Jessica occupied the front seat while Emily and I slid into the back.We said “Hi” to Zane, though I couldn't recall his reply.Jessica was engaging him in conversation, but he remained silent, and I sensed the tension in the air.To ease the awkwardness, she turned on the music.
Zane adjusted his rearview mirror, and for a fleeting moment, our eyes met in the reflection before I quickly looked away.My discomfort around him was palpable, more intense than I cared to admit, and my heart raced.I couldn't allow myself to feel this way; after all, he was Jessica’s boyfriend, and harboring such thoughts could damage our friendship.
I focused on the darkness outside, finding it easier to avoid him, yet whenever a car passed and illuminated the interior, I fought the urge to gaze into his amber eyes.There was an inexplicable pull towards him that I desperately wanted to resist, needed to resist.So, I adopted my usual tactic: feigning indifference and pretending I didn't care.
When we arrived at what I guessed was a lounge, it was starting to fill with a mix of people, mostly our age but some older too.The atmosphere was dim, with black walls adorned with cherry-red sofas and small golden tables, flanked by fake potted plants.
To the left, a large bar glowed with orange and red lights, and ahead lay a dance floor surrounded by tables and sofas.In the right corner, a small stage stood ready for a DJ, though no one was there yet—just the thumping music playing in the background.
Zane walked off to speak with a waitress, presumably to secure a table.
“Can you at least pretend to enjoy yourself?”Emily whispered in my ear, making me jump.
“I'm sorry, I told you I wasn't really in the mood for this,” I replied, forcing a smile.
“Come on, you're eighteen—just relax,” she urged with a grin, giving me a playful nudge.I did my best to unwind and let the music wash over me as we followed Zane to a cozy corner with two small round tables.Before long, four drinks arrived.
“What's in this?”I asked Jessica, deliberately ignoring Zane.She shrugged and turned to him for an answer.
“It's a strawberry caipirinha!”Jessica shouted over the loud music so I could hear.I had never tried one before.We all removed our coats, and I found it increasingly difficult not to glance at Zane.He wore a slim-fitting dark blue dress shirt with rolled-up sleeves that revealed the contours of his muscles.Damn, he must have spent a lot of time at the gym to achieve that physique.
My gaze drifted to his left arm, where I noticed a tattoo peeking out from beneath his sleeve, but I quickly averted my eyes, determined not to stare.I had to maintain my façade of indifference.
We raised our glasses in a toast, and I succeeded in keeping my focus away from where I yearned to look.The cocktail was surprisingly good, and I sipped it cautiously, unsure of how strong it might be.
I glanced over at Jessica and instantly recognized her unease; it was a familiar expression.He was treating her poorly, as if she didn't even exist.Perhaps he didn't want us here—if that was the case, he should have said something.
Without a word, he stood up and wandered off to chat with some friends, I assumed—a group of guys certainly older than him.Among them was one with a black eye and another with a split lip.They must be real winners.Emily caught me staring and playfully kicked my foot under the table.
“Let's raise our glasses, shall we?Another toast, to us!”Emily declared, her glass already half-empty.We all cheered once more.The lounge was starting to fill up.I spotted V and Clous making their way toward Zane, but there was no sign of Jake.Emily tensed up at my glance.
They exchanged a few words, and then Clous hopped onto the stage.What a show-off, I thought, rolling my eyes.Jessica remained quiet, taking it all in.Wait, what?I stared in disbelief as my jaw dropped.Clous was the DJ?He immediately began spinning tracks, and soon enough, people hit the dance floor.I turned to Emily to confirm my eyes weren't deceiving me.She looked just as stunned as I felt.To my surprise, he was actually good—hard to believe I was thinking that.
Zane stood beside V, both watching Clous intently.
“Let's dance,” Jessica said, her glass now empty.It wasn't a suggestion; she was already on her feet, and Emily quickly followed suit.I stood up as well, though I felt a bit tense.I should have indulged in drinking more of my cocktail, but Emily’s energy was contagious, and we began to enjoy ourselves.
I was starting to feel warm, even though I was just in a T-shirt.My long hair fell over my back, and I wished I had a hair tie to pull it back.I forced myself not to look around, not to focus on the one person I wanted to see, and it took every ounce of willpower to keep my body from tensing up.
Why had he abandoned us, leaving Jessica alone when we had all come together?He was precisely what I always suspected—just a jerk.It would be so much simpler to just hate him and kill any thoughts that might suggest otherwise.
Suddenly, I noticed a commotion as people began to shift in one direction, urging us to move closer.What was happening?I strained to see through the crowd, and in an instant, a guy hit the ground.Zane had shoved him so hard that he skidded several feet away.What the heck?V was right behind Zane, burying her face in his arm, trying to pull him back.
I glanced at Jessica, whose mouth hung open in shock, eyes brimming with tears and fury.Emily looked between us, clearly confused.When I turned back to Zane, V had disappeared.He shot us a quick glance before walking away, his face a mask of anger, jaw clenched so tightly I could see the muscles ripple.
Jessica turned away, hastily grabbing her coat.
“Jess!”I called, but she didn't hear me.I grabbed my own coat and took Emily’s hand to ensure she was close as we rushed after Jessica.“Jess, please wait!”I called as we stepped outside.
“How could I be so foolish?”she shouted, still striding forward, not looking back.I began to sprint, letting go of Emily’s hand to catch up with Jessica.“Please, don't!I need to get home!”she pleaded, lowering her gaze but finally coming to a stop.I was at a loss for words; what had just happened?Were Zane and V a thing?Were they still together?Was this some kind of gang loyalty?
“Did you see that?Why did Zane push that guy?”I asked, glancing at both of them.They shook their heads in response.
“Isn't it clear?”Jessica started, “They're probably together, and I'm… I don't even know who I am to him anymore.”Her anger was palpable, but there were no tears, just fury.“Go ahead, say it.'I told you so,'” she said, looking straight at me.
“Look, you were right; you tried to warn me, and I didn't want to listen.So, just go ahead, let it out.”She stepped closer, challenging me.
“Jess, I'm really sorry.I… Let's just go home,” I replied, genuinely unsure of what to say.Emily stood quietly, watching us.
