Ella ✔️

CHAPTER 19

I really wanted to tell Soma all about John's invite and how my plan was falling into place, but I felt too insecure to tell him. I was really scared he was going to dislike me and think I'm not any less from them, or probably think I'm too petty. I didn't want him harboring bad thoughts about me. I didn't want to lose him or my chance to revenge, so I decided it was best I carried out my plan alone.

Sneaking out of the house that very night wasn't all that hard. I simply had to wait for everyone to go to bed - including Tofunmi, before I could sneak out. I avoided discussing the invitation with anyone, so I was left alone and not dragged back by anyone's thought or so-called protection. I had Taxify carry me to Zara's.

Her estate was really quiet, that I began to think that I was in the wrong place. It wasn't until I got into her house and 2Baba's 'Gaga Shuffle' was blasting in the entire house that I realized, I was truly in the party. Her place was far from expectations. Her house was like a mansion. The inside of her house was dimly lit as it shinned with disco lights. The sitting room was filled with people, who were both from our school and most weren't from our school.

I tried to move in between the crowd unnoticed. But, it was as good as impossible to move through a crowd of people that know me unnoticed. I had to greet this and that and wave at so and so. It was becoming tiring, I wanted to melt. I'm sure many people knew Zara and I aren't friends, so me being at her party was surely going to be a talk. I sighed as I tried to flex my way about of a tight situation. "Hey," a familiar voice called out to my direction the very instant I successfully flexed my way out of the situation.

I paused my step and tried to ensure it was me the person was truly calling. Not also wanting to look stupid, I tried to pick up my steps almost immediately and continue walking. I wasn't a fan of looking like a fool. But, the person quickly caught up with me and grabbed my hands from behind, before turning me around to be face to face him. It was Terry from my class. I couldn't help but smile at him as I said, "Hey."

He returned my smile as he said, "I wasn't expecting to see you in such a place, to be very honest."

I chuckled. "Why?"

He shrugged before saying, "One, Zara doesn't really like you, since she and John are an item."

My eyes widened in shock as I smiled, realizing I didn't even see the spark or sign between them. "Well, why should I be a threat to her?" I asked with a cocked brow.

He chuckled. "Seriously? You're asking that? You're John's lab partner and you guys seem really close, even closer today. She hates the fact that you two flowed from the first time you guys met."

"Oh."

He nodded.

"Then what is the next?" I asked him, to avoid the silence that was arising between us.

"You don't look like the party type at all."

I smiled and leaned in to whisper to him, "I attend more party than you ever have." With that I walked away from him with a smile, avoiding the urge to turn back and look at his expression.

When I was far enough from him, I quickly sent a text to John, asking him where he was.

Message to John
Where are you? I'm at the party already.

Message from John
I'm in the garden. It's at the back of the house, like their backyard. If you're still confused, just follow the door directly opposite where the DJ is. That the back door.

I didn't waste a second and began to make my way towards the back door. It was a little bit hard to push through the dancing and sweaty crowd to make it to the back door, but I survived. Stepping into the garden and shutting the door behind me, was like stepping out of the house. It became really quite and I loved it. As I walked further into the garden, the really calming breeze of the night began to blow, making me close my eyes and sigh. "Ever so calming," a voice said, making me snap out and jump in shock as I quickly turned to where the voice was coming from. I wasn't at all surprised to see John, it was almost expected. He was seating on the grass, so I followed suit.

I sat beside him but not too far from him, around five inches far. I used my hands to support my body as I rested a little, to get a view of the sky. "It's beautiful," I mumbled, inhaling as I tried to enjoy the moment.

But, John's words ruined it. "As beautiful as you, if not even less beautiful," he stated like it was nothing, making my head snap to his direction. He was staring at the sky, rather than me. I began to wonder if I was in all over my head, or he was actually talking to me. And, I began to feel like a desperate fool.

I sighed and went back to looking up.

"Why did you decided to come hang here, rather than stay in the party and enjoy it?" John asked after few minutes of us listen to each other's breath, ruining the whole moment.

Not looking away from the sky, I shrugged and said, "You're the one who invited me here, and outside is more quiet and calming than inside."

"But you want to make friends and be more out," he said in a calm voice, making me finally shift my gaze from the sky to look at him. He was already looking at me so softly, that I felt a place in my heart go so soft for him.

But, I didn't let it linger much as I replied him with a calm smile, "You asked me here. So, you're apparently the only person that kinda wants me here. And by the way, I kinda really enjoy your company."

Instead of replying me, he mouth an 'o', making me nod and look back at the sky.

"So, why did you leave your former school? I mean, you never talk about it and I'm curious," John said, wanting to keep our conversation going.

But, instead of the question to keep our conversation going, it only triggered something I had thought I was getting over. It was like, I was back in that moment again. Not wanting to cause a scene or make him see my vulnerable part, I sharply stood up as I dragged my bag with me.

My action instantly made him concern as he stood up slowly, dusting his jeans. "What's wrong?" he questioned in concern as he approached me.

The closer he came, the farther I wanted to be from him. "Stop," I halted him in his steps, making him look at me surprisingly. "Don't follow me." With that, I quickly made my way to the house as I badged into it. I kept my face down as I struggled my way to the door. I began to dial Soma's number as I approached the door. My eyes flickered to the time as it began to ring. It was 1:15 A.M. I began to whisper 'Pick up' to my phone. I knew he was probably sleeping, so I kept on trying. But, he finally picked up on my sixth trial.

"What's wrong?" his voice was hoarse. I had woken him up.

I cleared my throat, trying to make my words come out clearly. "Can you come get me?" As the words left my mouth, I began to wish I had used Taxify. But then, a little part of me still wanted him to know what was up.

"Pick you? Aren't you at home?" I could sense the surprise in his words.

He was probably going to be disappointed in me again. I began to feel shame as a tear began to roll, from my left eye. "No, I'm not," I stated in a shaky voice. "I'm at a party. But, I don't want to be here anymore. I'll send the address." I quickly cut the call and also cut him in the middle of a sentence, I felt tense.

As I wished, no one followed me. But, I couldn't deny the fact that, a part of me wished that John had followed me, even though I told him not to.