C h a p t e r    2 7

Hailey's POV

"How are they doing?" I asked Nathan who just fetched a news from the room Chase and Nikki was, for the mini proposal.

Nathan shrugged. "Not very pleasant. The last time I heard was Chase yelling, then they went mute."

"What?! Nathan, how will I know if Chase wouldn't hurt Nikki?" I asked nervously.

If Chase done something to Nikki I would be dead. No matter what, I had to deal with the consequences. Thursday after school, I logged in on the internet then Nathan's message popped on my facebook inbox, asking me if I could get Nikki to attend a party he would throw, if ever. Although, before I agreed I probed Nathan about the information I must, and need to know starting from bottom to top.

He said, if I get Nikki to come everything will be fine. And that Chase can handle it all, but, what about Nikki? Yet, I agreed to be a part of this plan because I believe both of them has hidden feelings that must be tapped out.

I just hoped I was right but as Nathan said, things doesn't seem to be doing great. I sighed defeated, flumping on one of the bar stools.

"Hey, everything is gonna be fine." Nathan assured, sitting down next to me.

That was what he had been telling since they took Nikki, but I really couldn't tell if I should not worry. Scott however, should be a part of the plan but he keeled over with the liquiors before we even started.

"Let's just wait for them." He smiled, tapping me on my shoulder as I nodded in agreement.

Nikki's POV

Chase stood up before extending his right hand. "Come on, let's go. Didn't you come here to hang out with your friends?"

I nodded a response before grabbing his hand. "Glad you remembered."

Just a couple of minutes away I told Chase I would give it a try. And like he said, he would give me some time to know him before deciding, whether to take his proposal or not. I think that way it would be a safe play. Would it?

"So, that's your first move?" I smiled, not trying to offend him or in any way.

"Well to say so, I'll still be this gentleman."

I snorted out a short laugh before responding, "Right, and by definition of gentleman you mean?"

"Ill-bred." He fessed up. "But, hey! I'm not all that, right?"

I shook my head lightly in a frolicsome manner. "I highly doubt that."

Chase opened the door and escorted me like I was his granny while we approached the dark hallway.

Stupid hallways, they should be lightened up. They're the same as highways! I thought as we walked in silence but with the loud music on the open.

As we got closer, vision of the sobered teens before were nearly wasted as they wiggle for a dance. Suddenly, a voice slung towards us that was twice as sharp as the sound coming out from the speakers. Running towards us was Hailey.

"Nikki!" She chants with her beaming joy of triumph, approaching us as she looped her arms on my neck, hugging me.

So, their 'plan' succeeded. Yay! I thought rolling my eyes.

"I hate you!" I embraced her back like it had been a long time since we last saw each other.

Chase walked by, eying me with an 'I'll go meet the guys' kind of thing. Then I nodded in response. At least that was what I thought it was.

"Hailey, you're unbelievable." I shook my head,

"Aww, Nikki. You know what, you have been telling me stories about you and Chase, but you don't even know you already fell for him." She spoke in a sweet voice.

I was puzzled, "I did?"

"Uh-huh, so tell me what happened with the both of you for an hour inside the room?"

"Now?" I probed. "We're at the party, I'm not gonna talk all about it now!"

"Oh my gosh! Is it that personal?" Hailey gasped.

"What?! Hailey, no! I said we're at the party, jeez!"

"Oh, right! Okay, let's go! The dance floor is waiting for us!" She squealed, grabbing my wrist and pulling me along with her as we weaved through the deep sea of crowds.

Everyone danced with no order, whooping joyfully along the music while Hailey and I occasionally bumped into almost everyone we passed by. In less than a few seconds, a man dressed in black, professionally walked in front of us blocking our path.

"Mr. Grey thought you might want a drink." The shabby man spoke handing me a cold drink from his tray.

Really thoughtful, Chase.

"Uhh... thanks." I hesitated for a moment before I took the drink and glanced around searching for Chase on the crowded floor, but failed to do so.

The man excused and went back to taking another rounds of serving drinks while Hailey slyly stared at me. That kind of look that could speak a thousands of words.

"I hated when you do that." I griped monotonously, lifting my hand to drink from the glass.

The cold liquid flowed from the clear glass to my mouth as my taste buds tingled with the unfamiliar taste of it. As it slid down, I felt the sting in my throat which I instinctively gulped everything I sipped.

"Jeez, what the heck!" I gagged while placing my arm on my throat.

When I found Chase, I'm literally gonna kick his golden balls.

"That's no water, is it?"

"I was expecting you'd say---" I paused and stared at her.

Hailey knew I hated alcoholic drinks.

"Chase asked me if you ever drank alcohol, and I said no." Hailey slurred, crossing her fingers while biting her lower lip.

"Hailey!" I grumbled, releasing a deep sigh before putting the glass down on the table beside us.

"Please don't be mad." She pleased.

I laughed, "Are you being serious right now?"

The liquid somehow stuck in my throat and all I wanted now was...

"Water." I chocked.

"Oh come on! It's not like you drank poison or something."

"It's an alcohol, Hailey."

"Ugh! We don't have time for that! Let's go!" She exclaimed as she squealed excitedly.

[Am I Wrong - Tr3ybeatz Remix]

Another song blared on the speakers and I glimpsed over to the DJ who seems to change a character. Nathan must have kicked the other DJ and called an urgent replacement. I thought.

"Nikki!!! Hailey!!! Over here!!" Torry and Sandra vociferated in unison as we payed heed to them who were leaping joyfully in the middle of the dance floor.

The bitter taste soon long forgotten as internal heat rose in my stomach. Hailey then, vigorously pulled my doll arm which I think will be disconnected by another pulling attempt to get to where Torry and Sandra were.

"You two look great!" Torry loudly opinionated.

"Both of you, too!" Hailey shouted back as we started to grooved along the beat, feeling the rhythm, and letting our body move in synchronization.

Doesn't really matter if you could dance or not, because everything you do when you were on the dance floor would be counted for as dancing. You leap, dancing. Make love, dancing. You stand while raising both of your arms, still dancing.

[The Chainsmokers - Roses (Zaxx remix)]

We danced and danced until our feet ached, unable to catch up on what time was it. Other kids already left the party completely wasted, which made Nathan really proud of himself.

The floor wasn't much crowded as before and I could actually see the white flourished tile turned into gray, powdered by shoe dirts, spilled liquid, wrappers of a spearmint gum to envelop horrible breath after drinking, beer cans, and a couple of clothes. I wasn't surprised on how much alcohol these kids could consume in one night. It was literally been a picture to every party setting you find these days. I just feel nauseated. Don't they want to live a little longer?

It has been really fun dancing with my friends as we laughed out on some random tipsy guy who danced across the room totally out of his mind. Not causing a havoc, he was completely harmless, but not to himself. He bumped on the couch, fell down, and slipped on the floor countless of times, then stood up running around the room screaming YOLO.

Heat rose up on my face when I saw Chase magically appeared in front of me with his usual smirk. I didn't even notice him come. Well, I actually was scanning the whole area until my eyes set forth.

"You seem like you needed someone to dance with?"

"Well, I'm with..." I glanced around for Hailey and the others but saw them already on the counter.

No one... They ditched me? I whined inwardly.

Chase extended his hand while I stared at it and envisioned the whole scene if I took it. It wasn't like I don't know what the dance steps were, but it was me getting uncomfortable with Chase on this much of a publicity, I was just completely new to it.

"Are you gonna take my hand, or are you gonna take my hand?" He asked monotonously with his hand hanging.

"Chase.." I began but Chase seems to know the problem and cuts me off with his to-die-for words.

"Don't mind them..." He spoke, before leaning over to my ear to continue. "I'll be their threat."

His words sent shivers through my body. For some reason, I began to think of what Hailey mentioned to me earlier. Did I really fall for Chase? But, don't think like that, it's probably just the alcohol.

"Come on Nikki, my hand is getting tired." Chase spoke, impatiently.

I giggled before taking his hand.

A/N: Hey guys, I was gonna make this longer but I'm just gonna cut it here. I can't concentrate. I'm not feeling so well right now and if ever I'd end up at the hospital I'm leaving you guys this new chapter update since I don't want you all to wait much longer.

So I hope you liked this. I apologize if you don't. But I'll make it up to you all on the next chapter. Goodbye for now and hope you're all having a great dayyyy!!! :* ❤

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