THE BOY WHO HATED ME

THE TROUBLE

I stared at the door long after Adrian left.

The music was still loud, people were still dancing, but something about the atmosphere felt different now.

“What was that about?” Maya asked beside me.

“I have no idea,” I replied.

But Adrian’s last words kept repeating in my head.

Be careful tonight.

“Do you think something happened?” Maya asked.

“Maybe,” I said slowly.

Before we could talk more, someone turned the music up even louder and the crowd started cheering again.

It looked like the party was going to continue even without Adrian.

“I think we should leave,” I said.

Maya blinked.

“Already?”

“Yeah. I suddenly don’t feel like staying.”

She looked around at the crowded room.

“Honestly… me neither.”

We grabbed our bags and started heading toward the door.

As we stepped outside, the cool night air felt refreshing after the loud party.

The street was darker and much quieter than before.

Cars were still parked everywhere, but most people were inside the house.

“Finally,” Maya sighed. “My ears needed a break.”

I laughed slightly.

“Same.”

We started walking down the street toward the main road.

The only sounds were our footsteps and the distant music from the party.

But after a few minutes…

I felt something strange.

Like someone was watching us.

I slowed down.

“What’s wrong?” Maya asked.

“I’m not sure.”

I glanced behind us.

At first, I didn’t see anything.

Then suddenly—

Headlights turned on.

A black car parked across the street started its engine.

My stomach tightened.

“That car wasn’t there before,” I whispered.

Maya looked nervous.

“Maybe it’s just someone leaving the party.”

Maybe.

But the car didn’t move.

Instead…

It slowly started following us.

My heart started beating faster.

“Maya,” I said quietly.

“Walk faster.”

“Why?”

“Just trust me.”

We picked up our pace.

Behind us, the car rolled forward slowly.

The headlights stayed on us.

That’s when Maya realized.

“Oh my god…”

Before we could react, the car suddenly sped up.

And stopped right in front of us.

The doors opened.

Two men stepped out.

My heart dropped instantly.

They were the same guys who challenged Adrian earlier.

One of them smiled coldly.

“Looks like your bodyguard isn’t here anymore.”

Maya grabbed my arm.

“What do we do?”

I forced myself to stay calm.

But deep down…

I knew Adrian’s warning had been right.

The night wasn’t over.

And we were in serious trouble.