–ALEXANDER–
My head was splitting.
The kind of pain that made me want to slam it into the nearest wall and see if that hurt less. My mouth felt like cotton, my stomach like I swallowed a damn fireball, and the whole room reeked of alcohol, sweat, and sex.
I blinked slowly, groggy, trying to piece together where the hell I was. My room? Not quite. One of the house rooms. Figures. Clothes were scattered everywhere—my shirt tossed on the floor like I'd ripped it off mid-movie scene. My jeans were near the foot of the bed, halfway inside-out. A heel. A bra.
And then, next to me, a figure.
Naked. Curled into the sheets like she belonged there.
I leaned closer, squinting through the headache and blur. Blonde. Long lashes. Glossy lips.
Hailey.
I groaned. "shit."
Of course it was her.
She was always around when I was drunk, when my walls were down, when I wasn't thinking straight—horny as hell and zero self-control. It was like she could smell weakness from a mile away.
I touched my forehead. My body still ached from what I'd clearly done last night.
I looked down—yep, I was naked too. Awesome.
"Was I really that fucking wasted?" I whispered, careful not to wake her.
I slipped out of the bed, barely making a sound. My body protested every movement. I grabbed my boxers, slid them on, then found my shirt and threw it over my shoulders without bothering to button it. My jeans were stiff and cold, and I muttered curses under my breath as I forced them on. No shoes. Whatever.
I shoved my hand through my hair and headed for the door.
The hallway reeked like bad choices and stale smoke. Someone left chips ground into the carpet, and a red solo cup rolled past my foot like a lonely soccer ball.
I hated morning-after shit. Especially when it was my own damn house. This was why I never stayed the night in these kinds of scenes.
The living room was trashed. Couch pillows on the floor. Shot glasses everywhere. Someone passed out facedown with a Sharpie doodle on their cheek. Another reason I hated throwing these damn parties—the cleanup was always hell, and it was always on me.
I walked over to the massive glass doors facing the pool.
Outside, Theo had his feet dipped in the water, smirking like the smug bastard he was. Noah, and the two other guys—Max and Jace—were chilling on the bench by the pool, already laughing about something stupid.
I opened the sliding door and stepped out.
"Ladies and Gentlemen,the king awakesssss!" Theo grinned, wiggling his brows. "Had fun, Your Majesty?"
"Fuck off," I muttered.
They all laughed.
Max, still holding the wine bottle from last night, pointed it at me. "Here, bro."
I took it. A long, miserable gulp. Bitter and warm. Disgusting. But whatever.
I handed it back, sighed, and walked over to one of the benches, slumping down like the weight of the night was still crushing my back.
Theo smirked. "So, how was your little reunion with the ex? That good, huh?"
I glared at him. "You watching me now, freak?"
"Hard not to when someone's getting their dick sucked two doors down from the music," he said, mock-injured. "I had to leave the damn game of cards 'cause of the noise."
Noah snorted. "Wonderful night. 10/10. I'm writing it down in the memories book."
"Eat shit," I snapped, rubbing my temples.
Then Jace, grinning like the annoying prick he was, leaned back. "You really love going back to old problems, huh? Still, she's pretty. Can't blame you."
I didn't respond. Just stared at him, my jaw tight.
Theo changed gears, looked over at Noah. "Speaking of girls—Noah had his little moment last night too."
"Oh?" I asked flatly pretending not to have seen.
Noah chuckled. "Yeah, man. Sweet little thing. Not really the party type though. Real innocent."
Theo grinned, clearly knowing exactly who he was talking about but playing dumb. "What, she one of those soft-spoken, good-girl types?"
"Yeah." Noah nodded. "Didn't give me her number though. Would've, if that stuck-up chick she called her best friend didn't show up. Girl looked like a pissed-off lizard."
The guys laughed. Except me. I just stared.
He continued. "She told me her name—Avaline. Said you guys go to the same school."
Theo looked between us. "I heard. You know her."
I scoffed. "Don't talk to girls like that."
Noah raised a brow. "Come on, man. Just hook a friend up. She's hot, sweet, and got those lips that look like they were made to—"
"—don't finish that sentence," I cut in coldly.
Theo whistled low. "Well, her best friend's on our team. Might make things easier."
Noah chuckled. "If you help me out, I might just hand over Hailey to you, Theo."
"Tempting," Theo replied, grinning at me."She's wild. You two fuck last night or who knows she might have a virus and ouch! Our beloved Alexander Worthington might be infected" He stared up at me again "Bet you used condoms"
That made them all bust out laughing again.
I stood up sharply, not in the mood anymore but was wondering if I actually used condom. Arghhh! Fuck
Max raised a brow. "Yo, what the fuck's wrong with him?"
As I walked off, Theo called after me, "Bro, you expect a guy who had a one-night stand with his ex to be all smiles this morning? Get real."
Their laughter followed me down the hall.
I clenched my jaw, but the corner of my mouth curved anyway. Bastards.
⊱ ────── {.⋅ ✧ ⋅.} ────── ⊰
–AVALINE–
Last night felt like a blur—and not the kind people brag about on Sunday mornings. It was awful. One of those nights you want to fold, tuck away, and never talk about again.
Josh was drunk out of his mind. Bella and I found him slumped between two girls by the pool, giggling like a toddler who just discovered bubble wrap. He could barely walk, and Bella had to loop his arm around her shoulders to drag him to the car. I had to hold the back of his shirt to stop him from sliding down. We left the party around 1 a.m. and drove in silence—Bella gripping the steering wheel like it had personally offended her, and me, in the backseat, squished next to a babbling Josh who smelled like every drink ever made.
When we got to Bella's place, Josh flopped onto the couch like gravity owed him something. Bella and I both tried to lift his legs up properly, but he was heavier than he looked, and after a few half-hearted tugs, we gave up. He was breathing. That was enough.
I was too tired to ask Bella what happened. Too emotionally drained to question where she'd been all that time. I just trudged to the guest room, took off my heels, and crawled under the covers. I didn't even change out of that ridiculous dress.
The next morning, sunlight sliced through the window like it was angry. My body ached, and my eyes were puffy. I forced myself out of bed, brushed my teeth thank God I actually remember to bring a brush, and headed downstairs where I found Josh at the kitchen island, looking like a ghost who'd made peace with the afterlife.
"Good morning," I said quietly, padding toward the counter. "Coffee?"
"Please," he groaned like it hurt to talk.
I poured two mugs and slid one to him. His hair was a mess, shirt wrinkled, eyes bloodshot. "You okay?"
"Define okay." He rubbed his face and leaned into his hand. "Last night was a train wreck, but at least I survived."
"Barely."
Just then, Bella shuffled into the kitchen, still in her pajamas, her hair up in a bun and her eyeliner smudged halfway to her cheeks. She looked like a raccoon that got into a fight with a makeup bag.
"Well, good morning, sunshine," Josh grinned tiredly. "You look like what I feel."
Bella stuck her tongue out and nudged him with her hip. "You're still here? I was hoping you'd dissolve with the sunrise."
"Unfortunately for you, I'm still alive," he said, laying his head on the table with a groan.
I took a sip of coffee and sat down across from him. "That was... the worst night ever."
Josh looked up, raising one brow. "That bad?"
"I didn't see anyone I knew. Guys were staring at me like I was a zoo animal. Bella disappeared. I literally counted the hours until we could leave."
He tilted his head. "Did you see Alex?"
I paused. That name dropped like a pin in the middle of my mind. "Didn't even see him. I even thought we could have a chance to talk about what we will do and guess what? this week is gone"
Josh smirked faintly. "Well, he saw you."
I blinked. "What?"
He took another sip, wincing at the heat. "I was with him and his friend—the crazy one, Theo? We were talking and he was all 'Damn, she's beautiful.'"
Bella choked on her coffee and raised her head "I told you. You looked so beautiful,even the friend of an arrogant monkey noticed you"
Josh chuckled. "Yeah. He really said it. And Alex didn't say anything, but... he stared at you for a long second. Especially when some dude call Noah sat beside you. His Alex friend"
"I know." My cheeks flushed, and I stared at the rim of my mug.
"I mean," Josh shrugged, "you almost had a boyfriend last night."
Bella burst out laughing, and I couldn't help it—I giggled too. "He was nice, okay?" I said, cheeks still warm. "I was just trying to distract myself while someone was missing."
Bella rolled her eyes dramatically. "I said I'd explain, didn't I?"
Josh slumped again, groaning as he laid his head on the table. "I'm never drinking again."
Bella tapped the side of his head playfully. "Dude, time's up. Go home."
He grinned. "You think I want to be here?"
We all laughed. But when Bella stood up to leave, I gave her that look.
As I followed her to the stairs, I whispered, "Bella... my explanation?"
She sighed dramatically and led me to her room.
Bella shut her bedroom door with a sigh and flopped onto the edge of her bed, her shoulders drooping as if she'd carried the weight of the whole night on them.
I folded my arms. "Okay. Talk. What happened to you last night? You said you were going to the bathroom. That bathroom must've been in another city."
She groaned and covered her face with both hands. "I know, I know. I messed up, Ava. I'm sorry."
I raised an eyebrow and waited.
Bella dropped her hands and looked at me. "Okay, so... I was going to the bathroom, but on the way, I ran into someone I knew—Samantha. You remember her? The one who transferred schools last semester?"
I nodded. Barely.
"She pulled me aside and started venting. Apparently, she caught her boyfriend flirting with some girl again, and she was a complete mess. She didn't want to cry in front of everyone, so I took her to the upstairs hallway—you know, where it's quieter—and we just... sat there. Talking. For way longer than I meant to."
I stared at her. "ohh! I feel so sorry for her. This is why don't date dudes who are players, long lasting relationships are not promising with them "
Bella gave me a sheepish look. "I swear, I thought we will be back in five minutes. But then someone spilled a drink near us, and we got stuck trying to clean it up because it was a really big mess—and I lost track of time."
I sighed, dropping onto the other side of the bed. "You should've texted."
"I know. I saw your messages after. But by the time I checked my phone, you'd already left the corner, and I couldn't find you in that sea of half-naked frat wannabes."
I didn't answer for a second.
Bella scooted closer. "I'm really sorry, Avi. I didn't mean to ditch you. If I could redo the night, I'd glue myself to your side."
I glanced at her sideways, trying not to smile. "Glue?"
"Permanent, industrial-strength glue. The kind that even regret can't unstick."
I finally let myself laugh softly. "You owe me dessert for this."
She grinned. "Done. Double chocolate, homemade, extra whipped cream."
"Throw in one of Josh's hoodies."
"Deal."
We sat in silence for a beat, the weight of last night slowly lifting.
"Seriously though," I added gently, "I was really uncomfortable. I didn't feel like myself in that dress."
Bella's expression softened with guilt. "You looked stunning, Ava. And I'm sorry for pushing you into it. I just thought—"
"That maybe I'd magically turn into someone who isn't completely awkward and socially anxious?"
"I thought maybe you'd feel a little powerful. A little noticed."
I snorted. "Yeah. Next time, no vanishing acts, please?" I doubt there will be any next time . I never will want to go to such parties again.
She raised her pinky. "Pinky swear."
I linked mine with hers. Somehow, despite the chaos, things always found a way to feel okay when Bella was around.
⊱ ────── {.⋅ ✧ ⋅.} ────── ⊰
ALEXANDER –
I didn't move from the couch. The late afternoon light filtered through the half-open blinds, dust catching in the air. The living room still smelled like spilled alcohol, cheap perfume, and someone's cologne. The house was nearly silent now.
Theo's voice rang out from the hallway. "The cleaners are here! You owe me for this, Worthington. I should start charging you service tax."
I didn't answer. I just sat there, flipping the same damn page of the book I hadn't really been reading. Some classic lit Mr. Dawson had recommended. I wasn't in the mood for deep themes or beautiful language. My head still felt like static.
Theo walked in, ruffling his curls all wet and looking way too energetic for someone who barely slept. "You look like someone ran you over with a semi and reversed."
I leaned back into the couch, rubbing my face. "Don't start."
"Nah," he said, plopping down across from me. "Let me warm up. I ran into Hailey on her way out, by the way."
I looked at him, brows raised. "And?"
He smirked. "She told me to tell you it was a really wild night and she enjoyed every bit of it.Very considerate of her."
I closed my eyes and sighed through my nose.
"Bro," he leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "Do you regret it?"
Of course I did. I didn't even have to think about it. "Yeah," I said quietly, bitterly.
Theo watched me carefully. "How drunk were you, man? Like—on a scale of one to losing your damn mind?"
"Gone," I said. "I don't even remember most of it. One second I was all horny and drunk , the next..."
"You were railing your ex."
"Yeah," I muttered, jaw tightening. "I was so out of it. I shouldn't have been so drunk,I blame the drink."
He sat back and whistled low. "Did you even use a condom?"
I blinked slowly, and for the first time, a sick feeling churned in my gut. "I don't know."
Theo laughed, then grimaced. "Damn. You better get yourself tested, man. STDs are realer than your daddy's temper."
I didn't laugh. Just stared into space, jaw clenched.
He nudged me with his foot. "You good?"
"I'll do it. Eventually. When I'm not grounded for eternity."
"You'll sneak out again. You always do. Just hope your house staff doesn't rat you out."
I gave a dry laugh. "They won't. Not even my driver talks. He's been on my dad's payroll too long to snitch."
He grinned. "So you coming to school tomorrow?"
"Yeah," I said, shifting the book in my hand. "But with no phone, no iPad, no laptop. I'm basically a caveman."
Theo burst out laughing. "You're gonna be writing essays on stone tablets."
I cracked a smile. "Might build my upper body."
He leaned back, crossing his arms behind his head. "Your dad cool with school, though?"
"As long as I'm breathing and maintaining top marks, he doesn't care."
There was a pause before Theo tilted his head at me. "So…you gonna talk to that girl?"
I gave him a sharp look. "What girl?"
"You know who," he said. "The project girl ."
I rolled my eyes. "Haven't even being In school for the project. I haven't said a word to her."
He smirked. "Better make that word count then."
Yeah." I muttered.
"Sure you do" he said, laughing. "Just books and bad decisions."
I let my head drop back onto the cushion. Maybe he wasn't wrong.
N⊱ ────── {.⋅ ✧ ⋅.} ────── ⊰N