ᴛᴀɪɴᴛᴇᴅ ʙʏ ʜᴇʀ

ꜰᴏᴜʀᴛᴇᴇɴ

GRAPHIC CONTENT/ TRIGGERS

After Leah and I returned from the mall, we grabbed some food before heading back home to get ready. Leah slipped into her skin-tight black latex dress with matching black heels, making her look effortlessly fierce. As for me, I decided on a black mini skirt paired with a cropped top that showed off my tummy piercing. The top was simple but stylish, hugging my figure, and the skirt sat low on my hips, highlighting my dermal piercing. I finished the look with a sleek jacket that added a bit of edge and some black low pumps that gave me just the right amount of height. My straight hair cascaded down my back, complementing the sharp lines of my outfit.

I checked my phone, scrolling through notifications—people liking, commenting, and posting photos. Ciel had said he'd be here by 8:40 pm, but now it was 8:40, and he still hadn't arrived. I sent him the address just in case he showed up late. Then, I got a message from Trey asking where I was. I quickly replied, letting him know I was on my way and that my cousin was coming too.

"Ready?" Leah asked, grabbing her car keys. "Ain't your boyfriend coming?"

"I'll try calling him," I replied, dialing Ciel's number. It went straight to voicemail. I frowned, shrugged, and said, "I sent him the addy, so he knows where. Let's go."

When we arrived at the party, the place was packed, with people spilling out onto the lawn and the music blasting. We got out of the car and started walking in. I scanned the crowd, hoping to spot Trey.

"Akira! OVER HERE!" Trey shouted, his voice cutting through the noise. I grabbed Leah's hand and pulled her through the crowd toward him.

"You made it!" he said, opening his arms for a hug. I leaned in, hugging him tightly. He smelled good—like cologne and something familiar.

I pulled back when I heard Leah clearing her throat. "This is my cousin Leah," I introduced, glancing between the two of them. "Leah, Trey. Trey, Leah."

"Wassup?" Trey greeted, his voice loud to be heard over the music.

"Hi," Leah responded, her voice almost drowned out by the noise.

"Y'all want drinks?" Trey leaned in closer to us, shouting in our ears.

We nodded, and Trey led us over to the couch, where we sat. I checked my phone again—still nothing from Ciel.

"Let's go dance, Akira!" Leah suddenly pulled on my arm, practically dragging me toward the dancefloor. I didn't really feel like it, but she wasn't going to let me off that easily. Besides, we were here to let loose, right?

On the dancefloor, we moved to the beat, the music pounding in the air. A few times, a guy tried to get too close behind me, but I quickly pushed him away. After a while, we went back to Trey, and he handed us our drinks.

I cracked open my bottle, the sound of the seal popping loud in the chaos around us. I didn't trust anyone with drinks, especially at parties like this, so I made sure to open mine myself. Leah did the same and began drinking, not missing a beat.

About an hour later, Leah was on the dancefloor, twerking on some random guy, having a blast. I was starting to feel tipsy, watching her from a distance. I stood up and headed to the bar for another drink. After thanking the bartender, I turned to head back, but before I could take a step, someone bumped into me, spilling some of my drink.

"Fuck," I muttered under my breath, feeling the drink spill all over me.

"Sorry," the guy quickly apologized.

I rolled my eyes, irritated, but nodded. Before I could walk away, he grabbed me by the wrist, pulling me towards him.

"Let me go," I said firmly.