CHAPTER 5

After doing my business, I washed my hands and splashed some cold water on my face, trying to shake off the slight dizziness creeping over me. The bass from the party still thumped through the walls, muffled but constant.

I took a deep breath, steadied myself, checking my appearance in the mirror for the last time, making sure everything was perfect, and stepped out of the bathroom. and I made my way towards my friends where I had left them last time, but there's no trace of them there. After that, I started searching for my friends.

The dance floor was packed with people, their bodies swaying under the dim, flickering lights. I scanned the crowd, expecting to spot Bella, Emma, and Noah where I had left them—but they were nowhere to be seen.

Where the hell have, they gone...? I thought to myself.

1 minute What's going on? I have never cursed before in these 2 years; what's happening with me?

Take a deep breath, Kat; just focus on your friends and nothing else.

Let's call them because, dude, you can't search the entire house, and I'm kind of tired also and want to go home and have a nice sleep.

Pulling out my phone, I quickly dialed Bella's number. It rang twice before going straight to voicemail. Switched off.

My stomach twisted.

Okay I will try next one.

Frowning, then I tried to call Emma next.

After a few rings. Finally, Emma pickups the call

"Kat?" Her voice was slightly slurred, the background noise filled with laughter and muffled voices.

"Where the hell are you all?" I asked her, pushing through the crowd.

"Oh, uh..." Emma hesitated. "We left with some guys we met. Bella and Noah are with me. We're fine, don't worry!"

My grip tightened around my phone. "Seriously, Emma? You just left without telling me?"

"I—I thought you were still busy in the washroom. It just... happened."

I closed my eyes, exhaling sharply. I wanted to argue with her, to tell Emma how reckless they were being, but I knew it wouldn't change anything now.

"Fine. Just text me where you are when you get there."

"Yeah, yeah, will do," Emma mumbled before the call disconnected.

"Oh, sorry babe, and one more thing that we are not coming home tonight, so is Bella and Noah. We hit a jackpot and got our hand on some really hotties to accompany us tonight; go back home and text me. We will talk about it tomorrow. bye"

"What the.... hey....... Emma.... are you there......"

What the hell? Did she just hang up on me?

What's the matter with everyone, man?

I groaned, running a hand through my hair. I was alone now, and the energy of the party suddenly felt overwhelming. Without my friends by my side, the place lost its charm. I needed to get out.

Oh my god, that means I have no ride to take me back home.

I have to go on my own now.

And now I'm regretting that I agree with them.

How can they all ditch me?

But thank God Alex lives on the same street so I can walk back home.

As I stepped outside, the cool night air hit my skin. Alex's house is huge and extravagant and was surrounded by scattered partygoers. Some were passed out on the porch steps, others murmured in drunken conversations. The street was eerily quiet apart from the occasional distant sound of music and laughter.

Eww.

I hit the road and started walking towards my apartment in the moony light.

I sighed and started walking. My house wasn't far, and after the way my night had turned out, I just wanted to crawl into bed and forget about it.

But as I turned the corner, I spotted a group of people standing near the sidewalk, cigarette smoke curling in the air around them. I instinctively lowered my head, hoping to slip by unnoticed.

But as I was saying Today is not my night.

No such luck.

"Please don't notice me; please don't notice me." I close my eyes and whisper to myself.

"Hey, sweetheart, where you off to in such a hurry?" One of them called out, his voice laced with amusement.

I ignored him, picking up my pace.

Another one whistled. "Come on sweetcheek, don't be shy."

"Hey pretty girl, where are you going?" this time tall guy asked, making me freeze in the spot.

Shit, shit, shit, he notices me; now I'm going to die at such young age.

I started walking fast; a strong hand grabbed me and made me turn to face him.

I clenched my jaw, ready to snap at them, but before I could, a familiar voice cut through the group.

"Wait Kattie," a familiar voice calls me; no one has called me by this name except....

My eyes snapped to the speaker. A tall guy, slightly disheveled, but unmistakably familiar. Nick.

Her cousin, whom she misses madly.

"Nick...?" I asked in shock.

Strong arms pull me towards a solid chest while hugging me.

"Oh my god, I never thought we were going to meet like this," he said, smiling down at me.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were in London." I ask, still not believing the man standing in front of me is my bestie, my partner in crime, the person who knows my entire secret. Nick Anderson is my cousin, and we are of the same age. He studies in London and is the son of my aunt from my father's side, his parents are my uncle John Anderson and aunt Marie Anderson. After my parents' death, my uncle became our legal guardian of me and my brother; they love us like their own child. For further studies, I shifted to New York City.

Nick stepped forward, flicking away his cigarette. "What are you doing here alone in the street at this time?" He changes the subject and gives me the look now—it's-not-the-right-time.

"My ride ditched me, so I'm on my own now." I exhaled, relieved to see someone she actually knew.

He glanced at his group, then back at me. "It's late. You shouldn't be out here alone. Come on, I'll drop you off."

I hesitated. I had just met him, and though he was family and closed to each other, but something was off with him today. Still, walking home alone wasn't ideal, and right now, I didn't have much of a choice.

"Alright," I said.

"Hey guys, I'm going to give a lift to my baby girl," he said to the other guys.

Nick gestured toward his car, parked just down the street.

"Okay. How about we go to my hotel room, and then we can talk there?" he asked me with so much hope that I don't have heart to say no. So, I nod.

We rode in his rented car; the ride was silent, tension hanging thick in the air. I had so many questions like —

Why was he here?

Why was he hanging around guys like that?

Could I trust him?

But for now, I kept them to myself.

As the city lights blurred past, I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling settling in my chest.