First love (Pedri & Eric García)

Chapter 19

There were two things Laia could do to prevent a panic attack from fully taking over. The only two she knew worked for her. She could stop everything, lie down and let it happen. That usually ended up with her crying so much that the migraine that came afterwards kept her in bed for hours. Or she could try and stop the attack. It didn't always work but it was worth a try.

So, on her way back home, she called one of her uni friends. When she answered the phone, the loud music made it almost impossible to hear her voice. Just what Laia expected.

"Patri, you're out with friends?", she always was.

"Yes! Why are you calling? Everything ok?"

"Yes yes, all good. But...could I meet you guys? And hang out? I feel I need to go out and you know".

"I don't know because you never do this but sure. I'll text you the address. Bye!"

Checking the address, Laia saw the club they were at wasn't far. But she needed to go get changed. Her outfit was ok for a cutesy date but not for a night out.

After swapping her jeans for a cute pair of high-waisted shorts and her blouse for a top, Laia only had to put on some uncomfortable heels to finish her outfit.

"Patri!!", she yelled after spotting her friend amongst the dozens of people who were on the dancefloor.

"Hey!! Are you a party girl now too?"

"Not really", said Laia. "But I want to be tonight".

"So you called the pro. Good girl".

Laia laughed with Patri and looked around at all the people dancing. A part of her body wanted to feel more anxious surrounded by so many strangers but she forced it to shut up.

"I'll go get a drink".

Patri and her friends nodded and Laia made her way to the bar.

"Hi".

Laia looked to her right to see a guy had approached her to try to talk to her. That was one of the things she hated about clubs. "Hey".

When she looked back to try and get the waiter's attention, the guy got closer to her. "Are you alone?"

"No, I'm here with friends and I'm not interested".

"Bitch", he muttered before leaving.

In what she knew was a bad idea, Laia ordered a very strong drink to start the night of partying. She just needed that anxious part of her to be numb for a few hours.

It made no sense how uncomfortable she had been back at Pedri's. How his words had affected her. But it also did. Laia was direct, like she had been with the guy by the bar. She didn't like to play games. So this whole having to choose between Eric and Pedri was too much and not in a good way.

"So, what do you do for a living? And how do you know Patri? Do you work with her?", one of Patri's friends kept looking at Laia and she expected him to go talk to her at some point.

"I'm a dentist's assistant. We met in uni. Had two classes together...".

"I've never seen you around when we've been out. I would remember you".

"Yeah, I'm not really into partying. But just felt like it today".

"Glad you did".

"Leave her alone, Andreu. Laia is too classy for nightclub hookups".

That made Laia laugh but also...it was at a club that she met Pedri. So maybe not so classy. Even if she met him in the VIP area.

"You seem like a nice guy", started Laia. "So I'll just let you know now I'm not interested in anything with you. There are a lot of gorgeous women here who will be happy to hear your sweet words, though".