"And he just left with her? After she slapped him?" Maddie asks. I glance up from my bed to see her standing in front of the vanity, braiding Lila's hair into two thick braids. Lila sits calmly in the chair, leaning back to give Maddie more room.
"Yes. Weird, right?" I ask, desperate for some validation. It's been a week since that day, and I haven't stopped replaying it in my mind. No matter how I try to rationalize it, it still doesn't make sense.
I've wanted to talk to him, to demand an explanation, but he's been ignoring all my messages on Instagram. Classic. I'm used to him shutting me out, but this felt different. Didn't I deserve some kind of answer? I couldn't find him at school eitherâUCLA is massive, and I have classes to focus on, though I haven't really been concentrating. Reid has consumed my thoughts. Every waking moment, I wonder if his face has healed, if he's okay. Who is Red? Why did she hurt him? Why did he leave with her? I need answers.
You told him to stay away, but you're the one who can't let go, my subconscious mocks.
I roll my eyes at the truth. I'm the one who can't stay away, the one stalking his Instagram, searching for a glimpse of him. But there's nothingâno posts, no updates. Even the café is empty of him.
I'm spiraling, and Maddie and Lila noticed. That's how I ended up opening up to them today.
"And you say she looked older?" Lila asks, tilting her head to let Maddie finish the braid.
"Much older. She had to be in her thirties. Gorgeous, though," I add, though it stings when I say it.
"You don't think he has a sugar mommy?" Maddie jokes, and Lila laughs.
"What if she's a celebrity?" Lila teases.
"Guys, this isn't funny. I'm seriously worried. You should have seen the look in her eyesâshe was going to hurt him. And now he's gone silent." I hold up my phone.
Maddie's expression softens. She ties off the braid and walks over to sit beside me. "Hey, calm down. You said he left with her on his own, right? And Oliver was there too. He wouldn't have let Reid leave if it was dangerous."
Her logic makes sense, but it doesn't ease my worry.
"Yeah, Maddie's right," Lila adds. "This isn't the first time he's gone radio silent. My roommate and her cult were talking about it. Apparently, this is normal for him."
A laugh escapes me at Lila's mention of the fan club. She's convinced they're a cult.
"Enough about Reid!" Maddie shrieks, suddenly energized. "It's Friday, which means we're going out tonight."
"Nah, I don't think so." I grab my lion plushie and punch it, imagining it's Reid.
"You need to stop taking your anger out on poor Leo," Maddie says, grabbing the plushie and hugging it. "The best way to get over someone is with alcohol and a new heartthrob."
"We never dated," I say, laughing.
"Potato, po-tah-to." She shrugs. "Either way, you're going, and we're finding you a new heartthrob."
"Please, I'd rather stay in."
"Not happening." Maddie crosses her arms.
I look to Lila for support, but she shrugs. "Normally, I'd side with you, but you look like a zombie. You need a break."
Maddie gasps dramatically. "Did Lila just agree to party? Am I dead?"
"I always party with you," Lila protests.
"Only after I beg for hours!" Maddie teases, and I smile, tuning out their bickering. Their dynamic is familiar and comforting.
I pull out my phone and open my chat with Reid, staring at the unanswered messages.
Instagram DM Messages with Reid
Oct 21
Hey.
Oct 22
Just checking in to tell you I got home safe.
Oct 23
Hey, are you okay?
Oct 25
I'm worried. Please let me know you're okay.
Oct 26
Hey, the gossip has died down. No one's giving me looks anymore. I think they've forgotten about it. Thank goodness for that student-professor scandal, right? Not that I'm happy they got caught... Anyway, please reply. I'm still worried.
Oct 27
I'm sure I'm annoying, but please talk to me. I'm losing my mind.
I sigh, the messages still ignored. Just as I'm about to put my phone down, a new text pops up from Oliver. I've been avoiding him too, but his message catches my eye.
iMessage with Oliver
Oct 22
Hi.
Oct 23
Hi.
Oct 24
Hi.
Today
Hey, it's Oliver. I know you're busy, so I won't take much time. Just wanted to check in and say hi. If you're ignoring me, I get itâI can be annoying. Anyway, take care. Goodbye. ðð»
Guilt floods me. Oliver had done nothing wrong, and my ignoring him was petty, a desperate attempt to control something in my life. He deserves better than this.
Yep, I'm ugly on the inside.
"Come on, let's get changed," Maddie says, tugging me by the arm, snapping me out of my spiraling thoughts. I drop my phone onto the bed, still unconvinced about going out tonight. Assignments were piling up, and I had a lot of catching up to do since I'd been too distracted all week.
I still had no idea what sociology was supposed to be about...
"I'm really not feeling it tonight," I sigh, flopping back down on the bed as Maddie keeps pulling at me.
"Don't be a Debbie Downer."
"If she's really not into it, maybe we should go without her," Lila offers, glancing up from her phone. I smile and nod, fully ready to embrace the out she's given me.
"What happened to 'she needs to take the edge off'?" Maddie huffs, finally letting go of my hand and turning to face Lila.
"Well, we can't force her if she's genuinely not feeling it."
"Fine. Whatever." Maddie stalks over to the closet in mock defeat, leaving me and Lila in a comfortable silence. She scrolls through her phone while I bury my face in my pillow, still swirling in endless thoughts of Reid.
"You know..." Lila starts casually, "there's a party at Sigma Theta Chi."
My head lifts slightly, curiosity piqued. "Oh," I mutter, trying to sound interested. "Are you guys going there?"
"Maybe..." Lila drawls. "It'll be packed with meathead jocks. And some of the swimming team live there."
At the mention of the swimming team, my ears perk up, like prey sensing a predator. She played dirty.
"You're evil," I mutter, grabbing my phone and opening Instagram. Sure enough, Oliver's story shows him at Sigma Theta Chi, already mingling in the party's chaos. The background was familiar, and there was a chance Reid could be there too.
Lila laughs knowingly, checking her reflection in the mirror. Maddie reappears in a sleek black dress, twirling for us. "What do you think?"
"Isn't that mine?" I laugh.
"What's yours is mine," she retorts with a wink. I shrug, unbothered. I'd borrowed plenty of her clothes in the past week.
"By the way," I say, getting to my feet, "I changed my mind. A party might be what I need."
Maddie's face lights up, and she practically skips over.
"We should go to the party at Sigma Theta Chi," Lila adds
"Smart girl," Maddie teases, catching on.
"Cue the makeover sequence!" Maddie exclaims, and we all burst into laughter as we dive into the closet. Clothes fly everywhere as we try on different outfits. An hour later, Maddie's serving shots of her infamous pre-game mix, which I politely decline. I wanted to stay sober tonight.
Our Outfits:
â¢Â  Me: I opt for a sleek, fitted red dress that falls just above my knees, paired with black ankle boots. My hair is styled in loose waves, soft makeup accentuating my features.
â¢Â  Maddie: She wears a black bodycon dress (mine, of course), with gold hoop earrings and stiletto heels. Her makeup is bold, with a smoky eye and red lips.
â¢Â  Lila: Always understated but chic, Lila wears high-waisted jeans, a cropped black halter top, and white sneakers. Her septum piercing and winged eyeliner complete the look.
Since I'm the designated driver, I take my keys and drive us to the frat house. The booming bass thuds through the car as we park, the party already in full swing. Laughter and music fill the air as we approach the house, anticipation buzzing.
Maddie, ever the social butterfly, immediately starts introducing us to everyone she knows, before pulling us toward the dance floor. I sway half-heartedly, my eyes scanning the crowd for Reidâor Oliverâanything to ground my restless thoughts. I glance toward the stairway, wondering if Reid is upstairs or if he'd left for the other house I drove him to that night.
"Hey, Isla, this is Russ. Russ, Isla," Maddie announces, winking. I turn to Russ, who smiles and extends his hand.
"Hi," I say, shaking his hand, knowing Maddie's still intent on finding me a rebound.
Russ is attractive, in that wholesome, all-American way, but not enough to distract me from Reid. After the obligatory small talk, Maddie leans in, whispering, "Do your thing," before disappearing onto the dance floor, leaving me with Russ.
"So... you and Reid?" Russ asks, after an unsettling minute of silence.
"Nothing but rumors," I reply with a practiced smile.
"Good," he says, and I raise an eyebrow. "I don't think I'd have the confidence to compete with Reid."
His words catches me off guard, and I laugh awkwardly. "Well, you don't have to worry about that."
Russ offers to get me a drink, but I decline, waving my keys. "Appointed driver."
He chuckles. "Fair enough. But if you do decide to drink, you can leave your car here, I'll walk you home."
Before I can respond, the energy in the room shifts. A sudden hush falls over the crowd, followed by hushed whispers. Phones are out, and a path clears in the middle of the dance floor.
Someone's coming.
I whip my head around, following the buzz, my heart racing.
And then I see him.
Reid.
Those familiar blue eyes emerged from the sea of people, locking on to mine like a predator's.
My breath hitched.
Reid looked devastatingly handsome, and effortlessly casual in grey sweatpants and a black vest top, a silver chain glinting against his chest, his dark hair falling carelessly over his forehead. His gaze was intense, sharp, and all-consuming. For a moment, I thought he was coming toward me.
Then he raised his hand-and waved at someone behind me.
I turned, dread pooling in my stomach.
Cheryl.
Her trademark smug smile stretched wide as she strutted toward him, brushing past me with a sneer. "Bitch," she hissed, just loud enough for me to hear.
Reid's arms wrapped around her as he pulled her in and kissed her, right there in front of everyone. My stomach churned.
He held her like she meant something to him, yet his eyes never left mine, watching me as though daring me to react.
The whispers around us swelled. Phones lifted to record the spectacle. My chest tightened. Did it have to be her? Cheryl, who spent the entire week making my life miserable in sociology class, leaving vile comments on my posts, accusing me of trapping Reid.
"Hey, you alright?" Russ asked, his voice distant.
I forced myself to turn away, grabbed the cup he'd poured earlier, and downed it in one gulp. The burn of alcohol spread through me, numbing the ache.
"Woah, slow down," Russ said, eyeing me warily. I didn't care. I held out the empty cup. "Another."
He hesitated but poured it. I downed that one too.
"Easy, Isla," Russ muttered. "You'll make yourself sick."
I snatched the bottle and poured my own shot, gulping it down. "I'm fine," I lied.
Russ grinned, his hand sliding around my waist. "Alright then. Let's get lit together."
I glanced back, and sure enough, Reid's eyes were locked on Russ's hand around me. Good. Let him stew.
"Hey," Oliver's voice cut through the haze. He approached cautiously, eyes darting between me and Russ.
"Hi," I say forcing a smile, my guilt returning.
"Hey," he repeats. "I sent you a few texts. Did you see them?"
"I-" Before I could answer, "Unforgettable" by French Montana blasted through the speakers, and the room erupted into cheers.
Russ tugged on my hand. "Come on, this is the song."
I looked at Oliver, unsure. "Sorry," I mumbled, letting Russ pull me onto the dance floor. I noticed a few guys from the swim team pull him away too.
I swayed my hips to the beat, letting the music drown out everything else. My body moved with the rhythm, Russ's hands tightening around me as he ground into me. Still, my eyes drifted to Reid. He leaned against the wall, cup in hand, watching me with an unreadable expression.
The alcohol buzzed through my veins. I moved more deliberately, caressing my own body as I swayed. I knew he was watching. His jaw clenched, and I reveled in it.
Russ pressed closer, too close, his breath hot against my ear. His arousal was impossible to ignore, making my skin crawl. He whispered something, but I didn't hear him over the music. His teeth grazed my ear, and I froze, sick to my stomach.
Then it stopped.
Reid stood before me, his hand gripping Russ by the collar. His voice was low, lethal. "Why don't you piss off, mate?"
Russ glared. "Get your hands off me."
Reid's grip tightened. His eyes never left mine. "I won't ask twice."
Russ shrugged out of Reid's grasp, muttering, "Whatever, man," before stalking off.
Reid turned back to me, his blue eyes dark with something between desire and fury.
"Come on, princess," he said, voice thick with amusement. "You wanted my attention. Now you've got it. What's the plan?"
The smugness in his tone ignited something reckless in me. I hated how arrogant he was. I hated that I wanted him anyway.
Before I could stop myself, I closed the space between us and crashed my lips into his.
For a second, nothing. He didn't move. I pulled back, panic rising. But then his hand slid up, tucking my hair behind my ear. His voice, soft and teasing, brushed against my skin.
"You started this," he whispered, catching my bottom lip between his teeth and running his tongue over it.
I moaned into his mouth, the rest of the world fading away.
I didn't care that we were in a room full of people. I didn't care that Cheryl was watching, her expression twisting in fury. She started this when she tried to make me feel small.
And for tonight, I wasn't going to feel small.
Tomorrow, l'd surely regret it.
Tomorrow, it would all come crashing down.
But not tonight.
Tonight, I let myself fall deeper into this downward spiral.
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Authors note
Thank you for reading. That's all, goodbye now. Don't forget to vote and comment......