Starting Over// M.E

Chapter Three: The Party

     As soon as we walked through the front door of the house all you could smell was alcohol. Everyone in the house was either drunk, high, or a mixture of both. The further we walk into the house, the more people there are.

     I quickly turn towards Matthew. "I thought you said that there wasn't going to be a lot of people here." I scream over the deafening music.

     He shrugs. "I lied?" He says, making it sound more like a question.

     I shake my head rapidly. "I'm going home."

     When I'm about halfway to the door, I feel a huge hand tighten around my wrist while the other lingers on my waist.

     "Where do you think you're going?" I hear a familiar voice whisper in my ear.

     I stiffen. William. Don't you dare move, Janelle. I order myself subconsciously. Where the hell is Matthew?

     I look around me and see Matthew coming towards me with two Cokes in his hands. His eyes widen and he looks away with guilt written all over his face. After a moment his gaze meets mine again and I see anger flash in his eyes.

     'Give me one minute.' He mouths turning to go behind me and whoever was behind me.
     Not even a second later I feel myself being knocked over and I look up to see Matthew pinning a guy down to the tiled floor. William. He looks at me and smirks.

"Long time no see, my love." He says.

I shudder in fear and Matthew seems to notice. "She's not your anything." He spits in William's face.

William just laughs. "Oh, but she is. You see, that slut you're-"

Matthew cuts William off by punching him in the face. "She's not a slut." He says forcefully.

I brace myself against a nearby wall and stand up on my crutches to get a good look at William's face. Matthew messed up his face good with just one punch. Then I look at Matthew. And if looks could kill, William would've been dead by now. Matthew stands up, throwing William into a nearby wall then he takes a deep breath before looking at me. The look in his eyes is deadly. I feel my breathing pick up as he walks toward me with his hands up showing me that he means no harm.

"Janelle-" He starts.

I cut him off, taking him by surprise as I fling myself into his arms. I sob silently. "That was him." I was all I could manage to spit out.

I feel his arms tighten around me for a brief second before he lets me go.

"Let's get out of here." He says with a soft smile.

I nod and make my way towards the front door. As I walk, I could feel Matthew's hand lightly laying on my mid back and my stomach erupts in butterflies. I think I like Matthew. I smile to myself.

When we get to the car, I quickly get in and lock my door before putting on my seatbelt. Matthew does the same and then turns to look at me.

"I'm really sorry." He starts, then smiles. "How about we make some good of this night and go get McDonald's?"

My stomach growls loudly.

Matthew laughs. "I'll take that as a yes."

He starts the car and begins driving. The whole ride there was filled with laughter. Honestly, I can't remember the last time I smiled this much. I watch as Matthew puts the car into park and walks around to open my do for me. I feel myself blush as we walk into McDonald's.