I paused outside my door, hearing the soft murmur of voices from downstairs. My mom was still up. I didn't want to make a sound. So I slipped out quietly, careful not to let the floorboards creak beneath my feet.
The cool night air hit me the moment I stepped outside. It felt like freedom, like the first small step away from everything I'd been holding onto. I started walking toward the party near the beach, the distant music and laughter floating through the air.
Part of me wanted to turn around and go back to my room—to forget the whole thing. But maybe it was time to stop hiding, and maybe I didn't need to keep my feet rooted in one place.
Then I saw him. The guy who invited me. He was leaning against a driftwood log, his smile easy and a little crooked. He caught my eye and nodded, like he'd been waiting for me.
I swallowed, stepped forward.
"Hey," he said.
"Hey," I said back, feeling a little breathless even though it wasn't like I was doing anything yet.
"You made it," he said, eyes curious.
"Yeah," I answered, shrugging like I didn't care but secretly hoping he'd keep talking.
But then my eyes drifted away from him, catching movement across the pool. Under the glow of string lights was Steven? With his usual confident smirk on full display as he switched between two girls—kissing one and then dancing close with the other.
I blinked, trying to process the scene. It stung more than I expected not because of jealousy, but because I didn't know which version of Steven this was. The one I met at the cafe? Or this?
For a moment, I froze. "Wow, he's a real flirt" I whispered to myself.
Steven's eyes flicked my way, and suddenly my chest tightened like I'd swallowed a fist. I panicked, my fingers clutching at the guy who'd invited me. "Hey, where can I get a drink around here?"
He gave me a quick smile and handed me a glass. "Right over there, my lady" he said, nodding toward the makeshift bar.
I was just about to take a sip when Nicholas appeared out of nowhere, grabbing the drink from my hand. My eyes widened in confusion.
"Hey, why'd you do that?" the guy asked, surprise flickering in his voice.
Nicholas smirked and pointed back at him. "Why don't you drink it first."
Before the guy could protest, Steven also appeared beside me, his presence sudden and firm. I didn't have any idea what was happening. They stared down the guy that made the air between them crackle.
Raised both of his hands as he said, "Okay man, she's all yours." Then he shrugged and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.
Steven and Nicholas turned to me. "You okay?"
I blinked, still trying to catch my breath. Nicholas's eyes locked onto mine, serious and sharp.
"That drink…" he said quietly, "It was drugged. I saw Luis slip something in it."
My heart lurched. Luis? The guy who invited me here. The one who seemed so nice.
"Why would he do that?" I whispered, disbelief sinking in.
Nicholas shook his head. "Some people here aren't who they seem. You gotta watch your back."
I swallowed hard, the weight of his words settling in my chest. How was I supposed to know who to trust? Everyone around me felt like a puzzle with missing pieces, and I wasn't sure which ones would fit or shatter everything.
Steven stepped closer, his gaze never leaving mine. "You're safe now. Just stick with us."
I swallowed hard, the party suddenly feeling a lot darker than it had a minute ago.
Nicholas glanced around. "I should drive you home. It's not safe for you to stay here." he said.
I nodded, grateful but a little scared. The night had taken a turn I wasn't ready for. But before I could say anything else, Steven stepped forward, his voice firm. "No. I'll take her home."
Nicholas raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "You sure about that?"
Steven's eyes didn't waver. "Yeah. I'm sure."
I looked between them, feeling a strange mix of relief and uncertainty. Somehow, in the chaos of the night, Steven felt like the one person I could trust.
Steven nodded at me. "Sit here. I'll grab my shirt and keys."
I hesitated, then said, "I saw you were busy earlier… I can go home by myself instead."
He glanced at me, his expression calm but firm. "No. I'm taking you home first. That's it."
I sank onto a nearby bench, trying to steady my breathing. The night felt heavier now, the music and laughter turning into a distant hum around me.
Then, out of nowhere, Taylor appeared, weaving through the crowd.
"Hey, Nick!" she called.
He turned toward her, relief softening his features. "Taylor, I just went out to breathe some air."
Taylor glanced at me briefly before pulling Nicholas inside. I watched them disappear into the crowd, the tension in my chest refusing to ease. Why did she look at me like that?
Steven finally returned, keys jingling at his fingers. "Ready?" he asked.
I nodded, standing up and brushing dust from my dress, trying to steady my nerves.
I followed Steven to his car, the night air cool against my skin as I tried to calm the flutter in my chest. I still couldn't believe I almost fell for Luis's tricks. I stole a glance at Steven—calm, sure, the only solid thing I could hold onto tonight.
"Why are you even here alone?" Steven asked quietly once we were inside. "Especially since you're new in town. Guys around here… you can't just trust them."
I shrugged, avoiding his gaze. "I don't know. It's my first time being invited to a party by a guy."
He glanced at me, concern flickering in his eyes. "You don't have to do that. Not alone."
We drove in silence for a while, the hum of the engine the only sound between us.
"You can just drop me off around here. My mother doesn't know I'm outside."
Steven slowed, pulling up just near my house.
He nodded, and for a moment, I expected him to drive off. But to my surprise, he didn't turn the car around right away.
He just waited. Quiet. Watching. Like he wanted to make sure I got inside safely.
I took a deep breath and slipped inside, feeling a little less alone than I had all night. Only after the door clicked shut behind me did he start the engine again, heading back toward the party.
I couldn't help but wonder—would anyone else have waited like that? Or was Steven the only one who actually cared?
I snapped back, the sudden urge to get to my room before Mom caught me hitting hard. Quietly, I slipped inside and closed the door behind me, letting myself fall onto the bed like a weight I didn't know I'd been carrying all night.
My phone buzzed. An unknown number.
- "Are you home? Nicholas here."
How did he even get my number? I stared at the screen, my mind racing for an answer but coming up blank. Was it okay to reply? Was I supposed to be thankful?
Before I could decide, another message popped up and it's from Steven this time:
- "Take a rest. Be careful next time. If you need to party, just tell me. I'll be your DD."
I couldn't help but let a small smile creep onto my lips. Weird how a few words could make me feel both more confused and a little less alone.
I typed a quick reply, thanking him for looking out for me. After I sent the message, my fingers loosened their grip on the phone. Sleep was already tugging at my eyelids, heavier than anything I'd felt all day.
But after everything that happened today, I couldn't shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, for the first time in a long while, I was finally ready to let my guard down.