Chapter 22

Brenda’s POV

I glared at Laura. I was trying so hard to drag Laura out with me tonight. I practically begged her, but she gave me that tired smile that gets her out of things.

“It wasn't planned, Brenda. I don't feel it.” She replied.

“I will get you a new bag,” I wiggled my brows at her.

“Nah. Don't bribe me,” She said playfully.

I looked at her, trying to blink my eyes at her innocently. Laura just wasn't bulging.

My other two friends hurried in and held me by the arm.

“Come on, Brenda or we are going to be late,” they were pulling me to the door.

I poured, begging Laura with my eyes, if she was going to change my mind and follow me to the club, but she just stared and waved as I was dragged out.

Minutes later, we arrived at a newly launched club. It was the talk of the city, and people wanted to go there. The music in the club was way too loud.

I was sitting, with a drink in my hand, watching people partying and doing all sorts of fun things.

“Hmm,” I breathed in, a subtle feeling of self pity creeping in.

“Oh! Why did I come, I should have just stayed back,” I mumbled to myself, regretting coming out and not staying back with Laura.

I didn't feel I took another slow sip from my glass, staring at the flashing lights overhead. I looked around and couldn't even see the friends I came with.

It seemed they were off somewhere on the dance floor, completely lost in the crowd.

It was strange. Usually, I love the club. I was always the loud one, the life of the party, the girl on top of the couch with a bottle in her hand. But tonight, everything just felt flat. I felt completely on my own in the middle of a packed room.

Nah. I stood up, finished my drink in one quick gulp, and walked toward the crowded dance floor. I needed to stop thinking.

A guy bumped into my shoulder, I turned and recognized him from school.

“Hey…”

“Want to dance?” I just grabbed his arm, pulled him close, and started dancing with him. Within two minutes, his hands were on my waist, and we were making out right there. I closed my eyes and forced myself to get lost in the music.

Richard’s POV.

I saw her the second she walked into the VIP section but I decided to look away and ignore her, after all I didn't forget she literally tried to kill me.

Brenda was sitting by herself at a corner table, swirling the ice around in her glass. It was weird seeing her like that and without her best friend.

Usually, you could hear Brenda before you even saw her. She was always bright, loud, and energetic, and annoying, I wouldn't forget that.. But sitting there in the dim club light, she just looked... small. Lonely, almost, peaceful.

Peaceful? No… Brenda and peace can not exist in a sentence.

I told myself I didn't care. I leaned back against the bar, ordering a drink and playing it cool like I always did. I didn't care.

Then she got up. My eyes followed her through the dark room as she walked right into the middle of the crowd.

A guy from school caught her attention, and before I could even blink, she was wrapped around him. She pulled him in and started kissing him like she had no care.

It stung. I tried to shrug it off and act completely nonchalant, but I couldn't stop looking. My gaze stayed locked on her the entire time, keeping an eye on her as the crowd shifted back and forth.

I shouldn't care.

Ten minutes later, I glanced back toward the dance floor. She was gone.

I scanned the bar, the booths, and the exit doors. Nothing. I couldn't comprehend the bad feeling that hit my stomach, so I set my glass down and headed straight for the front doors.

The cool night air hit my face as soon as I stepped outside. I looked down the parking lot and there she was, walking towards her car.

She seemed to be staggering, one of her arms wrapped around his shoulder. She was completely drunk, barely able to keep her feet on the pavement.

I was surprised to notice that I was trailing after. I sighed, she was none of my business and my responsibility.

I shook my head and turned around to walk back inside. It wasn't my business. I was ready to just leave her to her mess.

"Stop it! I said get off me!"

Her voice cut through the quiet alley. I paused and turned back.

Brenda was trying to push the guy back, her hands flat against his chest. She was stumbling, trying to pull away from him, but the guy wasn't letting her go. He grabbed her wrist, dragging her back toward him.

"Come on, Brenda, don't do that," the guy snapped, his voice aggressive. "You were all over me inside. Don't act now."

"I told you no!" Brenda yelled, trying to yank her arm free, but she was too drunk to get a real grip.

I was going to watch her get humbled but my sense stood on alert when I saw him moving her to his own car.

I didn't even think. I just walked in long strides, my blood boiling underneath.

I reached out, and grabbed the guy's collar, yanking him completely off her.

"Is the word no foreign to you?" my voice low and dead serious as I stepped right between them.

"Walk away, Monroe. This is none of your business.” He looked at me, a dangerous glint in his eyes. It seemed he was a big drunk.

“And what if I don't!” I challenged him, stepping in front of his face. Seeing the dead look on my face, he gritted his teeth and flung Brenda.

I quickly caught her while she mumbled curses.

“Fuck you, asshole.”

I watched her face, my eyes subconsciously trailing to her lips.