28
ANYA
TWO HANDS GRIP MYwaist and yank me harshly backwards. I collide with a firm chest.
‘Anya,’ the voice rumbles, and I tense, quickly stepping out of the hold.
‘Hello, Kai.’
Some sort of techno song I’ve never heard blares out of a speaker not far from me, and I step further away from it, and from him. He moves in front of me, blocking my path. I grind my teeth, frustrated.
‘Can we talk?’ he asks.
‘No!’ Cami shouts at him, appearing out of nowhere. Reaching for my hand, she drags me off the dance floor and towards the bar. She screws her face up, throwing a shady look in his direction. ‘That boy really rubs me the wrong way,’ she grumbles, shaking her head. ‘You okay?’
‘Fine.’
‘Let me get you a drink.’
‘I’m not drinking tonight,’ I say for what feels like the hundredth time. I don’t feel like being here right now, surrounded by all this noise and all these bodies. I want to be home, watching a horror movie, in the arms of the boy I have loved all my life.
‘You’re not having fun,’ she states, frowning.
‘Sure I am.’
Her brows rise. ‘Not sure who you’re trying to convince there, but either way, you did a terrible job.’
‘Don’t worry about me. Go.’ I lightly shove her in the direction of a group of guys who keep looking over at us. ‘So many people want your attention right now.’
‘I don’t care,’ she protests. ‘I want to hang with you, and make sure you’re having a good time.’
‘I love you for that. I really do. But I want you to go mingle and have the best time. I’m going to get some water and chill for a bit.’ She opens her mouth, and I give her a look, nodding towards the group. ‘Go. Please.’
‘Fine,’ she relents, leaning in to plant a kiss on my cheek. ‘Call or text if you need me, okay?’
‘I will.’
She squeezes my hand, then shoots off in the direction of the group. Nora ended up bailing to study, and I don’t know how she managed to get out of it, but I didn’t want to leave Cami hanging when I knew she really wanted to come.
Pulling out my phone, I bring up Mason’s contact details.
Anya:I’m here at a party, surrounded by people.
Anya:But all I want is to be with you.
Raking my fingers through my hair, I chew my lip, waiting for his response.
Mason:Say the word, and I’ll come get you.
Anya:Please.
Anya:I want to see you.
Mason:Leaving now.
Anya:I’ll meet you out front.
Smiling, I look over my shoulder to see Cami being led to the dance floor by a guy who I swear must be almost seven feet tall. I shoot her a quick text, saying I’m heading out, but to call me if she needs a ride later. I pocket my phone, and finally the line at the bar moves. I reach the front, and a girl leans towards me.
