Stella felt lost.

Realization dawned on her ; Hailey didn't return.

Quickly, she checked her wrist watch and . .it had been thirty minutes and still there was no sign of her best friend. Different scenarios popped in her head. All the horrible stories she had heard about parties made bile ride to her throat.

When they arrived, people were acting decent but now, the table had flipped. Drinks had been consumed and hormones were raging. Stella swallowed hard, she looked like a child who had lost her way to the mart and now she didn't know which way to go.

Hailey had been the one who forced her to curl her brown hair and do some make-up that brought out her almond eyes. And. .how the hell will she find Hailey?! She couldn't get out of the house without mom or Hailey. How was she supposed to ask drunk ass people which way the Loo was?

What if. . .

Stella clutched the string of her sling purse so bad, it hurt. Her social anxiety was surfacing at its best.

She could recognize her class mates but they didn't recognize her. They were busy passing red cups and sloshing drinks.

Her troubled eyes seeked out Chuck in hope of-what?

In hope of finding him with Chuck. .

But he was nowhere.

In fact the only reason she agreed to come was . .him. She had hid the actual reason from Hailey but deep down she know Hailey knew.

She wanted to go home with Hailey intact.

And in one piece.

Steeling her feeble heart, she took a step forward. .and rushed back to her place!

That one bold move made several eyes look her way!

"Hailey. ." She whispered softly, the familiar name giving her some sort of power.

Strength.

She had to find her!

Nodding, she walked forward, her insides mashed up , her gut clenched , skin turned hot . .someone whistled but she kept going. Really, she wasn't seeing much . .she just kept going.

Stella flinched when a shoulder shoved into her, getting her arm.

"Hot damn." was whispered in her ear.

Turning pale , she sped up and nearly ran up to the stairs , climbing two at a time. Her heart slammed against her chest.

"Calm down calm down." She kept saying it over and over again.

The fact that she was reclusive and an introvert . .she cursed Hailey! People were strewn across the corridor, drinking up and eyeing people. A sudden guffaw would spike up her heart beat.

Keeping herself to the shadows, she made sure to stick to the wall, her hand traced the wall with each step. All she could see were shut doors, the lights were dimmed , an eerie yellow that turned the environment more threatening then it actually was.

Licking her dry lips, she almost gave up. Cave in. Surrender to her fears and-

Her cellphone buzzed in her purse.

Stella took out her cell and swiped the screen.

1 new message

She knew who could it be.

She hadn't even open the message and her heart calmed down for she knew who the sender was.

He wasn't here and yet she felt him all around.

Giving her a sense of security.

Stella tapped the message open.

Where you at?

She fired away a reply.

At Chuck's house. Can you come over?

It had to be her very first time asking him to come , they never talked at school , not even on call. He didn't like it and . .she wasn't ready too.

But now, she needed someone familiar.

Patiently, she waited for five minutes and nearly jumped when a message got dropped in her inbox.

She couldn't believe the words blinking at her.

On my way.

What?! He was on his way to . .her! Suddenly she forgot all about Hailey as another catastrophe fell on her head. Her heart went into overdrive as she covered her mouth.

"He's coming. .no way. No freaking way." Her nails dug into her skin while she shook her head in disbelief.

They never talked.

Face to face.

Nor did acknowledge each other.

And . .

He was on his way?!

She was on the verge of losing her shit when the door beside her slammed open , gaining her attention, a very disheveled Hailey stepped out , fixing her dress . .and their eyes clashed.

Hailey's eyes widened.

Stella cried out in happiness.

Shocked , Hailey saw her propel herself towards her and her arms went around her.

"Oh my God! I thought you died or-,"

"Got raped?" Hailey added.

Stella nodded wildly.

She pulled back, looking at her blonde friend closely . Her eyes had a weird gloss in them and her lips. .

"You kissed?!"

Hailey's face turned red but she didn't deny it. " Maybe . More than that. "

"You had sex with-mmmph!!" Stella yelled.

Hailey had to clamp a hand over her mouth.

"Goodness no! Can you shut up?!" Hailey hissed.

And Stella ripped away her hand.

"We have to leave. Now."

"Okay but first let me say goodbye to my boyfriend-,"

Stella grabbed her hand.

"No time. I asked Brad to come and-and I can't face him. I mean I'm not ready alright? He's Brad and I'm Stella and-,"

"You do realize you aren't making any sense?" Hailey mused , seeing her friend all over the place.

"Move." Stella rushed, now walking and dragging her behind. Hailey let her take charge knowing how easy it was for her friend to burst into a bubble of nerves.

Stella didn't breath properly until they were out of the house , the music distant.

"Let me. .let me breath bitch." Hailey got breathless and she stopped on the dark pavement.

"You . .you. .Ian is your boyfriend?" Stella tried to catch her breath. The both of them leaned against the wall beside the house, thankful for the street lights.

Hailey nodded.

"Officially. I like him. He likes me. The end."

"That was fast." Stella noted.

Hailey was about to reply when wheels screeched on the road to stop, they covered their ears. . seeing a Porsche skid to halt in front of Chuck's house.

A dark figure stepped out of the car.

"Brad. ." Stella froze. Not daring to breath.

They couldn't see much in the dark since he was bathed in shadows , he moved towards the house. Getting in.

"I wonder what he would say when he gets to know mademoiselle Stella hightailed." Hailey smirked.

Stella groaned.

And right on cue, her cell buzzed angrily.

Sick to her stomach, she opened up the message , hiding the screen from Hailey's prying eyes.

I can't find you.

"Here goes nothing." Stella muttered.

I just left. Sorry.

She didn't get any reply.

And Hailey started to walk , asking her to catch up since it was getting late.

Stella kept watching the screen with hope but. .

Getting impatient, she fired away a message again.

Listen , I'm sorry alright? I freaked out and texted you.

The relation they had didn't allow her to get her hopes high.

The reply she got . .confused her.

Whenever you freak out, say my name.

Maybe she should get her hopes high.

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