LOST

Chapter 2

Ella’s POV

“Wear that blue dress. It looks way better on you than the pink one,” Alex said as I walked out of the wardrobe in a pink mini-dress.

“Seriously?” I asked, glancing at myself again in the mirror. “I thought pink looked good on me.”

“Trust me, wear the blue,” Alex insisted, nodding with approval.

I groaned and walked back into the wardrobe, rummaging through hangers and piles of clothes until I finally found the blue dress she was talking about.

When I came out wearing it and caught my reflection in the mirror, I had to admit, she was right.

“Blue does look good on me,” I murmured to myself.

“You see that smile on your face? That proves I’m right,” Alex said, grinning from behind me.

“Fine, you were right,” I chuckled. “But don’t let it get to your head.”

“Right… now hurry up and finish getting ready while I do the same,” Alex said as she walked out of the room.

I sat in front of the mirror, took a deep breath, and picked up my makeup brush. Soon, my makeup was done. I was just about to start on my hair when Alex’s voice pierced through the hallway.

“Ella, hurry the hell up!” she screamed.

I rolled my eyes. Because of her constant yelling, I had to curl my hair in a rush, barely managing a few loose waves before throwing on some finishing touches.

Just as I was grabbing my purse, Alex burst into the room.

“Come on, Ella! What’s taking so long? The girls are already waiting for us!”

“Chill… I’m ready. I just need to throw a few things into my bag.”

“Hurry up then. You got dressed before I did, I don’t get why you’re the one slowing us down.”

“Relax, I’m done now,” I said, rolling my eyes again as I walked out, Alex trailing behind me.

We took my car, but of course, Alex insisted on driving. I should’ve fought her on it, because damn... she was a terrible driver.

When we got to the club, we walked into the dimly lit room pulsing with music and flashing lights. The bass thumped through the floor, and people were already dancing and drinking like the night would never end.

“Ella!” someone shouted through the noise. I turned and saw Mandy rushing toward us.

“You made it!” she screamed, grinning.

“All thanks to Alex. She wouldn’t take no for an answer,” I replied.

“Good! We’re going to have so much fun. The girls are waiting in the lounge over there,” Mandy said, grabbing my hand and pulling me along.

As we reached the lounge, a chorus of surprise and excitement met us.

“Look who finally came out of her cave!” Olivia exclaimed, hugging me.

“I heard about the breakup. I’m so sorry, Liam’s such an ass,” Sasha added, wrapping her arms around me too.

“Yeah, we officially hate him now,” Mandy and Ava chimed in as they hugged me together.

I was wrapped in a swarm of warm arms and soft perfume, and for the first time in weeks, I smiled without forcing it.

“Okay, that’s enough!” Alex called out. “We didn’t come here to cry about Ella’s breakup, we came here to get drunk!”

“Hell yeah! First round’s on me,” Mandy shouted and dashed off to the bar.

She returned quickly with a tray full of shots.

“Okay, girls, let’s do this!” Sasha yelled.

“To Liam’s sorry ass,” Olivia said, raising her glass.

“To Liam’s sorry ass!” everyone echoed before throwing their shots back.

I couldn’t help but laugh. I love my girlfriends, they’re always there, through good times and bad. I wouldn’t trade their friendship for anything in the world.

Shot after shot, the alcohol did its magic. The ache in my chest eased, and Liam felt more and more like a bad dream fading with each drink.

“Alex was right,” I mumbled to myself. “Coming out really did help.”

When I glanced down, our glasses were empty.

“I’m going to get another round!” I shouted over the music.

“Wait, I’m coming with you!” Alex said, wobbling slightly as she got to her feet.

We stumbled to the bar, yelling in unison, “Two bottles of your finest tequila!”

The bartender raised an eyebrow but nodded. Alex and I burst into laughter, realizing we’d said the exact same thing at the exact same time.

The bartender set the bottles down, and I reached for my purse, pulling out my card to pay,

Until a deep, smooth voice beside me interrupted.

“Put it on my tab.”

I turned toward the voice, and my breath caught.

He was tall, with smooth caramel skin, just the right balance between dark and light, and chestnut brown hair that framed his face perfectly. But it was his honey-brown eyes that stopped me cold. Eyes that could melt every defence I had left.

He saw me checking him out and smirked.

“So, will you let me pay for your drinks?” he asked, still smiling.

“No, thank you… I can pay for my own,” I said, stumbling over my words as I shifted unsteadily from one foot to the other.

Thanks a lot, alcohol,'' I groaned silently.

As I tried to hand over my card to the bartender, Alex snatched it from my hand.

“What are you doing?” I snapped, giving her a look.

“Helping you forget about Liam,” she whispered, eyes flicking toward the stranger. “Can’t you tell that guy is feeling you?”

“I’m not feeling him,” I whispered back, emphasizing the last word.

“Ella, the best way to get over one guy… is to get under another,” she said with a smirk. “That guy is perfect rebound material.”

I stared at her. I wasn’t sure why her words were making sense, or why I was even considering them.

Just then, the stranger turned to us again.

“All paid for,” he said, flashing a charming smile.

“Thank you,” I replied shyly.

“My name’s Arthur. Arthur Logan. And you are?”

“Ella. And this is my friend, Alex.”

“Beautiful name,” he said, and I giggled, genuinely.

He handed me a card. “Call me sometime, if you want.”

I took it slowly, eyes meeting his, and something shifted. Maybe it was the tequila. Maybe it was Alex’s words echoing in my head. Maybe it was the desperation to finally move on from Liam.

Whatever it was, I didn’t stop myself when I grabbed Arthur by the collar, pulled him down, and kissed him deeply.

And that was the last thing I remembered.