Chapter 216

I didn't want to be a burden and right now it sure feels like I am.

As I watch Ashton disappear through the crowd I hear a chuckle. Axel. I stiffen. "Sneakers to a pool party," his chuckle is deep as he teases me. Another difference between the twins was that Axel's voice was way deeper.

I fist my hands at my sides. Axel may be a douche to me but I knew that he'd never actually hurt me, which was why Ashton trusted him with me.

"Shut up," I hiss under my breath, just as Masha, one of Axel's flings, walks over to him and curls herself into his side.

"There you are baby," she coos, her squeaky voice irritating to my ears. When Axel doesn't give her the attention she needs, her eyes follow where his attention was. On...me.

Her eyes burn, shifting into one of jealousy and bitterness. "Why is she here?" Masha snarls under her breath, stressing on the word she.

Axel lifted the cup to his lips, his eyes not leaving mine and I bit the inside of my cheek. "I'm on babysitting duty," he snorts, gulping down his drink in one go.

My eyes sting and my belly knots. I knew Axel didn't really care about me but he should have a little decency to at least not taunt me.

Masha's eyes narrowed. " Let me guess. She's following Ashton like the lost little lovesick puppy she is," she pushes off Axel whose jaw clenched by her words and squeezed the cup in his hand. He threw it on the ground.

"Poor little Winter just can't get it through her thick skull that Ashton will never see her in the way she wants," Masha snorts, eyes turning a dangerous color of hatred.

"Who would want you?" she swirls the liquid in her cup, stepping closer. "Stupid broke bitch with no one."

I flinched, her words causing a raw string of emotion that made my throat tighten uncomfortably. I cannot cry here. Not now, not in front of her and Axel.

My eyes shift from hers to look at Axel behind her who still had that stupid smirk playing on his face, his arms folded and a slight lift on his brow as if waiting to see what I'd do.

My hands fisted and I glared at him. "At least I'm not fucking someone who would never claim me. Giving yourself to him over and over won't make him claim you, Masha. So many better options, am I right Axel?"

Axel looks slightly surprised, his eyebrow lifting higher as he whistles. "Damn pipsqueak, who thought you had it in you?" his lips curve into a grin as he chuckles.

Masha's mouth drops slightly, her perfectly manicured fingers tightening around the cup as the liquid dangerously sloshes close to the edge.

As I lifted my chin, gloating inwardly that I had managed to stun her, Masha did something that turned the tables in her favor.

My eyes clench tightly as the liquid bathes across my upper body and face. It seeps through the material of my shirt, clinging to my skin like the shame I currently feel.

Gasp rippled through the air and laughter danced next. I freeze, my heart dropping in my belly. My soaked shirt was now clinging to me and I was more than a hundred percent sure that the outline of the too small bikini I was hiding was now visible.

"Oops, I must've slipped," Masha mocked and as I opened my eyes, I stared at her cruel smirk.

"Masha," Axel barked which was a bit shocking but Masha had never gone this far before. I blinked, my tears now revealing themselves as I looked at him one last time before turning around and sprinting away from them and the laughing party-goers.

"Pipsqueak!" Even with me already humiliated, he manages to still call me that stupid name.

I don't respond, just continue running away, trying my best to move around the bodies to make my way upstairs.

My vision is blurry, not from the alcohol, not from the stupid LED lights but from the tears that rolls off my cheeks.

I took two stairs at a time, my wet shirt sticking to me, the material wet and cold against my skin. I could still hear their laughter downstairs, echoing as if it was chasing me.

Finally I reached the second floor, ignoring the couples that were making out and yanked open the first door I found unlocked. It was dark and empty thankfully.

I slammed the door behind me, locking it quickly in case someone had followed me here. A choked breath leaves my lips and I turn around, sliding to the floor.

Stupid.

So stupid for thinking that for once I'd not be awkward and fit in.

So stupid for thinking for once.....Axel would finally be on my side and help me.

So stupid for believing that he cared.