trouble | i.g

fifteen - "two chases"

Bella's POV

"I'm taking you to a party tonight," Ian said offhandedly, "Show you off."

"Ah, yes. Parties. You see, those aren't really like- my thing. I don't usually go, you know, a lot of people and what not."

Ian smiled, hugging me hard, as though no matter what he did we wouldn't be close enough. "It's fine, you'll be with me. You're always fine with me."

"That's a lie."

"Well then let me lie to you, then."

•••

The flat on the outskirts of the city that Ian drove us to was dim, clouds of smoke curling out of various cigarettes and blanketing the air. Music was blasting, the bass vibrating in my stomach as I took in the mass of people all jammed together, moving and grinding against each other. It smelt like sweat and alcohol and radiated too much body heat. I glanced behind myself at the exit, only to find it had already disappeared beyond the crowd. Although I didn't admit it to avoid sounding spectacularly lame, I never understood what people found so desired about parties like this.

"Sweetheart," Ian said, his voice snapping me out of my daze, "Want something to drink?"

I looked at him, head still spinning. "Um- chocolate milk."

"Chocolate milk?" He repeated with a grin.

My mind caught up with what I had said. Damn it. Instantly I stammered to try to correct my mistake. "I mean, not actual chocolate milk. You know, chocolate milk is a street name. For that one alcohol..."

"I haven't heard about that one."

"It's a thing. You're just not cool enough to know about it."

"God, you're just so- cute." Ian mused, kissing the tip of my nose. "Now stay right here, okay? Don't move. Promise?"

"Promise." I replied. He gave me a worried glance, obviously uncomfortable with leaving me alone but still not wanting to force me through the thong of people. I watched his back as he elbowed his way to the kitchen, muscles prominent through his thin shirt. Bracing my sneakers against the carpet to avoid being knocked over by people bumping into me, I tried to appear as though I belonged. The tactic didn't seem to work.

"Well, look who we have here." A voice said, appearing behind me and spinning me around. I faced a boy with a sweep of brown hair and angular jaw, red cup held in his hand. A single piercing glinted from his eyebrow. He bent down as though to reach my height, which was ridiculous, considering he wasn't much taller than me.

"What?" I said, as the bass dropped on the song that was playing. A guy puked in a nearby potted plant. This was already so unenjoyable. "Are you talking to me?"

"Who else, babe? Are you sure you came to the right party?" He asked condescendingly.

"Fuck off." I replied, scowling. It was my best attempt to appear tough.

His face broke out into shock for a minute, but quickly recovered. "What a mouth on you." Turning around, he cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, "Oi! Iggy! Come see this little thing that wandered in!"

A second later, two familiar figures emerged from the thong, shaking off a pair of scantily dressed girls they had just been dancing with. I rolled my eyes when they came into view.

"What'd I do with her?" He asked as Iggy and Mickey stumbled forward, spilling beer onto the floor as it sloshed over the rims of their cups. I narrowly slid out of the way of the splash.