𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭

twenty

Delphine

The party was starting to lose its edge. I wandered through the house, dodging random strangers who were all in various stages of intoxication. It wasn't until I found Eliza, slumped in a chair in the corner of the living room, that I felt my pulse spike with concern.

Her face was flushed, eyes unfocused, her head bobbing as if she were nodding off mid-sentence. I crouched down, waving a hand in front of her, but she just gave me a dopey smile.

"Delphine!" she slurred, grabbing my shoulder and pulling me into a loose hug. "I'm so happy you're here..."

"Yeah, I know, Eliza," I said softly, looking around to see if there was anyone nearby who could help. Her head lolled, and I could tell she was much worse off than I initially thought. "But you look like you've had a little too much fun. Let's get you back to your dorm, okay?"

She pouted, mumbling something incoherent as she leaned against me. I scanned the room for Ethan, her boyfriend, figuring he'd be able to help.

After a few seconds, I spotted him by the bar, laughing with a group of people. I maneuvered Eliza over to him, calling out his name to get his attention.

Ethan turned, and his expression shifted from confusion to concern the moment he saw Eliza hanging onto me. He stepped over quickly, his hand resting on her back. "Is she okay?"

"I think she's just a little too drunk," I explained. "Can you help me get her back to the dorm?"

"Yeah, of course," he said, his tone serious as he looked around, weighing his options. "I'll find Kaiden—he's got his car here."

Moments later, Ethan returned with Kaiden trailing behind him. Kaiden's gaze flickered to me, then to Eliza, and he nodded, seemingly without hesitation. "Come on, let's get her in the car," he said, his voice low.

We managed to get Eliza up and moving, though she stumbled a few times on the way to the car. I slid into the back seat, pulling her beside me, while Ethan sat in the passenger seat.

Kaiden got behind the wheel, glancing in the rearview mirror to check on us before starting the car.

The drive was mostly quiet. Eliza leaned her head on my shoulder, muttering softly about nonsense that I couldn't quite make out.

I kept one arm around her, trying to keep her steady as Kaiden navigated the streets.

Every now and then, his gaze flicked to the mirror, catching my eye. His expression was unreadable, but he kept focused on the road.

We pulled up to campus, and Kaiden parked near the entrance to Eliza's dorm.

Ethan got out, helping Eliza as she wobbled to her feet. She turned to me, attempting a sleepy wave as Ethan led her inside.

"Thank you, Delphine!" she called, her voice slurring as Ethan guided her into the building.

I gave her a small smile and waved back, watching them disappear into the hallway before turning back to the car. Kaiden was leaning against the steering wheel, his gaze on me.

"You need a ride back too?" he asked, his voice casual, but there was an edge of curiosity in his tone.

"Yeah, thanks," I replied, settling into the passenger seat this time.

As he drove, the silence felt heavier without Eliza and Ethan there to fill it. I kept my gaze out the window, watching the dark city blur past.

I hadn't expected to be alone with Kaiden again so soon, and it left me feeling strangely on edge. The hum of the engine was the only sound, filling the silence between us as the car rolled smoothly through the streets.

After a few minutes, I caught him glancing my way, eyebrows raised slightly. "You and Eliza are pretty close, huh?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I guess so. She's... persistent."

He let out a small chuckle. "That she is. But I get it. She kind of grows on you."

"She's a good friend," I added, more to myself than to him, though he nodded in agreement.

I gave him my address, and he raised an eyebrow when he realized it was off-campus.

As we got closer to my building, he slowed down, taking in the place with obvious curiosity. The tall, glassy exterior of the high-rise towered above us as we pulled up, the faint glow of lights reflecting off the windows. Kaiden leaned back, his gaze shifting between me and the building.

"You live here?" he asked, his tone surprised.

I nodded, feeling a twinge of self-consciousness. "Yeah."

He didn't say anything for a moment, just looked up at the building again, clearly impressed. "The penthouse?"

"Yeah," I said, shrugging as if it were no big deal, though I knew it was. It was one of those things that came with a lot of assumptions, and I could see him connecting the dots, realizing just how far my life outside the rink diverged from what he might have expected.

"Fancy," he muttered under his breath, though there wasn't any judgment in his voice, just genuine surprise. He looked back at me, eyes softened with something I couldn't quite place.

I rolled my eyes. "It's not that big of a deal."

He let out a short laugh, shaking his head. "Maybe not to you. Anyway..." He shifted in his seat, fingers drumming lightly on the steering wheel. "Guess I'll see you around."

"Yeah," I replied, hesitating for a second longer than I intended. "Thanks again for the ride. And for helping with Eliza."

He nodded, a small, almost-smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Anytime."

I lingered for a moment, uncertain if there was anything more to say. But the moment passed quickly, and I pushed open the car door, stepping out into the cool night air.

As I started toward the entrance, I felt his eyes on me, and when I glanced back, he was still watching, something unreadable in his expression.