5: Psyche

I spent the rest of the week avoiding my housemate. I don't know what these feelings I keep having when he's around, but I know they're dangerous. 

“You are coming to the party.”

“Huh?" I looked up from my lunch and was greeted by Charlotte rolling her eyes at me.

"What's up with you? You know I let it slide for the past days, but I know you've been distracted. Is everything okay?" Her annoyance changed into worry in the blink of an eye. If I can't be honest with my best friend, then who can I be honest with.

"Just please promise that this stays between us."

"Of course. So what is it?"

"So, you know I moved out right. My... uhm... neighbor is a guy. And we had a couple of interactions for the past month." I started. I guess I made the right call by not saying that we live under the same roof, 'cause by the look on her face... She's already cooking a story.

"Is he hot?"

"Seriously?"

"It's just a yes or no, Psyche."

"Fine, yes. You can describe him as hot. That aside, we barely even talked to each other until recently, and now, I can't take my mind off of him. But you know, it's just a new face crush, right? I mean I have Seb..." She started shaking her head while biting her bottom lip as she smiled curiously at me. 

"Have you imagined kissing him? Or even doing wild things with him?"

My mind drifted off to the times these couple of weeks that his topless body kept lingering in my mind. The way I wanted to lean in when we were inches from each other.

"Well, that face means yes. I can't believe this! You! Psyche Johana Montez is crushing on your neighbor!" I panicked with the sudden loudness of her voice.

"Char! Can you please be quiet!?"

"Sorry, Psyche. I'm just really excited for you! I mean, finally! You're looking for someone better than Sebastian!" 

"I'm not looking for anyone else, it's just a harmless crush. It's not like I'm gonna act on it."

"Oh come on! He might be your one true love, and you're missing the chance because of Sebastian." You can hear the disgust in her voice whenever she mentions Sebastian's name.

"Besides, me and Seb actually have a date tonight. So, I'm gonna get rid of this crush thing once and for all." 

"Aww. I was gonna ask you to come with me to a party tonight!" She pouted at me, but his expression quickly changed, and I felt a presence behind me.

"Baby! I was looking for you everywhere. Sorry, can I take a rain check on our date tonight? I still have lots to do for the university festival, and we're way behind the deadlines."

"But, we've been planning this date for weeks now."

"I know, baby. I'm really sorry. I have to go, okay. I'll message you later." And before I could say another word, Sebastian was already off running somewhere his presence was needed.

"Change of plans?"

I don’t have a choice, do I?”

“Nope.”

And she proceeded to eat her lunch while looking at me curiously. 

“I have nothing to wear, Char. You know I didn’t bring all of my things when I left the house.”

“And that is why you have a best friend like me, Psyche." She grinned from ear to ear. Oh gosh! What have I gotten myself into?

"You want me to wear this?" I asked Charlotte as she handed me a skimpy backless red dress that is only held by a chain around the neck. We went straight to her apartment as soon as we were both done with our classes, and I'm kinda regretting my decisions now. 

"Come on! You'll look amazing in that. Please, just trust me on this." I rolled my eyes at her and just changed into the handkerchief that she gave me. 

The party was already in full swing when we got there. Obviously, Charlotte wanted to be fashionably late.

"Who do we have here? I didn't know you had a friend as beautiful as this lady." A familiar-looking guy approached us. 

"Back off, Smith. She's off limits to jerks." I just smiled at him and followed my best friend as she cut through the crowd. 

"It's our song!" Charlotte was already screaming at me despite being inches from each other, as our favorite song from when we were twelve started playing. She immediately grabbed my hand and dragged me to the middle of the dance floor, and with the atmosphere and a little booze in my system, I started dancing the night away. 

"I'm just gonna get some water." I whispered- shouted at her, before leaving the dance floor and heading towards the bar.

"A bottle of water, please." 

"First time here?" The bartender asked with a smile as he grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge behind him.

"Is it that obvious?" I said, grabbing the bottle from the counter and handing him my card.

"Well, patrons usually get more alcohol to quench their thirsts." We both shared a laugh before I turned to walk back to our booth. I walked passed a private room, and I couldn't help but notice that the door was cracked open a bit. I didn't really intend for it to happen, but I caught a glimpse of what was inside. 

A man was facing the door, standing at the edge of a table, thrusting back and forth into a woman with her legs spread wide while she was lying on the table. I could barely hear the moans and groans from all the noise inside the club, but there was something familiar about the voice. I stood there looking at them, and when the man raised his head, my heart just stopped.

"Sebastian...?"