Tethered Light

Chapter 11: Realizations

The party was already in full swing when we arrived. The house was packed, music thumping through the walls, making the floor vibrate beneath my feet. Olivia held my hand tightly as she navigated us through the crowd, her usual confidence on full display.

"Come on," she said, flashing me a grin over her shoulder. "Let's have some fun."

I nodded, though my stomach was already twisting. These kinds of gatherings weren't my scene, but Olivia had insisted.

She led me into the living room, where bodies swayed to the music, the air thick with the scent of alcohol and sweat. Before I could say anything, Olivia pulled me into the middle of the crowd, her hands settling on my waist.

"Dance with me," she said, her voice low but commanding.

"I'm not much of a dancer," I muttered, but she didn't let go.

"You don't have to be," she said, leaning in close. "Just follow me."

Her hands guided me, and soon we were moving together, the rest of the world blurring around us. Olivia's energy was infectious, her laughter ringing in my ears as she spun me around. For a moment, I forgot about everything else, caught up in her orbit once again.

Then, without warning, she pulled me close and kissed me, her lips soft but insistent. The crowd around us seemed to fade, but I could feel the weight of their eyes. Olivia was making a statement, and I was part of it.

When she finally pulled back, her smile was triumphant. "See? You're a natural."

I managed a small smile, but my chest felt tight.

After a while, the heat and noise became too much. I needed air, so I slipped away while Olivia was talking to a group of people I didn't know.

I found Jake in the kitchen, leaning against the counter with a drink in hand. His face lit up when he saw me.

"Heather! Didn't expect to see you here," he said, his tone light but warm.

"Olivia dragged me along," I admitted, leaning against the wall.

Jake studied me for a moment, his smile fading slightly. "You okay? You seem... I don't know, quieter than usual."

"I'm fine," I said quickly, but even I didn't believe it.

He took a sip of his drink, his eyes never leaving mine. "You've been different lately. Ever since you started spending so much time with Olivia."

I opened my mouth to respond, but the words caught in my throat.

"I'm not trying to butt in," Jake said gently. "But if you ever need to talk, I'm here."

I nodded, grateful but unsure of what to say.

***

As the night wore on, I grew more exhausted. The noise, the crowd, the weight of Olivia's absence—it was all too much. I hadn't seen her in a while, and a knot of unease settled in my stomach.

I decided to find her so we could leave.

Pushing through the crowded hallways, I checked room after room until I reached a door that was slightly ajar. I pushed it open, and my heart stopped.

There she was, tangled with another girl on the bed. Their kisses were hungry, hands roaming, oblivious to the world outside that room.

I froze, my breath hitching.

They didn't see me.

The walls seemed to close in around me, the air thick and suffocating. My chest tightened, and my vision blurred. I needed to get out.

I don't remember how I made it outside. The cool night air hit me like a slap, but it wasn't enough to stop the panic clawing at my chest. My hands shook as I gripped the railing of the porch, trying to steady myself.

"Heather?"

Jake's voice cut through the fog. He was at my side in an instant, his hand resting lightly on my shoulder.

"I can't—" My words were broken, gasping.

"Hey, hey," he said softly, his voice steady. "It's okay. Just breathe."

He guided me away from the house, his presence grounding me as the panic slowly ebbed. By the time we reached the quiet street, my breathing had evened out, but I still felt like I was barely holding it together.

"Come on," Jake said, his tone gentle. "Let's get you home."

***

Back at my dorm, Jake stayed with me, sitting on the edge of my bed as I stared blankly at the ceiling.

"She was with someone else," I said finally, my voice hollow.

Jake didn't react right away, but when he spoke, his tone was careful. "Olivia?"

I nodded. "It's my fault. I've been... distracted. She probably thinks I don't care enough about her."

Jake's expression tightened, but he didn't argue. "Heather, you're exhausted. Get some rest, okay? We'll talk about this in the morning if you want."

I nodded, my head heavy with exhaustion. I felt as if my body was slowly sinking into the mattress, becoming one with my bed. As my eyes drifted shut, Jake stayed by my side, his quiet presence the only thing keeping the darkness at bay, helping me feel safe to close my eyes and lose the acknowledgment of the world around me.