corruption

four ੈ✩‧₊

Lacie's pov:

I woke up with a jolt, my heart pounding in my chest as I blinked, trying to take in my surroundings. The room was unfamiliar, the light dim and casting long shadows on the walls. I swallowed hard, my mouth dry as I tried to piece together what had happened.

Where am I?

My head spun, and panic bubbled up inside me as I sat up, the bed creaking under me. I glanced around wildly, looking for something—anything—that might give me a clue. My clothes, my bag, my phone. Nothing. I felt a cold sweat form at the back of my neck. My phone. I needed to find it.

I scrambled out of bed, my legs shaky as I nearly tripped on the sheets tangled around me. After a few frantic seconds of searching, I spotted my phone on the floor by the door. My hands shook as I picked it up, the screen lighting up. I thumbed through my contacts, my heart racing, and tapped on Nina's name. 'Raft😈'.

It rang.

And rang.

And rang.

No answer.

My pulse quickened further, and my breathing became shallow. Where is she? Why isn't she picking up? I couldn't stay here. I couldn't. I glanced down at myself—no clothes. I had to get out of here.

I pushed open the door, the sound of the hinge creaking making my heart lurch in my chest. As I stepped into the hallway, I came face to face with Matty. He was standing there, leaning against the wall, his eyes locking onto mine.

"Hey, Lacie," he said, his voice soft but somehow distant.

But I couldn't focus. His words sounded like they were underwater, distant and echoing in my ears. I couldn't make sense of it. My heart was thundering now, jumping all over the place, and my mind was a chaotic blur of last night—his touch, the heat, the kisses. It all came rushing back too fast, too much, too intense.

I could barely breathe.

"Lacie," Matty said again, stepping closer, his brow furrowed with concern. His hand reached out toward me, but I pulled back, overwhelmed and overstimulated by the flood of memories. My body tensed, my hands trembling as I felt like the room was spinning.

Matty's voice broke through the noise in my head, calm and steady. "It's okay." He placed a hand gently on my shoulder, his touch grounding me just enough for my breathing to slow. "Come on, let's just... lie down for a second."

I didn't know what else to do, so I let him guide me back into the room, back to the bed. My mind was still racing, but he was calm, speaking softly, saying something about how everything was probably a mistake. I wasn't sure if he was talking to me or to himself.

We settled back on the bed, and I was grateful for the warmth of his body next to mine, his arm draping around me in a comforting embrace. I felt small, fragile, like I was on the verge of breaking apart. Matty's fingers absentmindedly played with my hair, his touch soothing in a way I didn't expect.

He talked about random things—nonsense really—but it was enough to keep me tethered. His voice was soft, and I could feel his gaze on me, though I didn't look up. His eyes flickered with a mix of something—regret, maybe, or just the aftermath of a night that had spiraled out of control.

Matty pulled out his phone, recording a quick video I pulled the covers up, hiding half my face and body, giggling nervously. As I laughed, burying myself further under the blanket. "Stop," I mumbled, playfully, my cheeks flushed as I tugged the blanket tighter.

Just then, my phone buzzed in my hand. I froze for a second, dread and relief battling within me. I glanced down.

Nina.