“He’s a son of a bitch!” Emily exclaims, and I sigh in disappointment.
“It’s been five days, and he hasn’t even had the guts to talk to you or send a single message,” she says, clearly offended. I glance at her, feeling my lip tremble.
I wanted to defend him somehow, to say maybe he was busy with work or dealing with a family issue. Maybe that’s why he hasn’t spoken to me.
But that would be a lie-both to her and to myself.
“Holy shit, Nina. No, not again!” she groans as tears start to roll down my cheeks.
A lump forms in my throat as she places her hands firmly on my shoulders.
“You can’t keep crying over him! It’s been five days of this, and it’s not healthy,” she murmurs worriedly. I hiccup, trying to suppress my sobs.
“I miss him,” I sob, finally breaking down completely.
“No, you don’t miss a thing!” she snaps. I bite my lower lip, struggling to hold back more tears. “You’ve cried enough all week. You’ve let Alex get into your head long enough. But this has to stop. This isn’t healthy!” she insists. “Alex is a son of a bitch who doesn’t even realize what he has. My God, Nina! You’re young, beautiful, charismatic-you’ve got a supermodel’s body and everything!” she exclaims.
I shake my head in denial, but she grabs my face, forcing me to meet her determined gaze.
“Don’t believe me?” she challenges.
“Emily…” I try to protest weakly.
“Get up. We’re leaving,” she says with authority.
“What?” I frown, confused.
“As you heard me-we’re leaving.” She strides toward her closet, rummages for a moment, then throws a black skirt and gray crop top my way. “Put this on. The more skin you show today, the better,” she winks at me.
I grimace. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m saying we’re going out tonight. We’re going to have fun, get drunk, and, if it’s a good night, maybe have sex,” she exclaims dramatically. My eyes widen in shock.
“Emily, I have a boyfriend!” I say incredulously. She rolls her eyes.
“Where is he?” she asks bluntly, and I falter.
“I can’t do that,” I whisper. Emily bursts out laughing.
“I never said you had to sleep with anyone,” she shrugs. “I just said maybe-if the night goes really well and fate happens to put a hot guy in our path. But that’s a *maybe*,” she teases, and I laugh despite myself.
She stares at me for a few moments before sighing. “Come on, Nina. You can’t hide forever. Alex needs to see you don’t depend on him. He needs to understand that if he messes up, *he’s* the one who has to fix it-not you,” she says softly, her words bringing tears to my eyes.
I think it over, and eventually, I nod, causing Emily to squeal in excitement.
I head to the bathroom to change into the outfit she gave me. The skirt barely reaches mid-thigh, and the strappy crop top covers just enough. I glance in the mirror, brush my hair to one side, and apply some makeup to conceal the dark circles from my sleepless nights. A bit of gloss adds a soft tint to my lips, and I decide I’m ready.
Emily, still in her underwear, is digging through her closet, so I grab my phone.
**MSG from Luke pops up on WhatsApp**
“Emily told me you’re coming to the party tonight. Finally! About time you left that apartment and joined us for some fun!”**
I roll my eyes, smiling faintly.
**”Idiot,”** I reply, unable to suppress a small grin.
*End of MSG via WhatsApp*
Isaac told me Andrew will be there-the guy you were with last time,” Emily says casually.
“What guy?” I ask, biting my lip in thought.
Emily shakes her head, laughing.
A car horn blares outside, signaling our ride.
I just hope tonight is worth it.
Alex’s POV
“You alone, pretty boy?” James asks, clapping a hand on my shoulder. I frown but don’t bother responding, scanning the room instead.
“Hey, handsome, want to dance?” A blonde woman steps in front of me, her hands already on my shoulders. She’s short, curvy, and dressed provocatively.
“I have a girlfriend,” I say curtly, removing her hands and walking away.
I can’t believe people assume I belong here just because I’m dressed casually. A change of wardrobe doesn’t erase the exhaustion etched in my face or the dark circles under my eyes.
This place is chaos-drunk teenagers kissing, dancing, and worse. God, I don’t remember college parties being this wild.
As I push through the crowd, I’m searching for one person: Nina.
Suddenly, I bump into someone.
“Watch it!” she snaps. I look down, ready to apologize, but then I see her-red eyes, dilated pupils, pale lips, and swaying unsteadily.
“Emily? Are you okay?” I ask, gripping her shoulders as she smiles, her teeth bared.
“I feel great!” she exclaims, wobbling even more.
I hold her upright as she giggles.
“Where’s Nina?” I demand.
Emily rolls her eyes and begins to stumble away. I grab her waist to steady her.
“Where is she, Emily?”
She smirks lazily, raising her eyebrows. “You’re not Nina’s boyfriend.”
I narrow my eyes. “What are you talking about? I *am* her boyfriend.”
She laughs cynically. “No, her boyfriend’s name is… Alec? No, no, Aiden? Wait, no-Alex!” she finally remembers, and I roll my eyes.
“That’s me!” I snap.
“No, you’re not,” he says, starting to walk away. I sigh in frustration. “If you were her boyfriend, I would’ve already told you that Nina is with my boyfriend, and I should be with hers.” He raises his eyebrows, and I frown.
“What do you mean?” I asks, looking confused for a moment. “What do you mean your boyfriend is with Nina?” I snap, and she smiles cynically.
“Let’s dance. I want you to feel what I feel. I thought they both cared about me, but they left me alone. I’m so angry,” she growls, pulling me toward a group of teenagers dancing joyfully .
I shake my head, scanning the crowd for Nina. I almost leave, but then I think of Emily.
Niall and Nina would kill me if something happened to her… Damn.