Bewitched

18

MUMTAZ

The music pounded through my veins, reverberating in my chest as I danced on the table, arms lifted to the sky, my body moving to the rhythm of the bass. My friends were cheering me on, their laughter loud and carefree. Sasha was dancing beside me, but her attention kept drifting to Alexi, who lounged on a nearby chair, looking both bored and amused at the same time. He had flown in from Moscow to "sort things out" with her, but instead of having a conversation, Sasha had dragged him to this club, avoiding anything that resembled a serious talk.

I don't drink, but I swear, when my friends are this drunk, it's like their energy transfers to me. The night was a blur of laughter, lights, and music, our little group buzzing with excitement. 

Piper was on the other side of me, dancing like she didn't have a care in the world, and for a moment, I let myself forget everything. No engagements, no responsibilities—just pure, unadulterated fun.

Alexi, stoic as ever, sat back, nursing his drink while Sasha danced her heart out. He had this intense way of watching her, like he was both exasperated and completely in love with her. Their on-again-off-again thing was exhausting to witness, but somehow it worked for them. As I jumped off the table, landing with a little more grace than I expected, I saw Piper spinning in a circle, laughing as she lost her balance and toppled onto the floor. I couldn't help but laugh too.Hours seemed to slip by as we danced and partied.

 Eventually, the club started to clear out, and we spilled onto the street, the cool night air a welcome relief after the heat of the club. Sasha and Piper were wobbling, leaning into Alexi as he tried to hold them both up.

"I swear, I'm fine," Piper slurred, trying to walk in a straight line but failing miserably. She tripped on the curb, and I grabbed her arm, steadying her before she face-planted into the street.

"You're not fine, Pipes," I teased, helping her along. "You're a disaster waiting to happen."

Alexi was struggling to keep Sasha upright. She kept giggling, hanging off him like he was some sort of human crutch. "Oh my God, Alexi, you're so serious all the time!" she slurred, poking him in the cheek. He didn't even flinch.

I laughed as we stumbled through the streets, trying to find something to eat. We eventually found a little corner place that served late-night food—greasy, salty, perfect. Piper and Sasha practically inhaled their fries, spilling ketchup everywhere, while Alexi looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here.

After our impromptu meal, the inevitable happened. Piper and Sasha took turns hurling their guts out into some trash cans while Alexi and I stood nearby, waiting for the storm to pass.

"I swear, they never learn," I said, shaking my head.

Alexi just grunted in response, his expression unreadable.

Once the girls were done purging their bodies of the alcohol they'd consumed, we finally made our way back to our apartment building. Piper and Sasha, now a little more sober, linked arms and swayed as they walked ahead of us. Alexi trailed behind, probably wondering why he had even bothered to come to Milan in the first place. I glanced over at him and gave a sympathetic smile. He was a mystery—always so quiet, so serious.

"Does he ever speak?" Piper asked Sasha, her voice still a little slurred.

Sasha shrugged, laughing. "If he does, I haven't heard it recently."

I couldn't help but joke. "Is he, like, in the KGB or something?"

Sasha threw her head back and laughed, loud and carefree. "If he is, I don't even want to know! The sex is good, so he can be whatever he wants!"