Cut!

Take 10 - Save You Tonight - Part 2

A/N: Please comment as you read. It'll mean the world to me.

A bunch of guards were keeping the crowd at bay, and I tried to ignore the many questions from the reporters. There was a few of them that made me want to stop and reply, but Marcus had his arm around my waist, making sure I didn’t steer away.

Inside, the music was loud, and people seemed to have a jolly good time. Several drinks were poured every second, and I tried hard to recognize anyone. This was far from a danceclub, but I could see some people swaying to the beat.

Lucky for me, Marcus’ voice led me to the right people, and I greeted them happily. Air kisses were given left and right, pleasantries exchanged, and overall it seemed to be a breeze.

At least, until someone called Marcus over. He left me at the bar, alone with a glass of champagne in my hand. I was focusing on a painting on the wall, when someone pressed up against me.

“I’ve missed you,” a voice muttered in my ear, as they rubbed against me.

I jerked around, ready to slap the person. My hand raised, I recognized Peyton.

“Peyton.” I lowered my hand, remembering Marcus’ advice. Polite, but distant. “How are you?”

“I’m miserable without you,” he reached for my hand, but I moved it away. “Why haven’t you called back, baby?”

“Don’t call me that,” I said through my teeth. He was obviously intoxicated. “And don’t touch me.”

“Come on, baby. Don’t be like that.” The smell of his breath made me feel nauseous.

To get away from it, I took a sip of my champagne. “Where’s your girlfriend? I’m sure she misses you.”

“Forget about her.” He once again tried to grab my hand, but I shied away, turning around to back away from him.

“Please stop,” I said. “You’re embarrassing yourself.”

A few onlookers saw my struggles and decided to step in. One of them took Peyton, who was confused at my relatively cold attitude towards him. Apparently, he’d expected me to fawn over him. Well, he’s expected Ludmilla to swoon. However, I had no intention to have anything to do with him.

With the other guests keeping Peyton occupied, I saw my chance to escape. I spotted an open door leading outside to a beautiful balcony. Weaving my way in between the crowd of partygoers, I finally felt the fresh air on my flushed skin.

I wanted to text Marcus that I was ready to go home, but as I skimmed the inside, I could see him having a blast. It would be cruel to force him to leave already. Besides, I was okay out here on my own.

Turning away from the crowd, I caught something in the corner of my eyes. A man in a leather jacket was watching me, and I wondered who he was. He didn’t seem familiar, and his attire looked entirely different than any of the other. With his pale skin, he reminded me of a vampire I once saw in a movie.

Laughing to myself, I turned around to face the view. Obviously, if he were someone I was supposed to know, Marcus would have introduced me already—for all I knew, he could just be one of Ludmilla’s fans.

The champagne cooled my throat, and I took a deep breath. If all of my parties had been spent on a balcony like this, I probably would have gone to more. Unfortunately, the college scene in London had been rougher. I shuddered at the memory of all the times I’d held Jackie’s hair as she vomited on the toilet after a wild night out.

“Ludmilla,” someone said from behind me.

Groaning, I turned around to face Peyton again. “Look, I’m really not in the mood for any of your bull right now. Please, return to your girl and leave me be.”