Party.
1183 Words
Alec’s POV
The party.
The music was on full blast, thumping through the speakers and shaking the building. Bodies were pressed against each other, and neon lights flashed at every corner.
The smell of alcohol and perfume filled the air. I sat at the far end of the booth with the guys. Drinks in hand, laughing, jostling each other like usual.
“Yo, check it,” Mark nudged me, nodding towards the entrance. “Look who just walked in. Ooouu… goody-two-shoes, and she didn’t come alone.”
I followed his gaze, half interested. Then I saw her.
One of them whistled. “She looks good man”
She stood by the door with her friend Cassie. Clutching her bag. Her hair wasn’t in its usual ponytail. It fell down her shoulders and framed her fragile face. And the pink dress oh my. Clinged to her body in just the right way. And its length was just the right amount of short exposing her thick thighs.
My heart rate increased, for some stupid reason. I smirked, leaning back against the bar “Yeah she does”
She glanced around, taking in the crowd. The way she held herself stiff told me a lot about how uncomfortable she was. Then our eyes met just for a brief second before Cassie held on to one arm pulling her along.
“Gonna do something, or just stare, man?” Mark teased, elbowing me.
“Chill,” I muttered, taking a swig of my drink. “I see her.”
“She’s here? For real?” Mark laughed. “Didn’t expect this. You gonna say hi?”
I rolled my eyes, pushing back from the booth. “Yeah, I’ll go meet them.”
As I approached I noticed the blue dress Cassie had on, the one I had gotten for Samantha. She batted her lashes and tossed her hair. But my eyes were on Samantha.
I grinned when I stopped in front of them.
“Hi Cassie,” I said, waving at her.
“Hi handsome” her smile was far too wide for this moment.
I turned to Samantha “You came?”
She looked up at me and I realized I didn’t expect to feel this relief.
“Yeah,” she said, figured I would see what this party is about”
“Cool,” I said, “drinks?”
They both glanced at me. Samantha raised an eyebrow, the way she always did when she was skeptical of my intentions.
“I’ll take whatever you’re having,” Samantha said coolly.
“Same,” Cassie chimed, spinning her hair around her finger like a model in a magazine.
I smirked. “Alright, stand here. I’ll be back.”
I made my way to the bar. “Two tequila’s please”
“Right away,” the bartender said, turning around.
I leaned against the bar, glancing back at Samantha and Cassie as I waited for the drinks. That’s when I felt a presence beside me.
“Hey stranger,” Venessa purred, sliding onto the stool next to me. Trust Venessa to always dress to kill. Tonight, she had a sly smile on her face and was a little too excited.
I raised an eyebrow. “Evening, Venessa.”
She turned to look around the room and back. “Well, well… look who’s finally stepping out of the shadows. And… the nerd looks good today,” she said, bobbing her head lightly. “Guess your influence is finally rubbing off on her.”
I clenched my jaw, not liking the way she phrased it. “She’s here for her own reasons,” I said carefully. “Not because of me.”
Venessa tilted her head, that coy smile still on her face. “Sure, sure. But seriously… does she know about what you did?”
My stomach dropped. “No!” I said quickly, leaning a little closer. “No one’s going to tell her. And I don’t plan on letting anyone.”
She giggled, raising her hands in the air “Okay? Relax” but there was something in her tone. Something I didn’t like.
“A shot please,” she said to the bartender.
I ran a hand over my face. If Samantha found out… if she ever found out… There was no way she’d forgive me. I have worked so hard to keep it buried and guilt from that day has enveloped me.
And now, all I just wanted was to make things right.
I glanced back toward her again, she was laughing over something Cassie was telling her. Occasionally glancing in my direction.
I smiled when our eyes met.
****
Samantha’s POV.
I looked up again and he was gone.
Cassie was busy telling some joke to some random guy, being overly touching and sipping the drink he had gotten for her.
I excused myself telling Cassie I needed to use the restroom when what I actually needed was a breath of fresh air.
The bathroom door was somewhere down the corridor. But as I turned the corner, I heard voices from one of the side rooms.
Alec’s voice was the first I recognized.
“Man, you’ve been staring at her since she walked in,” one of his friends laughed. “What’s the deal? You and goody-two-shoes got history or something?”
Alec scoffed. “Shut up.”
“Come on,” another chimed in. “You could have any girl here, but you’re eyeing the one who probably thinks vodka is a perfume.”
They laughed.
“She’s… different,” he finally said. His tone was calm. “Not like the rest of you think.”
A few snickers followed “huh, different yeah? You screwing her or something?”
“I said drop it. She’s helping me. That’s it.”
“Mmm-mm” one of the guys said “then you wouldn't mind me getting to know her hmmm. We could be more than friends you know huhh” They all laughed.
“That's your problem” Alec muttered. A scrape of a chair followed and I turned and slipped back toward the party before anyone noticed. The heat and music hit me again immediately I walked into the room.
And Alec’s words, she’s helping me. That’s it.
It shouldn’t have hurt. He was right. That’s all this was. But for some stupid reason, it did.
Cassie waved at me from the far end and I waved back awkwardly. In seconds Alec was walking towards me holding up two drinks.
“There you are,” he said, flashing his perfect teeth “miss me?”
I forced a smile. Glancing at the glasses before me. I grabbed a glass and swallowed in one gulp.
I didn’t expect the burn that ran down my throat. I squeezed my eyes shut.
“Whoa, easy Sammy”
The music changed suddenly, something slow vibrating through the air.
He took the empty glass cup from my hand. Looked me once over.
“Wanna dance?” He asked tilting his head toward the dance floor.
- Writer
