The Hottie Next Door

Chapter 5: Beating again

Chapter 5

It was strange to suddenly look around the room and feel completely alone. The chatter and loud noises seemed to fly past me, coming in one ear and out the other. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I wasn't the type of person who usually went to parties. I confirmed it then and there: I would never attend another party again.

You may be wondering why.

I'll tell you.

EMMA POV AT THE PARTY:

I walked out of the bathroom, scanning the crowd for Beth. My eyes searched for her familiar figure and hair, but I couldn't see her anywhere. I sighed, wondering what kind of trouble she was getting herself into. I knew I'd be the one to sort it out.

I walked into the kitchen, where a table of cola caught my eye. I grabbed an empty cup and filled it, but as I turned to leave, disaster struck. My heel snapped.

Before I could react, my body lurched, and I felt my balance falter. My hands trembled as my heart raced. I squealed, certain I was about to fall, but then, unexpectedly, a pair of arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me toward a solid chest. My head rested on his shoulder as I gasped for air, trying to process what just happened.

For a few seconds, I froze, my body unable to function. His arms held me up securely. When I finally gathered myself, I pulled away from his grip, blinking twice to clear my vision. I adjusted my dress and hair, still a bit disoriented.

"Thank you for helping me," I said, looking up into his eyes. Wow, he was tall. He had black hair, parted to the side, and dark brown eyes. He looked like he could be from East Asia.

"You're welcome," he said, his voice gentle. "But are you sure you're okay? I saw your heel snap, and I think you might've sprained your foot." He bent down to examine my foot, gently pressing on it.

I winced and instinctively pulled my leg away. "How did you know that?" I asked, confused.

He instantly groaned in realization, and I couldn't help but giggle at how cute he looked when he did that.

"Sorry, I'm studying to become a physiotherapist," he explained. "I'm learning about fractures and bones, so when I saw your heel snap, I could tell it had twisted before I caught you."

That made sense. "Ah, that explains it. Well, I'm really glad you grabbed me before I fell." I smiled and shook his hand. "I'm Emma."

"I'm Ewan," he replied, still scratching his hair nervously. "Nice to meet you."

"So, where are you from?" I asked, the music in the kitchen still blasting loudly.

"I'm from South Korea," he said. "I moved here a few years ago for my studies."

I motioned toward the garden and said, "Let's step outside so we can talk. It's way too loud in here."

I started walking toward the garden, but Ewan offered me his arm to help steady me. My poor foot. I winced quietly, trying to hide the pain.

"Which school do you go to? I haven't seen you around," I asked.

"I'm transferring to a different school on Monday," he replied. "I'm not exactly a model student."

"So, are you some kind of bad boy?" I teased, half-laughing at the idea of meeting one.

Ewan grinned and pulled me closer, his hands settling on my waist as he gazed down at me. I froze, caught off guard by the intensity in his eyes. He whispered into my ear, his breath warm against my skin. "Yeah, you could say that."

I giggled nervously, pulling back slightly, but my heart was racing. Clearing my throat, I added, "I should make it clear that I don't really like when people step over boundaries..."

I sat down in one of the garden chairs, my feet starting to ache more now. I sighed, then remembered Beth.

Shit. I was doomed if she pulled another stunt tonight. My hand ran through my hair as I scanned the crowd, searching for her.

When I couldn't find her, I felt a brief sense of relief, but it quickly vanished. Suddenly, I saw her silhouette at the front of the house, holding a stick in one hand and my heels in the other.

"Beth! What are you doing?!" I called out. She turned around, and I saw a guy standing next to her. He wore glasses, and I immediately looked him up and down, whispering to Beth, "Who the hell is he?"

"My new friend and study buddy," she said excitedly. "He goes to our school."

"Okay!" I replied, rolling my eyes. "Look, Beth, I don't have time for your study buddy or messenger boy, or whoever he is. My foot hurts, and I just want to go home before my mom freaks out." I grabbed her arm and started leading her toward the door.

"Okay, okay," she said, looking a little confused. "Let me just say goodbye to him."

As we walked out to the car, I couldn't help but be grateful that Beth hadn't drunk too much—though it seemed like she'd already puked. I looked through her dashboard for any medication and, to my relief, found some painkillers. I swallowed them with the water I'd kept in my bag.

By the time we got home, I was practically half-conscious. I unbuckled my seatbelt with a groan, just wanting to get inside and sleep. But before I could open the door, Beth grabbed my arm and pulled me back.

"What?" I moaned, barely able to keep my eyes open. "Can't this wait?"

"I need to tell you something," she said, her voice trembling. Her eyes filled with tears.

I grabbed her hand, already fearing what she was about to say.

TBC!!!!!

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THANK YOU TO THE PEOPLE WHO VOTED AND COMMENTED!!!!

THIS MAY NOT BE THE BEST CHAPTER BUT I HOPE IT QUENCHES YOUR THIRST! I WILL BE UPLOADING BETH'S POV SOON.

Hugs and Kisses.

~B.