Conflicted (H.S)

Chapter 2

Turning on my heel, I replied firmly, “Hell no! I’m getting ready to party for the first time in my life without that cheating bastard! Now, you either leave right now and don’t bother me, or you can come with me and cast a watchful eye over me like the loving best friends you are!"

Reaching my bedroom, I took a quick shower, stripping down, feeling the scolding hot water slowly drip down and sobering me up slightly. Washing my hair with my favourite coconut scented shampoo, I reluctantly reflected on the events of the day, struggling to contain my emotions with the vivid images swarming throughout my brain. Hopping out of the shower, I slipped into my pink party dress encrusted with bronze diamantes at the waist. I put on some silver sparkled wedges and applied my makeup, adding power, lip gloss, eye shadow in gold and browns, and mascara. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, my hair straight and just hitting the middle of my back, I felt gorgeous. Although, I couldn’t help the nagging feeling in stomach that something BIG and life changing was going to happen tonight.

“Kira! HURRY UP! You’re the one that wanted to go out!”

“I’m coming! Hold your horses,” I screamed as I exited my room, carefully making my way down the stairs, trying not to trip because of my ridiculously high wedges. My goal for the nigh was just to forget about Jesse, and if that included getting hopelessly wasted than so what?

“How do I look?” I questioned, finally reaching the entrance to my living room. Both Chelsea and Kate stood with their jaws to the floor. I couldn’t help but laugh quietly, my ego getting a nice healthy boost.

“Let’s get going before I change my mind.”

~~~~

Downing another shot of vodka, I felt the pounding bass of the house music pumping through the wooden bar top. I spun around on the cold leather stool, attempting to take in the sight of the many gyrating bodies on the dance floor on the floor below, the possibly seizure-inducing lights, and the incredibly loud music.

Rising from my seat, I made my way down to the dance floor, an overwhelming taste of unfamiliar freedom flooding my senses.

Glancing up from my feet, I found myself in the thick of people. In this moment, I was very grateful that Jesse cheated. There was a huge weight that had been lifted off my chest and I felt lighter than air. Not too long later, a pair of hands found themselves planted around my waist. Turning my head slightly to glance behind me, my gaze locked onto a pair of gorgeous emerald green eyes.

“Hello gorgeous,” a strong Cheshire accent stated with a wink of his left eye, making my insides melt. “I’m Harry, and you are?”

I stood there awkwardly, my head trying to process the words that fell from those plump, rosy pink lips.

I stuttered out a simple “K-K-ira…”

He let out a husky chuckle as he took notice of my apparent shyness and the blush creeping up the side of my neck.

“Care for a drink, love?” he questioned, the pet name weakening any resolve I held.

Nodding breathlessly, I allowed him to lead me back towards the bar and into a barstool. As he attempted to hail a bartender, I couldn’t help but let my gaze wonder, taking note of the chocolate brown quiff, the piercing green eyes, and his sharp jaw, down to his t-shirt clad torso.

I was pulled from my trance at the sound of Harry’s deep voice, “Can I get two beers please, one for me and one for this stunning lady sitting next to me?”

At Harry’s words, the diminishing blush flared once again, crawling even higher to my cheeks. Looking in the other direction, I tried my hardest to make sure he didn’t notice but once Harry laughed again, I knew I’d failed.

Taking the neck of the beer bottle to my lips, I glanced around the open space in search of Kate and Chelsea, immediately finding them cuddled up in a booth on the other side of the room. So much for looking out for me, guys.

“So K-K-ira, are you here by yourself?”

“No actually, see the two brunettes snogging in the corner?” I questioned with a raised eyebrow, ignoring his playful mockery of my nervous stutter.

A breathless chuckle escapes his lips as his gaze landed on my preoccupied best friends, “Why don’t we go dance?”

We started to dance and his hands find their previous place on my waist and we began to really move to the music. The more we danced, the hazier my mind got, and I noticed that my legs were slowly giving in. Harry noticed too as he brought his mouth to my ear and whispered “Babe lets go back to mine?”

Being blindsided, yet positively overwhelmed by his suggestion, all I could do was nod slowly. Taking my hand in his, I noted that he wobbled slightly as he walked, most likely being a bit tipsy but still nowhere near as drunk as I was, considering I could still feel the effects of the bourbon I downed earlier at home.

After finally hailing a taxi, we shuffled into the backseat, knowing that the party isn’t over yet.