Chapter 17: Chapter 17

I spent the afternoon in my bed, resting, and just as I was about to fall asleep, I heard my phone vibrating. I thought it could be Aly with some urgent news about work, which I was missing due to my injury. It was an injury that, until that moment, I had been able to hide from Dub’s always lost gaze, and I hadn’t yet tested it with Lia, who was at work.

6:23 PM.

“Do you want me to come pick you up?”

I thought it could be one of the twins, but then I noticed the name of the person who had sent me the message. It was from Vera, and when I remembered her face, I also recalled the party, which I had completely forgotten about.

I found it strange that Vera was texting me to pick me up, but I didn’t think much of it, and I preferred to reply as soon as possible so as not to come across as rude.

6:24 PM.

“Yes, that’s fine, thank you. What time will you come?”

She took a few minutes to reply, and I assumed she was busy with something else related to the party.

6:31 PM.

“In half an hour?”

6:32 PM.

“Yes. I’ll be ready. I’ll send you the address.”

Although my foot still hurt a bit, Aly’s father had given me some painkillers, and I figured I could manage with that. After spending a few hours locked in my room, tormented by Dub’s ever-threatening presence, I was eager to get out anywhere. The party was an excellent option to relax, and if Aly was going to be there, even better.

I put on the best outfit I could find in the pile of clothes. It wasn’t anything fancy, but I didn’t look too casual either. As I finished doing my makeup, I heard a message notification from Vera, and I saw a car parking in front of the house.

7:05 PM.

“I’m here now.”

I cautiously opened the door to my room, scanning the room to locate Dub, whom I soon spotted reclining on the couch, his eyes glued to the TV screen as always. I walked carefully towards the entrance and easily made my way out to the porch. Just then, I saw Lia’s car approaching, so I quickly sneaked into a bush. The car’s headlights passed over my shoulders, and I managed to see Lia looking suspiciously at Vera, but nothing more. She parked in front of the house, got out, and went inside. That’s when I could come out and run towards Vera’s car.

“I suppose I don’t have to ask if your parents gave you permission to come,” Vera said as she started the car.

“I’d prefer they didn’t know,” I said, making sure Lia didn’t peek. She didn’t, and Vera started the vehicle.

Contrary to what Vera had told me or what I had understood, the party wasn’t at her house. We arrived at a property that, while spacious and somewhat luxurious, couldn’t compare to Aly’s or the twins’ houses, which were much wealthier. Now, compared to mine, the party house seemed like a palace.

“I’m going to look for Aly,” I told Vera after thanking her for the ride and getting out of the car.

“Aly? Alisson?” she asked.

I nodded and saw the confused expression in Vera’s eyes.

“I don’t think she’s coming.”

“Why?” I asked. “She was the one who invited me after talking to you.”

Vera seemed confused or maybe just more absent-minded than me. She put her hand on her chin, appearing deep in thought.

“Was it like that? Well, I guess she should come then, shouldn’t she?”

I took out my phone with the intention of texting her and clearing up the doubt.

“I’ll be inside. Call me if you need me,” Vera said after acknowledging some acquaintances with a glance.

I agreed and watched her approach the group of guys she had just greeted.

19:21

“Hey, aren’t you coming to the party?”

19:23

“What party? What are you talking about? I thought you were at home, taking care of your injury.”

That surprised me. I was certain that Aly had mentioned the party and had invited me herself when she accompanied me to the infirmary after Chloe had tried to hit me.

19:26

“I’m at the party you invited me. Don’t tell me you forgot.”

19:27

“I’m sorry. Maybe I did, but with everything that has happened, I forgot. Maybe I’ll come in a few hours.”

I felt upset because I didn’t know anyone at that party, my foot was starting to hurt, and I was sure Aly was avoiding me because it was impossible for her to forget about the party. I wanted to tell her that it would be better if I didn’t come and that I was leaving, but then I noticed Vera looking at me, and I felt sorry for leaving just a few minutes after arriving, especially after she had been so kind to bring me here.

19:30

“Okay, I’ll wait for you.”

I entered the house where the party was taking place and, after wandering around the first floor, I made my way to the kitchen, where there were several glasses and liquor bottles scattered about. I grabbed the first non-alcoholic drink I found and headed to the patio, where there were fewer people.

Among the faces, I recognized some from school, others that I may have never seen before or perhaps hadn’t even noticed. When I was halfway through my drink, I heard someone approaching me.

“Are you Sussan, right?”

I turned around and saw a handsome guy with somewhat long, messy blond hair falling over his collar. Although a few days ago I would have felt flattered and even nervous that such a good-looking person would talk to me, now I felt indifferent, and I couldn’t help but compare him to the twins.

“Yes, I am.”

“My name is Erick, we’re in the Science class together.”

Although I nodded, pretending to recognize him, the truth was I didn’t remember ever seeing him.

“Did you come alone?”

I noticed he was making an effort to have a conversation with me, something that didn’t happen with the twins, who approached me so naturally and confidently. This guy seemed nervous, shy, and hesitant in comparison, which quickly annoyed me.

“Give me a minute, I think someone’s calling me,” I said with the sole purpose of getting away. Even though we were in the patio, something was happening to me, and I felt like I needed more fresh air.

I went back into the house and looked for Vera, but she seemed engrossed in her group of friends, so I didn’t want to bother her. I checked my phone in case I had any messages from Aly, but there was nothing. I wanted to text or call her to ask where she was, but I felt like it would make me seem too intense or desperate, so I gave up.

I still felt strange, as if I were short of breath. I went upstairs to the second level of the house, which seemed even more empty. I searched for the bathroom and went in with the intention of splashing water on my face, but deep down, I knew it wouldn’t help either.

The dizziness persisted, and I took out my phone again with the intention of finally texting Aly, asking her to come as soon as possible because I needed her to pick me up. However, my eyes wandered across the screen without being able to discern anything, except for the bright white light.

I still couldn’t catch my breath, so I left the bathroom. My foot was hurting, not too much, but enough to make me limp. Or was I limping because of the dizziness that was overwhelming me? I had to lean against the walls, and then I felt myself falling, without control, without any strength to hold myself up.

“I’ve got you!” I heard a voice say, which sounded familiar.