5. You will pay

MEGHAN

I was so stunned by his words that I couldn't speak the entire time.

I just stood there, frozen while he said those nasty words to me. I couldn't even shed a tear.

I watched him slam the door on his way out and then burst into tears. My body shook as I attempted to choke back my sobs, but I couldn't stop. I have never felt so humiliated, so small.

So I made one mistake a year ago? Don't I deserve a chance to explain myself? And what was that about him 'almost not making it?' What did he even mean by that? I was so confused.

I didn't know how I would go back to the party and have a good time after he made me feel like shit, so I decided to look for Luke. He promised to drive me home after all.

I went to the living room and looked around, my eyes frantically searching for Luke. Maybe I should call the rideshare company again.

"There you are, Maggie. I was looking for you."

I released a sigh of relief. Luke found me again. "Did you find Adrian?"

"Yes," I said meekly. I had wiped my tears already, but new ones streamed down my cheeks.

"Oh shit, Maggie! What's wrong?" Luke exclaimed. He quickly went back inside and then came back with a box of tissue in his hands. "What's going on? Did something happen with Adrian?"

"You said you could take me home, right?" I sniffled. I couldn't stand to be here for another minute.

"Are you trying to leave? I am not letting you until you tell me what the hell is going on. Do I need to kick Adrian's ass?" Luke tried to laugh but stopped as he saw the serious look on my face. "Seriously, Maggie. You can talk to me."

I exhaled slowly to calm myself down. "Adrian and I are just dealing with some personal issues. It's nothing."

"It's not nothing. You are crying your eyes out," Luke said grimly.

I managed to smile. I didn't want to ruin Luke's day because I was being sensitive. "I am fine. I will work things out with him later, don't worry."

"Then, will you stay?" Luke's eyes were hopeful.

Should I stay? My initial urge was to run home, jump in bed, and cry myself to sleep. Pathetic, I know.

But then again, my mom and Steve weren't expecting me home until later, so if I went now, they would know something was wrong and ask me a hundred questions. I was not ready for that either. "I will stay," I said quietly.

"Great. I will cheer you up. I won't pressure you to say anything else but just know that I'm here for you." Luke smiled.

"Why are you so nice to me?" I asked. I expected him to side with Adrian.

"I don't know what Adrian's problem is. But I will find out, don't worry. Let's just forget about him and try to have fun," Luke said and smiled encouragingly.

Easier said than done.

But I listened to Luke's kind words and then returned to the party. "Let's dance, shall we?" Luke offered his hand.

I've always loved dancing. Back in Boston, I used to meet my friends at the club all the time.

And with Chase...

Shoot, I should probably call him. He asked me to call him as soon as I got home, but I never did. I was secretly hoping to break things off with him as I didn't think I wanted this long-distance relationship. But now, it seems like it's a bad idea. I really needed someone to talk to, someone who could lift me up and not pull me down as Adrian does.

"I'd love to dance," I said, forcing a smile. Dancing will cheer me up, that's for sure.

I was right. It didn't take me long before feeling better as Luke, and I moved with the music. It was a fast-paced song, so once I got into the rhythm with Luke, we were both having a good time. Although, I had to admit. He was a great dancer.

I giggled as he twirled me around and ended the dance with a dramatic dip. "Hey, you aren't half bad!" Luke chuckled.

"You are pretty good yourself. Where did you learn how to dance twinkle toes?" I teased.

"Lots and lots of club visiting." Luke laughed. He had his arms still wrapped around my waist, but I didn't mind.

"I love going to the clubs too!"

"Do you? Then maybe we should go together this weekend?" Luke asked and looked at me expectantly.

I hesitated. "I don't know....I mean... Adrian..." I stopped. I almost told Luke I was worried about what Adrian would think, but why should I think about him at all?

Luke suddenly let go of me. "Hey, would you mind if I go help a friend real quick? I won't take long, I promise," he said.

"Sure, no problem. I need to go to the bathroom to freshen up anyway," I let him know.

"Okay! I'll be five minutes tops." With that, Luke ran upstairs.

I walked around, looking for the bathroom. Tiffany's house was huge. Judging from the size of the rooms and expensive furniture, she seems to be pretty well off. And she is beautiful. I imagined Adrian thinking she was a much better catch than I was.

"Looking for something?"

I looked at the boy talking to me. He was staring directly into my eyes, but I could tell he was having a hard time focusing on me. As he moved closer, I smelled a pungent stench of pot, and it made me scrunch my nose.

"Do you know where the bathroom is?" I asked him. However, I wasn't sure if he knew it himself since he was baked out of his mind.

"Keep going down that hall, and it's by the stairs. Hey, do you want to come smoke? We can do it under the stairs."

"No thanks. I'm going now. Thanks for the direction," I said and hurried off.

"Hey my name is Rya-..." the boy yelled behind me, but I kept walking. I couldn't imagine how my face looked after I had been crying and rubbing my eyes. My makeup was most likely smeared all over my cheeks, giving me the Raccoon effect.

I stopped walking as I found the bathroom and to my relief, it was empty.

"Hey you!"

I stopped in my tracks, then turned around. A girl with long black hair and glasses was glaring at me.

"Um...sorry. I got here first, so do you mind if I use the restroom? I won't take long, I promise," I said.

"Who the fuck do you think you?" she roared.

I looked at her with confusion. I'd never seen this girl in my life. Behind her was another girl with blonde hair I'd never seen either.

"What the hell were you doing with MY man?"

"Yeah, there are so many other guys here, but you just HAD to go after him," the blonde girl sneered.

"I am sorry, who are you?" I asked. I wondered if they were talking about Adrian. Someone must've seen us arguing outside.

"My name is Rita, and I am with Luke," the black-haired girl replied.

Oh, I see. She must have the wrong idea about Luke and me. "Luke and I are just friends."

"I saw you getting chummy with Luke. I won't let you have him. He's mine," Rita raged.

So the girl thinks I was planning on stealing her man and now charging at me like an angry bull. Great...as if this night hasn't already gone to shit.

"I wasn't getting chummy with him. As I said, I am new in town and Luke is my stepbrother's best friend, so we were just hanging out," I explained.

"You are Adrian's sister? I heard about you. You are kind of a slut, aren't you? So you think you can just come back to Miami and get your grubby hands on my man?" Rita hissed.

I've had enough of this nonsense. Who do these people think I am? Do they think I am some poor innocent girl they can push around and I will take everything lying down? I don't think so.

"For the love of God, don't get your thong in a twist." I sighed. "What the hell is your issue, Rita? Luke didn't mention having a girlfriend. And even if he did, is he not allowed to talk to or make friends with other girls?"

"He's mine. I won't allow some little nobody to walk in and take what I've worked on for months. Luke is mine only," Rita snapped.

"Then you have him. I am not interested in him," I told her and tried to push past, but the blonde shoved me back.

"You aren't going anywhere until you promised to never speak to him again."

"Hearing apparently is not your thing. I've already told you he's yours." I felt anger rising inside me again.

Rita suddenly grabbed my shoulder and pushed me inside the bathroom. The blonde-haired girl came in behind her, then slammed the door shut. Rita's breath reeked of alcohol. She must've been heavily drinking before coming to me.

"Hey! What gives?" I protested.

"You are going to pay for stepping out of line, little girl," Rita hissed.