Blackout

SOPHIA’S POV

I slammed the dorm door behind me and dropped my bag on the floor. Darcy wasn’t there so I turned to look at my reflection in the mirror. 

My hair was messy, my eyes were puffy from stress and my brain was fried from classes that I had barely survived today. My chest felt heavy and my stomach twisted in knots. I failed a class… freaking failed it.

Like seriously? How did I let this happen? I tried to focus today. I really did but my mind kept drifting and it was getting too much.

I didn’t want to think anymore. I didn’t want to feel anymore and then a stupid idea hit me. Maybe I should just… get wasted… really wasted. 

Like forget everything, forget myself, forget the world. I wanted to disappear for a few hours and just… drink.

I pulled out my little black dress. The one Darcy always said made my legs look long, not that I cared about her opinion right now. I didn’t care about anything. 

I slipped it on, threw on some heels that I barely knew how to walk in, and grabbed my purse. My fingers shook slightly, but I didn’t care because  I needed this.

The club was loud before I even stepped inside. I made my way to the bar, dragging my feet across the sticky floor, ignoring the stares. I didn’t care if people stared and I didn’t care about anyone.

“Vodka, make it strong,” I said, trying to sound confident. My voice cracked a little. “Like… really really strong.”

The bartender raised an eyebrow. “Rough day?”

I shrugged, letting my hair fall into my face. “Yeah… rough day. The worst day. Ever.”

He nodded slowly and slid the glass toward me. I grabbed it then took a big gulp. It burned my throat. I took another drink and another. 

I lost count somewhere after the third. The warmth started spreading through and I started feeling a little dizzy, a little happy and a little numb. I laughed at some song that played..

And then I felt someone watching me, they were too close. My stomach dropped and panic twisted in my chest. 

“Hey there,” a voice said. “You look like you could use some company.”

I squinted. Some guy, not too bad looking but… creepy? His hand brushed my wrist. I tried to step back and tried to push him away but my legs felt like jelly and my words slurred.

“I… I’m… fine. Really,” I said, voice shaking. “I… I don’t need… anyone.”

He smirked. “C’mon. Don’t be like that. I just want to… hang just for tonight. You and me. No one else.”

I blinked fast as  I tried to think, I tried to move. My head spun. “No. Really. Please. I’m… fine.”

And then… hands were on his shoulders. Strong and firm. Someone shoved him back hard and he stumbled, cursing, nearly falling over a spilled drink. 

“Hey! Watch it!” The guy shouted.

“You should leave her,” a low, calm voice said. “Now.”

I froze because that voice… it sounded familiar. My chest felt like it was skipping beats and my heart was thumping like crazy.

The guy stumbled again, muttering curses and pushing past people and then I saw him. Green eyes, dark curly hair and broad shoulders. 

He looked so familiar. I blinked, heart racing as my stomach flipped. “Are you okay?” He asked, voice calm but loud enough over the music.

I blinked again. My mouth opened as I tried to speak but words came out like mush. “I… I… y-yeah… I think…”

He stepped closer and looked at me like he was trying to figure me out. “You don’t look okay.”

I laughed nervously. “I… I’m fine. I… really. I just… had a… long day.”

He tilted his head and studied me. My stomach turned again. “I don’t think you are. You shouldn’t be here like this, at least not alone.”

I swallowed, my throat dry. “I… I’m okay. I… just… drinking. That’s all. I… I needed it.”

“Drinking won’t fix what’s wrong,” he said. “You could get hurt. You shouldn’t be… vulnerable like this.”

I blinked. Where do I know him from?

“I… I… I think I know you,” I said finally, voice shaking.

He paused, his eyes widening slightly. “Do you now?”

“Yes. I… I remember seeing you… somewhere. I… I…” My head spun as I tried to place him, trying to remember. 

I tried to think but alcohol made everything spin. My knees buckled but he caught me just in time. 

“You’re safe,” he said. “You’re okay, just breathe and don’t try to move too fast.”

I blinked, trying to focus. “I… thank you,” I slurred. “For… saving me. I… I don’t even… know how…”

He shook his head. “Don’t thank me. Just… stay safe. Promise me you won’t go back there tonight.”

I nodded slowly. My vision blurry. “I… I think I… I know you,” I said again, voice barely above a whisper.

He stepped closer and studied me, his green eyes softening, jaw tight and chest tight. Everything about him only made my stomach flip.

“You’re lucky I showed up,” he said. “You shouldn’t be here like this. Not alone and not drunk. Not…” He looked around at the crowd. “Not with anyone trying to take advantage of you.”

I swallowed hard and tried to stand. I tried to remember. “I want to thank you,” I slurred again. “I… I… don’t even… know how to… repay you…”

He shook his head, his green eyes soft and calm. “You don’t have to. Just make sure you stay safe, Please.”

And then everything started spinning faster. My legs gave out completely, my  head felt heavy and heart thumping. 

“Are you okay?” He asked. “You need to sit down,” he said, catching me again. His hands were strong.

He was a stranger, but yet he felt comfortable to be around with.

Everything about him felt so familiar. I had a sense of deja vu. Everything my brain couldn’t process.

I blinked, still trying to remember where I knew him and to say something else but no words came out of my mouth. Words felt heavy at that moment. 

My lips trembled and my knees felt weak. My vision blurred and then… darkness.

Everything went black.