𝒹𝓇ℯ𝒶𝓂𝒾𝓃𝑔 ⁱⁿ 𝐣𝐮𝐥𝐲

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟖

As Chris came back down the stairs, he leaned against the railing and announced, "There's another party tonight. Anyone want to go?"

"I'm in if Nate's in," Matt replied without looking up, his focus still on the TV.

Nate nodded absentmindedly, his attention locked on the game.

"What about you, Nick?" Chris asked.

Nick shrugged. "I'll just stay here with Ella," he mumbled.

Eleanor, who had been silent until now, shook her head. "I'm not staying home tonight." She paused for a beat before adding, "I need some alcohol in my system."

"And you call me an alcoholic?" Nate teased, glancing over with a grin.

Ignoring him, Eleanor turned to Angel, her eyes pleading. It only took a second for Angel to sigh in resignation.

"I'm only going to keep Ella company. I'm not drinking," Angel clarified, crossing her arms.

Chris scoffed, a mocking smile tugging at his lips. "You and Matt are such losers. For once in your lives, have fun at a party."

The room fell silent as everyone exchanged judgmental glances. Most of them ignored Chris's comment, but Angel couldn't let it go.

"Last time you had fun at a party, it ended with you acting like an asshole," she said sharply, her tone cold. She let the weight of her words linger before finishing, "So shut the fuck up."

Eleanor's eyes widened, stunned at Angel's boldness. Chris froze for a moment, visibly caught off guard. His jaw tightened as he rolled his eyes, muttered something under his breath, and disappeared into the living room.

The tension in the house only grew thicker after that. Conversations continued in fragments, but the underlying unease was impossible to ignore. Chris and Eleanor still hadn't made up—or even had a real conversation.

Eleanor counted the hours until the party. She needed the noise, the chaos, the alcohol. She wanted to drown out the constant hum of thoughts in her head—about Chris, her feelings for him, and the aching disappointment she felt toward herself.

More than anything, she wanted to forget.

Forget Chris. Forget how his stupid smile lingered in her mind. Forget the way his touch sent her spiraling. Forget the kiss that had started all of this.

Most of all, she wanted to move on. Tonight, she needed a distraction. A new boy, a drink in her hand, and the freedom to stop caring for just one night.

But deep down, a small, stubborn part of her knew the truth. No matter how much she drank or danced or kissed someone else, Chris would still be there. In the back of her mind, in every quiet moment, he'd stay, because she couldn't stop thinking about him.

If she had known how much damage kissing him would cause, she would've never let herself get close.

But tonight, she wasn't going to think. Tonight, she wasn't going to feel.

And for now, that was enough.

𝗂𝗇𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗀𝗋𝖺𝗆 | eleanor.𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞 posted ✔︎