11.26.2019

"I found this old dress for you to wear. I don't want you ruining my event of the season with your cheap dresses," Irene scoffs as she hands me a corseted black tulle dress.

"This was before I got my new boobs so it should fit you," she walks out without giving me a chance to say a word.

I stare at the strapped dress that reaches just below my knees. Even though Irene had called it old, it looked as good as new. And it looked expensive. I had brought a much fancier dress to wear than last time but it still was nothing compared to this. Besides, Irene would find something wrong with it anyway so it was best to wear what she wanted and not give her a chance to humiliate me again.

I had learned something from Emma when she would glam me up for any event at school so I was a lot better at applying make-up now. I settle on a smoky-eye with a nude lip and tie my hair back into a sleek bun. Luckily, I had brought black, block-heels with my dress so I put them on. When I look at myself in the mirror, I can at least say for certain that I won't be underdressed this time.

When I step out of the room, I almost slam into Nick. My eyes are focused on the bracelet I'm trying to clasp around my wrist so they don't notice the six-foot specimen walking by.

"Sorry," I mumble, looking up at him. He is dressed in a black suit with a black, silk tie. And whatever scent he's wearing is enough to intoxicate all of my senses.

"Wow," he whispers so low, I almost miss it. My cheeks blush under his gaze.

He looks almost nervous when he realizes he's staring.

"I mean, you look nice," he clears his throat.

"Thanks. So do you," I smile and return my focus to the silver bracelet and begin walking.

I don't notice him walking beside me until he speaks up again.

"Do you need any help with that?"

I stare at him through my lashes. "No, no. It's fine," I stop walking to focus my attention on the bracelet that keeps slipping from my hand.

His hands reach for my wrist and when they brush against my skin, the tingles travel all the way to my chest.

"Here, let me," he offers grabbing ahold of the bracelet.

I let it go, looking up at his focused face. My heart pounds in my chest at his close proximity.

"There," he clasps the bracelet into place and presents it with my hand still in his. He holds onto it as his eyes find mine. Butterflies erupt in my stomach and my knees almost betray me. My eyes rush to where his hand is holding mine, his skin brushing against mine as gently as a feather, and then return to meet his gaze.

"Thanks," I stutter, pulling my hand away from his grasp in an attempt to clear the thick fog of tension in the air.

He doesn't say another word and bolts downstairs without looking back. 

The dinner passes by rather quickly as I spend most of my time talking and catching up with Harry.

Everyone has moved from the dining room when we step outside and people are gathered all around. Harry leaves to find his friends. After attending almost every single event with the Graysons, he had made plenty of friends in their circle. I spot an empty couch near the fireplace and head over. 

I had avoided Oliver after our awkward encounter last Thanksgiving. He, on the other hand, had completely ignored it and continued texting me as usual after I returned to college. At first, I was confused but then I realized, maybe I was overthinking the whole situation. So, things between us went back to normal, as if nothing had happened. And maybe it hadn't and it was all in my head.

Except Oliver flirted with me every now and then. It was subtle and a lot of the times I missed it, but my intuition told me something was off. So, I tried to make sure I didn't give him any wrong ideas. It was a delicate situation since I didn't want to say anything that might jeopardize our friendship. For years, he was the closest friend I'd had and I couldn't throw it all away over something that might just be a simple misunderstanding.

"Have you been avoiding me tonight?" Oliver hands me a drink as he sits down next to me.

"What?" I act oblivious, as if what he had said wasn't actually true. "Of course not."

"One trip with Nick and you've already forgotten all about me," he sighs, jokingly.

"Oh, please. He's not that charming," I roll my eyes.

He doesn't reply and when I look over at him, he is staring intently at his drink.

"Do you wanna get out of here," he looks up at me with a tilted head.

"Sure. It is getting a little crowded in here," I note.

We both head outside where the music fades and the quiet calm takes over. Cold autumn air rushes against my skin providing relief after the humid room temperature. In the garden, dewdrops cover the roses and I stop to admire them. Oliver waits behind me.

"Mel?" he calls out, staring at me intensely.

"Yeah?" I spin to face him, the heels making me the same height as him.

He takes a step closer, eliminating the distance between us.

"You look beautiful tonight." He brings his hand to cup my face, his thumb rubbing against my cheek.

"Oliver, what are you doing?" I ask, nervously. The bushes behind block me from taking a step back.

His eyes turn dark as he stares at me and my stomach churns at the sight. His other hand finds my waist, pulling me even closer, our chests pressing together. The breath leaves my lungs as it becomes clear what is happening. My hands attempt to push him away but he doesn't budge.

Without a warning, his lips crash on mine. A tornado of emotions runs through my body. Confusion. Betrayal. Fear.

Pulling all my strength into my arms, I somehow manage to break away from the kiss.

"What are you doing?" I yell.

His hands never leave my body, still holding onto my waist. "What does it look like, Mel?" he breathes as his lips find mine again.

I lean back, trying to pull my face as far away as I can but he just follows along. Pressing my hands onto his stomach, I push him back again. This time hard enough for his hands to let go of me.

"Stop," I scream.

"What's the problem, Mel?" His tone is starting to sound annoyed.

Now is not the time for arguments. Now is the time to run.

I spin and bail in the opposite direction but he grabs my wrist and pulls me back.

"You didn't seem to have a problem when you were flirting with me for an entire year," he speaks through gritted teeth, his face inches from me, the annoyance in his voice slowly giving way to anger.

I search his eyes for the Oliver I knew. My best friend. But there is no sign of him anymore. It's just this monster standing in front of me.

"What are you talking about," I whisper, still struggling to get my wrists out of his grip.

"Sending me photos of yourself, calling mine hot, laughing at my dirty jokes. What do you think that is?"

"We were friends, Oliver," I yell as the tears start pooling in my eyes.

I had sent him photos. Sometimes he would even edit them for me. My intention was to only take his advice as a photographer before I posted anything. And when he started sending me his photos, I obviously paid him compliments. The few times he had sent me shirtless photos, I had thought that maybe it was inappropriate. But his Instagram was full of them so I never gave it much thought.

I could give an explanation for everything. But maybe I had unintentionally blurred the lines of our friendship.

"Friends don't behave that way, Mel," he whispers, his lips almost touching mine.

"I'm sorry I gave you the wrong idea," I fight back the tears.

"Don't worry. I understood you perfectly," he chuckles, his eyes full of lust as his lips crash onto mine again.

He pushes my struggling body against the bushes as his head dips into my neck. One of his hands moves up my waist, cupping around my breast, while the other slowly rides up my thigh. Every movement is harsh and painful. The tears flow freely now. I grip my hands around his arms trying to stop their movement. Pulling one away from my breast and preventing the other from going up my dress. But his hold just becomes stronger.

"Oliver, let me go," I scream. It's louder than before, maybe loud enough for someone close by to hear. The realization that someone might catch him seems to register in his mind too as I feel his body still for a second.

That is all I need to knee him in the groin and make a run for it. I don't look back as I hear him cuss under his breath. I just run, all the way to the entrance of the house. Luckily, he doesn't follow me.

I quickly wipe away the tears streaming down my face before stepping inside. My rushed walking turns a couple of confused heads, but no one else seems to notice. Just as I'm at the stairs, I feel someone grip my wrist making me stop in my tracks. A chill runs down my spine with the fear as he catches me again.

"Melody, is something wrong?"

Relief washes over me at the sound of his voice. I turn around to see Nick looking down at me with concern. Worry creases his forehead as he takes in my disheveled appearance. But it doesn't matter how nice he might be, Oliver is his brother and he would always take precedence over me.

"No. I'm just not feeling well," I swallow hard.

He stares at me for a few more seconds, his blue eyes searching my brown ones. Then he nods and lets go. I rush up the stairs without a second thought, not looking back.