“Because he definitely has a thing for you.” She flips her hair over her shoulder. “Should I wear this tonight?” Leah pulls out a silk red coloured mini dress that looks like she’d be attending an elite nightclub.
“Wait, back up a sec, aren’t you two seeing each other?” I ask in panic. “Aus has only ever seen me as a friend. A little sister… I didn’t mean to come off as if I’m hung up on him,” I ramble, feeling too exposed.
“Girl, first off, Austin and I hooked up a few times, nothing serious, nothing romantic, and we both understoodthat’s all it was. A girl’s got needs, you know? Second, he’s always told me his heart belongs to someone else, and seeing the way he was eye fucking you all day today, I’d say that person is you, babe. Third, yes or no to the dress?” she asks, holding the dress out, giving it a wiggle.
I’m staring, mouth slightly ajar, listening to her, while trying to process coherent thoughts. They’re not together. Leah speaks about them hooking up so casually that it’s almost as if she’s reassuring me for my own peace of mind.
“Hello, Earth to Vix…” she trails off, hands on her hips.
“Yeah, sorry,” I reply. “Booths is a low-key bar with dancing and food. That dress is stunning, but you’ll definitely stand out amongst the crowd.”
“Perfect! I’m wearing it. First impressions are everything. If I’m going to make it out alive this year, I want everyone to know I’m a devilish good time.” Her wicked smile and waggling eyebrows tell me she means business. I laugh, nodding my head at this girl who is so clearly bubblegum and sunshine.
“That should do it.” I head to my own closet, deciding what to wear tonight myself. I want to look nice. Would Austin notice? Leah’s right. First impressions are important, and I’ve changed a lot over the past five years. I’m no longer the little girl he once knew. I’m not even the girl I thought I once was.
FOUR
VIX - PRESENT
We could hearthe music from the pub before we reached the doors; it’s low and pulsing. The kind of beat that vibrates through your veins, making you feel like you’re one and the same with the song.
Walking into Booths, I inhale a deep breath and take in my surroundings. “Welcome to the greatest place at HHU.” Kash smirks, nodding his head to people in greeting. Fresh citrus, stale beer, and a hint of wood mingle in the space.
The air buzzes with laughter and music, and the back of the bar comes alive with the heat of bodies moving and colliding, dancing without a care. Everyone is dressed in red and white, really bringing out the big guns for tonight’s theme. I justhadto be different, though. Kash hasn’t been able to peel his eyes away from me since we left the dorms.
“Well fuck me, I’m not going to NOT shoot my shot, look at her, Austin!”he shouts dramatically, almost pleading for Austin’s permission. Aus, on the other hand, has been avoiding looking at me since they came to meet us. I’m dressed in a skin-tight black silk mini dress that hugs mycurves just right. Paired with my black fishnets and eyeliner so sharp it could cut somebody. I look like an angel of death.
We find a table near the back side of the room, close to the dance floor, and move through the sea of people to grab it before it’s gone. Leah slides in and pats the seat beside her, inviting me to sit. Austin squeezes between a stranger and I, his hand lingering at the small of my back. It was less than a second, but enough time to feel as if his skin left an imprint on mine. I shake my head to remove the intrusive thoughts.
“I’m going to go get us some beers,” Austin shouts over the music. “Leah, vodka cranberry? And Vix?” he asks, barely looking in my direction.
“I’ll come with you.” I stand to smooth out my black mini dress. I give Aussy a smile and head to the bar.
He stalks behind me and flags the bartender down. The bartender holds up a finger, signalling us to wait a minute, before turning back to serve the busy crowd.
“So, are you going to tell me why you’ve been so weird with me tonight?” I give Austin’s arm a pinch. “Ow! What the hell was that for?” he yelps, rubbing his arm to soothe the sting.
“Oh, don’t be such a baby,” I tell him, and he smirks.
“Good to know you haven’t grown out of being a menace,” he teases, leaning on the bar next to me. He’s so close, and his familiar scent wraps around me.
“Answer the question,” I demand, raising my eyebrows. “What’s your problem tonight? Why won’t you look at me?” I ask, crossing my arms.
“I’m not the one being weird, Vix.Youare,” he says, and I watch his eyes flick up and down my body. “You’re all dressed up, with that black shit on your face, and you just don’t look the same as I remember.”
I laugh, howl actually. This guy has been acting so weirdtowards me all evening because I wore a pretty dress and some makeup?
“Well, a lot can change in five years, Austin. I’ve grown up. I have boobs, big ones too.” I grab them in two handfuls. “I like to get dolled up and wear revealing clothing. I’m sorry if how I lookoffendsyou.” I shift on my feet, avoiding his eye contact, searching for the bartender. Austin lets out a low sigh next to me.
“Offends me?” He chuckles, but it’s tight, dangerous. My eyes flicker back to his, and he’s still staring at me. “The problem is, if I keep looking at you, I won’t be able to look away.” His eyes soften—my pulse quickens.
He reaches up and moves a loose strand of hair out of my face, sliding his fingers down my cheek. The touch is so soft and so foreign. I open my mouth to say something, but nothing comes out. We stand there looking at each other, his blue eyes drawing me in like a magnetic pull.
“Did you two forget about us, or were you just planning on drinking all of our drinks yourselves?” Kash cuts in. I break eye contact with Austin, only to remember where we are and all of the people around us.
“Oh! I love this song!” Leah exclaims, shoving her way past her brother to grab my hand. I laugh and let her drag me to the dance floor, letting the guys deal with the drinks. We let loose and sing as we dance to a remix of Cooler Than Me by Mike Posner, the lights surrounding us as we get lost in the ocean of people. The energy in the crowd is electric.
I’m out of breath, and the song changes. My eyes make their way to our table, where Austin is staring at me with a lazy smile on his face, an expression I’ve never seen on him before. His eyes are dark, hungry almost, and it does something to my insides. My chest is rising and falling at such a rapid pace that I’m trying to steady my breathing. How can Ido that, though, when it feels as if he’s stealing all of my oxygen by just his stare?
