Fated - The Scorpion & The Butterfly

t w o

The Butterfly

I pushed my now curled hair over my shoulder as Stacy and I walked up to the porch of the Frat house. She had convinced me to let her do my makeup. She had done a soft smokey eye paired with a shade of red lipstick that matched the red dress I wore.

"Are you going to be doing that all night?" Stacy raised her brows at me as I tugged the ends of the dress down a bit. I wasn't used to something this short. I wasn't exactly afraid to show skin, it just felt strange.

"Rosie," I heard a voice call over the music that blared from the house. I looked up from Stacy and froze.

Shit.

I haven't even walked inside yet and there he was already. Was he waiting on the porch for me to show up? I laughed at the thought. No way.

He wore that stupid black leather jacket he'd been wearing when Stacy introduced us at the Café. Underneath, he wore a metal band-tee paired with black ripped jeans and Converse. The scorpion tattoo on his chest just peeking out under to collar of his shirt.

Damn he was hot.

With my arms crossed over my chest, I shook my thoughts away as I walked up the steps and passed him. "Zachary."

Something about him was familiar but I couldn't put my finger on what. It's driven me crazy since I met him, but I wasn't here to focus on him. I was here to get shit faced.

I made a b-line through the crowd of college kids towards the kitchen. Picking up a wine cooler as Stacy finally caught up.

"What was that?" She questioned my greeting towards Zack. She picked up a red cup and went straight for the liquor. "Also, a wine cooler? This isn't a book club, Elle." She teased as she picked up a second cup and filled it appropriately before handing it to me.

"What? He probably just wants to fuck me." I took the cup and turned my back to the counter, leaning against it. As I took a sip, my eyes landed on something that put a knot in my stomach.

Or was it lower?

Zack stood in the next room with some random girl dancing on him but his eyes were on me. I gulped down the drink and told Stacy to refill it. I could still feel his eyes on me and I felt my cheeks warm.

"Is he still staring?" I mumbled to Stacy as I downed the second shot. I didn't even know what it was. I didn't have time to think about it. All I could think about were those eyes boring holes into me. "Again" I held my cup out once more and she took the hint.

"Damn Elle, you might want to slow down." She said as I didn't hesitate to pound the third drink already. "That's tequila." My eyes widened. "And um, he's actually coming over here. So I'm gonna go over there." She grinned and rushed off.

"No Stace!" I reached to grab her but she was too far from my grasp before that familiar sense came over me.

I didn't usually drink tequila because it never ended well. Or at least, so I'm told. I black out and never remember anything. This was the worst night to forget what I did.

Zack reached me just as I regained my composure. "Rosie, I didn't-"

"I am not fucking you." I wave my hand at him as if to dismiss the idea before he could even think about it.

He looked surprised that I even brought it up, which surprised me. "What do you want Zack?"

"I just didn't think you'd show up. Parties aren't your thing." He stated as he leaned on the counter beside me. "Nice dress by the way. That come from her closet?" He looked in Stacy's direction then back at me.

Why was he acting like he knew me? He just met me a week ago.

"You don't know anything about me," I pouted as the alcohol was already hitting me. "And don't call me Rosie. It's Roselle."

Rosie.

Something about that nickname.. I'd heard it before. It wasn't from my dad, he never had a nickname for me other than "pain in the ass", and mom— she always called me her butterfly.

She always said it was because I was like a butterfly, I couldn't see the beauty of my own wings, but she and everyone else could.

Who used to call me Rosie?

I blinked the thoughts away as he spoke again, looking even more confused.

"Sorry, Roselle, I wanted to show you something. I was hoping I'd see you tonight."

So he was waiting for me on the porch.

"I don't want to see your dick." I pushed myself from the counter and headed into the crowd of people. I just wanted to dance, I couldn't be bothered right now.

—

About an hour and a half had passed since I left Zack in the kitchen. The tequila was in full effect, on top of the few more drinks I'd consumed.

I looked up when I started getting dizzy. Zack wasn't too far away. I'd felt his presence and his eyes on me this entire time. Almost possessive but protective too.

I blinked a few times and he disappeared from my sight. Wondering where he went I tried to take a step but apparently forgot how to walk because I fell almost instantly.

I expected to hit the floor but instead I felt a warmth suddenly wrap around me. "Careful, Rosie."

I was brought back to my feet with hands that weren't mine on my hips. "I told you," my words were slurred as I placed my hands on the chest of the man holding me up. "Don't fall- call me that." I corrected as I looked up

I felt a chuckle rumble against my hands from his chest, yet another familiar thing about Zack.

Why?

"Wow, you're actually touching me. Progress." A second chuckle sent an all too familiar pang to my lower stomach. "Didn't you..wanna show me something?" I slurred as I bit my lip.

"How much have you had to drink?" He questioned with a hint of concern as he continued to balance me.

"Oh um.. not much." I gave him a drunken grin as I lied.

"Right." He moved a hand to my back and turned me to the front door. "Let's get you some air."

"Noo, I don't want to leave yet!" I protested but it was no use. A few seconds later I was hit with a gush of cool, fresh air. It actually sobered me up a bit, it felt good.

"We're not leaving." He sat me down on a bench swing that hung from the porch, facing outward and I could see the slightest hint of the brightest stars. "Stay." He ordered and I almost didn't notice he'd walked back inside because a few seconds later, he came back with a blanket and a bottle of water.

"Here," He opened the water and handed it to me. I reluctantly took it, knowing I probably did need to sober up. He took the blanket and laid it over my lap before pulling off his jacket.

"What are you-"

He draped the jacket over my shoulders and I relaxed at its warmth. He sat down beside me, intentionally keeping a distance.

Being around him was strange, maybe I would totally jump his bones right now but that wasn't the only feeling he gave me. Though, I'm sure the alcohol contributed to that too.

I felt like I was safe around him and again, something felt familiar.

It drove me insane not being able to figure out why.