chapter 8

Maeve

Frustration bubbled beneath the surface even though I tried to keep it together.

Phillip wrapped an arm around me and led me to a spot.

"You really came!" he exclaimed, making sure I heard him over the loud music.

"Yeah. I told you I would!" I smiled, trying to brighten up.

"Maeve, you look so hot," he said, his eyes roaming over me.

Phillip leaned in, trying to kiss me, but I was not in the mood.

I turned my head away. "Why do not we party first?" I suggested, brushing off his attempt.

"Okay!" he laughed.

Phillip started pouring me drinks, and I kept drinking. Coupled with everything I had been feeling, I drank far more than I normally would. At least, for a moment, I just wanted to feel free.

I still felt frustrated, but after a few more drinks, I slowly started feeling tipsy. My head felt light, my cheeks burned, and somehow, all the worries weighing me down did not seem so heavy anymore. I smiled to myself. Maybe this was exactly what I needed. A night where I did not have to think about that rude jerk called Nicholas.

I laughed softly and walked towards the dance floor. The music blasted through the speakers, and without caring who was watching, I started moving my body to the rhythm. I swayed my hips, letting myself get carried away by the music. It had been a while since I had felt this free, and for the first time in days, I was actually having fun.

A random guy soon walked up to me and started dancing along. I laughed, not thinking much of it as we continued moving to the music. I wasn't really aware of what I was doing but I was enjoying it.

"She is with me!" Phillip suddenly shouted from behind us, his voice loud enough to cut through the music.

I turned around sluggishly, the alcohol making everything feel a little slower.

"I am not with him!" I shouted back before turning to the guy again and continuing to dance.

The guy laughed and looked at Phillip.

"She does not want you, dude!" he yelled back, shaking his head.

I could not help laughing at that.

Phillip's expression immediately darkened. He pushed his way through the crowd, grabbed my arm, and shoved the guy away from me.

"What the hell is your problem?" the guy snapped, stumbling a step back.

"You were dancing with my girl!"

"I am not your girl," I blurted out, my words slightly slurred. I was so high at this point.

The guy smirked and shrugged.

"You heard her. Loser!” He snapped.

Phillip completely lost his temper. He shoved the guy again, and this time, the guy did not hesitate before punching him straight across the face, causing him to lose balance and stumble on the floor.

A loud gasp spread through the crowd as the two of them immediately started throwing punches at each other, people rushing over and trying to separate them while the music continued blasting in the background.

I stumbled to the floor, trying to find my balance. I was completely losing it, and at this point, I felt like I could pass out at any second. People were screaming as the fight escalated into something much bigger. I could not even keep track of what was happening anymore because my head was spinning, and I was still on the floor.

That idiot, he could not handle another guy dancing with me, yet he was the same person who wanted an open relationship.

Everything gradually became blurry. The music, the screaming, the people trying to separate the fight... it all started fading into one confusing mess. My vision doubled, and I could barely make out anyone's face anymore.

I was still on the floor, trying to push myself up when someone accidentally stepped on my leg. I barely felt it. My entire body had gone numb, and my head was so heavy that I could not even think straight.

I blinked slowly. A figure suddenly stopped right in front of me.

I frowned and looked up, trying to make out the person's face through my blurred vision. Nicholas?

No...no no. I had to be hallucinating.

There was no way he would be here.

Before I could make sense of anything, I felt something settle over my shoulders. It was warm... a jacket. I wanted to say something, but my lips refused to move.

The last thing I remembered was being lifted into someone's arms.

Then everything went black.