WOULD YOU RESCUE ME?

4. You have all the attentions you wanted

The bar buzzed with a lively energy as the evening deepened, the air thick with the sound of laughter and music. Luke, Amy, Cassy, and Maya were the first to arrive, claiming a corner table that had a good view of the small stage and the bustling bar. Luke leaned back in his chair, already loosening up, while Maya chattered on about how she hoped the night would unfold.Just a few minutes later, Vanessa walked in, her hair slightly tousled from the ride. She scanned the room briefly, spotting the group and making her way over with a confident stride. Luke's eyebrows shot up as she joined them, barely out of breath."Damn, Vanessa, you're fast," he said, giving her a playful nudge. "How'd you get here so quick? We didn't even see you get on the bus."Vanessa smirked, leaning casually against the edge of the table. "That's because I didn't take the bus. Came here on my bike." She noticed the curious looks from the group and added with a shrug, "And don't worry, if I get too drunk, I'll leave it here and just grab the bus back like everyone else."Luke's interest piqued, his smile turning into a slightly impressed grin. "A biker girl, huh? That explains the whole mysterious vibe you've got going on."Maya rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips as she chimed in. "Oh please, Luke, it's not like you're the only one with a thing for rider girls. Vanessa, I'd love to see you in action someday."Vanessa's laugh was low and easy, but there was a hint of a flirtatious edge as she responded, "Maybe you will, Maya, if you're lucky." She winked, making Maya blush just a little, though she tried to hide it behind a sip of her drink.Luke, not to be outdone, signaled the bartender and ordered a round of shots for the table. "Alright, no more small talk. Time to get this party started properly!" He raised his glass, encouraging the others to join in. "To new friends, and a night we won't forget."Vanessa clinked her glass with theirs, feeling the warmth of the alcohol spread through her. As the shots went down and more drinks flowed, more people from their course trickled into the bar, filling the space around their table. The gathering grew into a full-fledged party, with Vanessa at the center, meeting and mingling with more people than she had anticipated in a single night.Throughout the night, Luke and Maya kept their focus on her, each trying to one-up the other with their charm. Luke leaned in close when they spoke, his gaze lingering a little too long, while Maya made sure to stand by Vanessa's side, her hand occasionally brushing against Vanessa's arm or leg as they laughed together. Vanessa, always quick to pick up on a dynamic, enjoyed playing into their rivalry, letting her smile or a well-timed compliment keep them both on their toes.Yet even with the attention from Luke and Maya, there was a restlessness within Vanessa. She felt herself growing tipsier with each drink, her head starting to buzz pleasantly. But underneath that, there was an itch of anticipation that hadn't yet been scratched—she still hadn't seen Astra.By the time Astra finally walked into the bar, Vanessa was already leaning against the back of her chair, a little unsteady, with a half-drunk cocktail in her hand. She spotted Astra immediately, but Astra paused at the entrance, her eyes scanning the room until they found Vanessa. For a second, their gazes locked, and Vanessa felt a jolt run through her, despite the alcohol clouding her senses.
Vanessa was used at the effect of the alcohol, more than once she used this magic potion to escape reality amd mabey right now that's what she was doing. She was scared. New town, new room, new friends, but same old feelings, plus one Astra. What she was feeling whenever that girl was around was something unique, in a peasant way of curse, but still she was scared.Astra took in the scene before her, Vanessa surrounded by people, including a very enthusiastic Luke and Maya, who were both clearly invested in winning her attention. And Astra, knowing the game all too well, felt a mixture of emotions. She forced herself to steady her breathing and moved toward the bar, pretending to focus on her tasks for the night. But inside, she couldn't help feeling that old, uncomfortable twist of jealousy, mixed with a genuine worry for what Vanessa might really be looking for in all of this.Vanessa, her smile slipping a little as she watched Astra move behind the counter, took a long sip of her drink, trying to ignore the way her heart had skipped a beat. She wasn't ready to confront whatever was between them, not yet at least, not when the night was still in full swing and Maya and Luke where all around her.