I take a deep breath and glance up at Chase who is already looking down at me.
"We won't stay long," he says over the music and I nod.
Our hands are still intertwined as he begins walking through the crowded room of people. I follow closely, my hand squeezing his tightly. I have no idea who any of these people are. We reach the back door and step out into the backyard, my lungs finally feeling like they can expand fully as I let the fresh air flow into my body.
"You really did ask her out, huh? That is hilarious!" A voice says and I snap my head to the group of guys that are standing a few feet from us.
"Shut up," Chase says through his teeth and I glance up at him, my stomach starting to fill with butterflies. It was the bad kind of butterflies. The ones that make you feel nervous and sick to your stomach. The kind you get when you know that you've gotten yourself into something you shouldn't have.
My eyes widen when I finally look at the group of guys.
The guy from the party the other night. He's standing with them and his eyes are directly on me, burning into me as they narrow.
I open my mouth to say something, but I just stand there looking like a speechless idiot.
The attractive stranger from the other night seductively licks his lips while holding my gaze.
A shiver goes down my spine and I let go of Chase's hand as I turn and run back inside. I start shoving people out of my way as I continue to run towards the front door.
Once I'm out the door, I'm stumbling down the walkway just trying to get away from everyone as quick as I can.
"Alivia!" Chase calls after me and I continue to run as fast as I can.
My legs begin to ache as I continue sprinting down the middle of the road, I really need a break.
I look behind me to make sure Chase has stopped following me before I slow down and place my arms above my head, trying to catch my breath as hot tears start spilling from my eyes.
You really did ask her out, huh?
I knew it. I knew it but I gave Chase a chance anyways. I wasted my time when I could be at home in my bed, reading my book. I could be with Brenden and Sophia, eating ice cream and talking about how stupid boys are. I could be anywhere else, but here I was. Standing in the middle of a random road as the sun was retreating behind the mountains in the distance.
I angrily wipe the tears from my face and pull my phone from my pocket, dialing Brenden's number.
"Hey bitch," he chuckles and I sniffle, trying not to take his joke personal.
"Alivia?" He says when I don't answer, afraid that I'll start crying as soon as I speak.
I take a deep breath and glance around, this neighborhood was not somewhere I wanted to be once it got completely dark.
"Please, come get me." I say quietly into the phone as tears stream down my face again.
"Send me your location," he says quickly before hanging up and I immediately send him my location, thankful that our iPhones have this feature or else I may have been shit out of luck.
I sit down on the curb and pull my thin jacket around me as I wait for Brenden to get here.
As soon as I see headlights coming towards me, I stand up ecstatic to see Brenden's familiar silver car. I slide into the back seat knowing that Sophia already occupies the passenger seat. There was hardly ever a moment when the three of us weren't together.
The ride back to Brenden's house was silent in a weird way. I could tell they wanted to ask me what's wrong but my attitude warmed them not to.
Once we are back at Brenden's, the three of us are sat on the floor of the living room. I have one of Bren's fuzzy fur blankets wrapped around me and it's keeping me warm. So warm that I could fall asleep soon.
"Spill the tea." Sophia says sternly and I lick my lips while wrapping the blanket around me tighter.
I tell them about dinner and how I had a nice time and they both listen intently. Once I tell them about the party that Chase took me to and what I heard one of the guys saying about me, they both gasp.
"That asshole!" Brenden groans while rubbing his face and Sophia reaches for my hand and gives it a small squeeze.
"You are a total babe, Via. Any guy would be so incredibly lucky to go out with you."
I smile at her and she playfully winks at me.
"I'm going to kill him," Brenden says as he shrugs his shoulders like it's a casual thing to say.
"It's okay, really. I knew who he was before I went out with him, I just thought he genuinely cared for me."
At that moment, the front door swings opens and Chase walks inside, his eyes falling on me.
"Oh no you don't!" Brenden yells as he gets up and pushes Chase, "You can leave!"
"This is my house," he raises his hands to stop Brenden from pushing him again.
"You can go hang out with your gross friends," Brenden says while holding the front door open for his brother.
"Alivia, let me expl-" Chase begins but Sophia cuts him off.
"Explain that you're a narcissistic douche bag? We've already got it covered." She smiles sarcastically at him and turns back towards me, scanning my face for any emotion.
"It's okay," I finally say and my friends look at me like I'm an idiot. Well, I kind of am. "Explain yourself then. In front of Brenden and Sophia."
Chase looks around the room hesitantly before opening his mouth to speak, "it wasn't like that."
The three of us look at him waiting for him to continue.
"When I told them that I was going to ask you out, they all made fun of me but that didn't stop me from asking you. I don't care what they think and you shouldn't either."
