The Link

Chapter Three

                                                                       EMORY:

ITS NOT EVEN TEN minutes in before Carter is out of my line of sight and I'm lost in a crowd of bodies that are dancing to loud music. Bodies sway to the beat and I'm nearly sore from how many times a hip hits my body, hands roaming around strangers like snakes curling around their prey. At times I feel a warm palm against my back or lower and I squirm out of that area feeling utterly disgusted. This is why I didn't dance at parties. I don't know if I'm in the middle of the crowd or somewhere else though it sure seems that way since I'm surrounded by all sides. My heart's racing and I shove through the crowd, trying to make my way out when a hand grabs my own. I gasp as I look down at it and look back up to try and match a face to it. My eyes catch sight of dirty blond hair and a dress shirt. Carter. Of course it had to be him who saved me from getting lost in the massive crowd. I roll my eyes and follow after him. Wasn't he wearing a white dress shirt earlier? How'd he change into a red one so fast? He must've ditched me to change, I think with a scowl. He's the one who wanted to go out into the party with me. How rude to just leave me just to go and change a damn shirt.

     We finally exit out of the crowd and I yank my hand out of his own, bringing it close to my chest. He wipes his hands off onto his dark slacks like I gave him cooties or something, shoving them into his pockets before turning to face me. He doesn't have a smile or smirk on or anything like he usually would've which is strange to me. But then again I barely knew him so maybe he has a double personality or something. His light caramel eyes are clouded over with some dark brooding sense and looks over me in a calculating way. He looms over me and I stand up straighter, staring right back at him as I cross my arms under my chest.

     "When did you change shirts?" I ask. His eyes break out of that mysterious gaze and widens ever so slightly until it settles into something of amusement with a small smirk on his face. But even then it doesn't seem like the one I would've loved to smack right off. This one isn't mischievous or teasing. It's distant and unfamiliar. He doesn't say anything, he just looks at me. I can't stand his gaze any longer so I turn my head and search for Viola and Jay as I scan the area with my eyes. I see them dancing and not dancing like they're trying to memorize each other's bodies with their hands or their own bodies but swaying. They just lean on each other and sway side by side in a way I think is adorable and innocent. But of course that's only to be expected. Vi never was the type to pop or drop, she preferred slow dancing and since this was a pretty hyped up party this was the slowest she would allow herself to dance without standing out. My stomach bellows and my cheeks heat up as I quickly look back at Carter and he just looks at me with a raised eyebrow. I frown and stick my tongue out at him.

     "Bye then, Mr. Moody." I say giving him a little salute. I turn around and start walking over to where Jay and Vi were. Dinner. I hadn't had dinner yet. Maybe we could go out and eat or something. I had to talk to Vi about that new server anyway and maybe Jay would even want to check it out. But I might just end up being the third wheel. I frown at the thought. I shouldn't have introduced them to each other in the first place though I did have to admit that they looked good with each other. I slap my head lightly and a sigh escapes me. Jay and Viola are on the other side of the gate, opposite to where I was. I yawn as I walk, stretching my arms and bending my upper body backwards. I blink once. Then twice.

     "What are you doing here?" I accuse, spinning around and pointing an accusing finger at Carter. He looks at me in a disinterested way and looks to his right.

     "Hey, don't just avoid the question!" I shout as I clench my fists by my side with my shoulders raised to my neck. He refuses to speak. He was right when he said he was a stalker.