Remember when I said parties were nothing but a place for sweaty armpits, alcoholic breaths, and a place to do drugs? I almost forgot to mention the almost half naked bodies you have to see. No matter how much you try to unsee them you will find one in each corner. Faces attached to each others.
I gagged.
Parties are already unbearable. The only time when I can bear them is when I am with people who are close to me. Who make me feel comfortable.
Luke's arms found their way around my waist drawing me a little closer to him, "Are you nervous?"
I pursed my lips, "I am surrounded by a bunch of wild animals, what do you expect?"
He chuckled, "Now don't say that."
I rolled my eyes as we both tried to get through people dancing.
You know the different kind of vibes some parties give? No? Let me explain it to you, there are parties which gives off elegant vibes. The only thing people care about in them is showing off their possessions. Then there are ones with normal teenagers, among which some go crazy. And then there are some parties with dark atmosphere.
The mere thought of standing in these parties gives you depression. You start regretting your life choices. Yes, it was that party.
"Don't leave my side, okay?" Luke said. I could hear the warning in his voice.
As if I was planning on it.
"Would you like a drink?" He asked.
"I don't drink."
"Water?"
I shook my head. I wasn't thirsty. I also didn't want Luke to leave my side. I just wanted to find the girl Luke was talking about. Make her jealous or whatever Luke wanted and get out of here.
"Where is she?" I yelled over the loud music.
I waited for Luke to answer me. But when I didn't hear him answer me I looked at him sideways to find him staring off at someone.
That look. That look was way too familiar to me. I knew it was the look you held for the person you love. And that pain in the eyes when you can't do anything for them.
I followed his sight. I wanted to know who this mysterious girl was. Who did Luke love so much?
My eyes landed on a girl with short blonde hair. She looked pretty in the black dress she wore. When I said I knew the girl would be pretty, I meant exactly this.
"Damn. She is beautiful." I said with my eyes wide.
"I know." Luke smiled softly.
"I knew she would be pretty."
"Really?" He asked surprised.
"Yeah. I mean you love her. She has to be pretty." I smiled looking at him.
He stared at me for a while before shaking his head, "I don't love her for her looks Liya. As much as I may look like that person I love her for the person she is."
Now it was me staring at him. I definitely want to know her. Why did she break up with such an amazing guy? What could Luke possibly do to make her leave him? What could be the worst possibility?
"I don't see the reason why would she break up with you?" I let my thoughts out.
He sighed before making the both of us step away from a few drunk people, "You can say I wasn't like this since forever."
I blinked a few times before slowly nodding my head and looking back in the front. She was dancing with her friends.
"What's her name?" I asked.
"Emily." He said quietly compared to the loud music.
"Shouldn't we go to her?" I asked him. Isn't that why we were here? So why don't we just get over with it?
He gulped before trying to walk away, "I could use a few drinks before that."
I reached out and held onto a handful of his shirt-- making him stop, "We are doing this now."
He stopped before straightening up, "Will you let go of my shirt? You are wrinkling it up."
I rolled my eyes before taking my hands away from his shirt. He thanked me before trying to straighten out his shirt.
Are you kidding me? The guy has to talk to the girl he loves. And is he worried about his shirt?
The more he tried to straighten out his shirt the more frustrated he made me feel.
I took hold of his shirt again before dragging him with me, "Come on. We are talking to her."
"My shirt!" He complaint but I ignored him while still dragging him to his girl.
I stopped a few feets away from Emily letting go Luke's shirt. He glared at me before going back to straighten out his shirt.
I stared at the girl in front of us who was now no longer dancing but looking at us. Her gaze shifted from me to Luke. I could see the pain flash through her eyes. It was the same one I got whenever I looked at Xavier and Olivia together. God dammit. Why can I relate to every emotion on these people's faces today?
"Luke?" She said as Luke was still engrossed in his shirt.
As soon as he heard her voice he froze before looking at her slowly, "Emily." He said.
They both continued looking at each other as my attention shifted between them time to time while the rest of the world didn't care and danced around us.
"You brought your girlfriend." She stated before looking at me and trying to smile. But you could see it didn't reach her eyes.
"I did." Luke said while wrapping his arms around my waist and drawing me a little closer to him.
Emily's eyes looked at Luke's arms which were behind my waist before she cleared her throat and looked at me with her blue eyes, "I am glad to see that you could solve his commitment issues."
I raised my eyebrows before looking at Luke who was looking at Emily with his jaw clenched tight and his eyes hurt, "Believe me Emily it was just one time. And I have never felt this guilty in my entire life."
He was about to go on further but she held her hand out to him making him stop, "It's better if we don't talk about it. I don't want to talk about it in front of your girlfriend and make her feel uncomfortable."
Luke pursed his lips tight before nodding subtly. Is he kidding? Why isn't he saying anything? Why did he shut up all of a sudden?
"But I am changed now." He said quietly looking intensely at Emily.
Weren't we here to make her jealous? Then why do I see it backfiring at Luke? And interestingly, I want it to backfire. Cause I have seen what it does to you when you are just pretending to be with someone else when all you want is to be with the person you love.
"She did the one thing I couldn't do. She deserves you more than I ever did." She smiled painfully before sighing, "Aah...guess I can finally move on."
Luke's arms dropped down from my waist, "You didn't have a boyfriend?" He asked with a dumb expression.
She left us both alone but not before saying, "Turns out I was just waiting for someone who wasn't meant to be mine in the first place."
As soon as she was gone we both were left alone standing together in silence which was filled by this upbeat song.
I turned towards him slowly before smacking him on his head making him curse and look at me frustratedly. I glared at him,
"You are an idiot if you let her go this easily. When you said you learnt to hold onto people whom you love from me, this was not what I was expecting. Is this how you hold onto people?! You are a disgrace as a student!...GO AFTER HER YOU IDIOT. TELL HER THE TRUTH. And apologize for whatever mistake you made. Though I can already tell what it was."
He stared at me, "Do you really think I should go after her?"
I felt like banging my head against a wall, "Are you hard on listening? Or do you want me to beat you back into senses? GO. AFTER. HER."
It was as if he was brought back to his senses as his eyes widened. He ran his hands through his hair, "You are right." He said getting ready to run after the girl he loved, "but," he stopped and looked at me, "I can't leave you alone."
I raised my eyebrows at him, "You should not be thinking about that. I'll be fine. Just go after her."
He looked at me for a confirmation while I nodded my head at him in reassurance. He grinned at me, "You are amazing."
He kissed me on my cheek one last time before running away in the direction Emily went away.
As soon as he was gone I sighed. I feel so good right now. I just helped two people in love solve their problems. I wish it was the same with me and Xavier too. I wish it was that simple.
I looked around in the dark with just colorful lights going around and lighting up the faces.
What should I do now? The least thing I wanted in this party was to be left alone.
I couldn't help but laugh at the irony. And I was the one who sent Luke away. I looked around to find a place to sit.
°°°°
I walked in the direction I think Luke went. It was already too late. He would have cleared up things by now. Besides, I was getting bad vibes in here. It was like an intuition. If I don't find Luke fast enough something bad would happen.
I was passing by a door when I felt the door open. I ignored it as I continued walking. I didn't even take a step forward when I felt a hand press down on my mouth. I mumbled as I struggled in his arms. I was dragged in the room before it was closed shut.
I tried to get away from the person but he won't let me go. Finally, I bit his hand which was covering my mouth making him yelp in pain and taking his hand away from me. I ran towards the door and tried to open it.
It was locked.
I still continued to open it as it won't open. I looked back at the guy. He had brunette hair and looked drunk as hell. But even though drunk he was strong.
He came towards me before slapping me hard across my face making me fall on the ground. I snapped my head at him in hate.
He came towards me and held onto my hair tightly, "Give in." He growled.
I shook my head at him as he grew aggressive and put the bottle he was drinking on the drawer beside him. I slid away from him and tried to get away. I looked around the room to find another exit. But there was none. There were no windows.
I felt my heart sink as I looked for anything else but my vision was blocked by this guy who now kneeled down in front of me.
"What do you want?" I asked with disgust.
"You. Technically your body. There is no point resisting. So give in already."
"NO!" I clearly said. As long as I can fight I will. I am not giving in so easily.
He cursed under his breath before reaching out and tearing my dress away from the shoulders. I tried to cover it as I threatened him to stay away from me.
"What are you going to do, huh?" He asked laughing while he tried tearing it off from the bottom. He was going dangerously high up before I kicked him in the shin.
He groaned in pain before I got up quickly and taking the bottle of drink he put on the drawer I made it shatter on the wall. It made the bottle come out with pointed edges.
I held the broken bottle in my hand facing it towards him, "Give me the keys." I threatened.
"You won't do such thing." He said referring to the bottle in my hand while he stood up from the floor and he tried to get away from the bottle.
I took a step towards him, "Try me. I am capable of doing things you can't imagine so just give me that damn key already! Or I won't see where I am aiming."
I can't explain how fast my heart was racing. How afraid I was. How weak my legs were getting. How panick was setting in me.
But I remember my promise to Xavier. I told him that I would be stronger. I won't need him. And I am trying to be strong. I can't panick.
I took another step towards him in a threatening way. His eyes widened before he raised his hands, "I'll give it to you. Just put it down."
I shook my head and repeated, "Give me the keys."
He gulped before reaching into his pocket and struggling before taking out keys. My eyes locked onto the keys. They were the only thing which could take me out of here.
I held one of my hand out while still holding onto the bottle in the other in a threatening way.
The guy slowly took a step forward his eyes never leaving the bottle in my hand. He looked afraid as he put the keys into my hands.
I clutched my hands tightly holding the keys securely. I felt a wave of relief pass through me. I can finally get out.
I still held the bottle facing him while I quickly walked towards the door. With shaking hands I took the keys and inserted them in the keyhole. I tried to rotate it but my damn hands won't do it properly.
I cursed before trying it again. I can do it. I took a deep breath. I can't panick. Not right now.
It clicked.
I let a breath of happiness.
I threw the bottle away before opening the door. The happiness that passed through me the minute the door opened was indescribable. I was about to step out when I felt him trying to drag me inside again.
I held onto the door tightly. I can't. I can't go back inside. No matter what.
"Bitch." He cursed before taking a handful of my hair in his hands. I cried in pain.
I shouldn't have thrown the bottle. Isn't there someone who can hear my plea? No one? Is everyone so wasted? Luke?
He made me face him while I looked at him in disgust. He was standing in front of me. Taking the advantage I kicked him in the shin with all the hate I felt towards him again.
When I said I can take care of myself I meant it.
He fell down before groaning in pain. I kicked him in the stomach again before running out.
As I ran out I couldn't help but keep looking back to make sure that he was not following me. Don't let him follow me. Please don't let him follow me.
I pushed a few people away from me while I ran. Running in heels is difficult. I looked back again getting paranoid. Now I could see him holding onto the sides of the walls and looking at me vengeful.
He is getting up! He will take hold of me if I don't find Luke. I have to find Luke!
Or I can just run away. Run till I don't reach my home. But it's too far away.
I ran into a person as I was still looking back. I took a step back in a hurry before apologising and looking back again.
I stepped around before I felt the person taking hold of my wrist. I stopped in my tracks before snapping my head to look at him.
My eyes locked onto his eyes looking at me with concern. His eyes ran over my whole body. Looking at my messy hair, my face to my torn dress.
"Reed." I whispered.
I wanted to tell him so much. I wanted to let him know that I tried to be strong. That I fought for myself. But I couldn't. Because the panic which I was trying to hold off was finally settling in.
"Who did this?" He asked me with his hazel eyes penetrating deep into my soul, "WHO THE HELL DARED TO TOUCH YOU?"
I was just happy seeing him here. I was finally safe. I won't have to look for Luke anymore.
"I AM ASKING YOU SOMETHING LIYA! GODDAMN ANSWER ME!" His eyes were dark as he shook me.
My eyes moved from his to look back at the guy. He was still standing there but I could see he was ready to run off.
I looked back at Xavier and found him already glaring holes into the guy. His jaw was clenched tight as he cursed under his breath before I saw this dangerous expression appear on his face.
"Liya I want you to stay here." He said from between his teeth before making his way towards the douch.
I stood there frozen as I saw Xavier's aura screaming danger right now. The guy tried to get up faster before trying to run away but he groaned in pain while he held his hands covering his shin.
He deserved it.
Xavier didn't make it any easier for him either. Once he was standing in front of him he kneeled down in front of the guy.
He held him by his shirt before punching him in the nose continually not stopping until he was bleeding.
"You don't touch her! You don't touch a woman without her consent!" Xavier growled before punching him in the guts and losing control of himself.
He was beating him to death. The people all around us. Even the ones drunk were now looking at the show put up in front of them. The music. It was turned down. The only sound you could hear was of Xavier beating the guy up.
I saw Luke coming and standing beside me. He wrapped his arms around me in a reassuring way, "I am so sorry. I shouldn't have left you."
But I didn't say anything. I was still staring at Xavier who was still beating the shit out of the guy.
"I knew it wasn't safe. So I called Xavier to come and get you. I didn't know I was late. I am so sorry." Luke mumbled again.
So Luke called Xavier.
"YOU LIKE TEARING OFF PEOPLE'S CLOTHES? LET'S SEE HOW MUCH YOU LIKE IT!" Xavier yelled before punching him in the gut making him cough out some blood. Then getting aggressive he tore his shirt off.
People gasped all around as Xavier got more aggressive, "YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE?"
Luke ran away from me towards Xavier. Xavier was about to make the guy undress his pants too but Luke stopped him. Xavier looked at Luke with his eyes dark.
"YOU CALLED TOO LATE!" Xavier yelled at him.
Luke looked down before closing his eyes, "I am sorry."
"SHE TRUSTED YOU!"
Luke kept silent looking down. Xavier's eyes turned towards me looking at me apologetically. I could see he was apologizing for getting late.
He looked back at the guy, "I will kill him." He growled.
Luke tried to stop Xavier, "Take Liya away. I will take care of him. Please. She needs you."
Xavier's eyes suddenly found their way to me and looked at me.
He nodded his head at Luke. He walked towards me before grabbing me by my arm and taking me away.
I walked with my own pace as I could with these heels. Xavier stopped and looked back at me confused before looking down at my feet.
He dropped down on his knees in front of me before making me step out of my heels. He took them in his hands before taking his own shoes off and making me wear them.
I looked at him as he got up finally and walked in his socks. He held onto my hand tight. Intervening our hands together.
I didn't say a word as I followed him. He was silent too as we both walked out hand in hand.
Once we were out he stopped to make sure no one was around us. Then finally he turned towards me. He put his hands on my cheeks covering them.
"Are you alright?" He asked softly.
All the adrenaline back then was no where right now. I felt as cold as snow right now. My eyes were blank as I nodded my head at him.
He looked into both my eyes concerned, "You are not." He whispered.
He looked at my shoulders and the places where the dress was torn. His eyes turned hard before he closed them.
"The jacket I gave you. Where is it?" He asked.
I looked at him. It was still in Luke's car.
When Xavier saw I wasn't answering him, he cursed before taking his tshirt off.
"Put this on top of it." He said handing me the tshirt.
I stared at the tshirt in his hand before slowly taking it and putting it on. It was as long as the dress. It almost covered all of the dress.
I looked back at Xavier. He was standing there with his upper body naked while he stared at me in his tshirt. He cleared his throat before saying, "Shall we go?"
I nodded my head at him. He looked at me worried before coming and standing in front of me,
"Say something." He said.
I want to. I want to say so many things. But I cannot. I feel cold. I feel frozen. Even if I try I cannot get words out.
"Liya say something." He said again.
I closed my eyes. When I opened them again I found Xavier looking at me wildly.
"I swear Liya, you are making me anxious. Say something. I don't want you to go into trauma."
I looked into both his eyes.
"Fuck." He ran his hands through his hair, "Liya. Listen to me. You need to get your emotions out. I know you were afraid. I know you were panicking but you have to let it out now."
When I didn't make any move he held onto my shoulders tightly, "You can't stay like this! You have to let it out! Come on, punch me. Yell at me. Kick me. Come on."
He looked at me helplessly, "PUNCH ME! YELL!" He shook me.
"I SAID PUNCH ME! YELL AT ME!" He cried loudly.
It was then that the silence inside of me broke. The thread keeping me from talking snapped.
"AAAAAAHHHHH!" I screamed before punching him in the guts. He choked for air before standing straight,
"Good. Now let's keep this going. Take it out. Take it all out on me." He said nodding his head at me.
I yelled before continuing punching him in the stomach. As hard as I could. Letting out all my frustrations. Letting out the panick. I didn't even count the number of punches I threw at Xavier's body.
The only time I stopped was when I heard Xavier coughing loudly gasping for air. I froze before looking at him with wide eyes.
What have I done? I didn't even once consider that I was hurting him.
"Xavier." I said trying to reach out to him.
He looked at me still taking deep breaths before grinning, "Just take it out. Don't worry about me."
My eyes softened as I looked at him with love. I took my hands back before standing on my toes and hugging him tightly.
He seemed taken off for a second before he lifted me up while hugging me back. We stayed in that position for what seemed like forever.
He put me back on the ground while my head was just against his chest. I could listen to his heart beating wildly. Slowly, I removed my head away from his chest and looked up at him.
He looked down at me, "Didn't I tell you to call me?"
I nodded my head at him before biting my lip. His eyes moved towards me lips, "Next time I want you to call me. I don't care where I am I'll pick it up."
I nodded my head at him. He rested his forehead against mine while breathing and closed his eyes, "You make me worry so much."
I froze as I felt his forehead pressed against mine, "I'm sorry." I whispered
He shook his head while his forehead was still against me, "It's not that easy."
"What do you mean?" I asked as he removed his forehead from mine and gazed into my eyes. His face was just inches away from mine.
"The least you can do for making me worry so much is," he said looking at me with his eyes getting softer as each second passed.
"What?" I asked getting nervous.
He smiled at me for a minute. His eyes searched my eyes for something while his face was mere inches away. This was the first time I could see Xavier looking at me the way I wanted him to see me. Not saying anything further he wrapped his arms around my waist before pulling me closer and claiming my lips. My hands found their way into his hair as I kissed him back.
___
This is by far the longest chapter I have written. But hey, they kissed.
THEY KISSED!
Tell me, are you excited??