Leave Me In Ruins

Their guy

Loud music boomed from the building in front of Stiles. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other and bit down on his lower lip. He could back out, claim something came up. Pretend he was sick. He used that excuse last time though, he doubted it would work again.

"Stiles," Adrian's voice called from behind him. Stiles tensed before turning around and putting on a smile. He wasn't alone. Morgan, Angela, and Danny were with him.

"You made it." Danny smiled, giving Stiles' shoulder and gentle tap with his fist.

"I made it," Stiles repeated, hoping he sounded more enthused than he was. It's not that he wasn't excited, but he couldn't shake the feeling of guilt.

"Shall we?" Adrian gestured to the doors.

Stiles nodded as he followed Morgan, Angela, and Danny into a loud room. A large balding man stopped them, hand extended forward.

Adrian handed over their tickets. The man glanced them over and then stepped aside.

Adrian put a hand on Stiles' lower back and lead him gently into the bustling room.

The lights were thrashing across the room to the beat of the music, while the dancers mimicked them.

"There's a quieter section, that's where we're going." Adrian's voice was suddenly in Stiles' ear.

Stiles followed Adrian and his friends through a doorway with a velvet drape that hung to the ground.

On the other side was a staircase that spiraled up and out of sight.

"Is this the part where you take me to a secluded area where they can't hear me scream and kill me?" Stiles teased as Adrian started for the stairs.

Adrian barked out a laugh. "Don't worry, I'm not gonna kill you." He extended a hand, which Stiles took.

Adrian pulled him up the stairs.

At the top was another velvet drape that they pushed through. On the other side was a smaller room, with a sitting area and a separate booth where another DJ stood.

The music in this room was still loud but it was better. More fluid notes and less jolty beats.

"You want a drink?" Adrian's voice was in his ear again.

Stiles only nodded. Maybe a drink would help him relax. He couldn't help but feel on edge and he didn't know why.

Adrian pulled on Stiles' hand he was still holding, and they made their way to the bar.

"What do you like?" Adrian asked, his hand now releasing Stiles'.

"I'm not picky." He shrugged.

Adrian grinned, turning to the bartender and pointing to the wall of alcohol.

Stiles' eyes scanned the busy room. There were still easily sixty-plus people in the small room. He didn't know what he was looking for as he scanned through. He just couldn't shake the uneasy feeling.

"You okay?" Adrian asked, pulling Stiles' attention to where he was holding out a bright blue drink.

"Yeah, just taking it all in." It wasn't technically a lie.

"Come on, we can sit over there." Adrian gestured to the table with a half-moon booth wrapping around it. Danny and Morgan were already there.

"Can we join you?" Adrian asked as they approached the table.

Morgan raised a brow at him. "I thought you two would want a table to yourself."

Stiles' stomach twisted and his heart started to hammer in his chest.