AFTER HOURS: MY DEAL WITH PROFESSOR BANCROFT

CHAPTER 9

JULIA

My eyes swept over the packed club. Coloured lights spread across the dance floor and the heavy bass music vibrated against my chest, reminding me of the exact reason I didn't like clubs.

I looked over at Nina, already nodding her head in tune to the music and searching for her boyfriend in the packed crowd.

As if sensing my eyes on her, she glanced at me.

"What's wrong?" She yelled over the loud music.

"This is more than I expected" I yelled back and she broke into a new smile.

"You'll have fun" she tried to encourage and I looked back at the crowd.

I really doubted I'd have fun in a place like this. But I'd agreed to come, so I had to endure it.

"I'm going to grab us some drinks" she yelled again and before I could stop her, I saw her blend into the crowd.

"Damn it, Nina!" I muttered under my breath, walking on the edge of the dance floor, heading for the darker spot in the club.

I'd just settled on an empty seat when a voice called my name. I froze and slowly turned around.

Timothy stood behind me, an overeager smile on his face. My brows furrowed as he drew even closer.

"I saw you coming here"

And he followed? I couldn't keep the displeasure off my face. But trust Timothy not to notice... or pretend he didn't see.

He slipped into the free chair across from me.

"Aren't you going to party?" I asked in a flat tone.

"Not for me" he scoffed and leaned forward.

"We're more alike than you know"

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. God forbid I was anything like Timothy. I sent a message to Nina. If she didn't show up immediately, I was going to jump ship and call it a night.

"Jared told me you had some issues with Bancroft"

"It's all sorted out"

His eyes widened. "I was going to speak to him and..."

"No need for that Timothy. Thanks but I can handle myself"

"Oh. Then..."

"I have your drink" Nina's loud voice interrupted and I sighed in relief. One more second alone with Timothy and I may have snapped.

Nina handed over a pink drink and I frowned as I brushed the glass under my nose. The heavy smell of strawberry with a hint of citrus assaulted my nose.

"Is there alcohol?" I asked with a frown. I knew not to believe that it was free from alcohol just because it smelled like fruit. Nina didn't work that way.

"A little?"

The uncertainty in her voice raised my brows.

"Nina?"

"Come on. It's just a glass. You have to loosen up. Enjoy the night"

"Nina is right" Jared jumped in.

"This is one of the few times you hang out with us. University will be over in a few months and you've barely enjoyed any bit of it"

I took a sip of the drink.

Alcohol and partying didn't count as fun to me but if I didn't drink, they'd keep nagging me about it and I sure didn't want to spend the evening that way.

The taste exploded on my tongue, sweeter than I'd expected. And totally enjoyable if you took away my memory about the alcohol.

"We should be dancing" Jared grumbled, his eyes flying back towards the dance floor.

"Come on Julia. You have to get the full experience" Nina rose to her feet and Jared followed her.

"Go on. I'll join you later" I smiled at her and they turned away.

"... spoilsport" I heard Jared's voice over the music, and Nina swatted his arm playfully. I looked away, the words stinging at me.

And the regret that I knew was coming slammed into me. I hated clubbing.

And it was foolish to agree to go to a club just because I'd passed a paper. But the excitement had taken over rational thinking at that moment and it felt like a good thing to do.

Right now, I just wanted to go back home and curl under my covers.

I took a large gulp from my drink.

"You should take it easy"

I looked up again, staring at Timothy's concerned face. I'd forgotten he was still here. I groaned and rose to my feet.

"Where are you going?"

"Dancing" I muttered, heading straight for the crowd.

Anything was better than listening to him.

I pushed through a mass of sweaty bodies dancing to the horrible music that made my head throb.

"Julia..." I looked over my shoulder and spotted Timothy, heading towards me with a mission in his eyes.

"s**t!" I muttered and moved faster, pushing past the never ending swam of bodies.

"Julia"

I heard my name again from behind and immediately sensed Timothy was drawing closer.

I looked around and spotted it, a door just a few inches away.

"Sorry," I mumbled, my shoulders knocking into someone as I rushed towards the door.

"Julia" the voice came again but I was faster, pushing the door open and slamming it behind me.

The music instantly died down and a sigh of relief escaped me. I looked around the empty area. The only thing in sight was the stairs.

My feet carried me forward, climbing upward. If Timothy saw me going through that door, then he'd certainly be coming through it.

Another door appeared at the top of the stairs and I pushed it open.

I paused immediately. The room beyond was dark... and silent. It felt wrong. My instinct screamed for me to turn around.

I took a step back at the same time colors flashed, as if lighting up a scene.

'Go back' my brain screamed at me but my curiosity was much stronger. I moved forward, into the dark room and towards the light.

My feet caught onto something and my arms shot out to steady myself, knocking against a railing.

I steadied myself and looked over, a quiet gasp slipping out at the sight in front of me.

Bodies.

In different stages of undress.

It felt like a different world up here.

Suddenly, a bright light flashed and I saw the crowd standing around the balcony.

I took a step back, tracing my way back.

Until I bumped into a body.

Hard, warm, and unmistakably male.

Muscular arms closed around my waist and I gasped.

"What are you doing here Miss Walker?" A familiar voice drawled against my ears.

My body froze and the breath was knocked out of me. I knew that voice.

"Professor Bancroft"