Blinded

Chapter 10

Kayla's POV

Clarence leaned in, his voice low and smooth. "You're doing a good job pretending to have fun, but your eyes? They say you're somewhere else."

I tried to smile. "Maybe. But the distraction is nice."

"I'm not just here to distract you," he said, his eyes searching mine like he meant it.

I didn't have the chance to respond before Liyah bounced over—curly top knot, skin glowing, still dancing with Clarence's friend, who had his hands on her hips like she was already taken.

"Y'all good?" she asked, sipping something light pink from a Solo cup.

"Yeah," I replied. "I just needed air."

Clarence glanced behind me. "You want to go chill out back? It's quieter."

"Sure," I said. But just as I turned to walk with him toward the sliding glass door, I saw it.

Andre.

Walking in through the front entrance with Trey and some other guy I didn't recognize, all of them dressed like they belonged in the middle of the club, not at some influencer house party. Andre's eyes scanned the room, sharp, cold, like he was already looking for something—or someone.

My stomach flipped.

I quickly turned back to Clarence and gave him a shaky smile. "Uhh—I gotta pee."

"Mmmh," he smirked. "Alright then. You sure?"

"Yeah, I'll be quick."

Before he could say anything else, I turned and made a beeline across the crowd, dodging a pair of TikTok dancers doing a collab near the drinks table. I glanced toward the couch but Liyah was still dancing, her arms around Clarence's friend, totally distracted.

Okay. Just breathe.

I tried to keep my cool, but I could feel his presence. I didn't see him anymore, but I knew he was here. And I was not ready.

We hadn't spoken since the fight. The choking. The betrayal. I never got closure—just rage, pain, and silence.

I made it to the bathroom, locked the door behind me, and leaned against it. My heart was beating so fast it felt like it was trying to outrun the moment.

"This cannot be happening," I whispered.

What were the chances? The one party I let Alyssa drag me to, and he just happens to be here?

I looked in the mirror and forced myself to smile. At least I looked good—my curls were big and full, framing my face like a halo. My gloss still shined under the bathroom light, my gold hoops catching the reflection.

"Okay Kayla," I whispered to myself. "Get it together. You're that girl."

I took one last look, reapplied my lip gloss, straightened my top, and unlocked the door. As I stepped out, my phone buzzed.

Liyah:
Hey Kay, Clarence said you went to the bathroom. We outside rolling up.

Perfect. Now I had to cut across the party alone just to find them.

I texted back: Coming now.

Standing on my tiptoes, I scanned the crowd, trying to find the back door when—

"Kayla?"

I turned. Andre was standing there, halfway between confusion and anger. His brown eyes locked on me, then dropped to my outfit, then narrowed back at my face.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, voice sharp.

I cocked my head. "What does it look like I'm doing? I'm at a party, Andre."