His World, not Mine

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

I stood there for a few seconds after Adrian walked away. I couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe.

His words replayed in my head. “Next time, Jane won’t be the one you should worry about.”

What did that even mean? Was that a warning? Or a threat? Or something else entirely? I wrapped my arms around myself, suddenly cold again despite the heat of the party.

Something about this place felt wrong, and I was already in too deep.

“Emma?”

Michael’s voice pulled me back.

I blinked, realizing I had completely zoned out.

“Yeah,” I said quickly. “I’m… I’m fine.”

He didn’t look convinced. “You don’t look fine,” he said gently. “Adrian…”

“I said I’m fine,” I cut in, softer this time.

I didn’t want to explain.

Michael studied me for a second, then nodded slowly. “Okay… but maybe you should sit down. Or get some water.”

That sounded like a good idea. Something normal and safe.

“Yeah,” I agreed. “Water.”

The kitchen was quieter. Not empty but quieter. Less chaos and fewer eyes. I leaned against the counter, gripping the edge as I poured myself a glass. My hands were still shaky.

Everything felt like too much. Too fast, too heavy.

I took a sip then another. I was trying to calm down, trying to think.

‘Survive.’ That’s what he said. ‘Not fit in. Not belong, but to survive’

What kind of school was this?

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

I turned.

Cash.

He walked in, holding a drink, his expression unreadable.

“Where’s Missy?” I asked immediately.

Something about the question came out too fast. Cash paused for half a second then shrugged. “She’s around.”

Around? That wasn’t an answer.

“You left with her,” I said.

“I did,” he replied casually. “She wanted somewhere quiet. I showed her a room.”

Something about that didn’t sit right. Or maybe I was overthinking.

“Is she okay?” I asked.

Cash looked at me, then smiled slightly. “Relax,” he said. “You worry too much.”

Maybe

“Come on,” he added, nudging his head toward the hallway. “You’re not going to spend the whole night hiding in the kitchen, are you?”

Part of me wanted to say yes. To stay right there and avoid everything else. But another part of me, the stubborn part didn’t want to look weak.

“I’m not hiding,” I said.

“Good,” he replied. “Because things are just getting interesting.”

I frowned. “What does that mean?”

Cash gave a crooked, half-drunk grin. “I met someone… and let’s just say, the Westbridge gene pool is working in my favor tonight.”

When I stepped back into the party, something felt off. I couldn’t explain it but the music was still loud. People were still dancing and laughing.

But there was a shift.

Subtle.

Like a ripple under the surface. I glanced around, my eyes scanning the room. Looking for… I didn’t even know what. Maybe Missy or MJ.

Maybe something normal. But instead, I caught fragments.

“Did you hear that?”

“No way…”

“Upstairs…”

My stomach dropped

Upstairs.

My mind immediately went to Missy. I started moving before I could think. Pushing through people. Ignoring the looks, the noise, the music, everything.

My heart started beating faster with every step toward the stairs. It’s nothing, I told myself. You’re overthinking.

Someone rushed past me, fast, pale. Panicked. That’s when I knew something wasn’t right.

I reached the bottom of the stairs and stopped. I wasn’t sure I wanted to see what was up there. But it was too late now, whatever was happening, I was already part of it.

I didn’t think, I just moved. Room after room. Door after door.

“Missy?” I called, my voice getting louder each time. “Missy!”

The rooms were massive, bigger than anything I’d ever seen but I didn’t care. This wasn’t the time to admire anything. Something felt wrong. I could feel it in my chest. Tight and uneasy. Like I was getting closer to something I wasn’t supposed to see.

I turned another corner and froze. Two guys were fighting. Not arguing or pushing but fighting really hard.

One of them, I recognized immediately. Matt.

The same guy from the cafeteria, the one who had threatened me. He still had his football jacket on, like this was just another normal night for him.

The other guy's face was already bloodied but he didn’t stop. He swung back, fists connecting, breathing heavy.

“You think they won’t find out?!” he shouted.

Matt hit him again. “I did what I had to do!” he snapped back. “You don’t get to tell me what’s right or wrong!”

Their voices echoed through the hallway. People started gathering like it was entertainment. Like it was normal.

I stood there, stuck between shock and confusion.

What did he do?

Then I saw her, Missy.

Walking out of a room like nothing was happening. She had no idea. Relief hit me instantly.

I rushed toward her. “Missy!”

She turned, startled. “Emma? What’s wrong?”

I opened my mouth then stopped because I didn’t even know what to say. “I… don’t know,” I admitted, giving a small, helpless shrug.

Before either of us could say more a sharp voice cut through everything.

“Is this how you people want to party in my house?”

Jane stormed into the hallway, her presence alone enough to shift the entire atmosphere, “I don’t allow fights,” she snapped.

Immediately the punches stopped. Matt stepped back while the other guy, John, wiped blood from his mouth, breathing hard.

Jane walked closer, her heels clicking against the floor. “You’re a disgrace,” she said coldly. “To me. To Adrian. To Westbridge Academy.”

There was a heavy silence.

“What are you fighting about?” she demanded.

No one answered. Matt let out a sharp hiss under his breath and walked away.

John, on the other hand started laughing. Not normal laughter. “Soon,” he laughed. “The truth’s coming out.”

Truth? What truth?

The way John laughed made the hair on my arms stand up. It wasn't the sound of someone winning; it was the sound of someone who had already lost everything and didn't care who he took down with him.

No one said anything, no one even dared to move. I hated that I didn’t understand anything.

Jane looked around at the crowd, clearly furious, “What are you all staring at?” she snapped. “Go home!”

Her voice rose.

“Party’s over!”

I should’ve been curious, stayed, or asked questions. I tried to understand what just happened but instead I felt pure relief.

We moved with the crowd, heading back downstairs. The music had stopped. The energy had shifted.

Everything felt off now. Like whatever had happened upstairs had cracked something open.

Missy stayed close to me, neither of us spoke. We just walked, looking for MJ and Cash.

After some minutes, MJ found us. Her hair slightly messy. Her lipstick is gone. Her clothes not as neat as before.

I noticed and didn’t say anything.

“Where’s Cash?” she asked.

We both shook our heads.

“No idea.”

We stepped outside into the cold night. The air hit my face, grounding me a little. People were already leaving. Cars starting. Voices fading. That was when we saw him by his car kissing another guy.

I paused. My expression must’ve changed because I immediately looked at Missy and MJ.

Nothing, they had no reaction, as if it was completely normal.

Which… I guess it was.

Cash noticed us. He pulled away casually. “Told you,” he said to the guy. “See you tomorrow.”

The guy smiled and walked off.

Cash turned to us, already unlocking the car. “Hop in,” he said. “Party’s over.”

I nodded, moving toward the car. Just as I reached for the door my phone buzzed. I frowned, who would be texting me? I barely knew anyone here.

I pulled it out, and it was an unknown number. A message. I frowned, hesitating before opening it. What I saw froze me, a video, not a GIF, a video, grainy, dark, and shaky.

Someone was struggling… gasping… trying to crawl away. Then a hand grabbed them. A blade flashed, and I froze.

The screen flickered as the person screamed, then it cut. My stomach dropped, a second message came in immediately.

“You should’ve stayed outside.”

My breath hitched, another message.

“You’re already involved.”

My fingers trembled. Then the last one came.

“Next time… it won’t be a video.”