C4

"Little feisty, don't you think?" He scoffs as he leaned into the door frame, casually putting his hands in his pockets, the smug look on his face never disappearing.

Excuse me? Is he just that arrogant? Not even sorry?

"Have some respect at least, " I said rolling my eyes, annoyance very clear in my voice as I looked back at the rest of the people watching our exchange and I immediately felt my cheeks and ears flush in embarrassment seeing that they're all looking at me in shock, even the new arrivals. Great.

Just when I thought people were nice around here this- this arrogant son of a bitch comes to view and ruins my good mood, but no maybe it's just him, maybe nothings worse than he is and if so them great, I could go on.

"Whoa there, have a drink, " Christian laughed as he took reached up towards me handing me my drink. I smiled at him and reached out to grab it and I immediately took a sip, trying to calm my rising temper.

But, as soon as the cup left my lips it's snatched from my hand and I trailed it with my eyes as it was soon on another's lips, his lips.

I gasped unintentionally and everyone around me started laughing- even Julia. I would be mad, but I assessed the situation again and me being the rational person I am; I started chuckling too. The sudden exchange made little sense and was very spontaneous that it was shamefully funny.

Surprised by my reaction too that I stopped only to look at the boy beside me as we both blocked the entrance. I expected him to be laughing or even joking around with his friends, but no. He clutched my cup in his hand securely, his face straight and cold, his jaw clenched and his eyes- were on me?

"So, let's try again. Guys meet Grace, Rosemeet the others, " Christian's voice comes snapping both me and the boy who I must've heard the name of was Chase? To look at him and one by one they introduced themselves.

Most of them were guys, and I had expected all of them to be just as bad and condescending, as this Ryder guy but most of them were nice, well nice for them considering they all had piercings and tattoos and they mostly had solid expressions like robots. They were a vast group, and I had only noticed that, realizing this felt welcomed regardless of Chase's attitude toward me.

The guys' names were Xavier, Nathaniel, Devon, and Zack. All most of which had black hair except for Xavier who had ash blonde hair that suited him well. They all sure look highly intimidating with their provocative inks and piercings, but their attitudes were sweeter than I had imagined. Beside Xavier who sat nearer to the entrance where Ryder stood were two blonde girls sitting cross-legged. One of them looked sweet and innocent while the other one well-

"I'm Courtney, Chase's girlfriend, " she said, her voice high pitched and annoying. I choked on my saliva, not because of her voice, well that too, but her statement.

She couldn't even look me in the eye, and her face screamed bitchiness. Did he go for this?

The guys noticed my unfiltered reaction, and I mentally slapped myself for not being able to control myself. But who could blame me? I would've thought Ryder would have a girlfriend who may be nicer, keeping him at bay, but this? Hell, she seemed worse. With her long fake nails and flattened blonde hair, her thick lips and everything else.

Why do I even care?

"No, she's not, " Ryder said, his voice still as deep as I had remembered. Only this time, he laced it with impatience and annoyance.

Yikes

Courtney swiftly glares at him but said nothing, and I stifled a laugh at the awkward exchange. If I was here, I would've bolted out of there, never looking back. I want to feel bad for her; I do, but she just screams mean girl vibes and I don't plan on spending time on that.

I looked over to Ryder only to see him shake his head before taking another sip of my drink and took a page out of his book.

Soon as he lifted the cup off his lips, I hastily grabbed it from him secretly praying there was still some drink inside so I wouldn't look foolish stealing an empty cup. Luckily, there was still half the cup full, and I smiled proudly at myself. I looked up to him and he was blazing his eyes at me. Though anger was prominent in his gaze, there was still something else, something I couldn't read.

Then I realized, the longer I stared at him and his ocean eyes, the more fear grows in me, I don't why or how or what even it is, but something about his gaze seemed territorial and threatening; I had to look away.

The room now filled with laughter again as everyone acknowledged my revenge, but I didn't laugh this time. I felt too terrified to react as I still feel his eyes boring into me like knives.

"And I am Jess from Texas!" The other blonde girl from beside Courtney said humorously, lifting some fear off of me.

Somehow, the gaze of this boy had given me did something that triggered my smaller part. The part afraid of almost everything, the one I swore to bury. I didn't like feeling that way and felt trapped writing myself in this very room. I didn't like the way I was feeling, so I pushed it aside for later and divert my attention to the crowded room, who was laughing from what I can gather.

The rest of the night went smoothly. Christian offered a seat a few times since I had been standing but declined, knowing that I'd feel more trapped if I had agreed.

I stayed quiet mostly unless I would get occasional questions about me and my life back at the East, but the one who stated silent was Chase.

Now and then I would steal a gaze towards him curiously and because of this, I found out he had a series of tattoos himself but no piercings. His face structured, and I watched his face contort into uneasiness, to annoyance, and a permanent frown. His dark brown hair was very, but was still model-like. Maybe if he wasn't so displeasing with his attitude, he could be attractive, though I'm not saying he isn't. Now and then I would also catch him glancing back at me, but not one word between us we're uttered until-

"You know it's rude to stare?" He said looking out into the crowd outside the room, loud enough for me to hear but quiet enough for the room to dismiss. I looked at him in shock that I tried to cover it up so quickly, but my flushing cheeks couldn't help it. I tried to gain confidence and planned the words to say and,

"I-no- not- wasn't, "

Damn, Grace. Well done, you've officially given him the perfect ammunition to use against you.

I mentally cursed at myself, knowing full well that this devil of a man can find the fun in this and use it against me. I should have just stayed silent instead of trying to be sassy, could've ended better for me if that was the case.

"Wow, and apparently you're a terrible liar too." He remarked, his face in a menacing smirk as he looked back at me, his voice taunting me. Now that I've met his eyes, I feel smaller than I already did. Come on Grace, what is wrong with you? Get it together.

"And apparently you're a jerk," I said trying to sound as convincing as possible but my small voice failing me and I hear him chuckle evilly. I just wanted to hit him straight to the face that it could wipe off that smug look from his face.

His eyes narrowed down at me, but it quickly turned into a look of amusement. "Isn't that a weird reason to stare?" He said, and I fisted my small hands. His eyes traveled down to them and he raises his brows, probably very amused about the situation I had gotten myself into. I tried hard, so hard to keep my reaction to myself so I wouldn't make a scene.

I closed my eyes for a split second and breathed out to calm myself down, and when I opened my eyes, I found the same blue orbs looking at me, only they were softer this time.

What?

Though before I could even speculate further why his mood suddenly changed, it did once more and his eyes turned evil like that of a devil and I took a step to nothing, my foot being stopped by the frame of the opening. I immediately looked away, sudden fear being ignited in me. Then I feel my hand tremble.

Immediately I look for a soothing agent but being in a club, that was quite a challenge, so I jumped to the first thing I know will soothe me.

"Whoa there tiger, I could get you a drink you know, " Said a shocked Christian as I took his bottle of beer in hand and downed the half-filled bottle in one gulp.

A few cheers and laughs fill my ears as the burn of the liquid takes it's the effect and I scrunch up my nose at the taste. It's not my first time drinking, but it surely been a while. I walked over to the table and place the bottle down quietly before returning to my stance.

Why the hell am I going back if this boy's presence alone is enough to bring me back down?

I didn't know exactly why but I did anyway somehow but this time I avoided his gaze I'm relieved that I could. My mind immediately floods with thoughts.

This morning I was overjoyed to find out that for once in my life I may get enveloped by overall sweet and caring people without worrying about the consequences of being attached and meeting Christian, Ethan Brianna, Julia, Justin and Dani solidified that, but somehow, all it took was one look from this- this guy and I fall apart? What even am I? Or better yet, who is he? No one, I mean no one has ever had this effect on me yet somehow, here he is seeming to put some curse on me.

"I'm bored, let's play truth or dare," Courtney said after taking a sip from her bottle of beer and I scoffed only to find her glaring at me and the others looked at me in amusement. "What?" I questioned but received no answer.

"We're in college guys, not high school, " I announced, and they all chuckled. "Oh, darling. This isn't even close to those petty games." Dani said making me laugh and the others too. Instead of saying no, I nodded, feeling the alcohol already taking its effect as I felt my nerves settle down a bit.

"All right, Grace, since you're the newest, truth or dare?" Courtney told her voice adenoidal making her sound more annoying than she already is. I looked at her irritated before crossing my arm and nodding only to feel the two eyes from beside me, burning on my skin that it sent my hands trembling again but I ignored it as the alcohol continued to work its magic. Before I could even second guess what I was doing, I answered.

"Dare, " Bravely and a few 'oohs' got exchanged among the amused crowd and Courtney smirked as she flirtatiously yet evilly eyes the guy beside me. I looked over to Julia who had a concerned look in her eyes as if to say I didn't have to do it, but I gave her a smile to reassure it was fine and she nodded in return.

"Ok, I dare you to..." She trailed off quietly as if thinking, but everyone knew she already had something in mind. I rolled my eyes at her though I tried to control myself, it's a challenge for girls like her.

"Kiss one guy in this room, " she said, and they shared more curious reactions while all the guys in the room all stared at me and I felt immediately cornered. I had the urge to just say no and leave but the alcohol was already too far, my inhibitions tainted by it and before I think further my mind speaks for my intoxicated mind,

"Ok, " and my eyes immediately scanned the room, my heart thumping in my ears.

I was never in a conservative family, nor was I, but I never have kissed anyone who I didn't have a relationship with. I never really was a planner or a perfectionist- well I don't think so at least- but I've always given myself a comprehensive set of rules to keep my dignity and self-worth in check and by saying yes to this, I am definitely jeopardizing my own rules and I can't even be mad with myself I'm the one who agreed, anyway.

Without thinking, I now stared at the dark-haired boy beside me and he looked back at me with a look that I could only think of as fascinated or even just amused. "Careful, " he said, his voice now husky as I stared into his eyes trying to look away but couldn't. It felt like I'm hypnotized and I didn't know how to leave.

Then somehow something in me clicked, and a sudden surge of confidence ran through my body. My lips tugged into a flirtatious smirk and my brows raised as though he had piqued my interest. "Why?" I said, almost in a seductive whisper.

No, no, Grace, what the fuck are you doing, stop. My subconscious warns, but my intoxicated mind seemed to be overpowering. I've only had half a bottle, how can I already be this tipsy? Am just that low intolerant.

"Because you'd never be able to leave, " he responded, standing straight now and taking a slight step towards me, holding the space between us just a few inches apart.

A few comments of amusement from the crowd I hear, but my mind drowned them out as I could finally get a solid look at the blue orbs that had been threatening me the entire night.

The lights were dancing around them, purples and greens hitting them and I watched as his eyes moved side to side as if wondering what I was to do next though all I could focus on was how pretty his eyes were. He stood a few inches taller than me, enough that I had to tilt my head up and his down.

"And you will be?" I said daringly and listened as they filled the room with gasped but then I see his eyes flash with darkness for a moment before my body seemed to have thought for itself.