Shattered Asylum

Chapter 33

Nora fixed my makeup after I was done crying. She kept asking me if I wanted to go home, but I told her no every time. I don't want to show him that he got to me.

If he wants to pretend we never met, then that's exactly what I'm going to do.

"I need some alcohol," I say, my voice quiet as we make our way to the fire behind the football field.

"Say no more," Nora responds, pulling a bottle of vodka from her backpack. I snatch it from her hands and take a long gulp. "Whoa there, calm down," she says, grabbing the bottle out of my hands.

"Party pooper." I mumble, pouting. I can't help but feel a little bit of the numbness slip in with the burn of the alcohol. It's easier this way, easier to forget, to not feel.

We get to the fire, and most of the students are gathered around, laughing and talking. Nora leads me to the group, and as soon as I step into the circle, I catch Grayson's eye.

My heart skips, but I quickly look away, my stomach twisting. I move behind Nora, hoping to hide myself in the crowd, but I know it won't help.

"I'm gonna find Vinnie, wanna come?" Nora asks, touching my back lightly.

I shake my head. "I'm gonna stay next to the fire, but you go, I'll be fine."

She playfully rolls her eyes at me but leaves anyway, disappearing into the crowd. I sigh, walking closer to the warmth of the fire, hoping the flames will melt some of the cold that's settled inside me.

I hold my hands out, letting them feel the heat, but it doesn't quite reach the chill deep inside.

"Hey, cutie, thought you left," Brooklyn's voice pulls me out of my thoughts. I look up at him, offering a tight smile. "Hey, Brooks, Just went to the bathroom."

"You look beautiful tonight," he says, stepping closer to me. I force my eyes to stay on the fire.

"Thank you." I mutter, stuffing my hands into my hood pockets, hoping to seem as closed off as I feel.

"I like your curly hair better, though," he says, reaching out and twirling a lock of my hair between his fingers. I immediately pull back, looking at his hand as he touches me.

"I like to switch it up every once in a while." I reply, pulling my hair from his grasp.

"So, you're single, right?" Brooklyn asks, his back now turned to the fire as he looks at me.

"Yeah," I answer, nodding but not quite meeting his eyes.

"Good. I always thought you were cute, I just thought you and Grayson had a thing, so I never took my shot." He runs his hand through his hair.

I feel my face heat up at his boldness."No, we just have the same friend group," I say, watching the flames leap higher as I try to ignore the nervous flutter in my chest.

"Would you want to go out sometime?" He asks, his arm brushing mine as he rotates again.

"Uhm, I'll have to ask my grandparents." I reply, cringing internally. Why do I always say these things?

He laughs, shaking his head. "You're too cute." He says, and before I can protest, he wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his side. My body tenses immediately at the unexpected contact.

I try to think of a way to get him off me without being rude, but my mind is too foggy. "I'm gonna get a drink." I say, attempting to shimmy out of his grasp.

I take a step back, and he keeps talking, not noticing that I've already made my escape.

I turn around quickly, feeling my nose crash into someone's chest. The impact is sharp, and I gasp, pain shooting through me.