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CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR-
"electric atmosphere"

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MULTICOLOURED CHRISTMAS LIGHTS were strewn across the living room ceiling, creating a kaleidoscope of colour. They were paired with strobe lights that bathed the room in a pulsing, electric glow, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. The music thumped through the air, a hypnotic, rhythmic pulse that filled the room and the crowd danced, their bodies moving in sync to the beat, the energy infectious, the atmosphere electric.

The New Year's Eve party at Austin's house was a chaotic celebration, a jumble of bodies and sound. The air was thick with laughter and conversation, the music pumping through the room like a heartbeat. Some people were dancing, their bodies moving in time to the beat; others were talking, their voices mingling with the music and then there were those who were simply enjoying the moment, lost in the beat and the crowd.

The living room was packed to the brim with people, a dizzying array of faces and voices. Some were college friends, others were friends of friends, and still others were strangers to the group. The room was teeming with life, bodies pressed close together, a sea of movement and sound, and the air was warm and close, filled with the scent of cologne and perfume, of sweat and nervous energy. There was barely enough space to move, to navigate the maze of bodies and furniture. It was a smorgasbord of people and personalities, a cacophony of conversation and laughter.

As I fought my way through the throng of people, I heard my name being called, shrill and insistent. "Valen!" The voice was like nails on a chalkboard, piercing and grating. I turned reluctantly, my expression clearly conveying my annoyance. "Hold up."

Veronica stood before me, her expression flirtatious, her eyes glinting with a hint of mischief. In one hand, she held a bottle of vodka, the label glistening in the dim light. I raised an eyebrow, my expression skeptical, wondering what she wanted. "Geez, why are you looking at me like I've suddenly grown two heads?" she asked, propping her other hand on her hip, "Have I?"

"It's not that you have two heads," I said, my voice dry and unimpressed. "It's just that I wasn't expecting you to be here so soon." I eyed the bottle in her hand, unable to hide my disbelief. "And already drinking?" I added, my tone skeptical.

She giggled lightly, only to push her palm against my bicep, more chuckles escaping her lips. "Forget about that. What are you up to, handsome?"

My frown deepened further as I stared at her, gaze dropping down as I studied her manicured nails, the crimson color matching the shade of her dress, a slinky red number that clung to her like a second skin. My gaze flicked back to the crowd, taking in the faces, searching for the one girl I was looking for. My eyes returned to her, my face expressionless. "I'm waiting for someone," I said, my tone carefully neutral. I left out the fact that I wasn't sure if the person I was waiting for would actually show.

"Oh, I wonder who it could be," she said, her voice tinged with feigned curiosity. A frown creased her brow, and she bit her lip, a spark of envy igniting in her eyes. "It's not that pesky girl, is it?" Her voice was sharp, the question a thinly veiled accusation.

I opened my mouth, prepared to retort, but someone walking in through the door occupied my vision. My eyes followed the figure as they moved, their every step graceful and poised. With furrowed eyebrows, I watched one of the girl's hands find it's way into her dark hair, fingers tangling through the strands whilst she typed away on her phone. There was something about the figure that seemed ever so captivating; her luscious hair, toned legs and smooth lavish skin.

I could not tear my gaze away, and when the girl turned around, finally enabling me to catch her full profile, I could only blink in surprise, mouth agape and all air knocked out of me. "I-I have to go now, Veronica," I stammered, the words barely making it past my lips.

"Why?" Veronica's voice took on a childish, petulant tone, her words tugging at my attention like a demanding child. She stepped closer, her arms wrapping around my bicep. "We haven't even had a proper discussion yet."

"I don't have time for this shit, leave me the fuck alone Veronica." Peeling her dainty finger from my bicep, I took a step away from her, adding a huge amount of space between us.

"Why can't you just talk to me?" she inched closer, her body so close I could feel the warmth of her skin. "I could show you a good time, if you'd just let me," she purred, her words like silk wrapped around a knife. I felt my skin crawl at her proximity, her presence suffocating me.

Her smirk was only eating up my patience and when I glanced back at the familiar figure, she was already in the company of her friends. I rolled my shoulders, scrunching up my nose as I pinched the bridge with my thumb and index. "You would only make my night worse, because being around you doesn't match with the description of a good time."

A crack appeared in her mask of perfection, the makeup-clad features twisting in surprise and her hand that was threading through her locks dropped. I felt content with my response, and before she had the chance to continue with her never-ending nags, my feet moved away from her and towards the other girl and her friends.

The girls were full-on laughing about an unknown subject as I approached them, however my eyes could only focus on that same figure, gawking at her form before resting on her beaming smile. Her soft laugh swirled inside my thumping ear drums, piercing right through the beating organ in my chest.

Unknowingly, my lips curled into a small grin, exhibiting my teeth whilst taking in her attire; slowly perceiving how the red velvet dress that slipped down on one shoulder draped over her form, its softness contrasting with the hardness of her body beneath. The neckline dipped low, revealing the swell of her breasts, the curve of her collarbone and the dress hugged her undulating hips-hips that invited a man's lingering touch. I felt the pull of desire, my breath quickening as my gaze lingered on her, unable to look away.

Carla's appearance was an embodiment of divine absolution; her cheeks were prominent and lips full and rosy. Her frosty eyes were evidently visible in the dim lit room, glowing like twin pools of ice and her look that night was as hell sparking the imaginations of the guests.

I halted in my tracks for just a few seconds, watching her tuck a wavy silky strand of her chestnut hair behind her ear whilst laughing with the girls. However, the moment Bella and Jess spotted me from their peripheral views, their smiles turned mischievous and they quickly made their excuses, leaving her alone. They must've known what I was thinking, reading my thoughts as if they were an open book.

Teeth grazing my bottom lip, I advanced towards Carla as she turned with a curious expression, our eyes locking in the process. Averting her gaze away, her teeth latched on her lower lip, quietly chewing on it as she refused to meet my gaze. I didn't fail to notice crimson colour that tinted her cheeks as she tucked her hair behind her ear, exposing her neck further and that's when I actually noticed the pearl necklace decorating the nape and enhancing the column.

I stood before her, drinking in the sight of her, my eyes lingering on her curves and the soft swell of her lips. She blinked up at me, her smile tentative, her cheeks flushing pink. "Hey, Valen," she said, her voice slightly breathless.

Hearing her voice again caused an unfamiliar emotion to emerge within me; all I could think of was how the syllables of my name fell out of her soft, plump lips-glistening with the faintest sheen of gloss. I couldn't tear my eyes away from her, my breath caught in my chest, my heart thudding in my ears. I wanted to say something, to break the silence, but I was too wrapped up in the moment, in her. "You're-"

"-wearing a dress, I know." She smiled sheepishly, almost hesitantly, a look I'd never seen on her face before. It was like a glimpse into another version of her, one that was vulnerable and unguarded. It was a side of her that I found endearing, that made me feel like I was seeing the real her, the person behind the mask.

I chuckled. "I was going to say you're beautiful frosty, but at the same time, wow, you are wearing a dress."

"Why the change?" I couldn't help but ask.

Carla's cheeks flushed deeper, and she looked away, her eyes fluttering to the crowd around us. "I, uh, wanted to try something different," she said, her voice barely audible over the music.

I stepped closer, my eyes locked on hers. "You look stunning, Carla," I said, my voice low and sincere. "You always do, but this. .this is something else."

Her gaze flickered back to mine, and for a moment, we just stared at each other, the music and laughter around us fading into the background. I could feel the tension between us, like a live wire humming with electricity. "Thanks, Valen," she said finally, her voice a little stronger. "You don't look so bad yourself."

I smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "Glad you think so," I said, my eyes roaming over her face, taking in the soft curves of her cheeks, the sparkle in her eyes.

We stood there for a moment, the silence between us comfortable, like we were sharing a secret. Then, without thinking, I reached out and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, my fingers grazing her skin.

Carla's eyes sparkled like diamonds as they met mine, a flash of surprise and a hint of thrill dancing in their depths. For an instant, our gazes were locked in a silent understanding, the din of the party fading into the background as we lost ourselves in each other's eyes. It was as if the entire room had melted away, leaving only the two of us, suspended in a moment of electric tension. But our intimate bubble was abruptly burst when the guys intruded, Walter's voice booming through the music, "Woah Carla, you wearing a dress?"

Carla's eyes rolled heavenward, her sarcasm dripping like honey, "Oh, wow, Walter. Take a mic, climb the stage, and announce it to the entire party. I'm sure they're all just dying to know that I'm wearing a dress." Her words were laced with playful annoyance, and Walter chuckled, unfazed by her teasing.

I watched as Austin's gaze slid over Carla's curves like a lingering caress, his eyes devouring every inch of her as a sly smile spread across his face. His appreciation was palpable, and my instincts bristled with a territorial urge to mark my territory. "Dresses look good on you, Carla." he said, his voice low and husky, and Jaxon and Walter chimed in with their agreement.

But I felt a surge of possessiveness, my eyes narrowing into slits as I growled, "Hey, man, I think you're staring a bit too hard at Carla." My voice was low and even, but the warning was clear: back off, buddy.

Austin's grin stuttered, his smile faltering for a moment like a flickering flame, before he recovered and his hands shot up in mock surrender. "Relax man, I was just complimenting her on her dress," he said, his tone dripping with innocence, but his eyes betraying a hint of defiance.

I tuned out Walter and Jaxon's snickering, their amused gazes flicking between me and Carla like spectators at a tennis match. Carla's lips were pursed, her teeth digging into the flesh as she watched the scene unfold with rapt attention, her eyes sparkling with a mix of curiosity and concern. But I remained laser-focused on Austin, my eyes boring into him like a drill. My instincts were screaming at me, my gut churning with a sense of unease that I couldn't shake. I didn't trust this guy, with his slick smile and his wandering eyes. There was something about him that didn't add up, something that made my skin crawl. I didn't trust him.

"Careful now Austin, Valen can be really jealous," Walter teased, his eyes dancing with mischief, his voice dripping with amusement.

Austin's laughter was smooth, like honey, "I can tell," but I saw the glint in his eye, the hint of a predator lurking beneath the surface and I was determined to keep him as far away from Carla as possible.

At that moment, Carabella and Jess sashayed into the scene, their stiletto heels clicking out a rhythmic tattoo on the floor, like a pair of synchronized metronomes marking time to the pulsating beat of the music. Carabella slid into place beside Walter, her arms wrapping around his like a vine clinging to a trellis, while Jess positioned herself between Jaxon and Austin, her eyes fixed on Carla and I with a mischievous glint.

"Why are you all just standing here, when the dance floor is calling our names?" Carabella asked, her voice husky and persuasive, as she tugged playfully on Walter's arm, her fingers fluttering like a hummingbird's wings-and before we knew it, she had whisked him away to the dance floor.

Meanwhile, Jess's hands shot out like a pair of tentacles, grasping Austin and Jaxon by their arms and pulling them along in her wake, her voice a playful command: "Come on, boys! Let's show them how it's done!" And just like that, Carla and I were left alone again, the music and laughter swirling around us like a vortex, drawing us closer together.

As the others disappeared into the sea of dancers, Carla's gaze locked onto mine, her eyes burning with a fierce intensity that made my breath catch in my throat. My heart skipped a beat, my pulse racing with anticipation, as I reached out, my hand stretching out like a bridge between us, and asked the question, that served as a start to changing everything tonight: "Can I have this dance?"

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A U T H O R'S N O T E:

Oh yessss! Another update!
Yes, this chapter might be short, but trust me, the next one is going to be a real page-turner! I'm switching things up to Carla's POV for the next scene, because let's be real, it's her turn to shine! It'll make much more sense (and be way more juicy) from her perspective, so sit back, relax, and let the suspense build...😉