Rivalry

Chapter X*

When we arrived at the club, we found a table we could all sit at, and Max offered a round of shots for everyone. I wasn't going to refuse that at all.

The music was so loud, i've never been to this club even though it's close to my house. Max and Charles told me they've been here before, though, so i knew it was safe from weirdos or fans.

After a few drinks, the girls wanted to go fix their makeup a bit in the restroom. As always, i stood on the side while they were reapplying their lipstick or gloss. I never cared to. Once they were done, it was time to dance. For about an hour or so, we went back and forth from our table to the dance floor. Mostly to have another drink or take a small break.

The boys finally joined us after we begged them. They just liked to sit around and drink, no fun, really. I was dancing with Alex when she suddenly made big eyes and turned on her heels to Charles. I turned around, panicked, at her reaction only to see Arthur. I laughed it off and started dancing with him.

We moved to the music, our bodies close. He reached out to pull me closer, his hands on my hips. I tilted my head up to look at him, still moving to the rhythm of the music. We danced, our eyes locked, his gaze flickering between my eyes and my lips several times. I felt like we were moving in slow motion, but that was probably the alcohol finally having its effect on me. He pulls a strand of hair behind my ear and gently holds my cheek, making circles with his thumb, and presses his lips against mine. He looked down at me, his hand still on my cheek. I pressed my forehead on his chest, and he wrapped his hands around me, hugging me tight. I couldn't do this to him. It wasn't fair.

"Art, i don't want to hurt you. This won't end well." I said, my throat tight. "I know Mal, it's okay, you're a great friend, and i wouldn't want to lose you." He said softly, his eyes reassuring me that everything was okay. I shoot him an apologetic smile. "I'm gonna sit down for a bit." i said. He nodded. My head was spinning, so i decided to go sit down for a while.

I slumped down on the sofa and let out a sigh. I closed my eyes, letting myself think. What a day. "Your boyfriend is already cheating on you." I heard and opened my eyes. I glanced at the dance floor, searching for Arthur, who was already making out with someone. A small smile creeps up at the corner of my lips. I'm glad he didn't take this too badly. I shifted my gaze to whoever was talking to me, and my heart stopped of a moment. My rival was standing at the other end of the table, pouring himself a shot. "He's not my boyfriend." i shoot back, not feeling like arguing. He points at a shot glass asking if i wanted one, i nodded. He slides my shot across the table while he sits down. We both downed the drink without flinching.

After a moment, i started reaching for my purse and getting up. This is the perfect moment to slip away. Everyone was busy dancing with their partners, and no one would beg me to stay. "Where are you going?" Said my rival, disappointment clear in his voice. "Home." i shoot back. "Let me walk you home then." "i can walk myself home, i'm fine." i said, with a twinge of irritation. "You're drunk." he snaps back. "And so are you." i said, pulling my purse over my shoulder. He gets up and follows me out.

"Norris, i'm perfectly capable of walking home." I spit once we got out of the club. He still followed me as i crossed the street. "You're not gonna leave me alone, are you?" I huff. "No, i wasn't raised to leave drunk girls alone in the streets in the middle of the night." He snaped back, catching up to me so we were side by side. "Fine." i rolled my eyes.

A moment passed, and i wrapped my arms around myself, i was freezing. "Here." He said, extending me the dark blue knitted sweater he was wearing just a moment ago. I watched him for a moment. I slowly grabbed the sweater and pulled it over me. It was a little big on me, it was almost as long as my skirt but it was warm. "Thank you." i mumbled.

Why is he being so nice to me?

After a few minutes walking in silence, he shoots, "Why do you hate me so much, Malia?" I whipped my head around to look at him as he ran a hand through his dark, curly hair. "Because you're my biggest competition." i whispered just loud enough so he could hear. "But so are Charles and Max, and you don't hate them at all." He responded with a questioning look, his eyes searching mine for answers. "They're not on my level, but you are. You can't be friends with your rivals, or they'll know your weaknesses. " I said, almost reciting my father's words exactly. He nodded at my words, and we fell silent again.

"Why did you kiss me?" I blurted out, the alcohol speaking for me. He silently watches, shocked at my question, thinking of what to say. "I-uh, i dunno, i was a bit tipsy from a bad night out, and you drive me mad, i can't explain it." Hs said, whispering the last few words. We walked in silence the rest of the way back to my house.

He insisted on walking me back inside my building, to my flat. I didn't bother fighting him for it he wasn't going to leave me alone. We were in front of my door. As i unlocked it and put my keys back in my purse, i said, "Thank you for walking me home." He shot me a small smile and took a step towards me awkwardly, not knowing if he should hug me or something, it seemed. "No problem, good night, Malia." He said, glancing at my lips. "Good night." i whispered, my eyes locked into his as we both took a deep breath.

His lips came crashing into mine, pushing me against my apartment door, deepening the kiss. My hands find the back of his neck, and his finds my hips pulling me closer to him. My hand reached for the handle, and i opened the door, pulling us both urgently into my flat. His hands wandered around my waist and back as he pulled away to look at me. His eyes dark, full of envy. He then started kissing down my neck. I tilted my head back, giving him more space, pulling him into my bedroom.

He gently layed me down on the bed and crawled on top of me, kissing me behind my ear, his breath heavy. He trailed kisses back to my lips. I took off his shirt, and my gaze lingered down his body while my hands did the same. I pulled him back down closer to me. His hand went up my shirt as he gently pecked my neck again. I threw my head back at the sensation.

His lips met mine again, but i turned my head away. "No kissing." i said in a whisper, my breath shakey. "Can i kiss your neck, at least?" he asked, his hands all over me. "Yes." i said in a half moan. He pulled my shirt up and slowly started kissing me down to my stomach, until he reached my skirt and took it off.

Fuck, i was going to regret this tomorrow.

He took the rest of his clothes off and slipped on the condom he had in his wallet. We both gasped for air when he slowly pushed into me.

His movements were slow and steady. His hands were gentle but sure. My breath was shallow, my head rolled back. My hands gripped his back, hard as he picked up the pace, making my body shake with pleasure.

I'm so going to regret this in the morning.

"Fuck, Malia" he moaned in my ear as he finished. He slipped out of me and layed next to me, catching his breath.

After a few minutes of silence between us, his hand making circles on my thigh, he said, "Can i use your bathroom?" i shook my head, yes, and i pointed at it. He grabbed his clothes from the floor and headed there.

I let out a tiered sigh and searched for my skirt. I slipped it back on and sat in the middle of my bed, bringing my knees to my chest when the bathroom door opened. He ran a hand through his hair, his gaze locked onto mine. Slowly, he licked his lips and whispered, "I should go." I nodded and chewed on my bottom lip nervously. "Good night, Malia," he said. His eyes looked down at my body and walked away before i could respond.

And that's when i realized that i was still wearing the sweater he gave me earlier.

He never took it off of me.