014

Ocean’s POV

By the time I pushed through the club doors, she was gone.

The cold night air hit me like a slap, sharp and grounding, but it did nothing to slow the restless energy coursing through my body.

The music from the club still thumped faintly behind me, muffled by the heavy doors, but outside everything felt too quiet and empty.

Pushing my hands into my pockets, I swirled around, scanning the street but there was no sign of her.

“Dammit!, where the hell did she go?” I groaned internally.

I moved further away from the entrance, my eyes darting over every passing figure, every shadow and every car pulling away from the curb.

“Astrid,” I muttered, already pulling my phone from my pocket.

I called her, it rang thrice but no response.

My next attempt sent the call into voicemail but I quickly ended the call before the automated voice could finish.

I counted up to sixty in my head then tried again but it was the same result.

My jaw tightened as I slowly placed my back against the cold wall.

Since she wouldn't pick my call, I decided to text.

Where are you?

Answer your phone.

I sent but still nothing.

I began pacing without realizing it, my steps sharp and restless against the pavement.

The adrenaline from inside the club hadn’t faded yet; it was still coiled under my skin, refusing to settle.

She looked terrified when she ran out earlier.

The image replayed in my head over and over again. Her eyes were wide, her breath was uneven, and her hands were shaking slightly before she turned and bolted.

Pulling away from the wall, I exhaled slowly, dragging a hand through my hair.

This wasn’t supposed to go like that.

I had planned for tension, for drama and for Reis to react.

I hadn’t planned for her to run.

The club door opened behind me, spilling light and noise onto the street.

I should have ignored it but the sound of approaching footsteps made me whip my head towards the building only to see Calvin.

“Dude,” he said, jogging to my side.

“Where is she?” he asked.

“She left,” I replied shortly.

“Yeah, I noticed that part.”

I kept pacing, checking my phone again even though I knew nothing had changed.

There were no new notifications which meant there was no response yet.

Calvin watched me for a moment before asking quietly, “Is she worth it?”

Instantly, I stopped walking, leaving the question hanging between us.

Slowly, I turned toward him.

“What?”

“Is she worth all this?” he repeated, gesturing vaguely toward the club, the chaos and the tension lingering in the air.

“Because from where I’m standing, this looks like a disaster waiting to happen.”

When I didn't say anything, he sighed, running a hand through his hair.

“Look, man,” he continued, lowering his voice. He was making it more serious than I had ever heard it.

“You hate Reis, we all know that but dragging her into whatever this is…” He trailed off, shaking his head.

“That’s different.”

“I’m not dragging anyone,” I said flatly.

“Really?” Calvin asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes.”

“She looked like she was about to pass out.”

Rubbing my temple, I clenched my jaw.

“That was because of him,” I said.

“Maybe,” Calvin admitted. “But you didn’t help.”

Frustrated, I turned away, already walking toward my car.

“Ocean,” he called after me but I ignored him.

He caught up with me, stepping in front of me hence blocking my path.

“Move,” I said calmly.

“No.”

My patience thinned instantly.

“Calvin.” I snarled, I was going to push him off my path but he held up his hands.

“Just listen for a second.” He pleaded.

Clenching my jaw, I kept staring at him, waiting for whatever he wanted to say.

“You should call it off,” he said carefully. “Whatever fake relationship thing you’re doing, I want you to stop before it gets worse.”

Tilting my head to the side, a humorless laugh slipped out of me.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” I huffed.

“I know enough,” he shot back. “You’re not acting like yourself.”

“And how am I acting?” I challenged.

“Obsessed.”

The word hit harder than I expected and I scoffed.

“Don’t be dramatic.”

“I’m serious,” he insisted. “You’re watching her like she’s the only person in the room. You’ve never looked at anyone like that before.”

I stepped closer, my voice lowering.

“Stay out of it.” I said through my teeth but he didn’t move.

“She’s already hurting,” he said quietly. “Bringing her into your rivalry isn’t going to fix anything. It’s only going to make things worse for her and for you.”

For a moment, I didn’t know what to say because part of me knew he wasn’t entirely wrong but I shoved that thought away immediately.

“I know what I’m doing,” I said firmly.

Calvin studied me for a long second before stepping aside.

“Do you?” he asked softly but I didn’t answer.

I simply got into my car and slammed the door shut.

“I will call you,” I said and with that, the engine roared to life beneath my hands.

I drove without thinking, the city lights blurring past as my mind replayed the night over and over again.

My grip tightened on the steering wheel. I hated that I had placed her in a situation she had no control over.

Without realizing it, I found myself turning toward the dorms instead of my apartment.

The building came into view a few minutes later. It was quiet compared to the chaos of the club.

A few windows glowed softly, but most were dark as the occupants were already in bed.

I parked across the street, staring up at the building.

Which one was her room again?, I asked myself.

Finally, I spotted her window which was dark. I couldn’t tell if she was inside or not.

Letting out a low sigh, I pulled out my phone again to call her but it went straight to voicemail.

I tried again but it was the same result.

A knot of irritation and something dangerously close to worry tightened in my chest.

“Come on,” I muttered.

After a few minutes of staring at the dark window like it might magically answer my questions, I finally drove away.

The silence inside the car felt heavier now.

By the time I reached my house, exhaustion had begun creeping into my bones, but my mind refused to slow down.

I walked inside, tossing my keys onto the counter.

The house felt so quiet that I could hear the sound of my breathing clearly.

Sucking my teeth, I grabbed a glass from the cabinet, reaching for a bottle of whiskey without thinking.

Maybe a drink would shut my brain off but before I could pour myself a drink, I pulled my phone out again.

I was going to give it one more try.

It didn’t even ring this time as her phone was off.

I stared at the screen for a long moment, irritation flaring through my veins.

Fine, if she wanted space, she could have it.

I set the glass down, exhaling slowly.

Suddenly my phone rang, the sound cutting through the silence sharply.

My heart jumped before I could stop it.

Astrid, it had to be.

I grabbed the phone instantly, already turning toward the couch only to freeze.

The name on my screen made my expression hardened immediately.

The warmth drained from my face, only to be replaced by something colder.

Without hesitation, I pressed the power button and turned off my phone.