THE GAME BEGINS
548 Words
The music at the party was louder than ever.
People were dancing, laughing, and shouting over the sound of the speakers. Colored lights flashed across the walls, making everything feel chaotic.
But my attention was still on Chloe’s warning.
Girls who get too close to Adrian usually regret it.
I crossed my arms and looked at Adrian.
“Your friends are very welcoming,” I said sarcastically.
He sighed.
“Chloe isn’t my friend.”
“Really?” I asked. “She seemed pretty comfortable threatening me.”
Adrian’s expression darkened slightly.
“She likes drama.”
“Well, she’s good at it.”
For a moment, Adrian studied my face like he was trying to decide something.
Then suddenly he grabbed my wrist.
“Come on.”
“What are you doing?” I asked as he pulled me through the crowd.
“Showing you something.”
We pushed past groups of students until we reached a quieter hallway upstairs. The music was still loud, but at least people weren’t everywhere.
I pulled my hand away.
“You could have just asked.”
“You would have said no.”
“Probably.”
Adrian leaned against the wall, crossing his arms.
“You handle attention surprisingly well.”
“What attention?”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Half the school is downstairs talking about you.”
“Wonderful,” I muttered.
“They’re curious.”
“Why?”
“Because no one talks to me the way you do.”
I frowned.
“That sounds like their problem.”
He laughed quietly.
“You really don’t care what people think.”
“I transferred here for a fresh start,” I said. “I’m not interested in high school politics.”
Adrian’s expression became more serious.
“A fresh start from what?”
I looked away.
“That’s not your business.”
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then suddenly the hallway door slammed open.
Chloe walked in with two of her friends.
Her eyes immediately landed on us.
“Well, well,” she said slowly.
“This is interesting.”
I sighed.
“Don’t you have something better to do?”
Chloe ignored me and looked directly at Adrian.
“You disappeared from your own party for her?”
Adrian didn’t respond.
Chloe’s smile turned sharp.
“You should be careful,” she said to me again.
I stepped closer to her.
“I’m not scared of you.”
Her friends looked shocked.
Chloe stared at me for a moment.
Then she laughed.
“You should be.”
Before I could reply, Adrian suddenly stepped between us.
“That’s enough, Chloe.”
His voice was calm.
But there was something dangerous in it.
For the first time since I met her…
Chloe looked slightly nervous.
“Relax,” she said, raising her hands. “I was just talking.”
“Then leave.”
She glared at me one last time before turning around.
“This isn’t over,” she muttered before walking away.
The hallway became quiet again.
I looked at Adrian.
“You really know how to start drama.”
He sighed.
“You have no idea.”
And somehow…
I had the strange feeling that tonight’s problems were only just beginning.
- Writer
