Boundless

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟒

I entered the Slytherin common room, my arm intertwined with Sebastian's. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement, laughter, and a palpable sense of mischief-typical of our gatherings.

Our common room, larger than others due to its location in the dungeons, was divided into three connected areas. During parties, these transformed to suit our needs: one room pulsed with music and dancing, another hosted games like beer pong and more risqué activities preferred by some of the boys, and the third was a lounge for drinks, where people often got high and took drugs.

Sebastian, always up for competition, quickly headed to the games room where a group of boys had gathered around beer pong tables, their shouts and laughter filling the space with lively energy. Normally, I'd be right beside him, but after the exhausting morning I'd had, I wasn't ready to deal with Mattheo or the rest of the gang.

Instead, I joined my group of girls in the center of the common room. Everyone was there except Olivia, whom Draco had banned-a decision that annoyed me since she was just as important to our circle as he was.

Caught up in the festive atmosphere, I felt a wave of spontaneity and suggested shots, which were met with immediate enthusiasm. With drinks in hand, we toasted to the night's unrestrained joy, our voices blending with the upbeat music.

In need of another drink, I navigated through the games room. Before reaching the drinks section, Sebastian caught sight of me and quickly drafted me into his team, replacing Blaise who had wandered off with a girl.

"You owe us, S. We haven't seen you all summer," Draco chided, trying to guilt-trip me as I noticed Theo's gaze already locked on mine. I cleared my throat and ran a hand through my hair.

"Alright, one game," I agreed, setting down my cup. Sebastian, Enzo, and I teamed up against Draco's squad, which included Theo and Mattheo.

To my surprise, I excelled at beer pong, and the possibility of outplaying Mattheo brought an extra rush. True to form, our team won the round, but Mattheo and Draco immediately protested, claiming we had an unfair advantage.

"They just got lucky!" Draco exclaimed, throwing his hands up in exasperation.

"It's not luck when it happens every time, Draco," Sebastian retorted with a smirk, high-fiving Enzo.

"Don't back down now, Black," Mattheo taunted, using my last name as a jab. I shot him a glare, steeled to beat him again.

Eager to wipe that smirk off Mattheo's face, I picked up the ball, weighing it in my hand as I locked eyes with him. "Bring it on," I said, my voice steady and confident. The crowd around us hushed, sensing the tension.

We squared off for another round, and once again, my team emerged victorious. After the match, I headed to finally grab that drink, the room thick with the smell of weed. My gaze lingered a bit too long on the scene, snapping me back to the moment.

At the drink station, I downed my drink in one gulp and quickly poured another, but no matter how much I drank, it just wasn't enough. My tolerance had increased significantly over the summer, and I was cautious about not pushing it toward alcohol poisoning.

My eyes landed on Ominis, Sebastian's best friend, who was sitting with a group of intoxicated students. Ever since I started dating Sebastian, they had grown apart, but Ominis had been one of the dealers during a party I attended at Oxford. I needed to keep him close-not just to maintain my supply but also to keep my secrets safe. I approached him hesitantly. "Ominis, can I talk to you?"

He met me in a corner, away from curious eyes. "I need some more supplies," I admitted, his look of judgment heavy on me. He was unimpressed. "That was supposed to last you two months. What the hell have you been doing, Stella?" His tone was concerned rather than accusatory.

"I know," I responded, a mix of frustration and desperation in my voice. "I'll get it under control. I just need to get through this Mattheo situation. One more month, I swear."

He sighed, relenting. "Fine. One more month, but then you're cut off," he warned sternly.

Relieved, I tucked the new stash into my boots and slipped past my friends unnoticed as I headed back to my dorm.

Tonight, being the first party of the year, served as a safety net. I knew everyone would be too drunk to notice my early departure; they'd end up passed out on dorm floors or couches. I had stayed long enough to contribute to tomorrow's gossip session with the girls, and a few strategically taken Polaroids would support my alibi.

After a summer of partying at more extravagant venues, these common room gatherings no longer thrilled me as they used to. A lot had changed for me in the last three months, and I just hoped I hadn't outgrown this place too.