the fall | abel tesfaye

chapter five - the party

I stare blankly at the door in front of me, unable to process what just occurred.

Did I really just let Abel take advantage of me like that? Even after his disgusting behaviour towards me all day?

My phone buzzes in my bag but I am too shocked to pick it up. It rings out, and when I finally fish it out, I have a missed call from Monique.

Monique!

She must be still looking for me and I have to go find her. I can't hide in Abel's room forever, and I sure as hell don't want to. And since when did he move into a frat house?

My thoughts are interrupted when the door swings wide open, and a drunken couple stumbles in.

"S-Sorry!" One of them slurs. "Is this room occupied?"

They don't wait for me to respond, and are soon pushing themselves through the walkway. I shake my head in disgust, and run out of the room. I wonder how Abel is going to feel about that when he walks in later.

The frat house is booming with loud music, flashing lights blinding my eyes as I make my way down the stairs in search of Monique.

"Arabella!"

I turn around to find Monique glaring at me, with two red cups in her hands. "I've been looking everywhere for you! Where the fuck did you go!"

My cheeks flush in embarrassment as the memory of Abel and I comes rushing back. "I-I got lost," I lie through my teeth. "I'm so sorry. Have you been looking for me long?"

Monique shakes her head and shoves the cup towards me. "Here. No, it's fine, I've actually been talking to a blonde-haired cutie over in the kitchen." She points in the direction of a young guy who is quite tall, and he winks as he catches us staring at him.

She giggles next to me and turns back to face me. "He's really nice, and he's Spanish." She tells me excitedly. I smile at her, attempting to push the thought of Abel from my mind.

"Are you alright? You look a bit... Off," Monique says, studying my face closer. "Your lipstick is all smeared... Ara, you were with a guy weren't you!"

She bops up and down excitedly and I hush her, not wanting to cause a scene. Not if Abel is still in the frat house. I don't want to see him ever again if I can help it.

"Shut up, please," I tell her. "It was nothing, I-"

"Oh my God, who!!" She yells, ignoring my previous request.

"It was nothing!" I protest, taking a large swig of my drink. The cold liquor burns my throat, and I welcome the feeling. I can't do this party sober.

"Ara I'm so proud of you," Monique squeals, bumping my hip against hers. "First day of college and you're already getting it. Next I'm going to be walking in on you having s-"

"Shhh!" I bring my hand to her mouth, not letting her finish that sentence. "I will not be having sex with anyone thank you."

Monique winks at me as she pulls my hand off her mouth. The blonde boy she was speaking of before walks towards us, snaking his hand around her hip.

"Hey gorgeous," He says in a smooth voice.

"Hayden, this is Arabella," Monique says, introducing us. He smiles at me and nods his head. "We're just about to start a game of beer pong, wanna join in?" He asks.

Monique beams at him and nods her head. "For sure! Ara, you playing?"

My heart rate picks up. Drinking games are not my thing. "I mean, I don't..." My voice trails off as my eyes land on Abel watching me from the corner of the room. Of course he is. His glare is intense, his deep brown eyes boring into mine.