Anchoridge University

CHAPTER NINETEEN

“Who was that?” Liza asked me. I mentally shook myself out of my daze and turned to her. “Oh uh he’s just my English partner.” Zane crossed his arms and looked in the direction he walked off in. “Looked like more than that to me.” Trying to ignore the sudden awkward tension, I cleared my throat and I took my drink from Liza. Gulped it down then set it down on a table. “Come on you guys let's dance.” While we had been talking, someone had set up a small DJ table at the front of the room.

The DJ had a mic and he was screaming into it. “Are you guys ready to party!?” The crowd erupted into screams. The DJ started playing some techno beats and the crowd got even bigger as more people started pouring into the room. I was sandwiched in between Liza and Zane. I was starting to feel tipsy after my last drink. I have been so stressed all week from not being able to sleep because of my nightmares. It feels good to let loose and have a distraction.

I closed my eyes and started dancing to the music. After a couple of minutes, I feel hands on my waist startling me and making me open my eyes. I see that Zane is holding onto me while he’s dancing behind me. I turn to see Liza kissing a random guy she started dancing with. Well, I guess that answers that question. I started laughing. Zane leans down from behind me to talk into my ear. “What’s so funny?” I shook my head. “Oh, nothing, it’s just that Liza kissed me earlier and now she’s making out with that guy.”

“Liza kissed you?” I turned around to face him and nodded my head. “Yeah, earlier while we were dancing, I think she might just be a little drunk.” He shook his head. “No, I know Liza she’s got a super high tolerance.” I blushed realizing she was sober when she kissed me. “Oh” He raised an eyebrow at me. “Oh? I wouldn’t read too much into it. Liza is a bit of a free spirit.” He moved one of his hands up to cup my cheek I jumped a little because it was cold. “I am jealous though.” My heart hadn’t stopped racing since I stepped onto this dance floor. “And why is that?”

He brushed his thumb on my cheek and looked down at my lips. “Because she kissed you before I did.” I looked at his lips and blushed wondering what it would feel like to kiss someone with piercings. Zane nodded his head towards the door. “Come on let’s get out of here it’s getting too crowded.” I nodded my head and let him lead me out of the room. He had grabbed a hold of my hand and had started leading me to the end of the hall to the theater room.

The room was pretty much empty now since most people had gone to see the DJ except for a few couples. There were a few rows of reclining seats facing a big projection screen. There was a scary movie playing on the screen. One I had never seen before. “Do you like scary movies?” Zane asked me. I nodded my head yes. “Yes actually, I’m a bit of a movie buff.” He led me to an empty row of seats. “That surprises me, didn’t expect you to be a horror fan.” I laughed. “Awe are you disappointed that I’m not going to hold onto you in fear?”

He smirked at me. “You can still hold onto me, you don’t need fear as an excuse.” I rolled my eyes at him. “Ha Ha.” “Well I guess I’ll just have to hold onto you if I get scared then, since you’re so brave.” I shook my head and turned to face the screen. There was a jump scare that I wasn’t expecting. I jumped and let out a little gasp. Zane placed his hand on my thigh palm up. “You know incase I get scared.” I hesitated but I put my hand in his and leaned over closer to him. “Incase YOU get scared.”

He laughed and held on a little tighter to my hand. He started drawing random patterns on the back of my hand with his thumb. His hand was cold but it still felt nice. His hands were softer than I expected and they were much larger than mine. I turned my attention back to the movie. It had been about another 20 minutes and there was another jump scare. It got me again and I squeezed Zane’s hand in response. He squeezed my hand back.

After I had loosened my grip, he let go of my hand. Instead, he turned his hand over so that his palm was resting on my thigh. My breath caught in my throat. I didn’t push him away or say anything, instead I waited wanting to see what he would do. I was feeling nervous but when I glanced over at Zane in the corner of my eye he just looked completely calm. Suddenly, another scare and I jumped in my seat causing Zane to tighten his grip on my thigh and me to grab onto his arm that was holding onto me.

I looked over at Zane and saw him smirking at me. “Are you scared?” I released my grip on his arm. “N-no I was just startled is all.” He loosed his grip on my thigh and instead started rubbing it with his thumb. “Whatever you say, Little Star.” My heart was racing and I had butterflies in my stomach. I tried to focus on the movie but I couldn’t. He was making me nervous, especially with how calm he looked sitting next to me.

The movie had reached a slow point and those drinks were really starting to hit me I had to use the bathroom. I started to get up. “I’ll be right back, I have to go to the bathroom.” I got up to walk past him then I tripped and landed on Zanes lap. He caught me to keep me from falling backwards. “I’m afraid you’re sitting on the wrong throne Little Star.” I blushed and quickly got up. He just smirked at me as I walked away to find a bathroom.

I made my way out into the hallway. Not entirely sure where the bathroom actually was. I guess I’ll just have to check all the doors until I find it. Hopefully, I didn’t walk in on anyone. I took a left down the next hallway. There were multiple doors on either side, this place is huge. The hallway was crowded with people all drinking or smoking. I knocked on a few doors and got no response but moans from the other side. I made my way to the end of the hallway and saw a line. I asked the girl I saw at the end of the line. “Is this for the bathroom?” I gestured to the line. She nodded her head yes and turned her back to me.

There were a few people ahead of me, so I decided to pull out my phone and scroll through it to keep busy. I ended up on Insta and saw Myah was posting on my feed. Looks like she’s at a party too. And it looks like she’s having lots of fun. I looked up and finally it was my turn. I have been waiting a long time. That movie is probably over by now. I went in and locked the door. Quickly going to the bathroom, I go to the sink and look in the mirror. Thankfully, my makeup was still intact. I re-fluffed my hair and made my way back out into the hallway.

I turned to go back to the theater room when I bumped into Darren. “Hey you, I wasn’t sure if you were going to make it or not.” He smiled at me with his dimples and I couldn’t help but swoon a little. “I’ve actually been here a while, but you looked busy before.” I blushed wondering what he had seen. I cleared my throat, looking away. “Well, I’m not busy now.”