CHAPTER FIFTEEN

THE GIRL

I avoid him.

It’s the only reasonable option. All of this started since he showed up. Okay, my life was kind of a mess already but, it has gotten crazier since I met him.

So for two whole days, I dodge every opportunity to run into khylon. I skip the elevator and add a few extra minutes to my shifts. And when he offered me a ride home yesterday, I casually lied about having a class.

He’s not outside a lot himself. Mostly only during the day but at night he just stays indoors. His car never leaves the driveway after sunset, I know this because I’ve been going to bed late recently for a group project.

THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE.

It’s a stupid topic, but that’s what we ended up with, everyone wanted something simple and easy to g****e. Especially Liam.

That’s why I’m not surprised when I see a text from him in the group chat.

‘Appreciate all the hard work guys. Drinks on me tonight! Who’s in?’

Of course he wants to “celebrate our hard work” now. The only thing he contributed was a meme during the group meeting and a smile at the presentation. Now he wants us all to meet at a bar downtown.

Brittany is away for the weekend. I’m alone, confused, eating an apple I found in the fridge and khylon still hasn’t said anything about leaving me at the bar or randomly becoming my upstairs neighbor. I tell myself It doesn’t matter.

So I text back : Sure I’m in.

I dress like I have no care in the world. Hair in a sleek ponytail, cream halter bodysuit, tiny black skirt that barely reaches mid thigh, heels that I haven’t worn since forever and a light pink lipstick.

If Britts saw me right now, she would scream. Or shed tears of joy.

I meet Liam and a few others at a noisy bar downtown. Nothing like the one Khylon took me to. Here, it’s messier, packed with sweaty students and smells like vodka and bad decisions.

They are already buzzed and partying when I arrived.

“You clean up real nice” Liam says, eyes scanning down my legs before sliding me a drink. I fake a laugh and take it. The vodka burns my throat a little but the cranberry aftertaste lingers on my tongue. So i have another one.

“Is that Elowen?”

“No way.”

“Girl, I thought you ghosted us forever,” Hannah says, sliding over on the seat to make space for me.

“I’ve been around,” I shrug, easing into the group.

“You’ve been in that library,” Danny says, raising his cup. “Carrying the whole damn group project like it’s your personal thesis.”

“Some of us need distractions,” I reply, with a smile.

“Still… It’s cool you’re out with us. For once,” Hannah adds gently, and I see Liam glance over like he’s watching my reaction.

We dance a little and try to talk about things that don’t have to do with school or classes. But the music is too loud to actually talk, and I’m not here to talk anyway. I just want to forget. About the alley, the river. About the feel of warm hands rinsing dirt off my skin. Tonight I want to relax, I let the beat take over my body.

“Come on” Liam grabs my hand. “Take it easy with that.” He puts the glass back down on the table. At this point, I’ve kind of lost count of how many glasses it’s been. The drinks are surprisingly really good.

Don’t judge a bar by its cover I guess.

I sway a little, laugh at nothing and then, I hear a snap. My ankle twists sideways as my heel breaks off.

“Ow—shit!” I hiss, catching myself before I hit the ground completely.

Liam’s hands are suddenly on my waist.

“Whoa. You okay?”

“Fine. Just my dignity.”

He laughs. “I think your shoe’s dead.”

I hold it up to my face. The heel is wobbling. That’s why they were in the bottom of my closet. Right.

“Some of us are heading to Paloma’s after this,” Liam says, helping me stand upright. “It’s her birthday, I think. You coming?”

I shake my head, already regretting this whole night. “I’m good. I think I need to call it.”

I think I accomplished what I came out here for, I spent time with friends, some guy got me a drink, and I actually flirted a little bit. Most importantly, I’m not thinking about Khylon or his large muscles right now.

“Want me to drop you somewhere?” Liam interjects my thoughts. “We’re leaving now. Sure you don’t wanna come?”

I hesitate for a second, then nod. “Yeah. Just drop me at home. Thanks.”