WOULD YOU RESCUE ME?

17. Fractured Reflections

The party continued in full swing, the bass from the music thrumming through the air, shaking the walls with every beat. The living room, dimly lit with flashes of colored lights, buzzed with energy as people crowded the space, dancing, laughing, and raising their drinks in endless toasts.

Vanessa found herself caught in the rhythm, but her focus kept wandering back to Astra, who was deep in conversation with Amy and Cassy, their heads thrown back in shared laughter. After a moment, Vanessa made her way over, sliding her arm around Astra's waist with a smile.

"Mind if I steal her for a bit?" Vanessa asked with a teasing smirk.

Amy and Cassy waved them off, grinning. "Just don't keep her too long, Vanessa!" Cassy said with a wink. "We still need her for some dance moves."

Vanessa pulled Astra onto the makeshift dance floor, and they swayed together, matching each other's rhythm. Astra's cheeks were slightly flushed, her movements a touch looser than usual, a clear sign she was already feeling the effects of a few drinks. Vanessa twirled Astra around, her hands firm yet gentle, making Astra laugh and lean into her touch.

"You've got moves, you know that?" Astra teased, her voice bright but with a playful slur that made Vanessa chuckle.

They danced close, the rest of the party fading into the background as they shared a moment amidst the swirling chaos. But soon, Vanessa's competitive side nudged its way back to the surface. She suggested a game of beer pong, and Astra eagerly agreed. The two faced off against Luke and Simon, with Luke cracking jokes and Simon pretending to be a professional athlete. Vanessa had long lost count of how many beers she'd downed, but despite the sheer number, she wasn't feeling tipsy yet. Astra, on the other hand, was swaying just a little more, her laughter more carefree.

As the game ended, Astra smiled up at Vanessa. "I'm gonna go dance a little more, okay?" she said, already glancing back toward Amy and Cassy, who were waving her over.

Vanessa nodded, her lips curling into a small smile. "Go have fun, love. I'll catch up with you in a bit."

She watched as Astra rejoined Amy and Cassy, the three of them quickly slipping back into their carefree energy, dancing with abandon. Vanessa felt a warmth spread through her—seeing Astra so relaxed, fitting in so seamlessly with her friends, was exactly what she'd hoped for. She trusted Amy and Cassy to look out for Astra, and that was the only reason she agreed to leave when Maya appeared at her side, tugging gently at her sleeve.

"Hey, can we talk for a second? Just the two of us," Maya asked, her voice barely audible over the music.

Vanessa hesitated, casting a quick glance back toward Astra, but then nodded. "Sure, let's step outside."

They slipped through the back door into the cool night air. The noise of the party dimmed as they moved further away, and for a moment, they simply stood there, breathing in the calm. Maya crossed her arms, looking down at the ground, as if gathering her thoughts.

"I just... I'm really happy for you, Vanessa," Maya began, lifting her eyes to meet Vanessa's. "Astra's good for you. I can see it." There was a genuine warmth in her voice, but her expression was tinged with something more, regret, perhaps.

Vanessa nodded, feeling a swell of appreciation. "She is. She makes me feel... I don't know, just better, like I'm where I'm supposed to be."

Maya gave a small, bittersweet smile. "That's why I want to apologize. For that kiss. I know it was wrong, and I just... I don't want it to mess things up between us." Her voice wavered slightly, but she pressed on. "I still have feelings for you, but I promise, I won't do anything to get between you two. Can we just... forget it ever happened?"