Affliction.

Chapter 7:

Peachy.

From my unwieldy terms with Zach to the untouched peaches idling in front of me, everything was simply peachy.

I hadn't slept the entire night, well morning actually, since I came back from my rash expedition just before dawn. And right now, after seeing an immaculate plate of caviar in front of me, I was peachy.

It was a miracle how I didn't throw the steaming delicacy on the cook's bald head when he expertly landed the dish on the table for breakfast, because everyone in this house was well aware of how I despised seafood. So the string of profanities popping out my mouth to an extremely ashamed cook was well-deserved. Reminded me of the slugs dripping from Ronald Weasley's throat in Harry Potter.

And now, I settled on some harmless, juicy peaches.

Zach had called, again. And I'd called back, again. It transformed into a game of 'lets see who calls the most' between us. Apart from his obscene swearing and threats of breaking my head, he wanted to talk about something really important. Guess that has to wait.

Biting into a ripe peach, I dialled Ariel's number. She picked up at the first ring.

"I don't know you."

"If you'd just let me expla-" I started off sheepishly.

"Don't care."

"I was-"

"A normal person has the slightest courtesy-"

"I'd an accident." I spoke quietly.

"To return one darn call- whaaat?" She backtracked.

"And I met the guy from my dreams. " My confession was greeted by  thick silence. But then the next four words were like a bucket of ice-cold water in Sahara heat.

"I am coming over."

x

"So, what do you think?" I was sprawled on my bed across a very lost in thought Ariel. I'd poured the entire chain of events right after her departure and apart from a very intense game of eyebrow raising, she remained silent.

"I think." She paused, tapping her manicured finger on her chin. "It's time to hit that bar downtown."

Out of so many  normal responses I'd been playing over in my head, this was definitely not one of them. But considering Ariel, normal hardly ever made an appearence in your life.

"I don't think this a good idea. Honestly, I'm beat." I defended.

"Not a good enough excuse." She dismissed airily. "If he was there in every visit you made out of this house, he'll be at the bar too." I considered this probablity. Maybe, she's right. The sheer thought of seeing Jev again made my heart flutter.

"Plus, at times like these, beer's a girl's bestfriend." She winked.

x

"I still don't think this is a good idea." I bit my lip as I looked at my reflection, uncertainity evident in my mascara-caked eyes. I was simply going out to see those stormy gray eyes again, but what if he wasn't there?

I'd on a black Valentino strapless dress that ended just above my knees. It screamed Ivory from every inch, not too revealing but not too church-like either. Topping it off with a messy side-swept bun and pink gloss, I was satisified with the outcome.

"You know." Ariel spoke from the bathroom, curling her hair. "That Jev dude is going to worship the ground you step your heels on when he'll see you like this."

"A few answers from his side would suffice. Stop flattering me, you look drool-able yourself." I grinned as she came out.

I wasn't kidding either. With an extremely short royal blue dress and red lipstick, she could give Nina Dobrev a good competition. And those killer heels did every justice to her tanned legs.

"We look perfect!" Lips pursued, hips out, we struck a pose. And then laughed hard.

"Lets do this." I called out, determined to have a good time tonight.

I let Ariel drive as I relished the feel of cool wind on my face. Imagine Dragons blared from the speakers and we sang out our hearts along. The night hadn't even begun and I was having a good time.

The bouncer shot a scanty glance over us before allowing us to enter. The inside smelled like sweat and expensive perfume. I was momentarily blinded by the blinking disco lights that casted a reddish blue hue over the dancing bodies.

Dodging through the drunken masses, we made our way towards the bar. Ariel looked up at me questioningly as I ordered an iced coke.

"I thought you were here for a good time."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm. Just not in a mood to get drunk."

"She'll have a beer too." I opened my mouth to argue but the words died as she shot me a 'no nonsense' glare. A little alcohol wouldn't hurt, then.

Looking across the  room, I could see people dancing their heads off, like there's no tomorrow. There was a highschool celebration tonight, and the place was swarming with passionate embraces and young love.

A tingling sensation of being watched crept up my spine and I squirmed. Rotating my stool to the opposite side, my eyes zeroed on a silhoutte seated on a the black sofa across the room. As if sensing my stare, Jev bent forward and the halo lights illuminated his face, his eyes fixed on me.

Well, damn.