.”
“You know, people usually say, ‘I’m Camberley, but you can call me Cam.’ Do people really stress themselves out saying your full name?” he said dramatically.
“They do—and it’s not that long,” I protested, laughing as he raised his hands in surrender.
“enough about me—” i started, but was cut off by a voice.
“Camberley, meet my younger brother Jake. Jake, meet Camberley.”
I smiled warmly and offered my hand, but Jake ignored it completely.
“Dude, there’s a party going on in there and you’re out here with some stranger. What the hell?” Jake snapped, his breath reeking of smoke and vodka.
“Stop. She’s not a stranger. This is Camber—” Alec tried, but Jake cut him off again.
“Mitchell’s drunk, and I saw her walking out with some stranger earlier.”
Before he could finish, Alec took off. Whoever Mitchell was, she clearly mattered to him.
“You slut.”
I froze. The word felt foreign, unreal. How could he think so cheaply of me?
He stepped toward me, his eyes dark and unsettling, forcing me backward.
“You think you can charm my brother? He has a girlfriend. And even if he wanted you—which he wouldn’t—it would be for one night. Girls like you are just for one-night stands. Nothing more.”
I nearly slipped into the pool, grabbing the collar of his half-buttoned gray shirt to steady myself. My legs were trapped between his, my fingers clutching his shirt, brushing against his warm skin. The closeness made my stomach twist into unfamiliar knots—sweet, unwanted knots.
People nearby started watching. Some laughed. Others raised their phones.
To make things worse, he wrapped his arms around me, leaned close, and whispered near my ear, “I got you.”
For a split second, he sounded human.
The sensation sent electricity through me, paralyzing my limbs. I relaxed against his hard chest, relief I wasn't going into the pool—though i wanted the water so badly on my skin earlier but this time I didn't.
Then he shoved me.
I plunged into the steel pool as chaos erupted, water splashing over the edges.
- Writer
