BREATHE ✓ ⇢ [EDITING]

《 CHAPTER 2: INCEPTION 》[REVISED]

CHAPTER 2

INCEPTION

Becca Hayek had seen enough drunk people tonight to last her a lifetime.

Neon lights illuminated the walls of the club in various colors, shining on the hyped faces of those in the crowd. Funky electronic music blasted through speakers placed around the vast room, but some of the screaming coming from the rainbow-lit center drowned out the music periodically. Most of the people were getting wild on the dance floor, their actions ranging from casual groping to intense grinding. Others sat hunched over in the high shiny bar stools, either weeping their sorrows away to the bartender, or quietly drowning their pain by drinking bottle after bottle of whatever alcohol they could afford before getting kicked out by the bouncer.

Then, there were those who were neither in on the action, nor avoiding it. They were pumped up and dancing when the crowd reached their peak, but remained motionlessly in the center of the crowd when the party was over.

Becca was one of those people. Her body was chained to the rhythm when the atmosphere was hype, but stood emotionlessly when the horde of people had calmed down. She belted out the lyrics when she knew the song and felt the music vibrating inside her, but felt lost when she didn't. Being one with the crowd gave her both a sense of security and disgust. She liked being anonymous and blending in, but hated that she was just following those around her.

This time, another popular hip hop song was booming throughout the club, but Becca wasn't feeling it. Her body was exhausted, and her feet felt sore in her peep-toed stilettos. Her eyes searched the crowd for her navy-haired boyfriend, her surroundings becoming slightly blurry. She pushed through the throng of people, her hand reaching out to both shield herself and lead the way.

Suddenly, she felt arms enclose around her waist, panic engulfing her veins as she froze. The person nuzzled her neck, and she felt the sharp scent of the man's cologne against the side of her face. A part of her calmed at recognizing Kaan as the man who snuck up on her, but the other yearned for someone else she promised herself to forget.

Becca shook away her thoughts, leaning into his touch. Kaan always tried cheering her up when she felt down, something that Becca treasured. Sometimes, she thought that was the reason why they were still together after three faithful months. Kaan provided her with stability that hadn't been a staple of her past few relationships.

Her boyfriend's breath tinged with alcohol, and she sighed. Of course, the sucker was drunk. It was a tradition for her older sister, Mala, and him to always get piss drunk whenever they arrived at the club. This small but certain ritual was probably the only thing that kept Kaan warm with her sister, who had been his childhood rival. It was amazing how much a fight over exam marks could test one's ego.

Thankfully, Kaan didn't seem too drunk tonight, because he noticed Becca's expression. "What happened, babe? Tired?" His words weren't too slurred, so he was just slightly intoxicated.

Becca nodded, and Kaan put his arms around her shoulders as they shoved through the throng of people before finally exiting the dim club. Kaan's car was parked just a few meters away, and her boyfriend looked like he was just about sober. His tan, lean arms were hot and assuring on her skin.

The cold chill of the fall night crept through her black mesh top, causing her to press into Kaan's side. Kaan wrapped his arms more tightly around her, and her lips tilted upwards slightly. She enjoyed simple acts of skinship like this that left her feeling faintly tingly. After months of being around a man who always treated her like a naive child, Kaan was a godsend to her life. From small things like turning up the heat on a cold winter day to playfully asking if she liked his outfit that day, Kaan always made Becca remember that she was important to him.

As she turned to unlock the car, Becca's eyes caught a figure staring at her across the street. The man's arms were crossed over his grey hoodie-clad chest. Thick, wavy strands of dark black hair were cut short into a mullet at the base of his neck, side bangs framing his tan skin. 

His glinting black eyes locked with Becca's brown ones, causing her to grasp Kaan closer to her. Her fists balled at her sides, and her heart pounded in her chest. It was the man from last night; the one whose furious obsidian eyes had lasered through the depths of her soul when he caught her stealing his motorcycle. 

The onyx-haired man also appeared momentarily fazed as he stared back at Becca before she gently pushed Kaan into the passenger seat and quickly turned on the ignition. The nineteen- year old rapidly swerved out of her parking spot beside the club, not daring to glance behind her. Those dark brooding eyes seemed familiar, and familiarity to Becca Hayek screamed danger.

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A/N:

Absolutely stunning image provided by Fabian Moller via Unsplash!

Any thoughts on Becca? Why do you think she acts like that? Leave your predictions below!

Until next time, 

Sanha ♡