015

Astrid’s POV

The moment the club doors closed behind me, the noise swallowed itself.

The loud music faded into a dull vibration, laughter turned into distant echoes, and suddenly all I could hear was my own heartbeat.

The sound was sharp, uneven and too loud inside my head but I didn’t stop running.

The cold evening air slapped against my face as I ran into the street, my heels striking the pavement too fast and hard.

My chest burned and my throat felt tight.

I didn’t even know where I was going, I just knew I had to get away from the club and most especially Ocean and Reis.

God, Reis.

Where did he come from?

If anything, I wasn't expecting him to be at the club. Ocean shouldn't be in a place where he would run into Reis.

And Reis has no business there either.

My steps slowed slightly as Reis face flashed through my mind.

The anger in his eyes and the way he grabbed my arm like he still had a right to was embedded in my head.

A strange chill ran through my spine and immediately, I wrapped my arms around myself, shaking like a leaf in the winter.

Moments later, a car passed slowly, its headlights washing over me before disappearing down the road.

Gripping my purse tightly, I looked around desperately.

There were no taxis or private cars I could ask for a ride on the road at this time.

Nothing.

“Perfect,” I muttered bitterly.

Of course there wouldn’t be.

Frustration clawed up my throat as I started walking aimlessly down the street.

The city felt different at night. It was quieter and more dangerous, or maybe it was just me.

My mind replayed everything that happened inside the club, over and over again.

The worst part was when Ocean called me his girlfriend right in Reis' face like he was marking his territory.

The thought made my stomach twist painfully.

Why did that word feel so real when it wasn’t?

I shook my head sharply trying to stop myself from thinking too much about it.

When I got to the corner of the building, I was going to pull out my phone and order a ride but then I froze.

It was Ocean.

He stood near the entrance, pacing slightly, his phone in hand.

My heart jumped violently.

Instinct took over before logic could catch up. I stepped back into the shadows immediately, pressing myself against the cold wall, barely breathing.

Why was he still here?

Was he looking for me?

Of course he was.

My pulse raced as I peeked around the corner carefully.

He looked tense and restless.

He kept checking his phone, running a hand through his hair and scanning the street like he expected me to appear.

Something strange twisted inside my chest.

Guilt?

No.

Definitely not.

I forced myself to stay hidden as I wasn’t ready to face him, not after everything that went down back in the building.

A few minutes later, Calvin stepped outside and joined him. I couldn’t hear their entire conversation, only bits and pieces that were carried by the wind.

Watching the friends going back and forth, I swallowed hard, my heart thumping even more loudly.

Were they talking about me? – I pondered.

Ocean’s posture stiffened slightly, and even from a distance I could feel the tension between them.

After a while, Ocean walked toward his car, got in, the engine started and then he was gone.

Relief flooded through me so suddenly that my knees almost buckled.

I waited a few seconds longer just to be sure he was really gone then I stepped out from the shadows.

The street felt emptier now and even more lonelier.

I started walking again, hugging myself against the cold.

I didn’t get far before I heard footsteps behind me. They were fast and determined.

My stomach dropped because I knew who it was before he even spoke.

“Astrid.” He called, confirming my thoughts.

Biting the corner of my lips, I closed my eyes briefly then picked up my pace.

“Astrid, wait!” He called again but before I could run off, his hand closed around my arm and I stopped walking immediately, yanking away from his grip.

“Don’t touch me,” I said, my voice shaking despite my attempt to sound firm.

He froze, clearly surprised at my outburst.

“I just want to talk,” Reis said quickly.

“I don’t want to talk,” I snapped back at him then turned to leave again, but he stepped in front of me, blocking my path.

The streetlight illuminated his face, and for a moment my heart twisted painfully at how familiar he looked.

How once, that face had been my safe place but now it just hurt to look at him.

“Please,” he said quietly. “Just listen.” He cooed, trying to run his fingers through my hair like he usually did whenever I was upset but I veered away quickly.

“No.” I bit out.

“What happened earlier…” he started.

“I don’t care,” I cut him off sharply.

“Yes, you do,” he insisted.

“Let me go, I don’t want to talk about it.”

“It’s not what you think,” he said quickly. “The thing with Hannah… it wasn’t…”

“Oh my God,” I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. “You kissed her, I saw you. What else is there to explain?”

His jaw tightened at my words.

“I was going to tell you,” he said.

“When?” I demanded. “After everyone else found out first?”

“It wasn’t serious…”

“Not serious?” My voice cracked. “You humiliated me!” I snarled, watching him flinch.

After a brief silence, he whispered, “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“Well, you did,” I whispered back, sniffing as the tears came faster now, sliding down my cheeks before I could stop them.

“I looked like a complete idiot,” I continued, my voice trembling. “Do you know what people are saying? Do you know how those girls laugh when I walk past?”

“Astrid…”

“They knew,” I said, gagging slightly. “They all knew before I did.”

He reached for me again, but I stepped back.

“I genuinely loved you,” he said softly.

The words hit like a punch forcing me to swallow hard.

“Don’t,” I warned, gritting my teeth in anger.

“I did,” he insisted. “I still…”

“No,” I said sharply. “You’re only saying that because Ocean is involved now.”

His expression darkened immediately then he said, “This has nothing to do with him.”

“It has everything to do with him,” I shot back. “You two are always competing. Always trying to bring down each other.”

“That’s not true.”

“It is,” I said firmly. “And I’m not going to be your trophy.”

Silence stretched between us and moments later, a pair of headlights appeared at the end of the street.

Finally, a taxi.

Relief surged through me instantly and I took a step toward the road, raising my hand to flag it down.

The cab slowed but Reis grabbed my arm again, halting me.

“Don’t do this,” he said.

“I already did,” I replied quietly, yanking his hand off.

Wiping my eyes with one hand, I opened the door quickly, sliding into the backseat before he could stop me.

“Astrid,” he said, leaning toward the window.

“Drive,” I told the driver softly, avoiding his gaze.

“Ocean is going to use you and dump you!” he shouted. “I’m still giving you a chance!”

Staring at the screen of my phone, I sniffed again, my heart pounding painfully.

“What am I going to do now?” I muttered, biting the corner of my lips.