Lines We Cross

Chapter 20

The room spun around YN in dizzying shades of neon. Music pulsed in time with the heavy beat of her heart, the rhythm both intoxicating and numbing. She was lost in a blur of faces and lights, another night blending into the last, each one more chaotic than the one before.

Maya and Nina had been by her side the past three days, their expressions growing steadily more concerned with each party, each drink, each time she stumbled into a VIP section with yet another stranger. But tonight felt different. The carefree exhilaration she'd felt at first had been replaced by something darker—a desperate need to escape herself, to silence the thoughts and emotions she'd tried to bury.

There had been countless faces, nameless strangers she'd drawn close to, before they'd been wrapped up in a brief, frenzied connection. She'd brought girls back to the house more times than she could remember, their laughter and whispers barely reaching her over the rush in her mind. Other times, she'd pulled a girl into the bathroom at the club, lips and hands claiming her, as if each touch could dull the ache of all she didn't want to confront. But even in those moments, the escape was fleeting, the silence she craved slipping away as quickly as it had come.

Tonight, as she stumbled through another haze of lights and voices, it hit her—none of it was enough. None of it quieted her mind or eased the restlessness inside. The exhilaration had faded, replaced by a hollow feeling that only grew with every touch that wasn't Elizabeth's.

———

YN felt someone grab her arm, pulling her toward the velvet seats of the VIP section. She glanced up to see Maya and Nina staring at her, their expressions somber.

"YN," Maya said softly, sitting down across from her. "We need to talk."

YN rolled her eyes, slumping back into the seat with a sigh. "Oh, come on. Don't start with the lecture."

"It's not a lecture," Nina said, her tone patient but firm. "But we're worried about you. This... isn't like you."

YN scoffed, crossing her arms. "What's not to like? I'm having fun. Isn't that the whole point?"

Maya exchanged a glance with Nina before leaning in, her voice lowered. "YN, this is more than just partying. You're... it feels like you're running from something."

YN's gaze flickered, and for a moment, her guard slipped. She glanced away, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass as she muttered, "Maybe I am."

Nina placed a gentle hand on YN's shoulder. "You know we're here for you, right? Whatever it is, you don't have to go through it alone."

YN hesitated, the weight of her secrets pressing down on her. She was so tired of hiding, of pretending everything was fine. With a sigh, she looked up, her voice barely a whisper. "I've... been seeing someone."

Maya and Nina exchanged surprised glances, waiting for her to continue.

"Elizabeth," YN murmured, her gaze dropping to her drink. "Professor Olsen."

Their eyes widened, surprise mingling with understanding. Maya let out a low whistle. "Elizabeth Olsen? As in, your professor?"

YN nodded, her voice tinged with frustration. "Yeah. It's... complicated."

Nina leaned closer, sympathy in her gaze. "Is that why you've been acting like this? Because of her?"

"It's not just her," YN replied, her tone laced with bitterness. "It's everything. My family, the expectations... everything feels out of fucking control."

Maya reached out, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "We're here for you, YN. Whatever you need, we're here."

But before YN could respond, she felt a sudden wave of nausea - the drinks from the night catching up to her. She stumbled out of the booth, mumbling something about needing air as she moved toward the washrooms, her mind spinning.

———

Elizabeth's POV

Elizabeth was startled awake by the ringing of her phone, the sound jarring in the stillness of her apartment. She reached over, blinking at the screen, her eyes widening when she saw YN's name. But when she answered, the voice on the other end wasn't YN's.

"Elizabeth? It's Nina," came the hurried voice. "YN... she's not okay. She's drunk, and she won't stop talking about... well, older women."

Elizabeth sat up immediately, worry slicing through her exhaustion. "Where are you?"

"We're at the Red Light club downtown, VIP section. She's... out of it," Nina said, her voice laced with concern. "We tried to calm her down, but she just won't listen. Could you—?"

"I'm on my way," Elizabeth replied, her tone steady. "Stay with her. I'll get you all out without a scene."

She hung up, pulling on her coat and slipping out of her apartment, her mind racing. The fact that YN's friends knew about them was concerning, but she couldn't dwell on it. Right now, her only focus was getting YN out safely.

When she arrived at the club, Elizabeth took the back entrance, a route she knew gave discreet access to the VIP area. She moved quickly, slipping past the clusters of people until she found Nina and Maya standing beside a couch where YN lay slumped, her gaze hazy and unfocused.

Elizabeth knelt beside her, brushing a gentle hand against YN's cheek to get her attention. "YN?"

YN's eyes fluttered open, a wide, unfocused smile spreading across her face as she recognized her. "Lizzie! You came to rescue me?"

Elizabeth's tone was calm but firm as she nodded. "Yes, I'm here. Let's get you out of here."

Nina gave her an apologetic smile. "We've already called an Uber for us. Do you need any help getting her out?"

Elizabeth shook her head, grateful for their discretion. "I've got it. Thank you, both of you."

Maya and Nina exchanged a concerned glance but nodded, giving YN one last look before they left. Elizabeth wrapped an arm around YN, helping her to her feet and guiding her through the dimly lit hallway and out the back door, away from prying eyes.

In the car, YN's head lolled back against the seat, her gaze unfocused as she mumbled to herself, fragments of thoughts spilling out. Elizabeth watched her, a mixture of worry and sadness tightening in her chest. The confident, composed woman she knew had unraveled, revealing a vulnerability Elizabeth hadn't anticipated.

———

When they reached her apartment, Elizabeth helped YN inside, settling her on the couch. She grabbed a glass of water from the kitchen, kneeling beside YN and gently brushing a strand of hair from her face.

"Here," she said softly, offering the glass. "Drink some water."

YN took the glass, her hand trembling slightly as she sipped. She looked up at Elizabeth, her gaze searching, as if trying to find something solid to cling to. "I'm sorry," she mumbled, her voice thick with exhaustion.

Elizabeth's heart ached as she looked at her. "You don't have to apologize," she replied gently. "Just... rest."

As YN's eyes drifted shut, Elizabeth watched her, the weight of the night settling over her. This wasn't just about a wild night or a few too many drinks. There was a deeper pain beneath the surface, one that YN had been carrying for far too long. Elizabeth knew she couldn't fix it for her, but she could be there, to help her pick up the pieces when she was ready.

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