Chosen For Life

Chapter 3

We danced for an hour or two, letting the music control the movements of our bodies. I kept an eye on Mitra as she danced with guys, coming back to me every once an a while to make sure I was okay.

Jaxon and Ariel popped up here and there, keeping a close proximity with Mitra and I, just to be safe. Usually Gabe went off by himself until we were ready to leave, but I always kept an eye out for him too.

"Don't look now, but this guy has basically been eyeing you since we got here." Mitra said, her head close to my ear so I could hear over the music.

"Since we got here?," I questioned her, trying to focus on her words. "Yeah dude," her body was close to mine and she held onto my arm, "Well, honestly, I thought he was looking at me. But after a while, I realized he was watching you," she giggled, her words were slurring slightly.

"Where is he?", I asked her. I was curious, I couldn't deny it. "He's at the upper level, watching the dance floor," she said, nodding her head upwards. I turned around and quickly glanced at the level above us, to indeed see someone standing and looking down at the dance floor. I couldn't see his features very well, or who he was, but I was sure I didn't know him.

I looked back at Mitra and shook my head, "I doubt it." She shrugged and we continued to dance with one another.

Suddenly, I felt a body behind me. I took a glance at Mitra, who realized someone was behind me. She subtly gave me a thumbs up, which was our signal if the guy we were dancing on was hot or not.

I felt his hand sneak to hold onto my hips, as I began to grind against him. I could smell his cologne, and feel his breath against my neck. I laid my head back against him as we moved to the music, focusing on his body pressing against mine.

But before I knew it, he disappeared from behind me. I opened my eyes and turned around, looking for the sweet stranger. My brows furrowed as I couldn't find anyone that looked like they were previously dancing with me, so I turned back around to face Mitra.

But instead of Mitra, I was greeted by another guy. But it wasn't any guy, it looked like the same guy who was watching me.

I looked up at him, and took in his features. I was struck by his eyes, they were light blue, almost grey. I'd never seen a person with such light eyes in my life. I couldn't break the eye contact we were making, and I didn't want to. His hair was wavy, long enough to touch his ears, but styled in such a way that it was out of his face. His skin was olive, and smooth. I had to resist touching it.

He looked down at me, and pulled my waist towards him. His body felt hard against mine, like stone. I placed my hands flat against his chest as he lifted my chin higher so my lips were leveled with his.

I felt like lava was spilling inside me. My whole chest became warm, and I felt a burning sensation near my hip bone. I'd never felt this feeling in my life. My breath started to quicken as the heat rose inside me. I had a craving for this person, a person I've never met before. His lips were almost brushing mine, and I wanted to place my lips against them.

But within seconds, I was ripped from his grasp. Someone had a tight grip on my arm, and we were walking away from the dance floor. I look up to see Jaxon on the right side of me, his usual smiling face was blank, focused on the path in front of him.

"J-Jaxon? What are you doing?", I asked. I was so confused, and I needed answers.

I turned to look back at the dance floor, only to see Gabe walking behind me, with that same blank expression on his face. The warm feeling in my chest was dissipating, only to be greeted by my pounding heart beat. I was starting to become anxious, and I wanted to get out of Jaxon's grasp.

Jaxon brought me back to our table, and started grabbing our things.

"What are you doing, dude?" I asked, firmly. I was starting to get annoyed. "We aren't supposed to be leaving until like 1!" I said, as I realized my voice was starting to shake.

"Let's just say that guy is a regular, and I'm not really fond of him. I really wouldn't want my best friend to be fond of him either, if I'm being honest." His voice was cold, having his and Ariel's jacket over his arm, and my clutch in his hand.

"I appreciate the gesture, but who are you to decide who I can and can't know?" I asked him, my tone was harsh. I didn't want to be mean to him, but I was pissed off. I had just met this person, and I felt something explode inside me that I've never felt in my life.

But I can't even explore that feeling, because Jaxon doesn't want me to know him?

I felt Ariel and Mitra's presence next to me, and I glanced at their worried faces. What the hell was going on?

"We're leaving," Jaxon said plainly, as he handed Ariel her coat. "O-okay." she replied, as the worry on her face grew more apparent. I saw her eyes trying to find Jaxon's, but he was avoiding her.

I was seriously about to fucking rage.

"If you don't tell me what the fuck you're doing right now, I'm not moving an inch." I stated. I felt anger rising inside of me. I didn't know why I was so mad. I hardly ever got mad, never mind mad at my best friends. I didn't know this guy, who he was, and Jaxon just wanted to protect me from him.

Yet, I was angry, angry at the fact that I couldn't go back to him.

"Okay, Leila calm down. We can just talk about it when we go, okay? Let's just get out of here and cool off." Mitra said, as she made her way over to me. She placed her hand on my cheek, and pulled my face to look at hers. "Calm down." she demanded, her eyes locked on mine. I knew she was right, she almost always was.

I didn't want to defile my best friends.

I closed my eyes and let out a shaky breath. I nodded my head, signaling I was ready to go. I felt like a child.

Both Ariel and Jaxon turned to leave, while Gabe waited to walk behind Mitra and I. She held onto me as we walked, and I felt comforted by her presence. Yet, I still felt like something was off. Like something was missing.

I realized I still felt the burning sensation near my hip bone, and I lightly dragged my fingers along it as we walked.

I tried to subtly glance as we walked past the dance floor, hoping to see any sign of this stranger I was longing to meet again.

But I didn't see him.

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