Page 13 of Roses & Ruin

“Oh.” I look down at my unopened seltzer. “I like watermelon fine! I just…I’m a little distracted.” I crack it open and take several deep gulps. I can feel Noah’s eyes on my throat.

“Th-thanks again,” I say, swallowing a burp. “S’great.”

“Of course,” he says smoothly, tilting his head at me. “You’re so pretty. You go to Payen?”

“Yup! First…first day of classes was today. I’m a freshman.” I hiccup.

“Wow,” he says. “You’re brand-spanking-new, aren’t you?”

“You’ve got…” The room feels a little fuzzy. I think it’d be kind of nice if I didn’t feel so on edge. “You’ve got no idea. I— This is my first time at a club. On a school night!”

“A school night,” he echoes. “That’s…adorable.” He takes a step closer, his eyes raking up and down my body.

“Hey—do you wanna dance?” I lurch out of his wake and hurry to the dance floor, where Dec and Delia are pressed against each other. I blink, surprised, when Delia pulls Dec’s face to hers and they start making out.

“H-hey,” I say to Delia. She pulls off of Dec’s face with a wet pop.

“Oh, Rose! You’re here!” She leans forward. “You okay? Everything okay? Say the word and we can go.”

I feel Noah’s hand fall lightly to my waist. Whatever I say to Delia, he’ll be able to catch. And has he actually done anything? Why can’t they teach us what to do in these situations in high school instead of making us memorize the Pythagorean theorem?

“I’m great?” I shout at Delia. “This is fun!”

Dec leans down and kisses Delia’s neck. Her eyelids flutter.

“I’m so glad.” She shoves Dec off, giggling. “I think…I think I’m gonna go hang out at Dec’s for the night.” She gives me one last hard look. “Rose, I’m serious. Are you okay if I go?”

My heart is throwing itself around my rib cage. Truthfully, I wish she’d stay, but I don’t want to ruin her night.

“Go have fun! I’ll take the bus back.”

“You’re the absolute best, Rose.” Delia throws her arms around me. I close my eyes and squeeze her back. “I’m so, so happy they put me in your room,” she whispers. She pulls back with a Cheshire grin. “Have fun. I know I will. I’ll tell you all about it.”

And then she and Dec have disappeared into the crowd.

“I love this song.” Noah’s voice brushes against my ear. I fight the urge to jump away. He gently grips my hips and starts swaying them side to side. I count to one hundred before I can’t take it anymore. I whirl around.

“Um, actually, I’m gonna go home?” I wipe at the sweat pouring from my hairline.

“Already?” Noah’s face goes stony. “What the hell?”

“Sorry, I drank too much,” I say, backing away. “Plus I have an early class tomorrow, and, you know, first year, good impressions? I…Thanksforthedrink!”

I turn around and shove my way through the writhing crowd, clawing toward a hallway with an arrow pointed toward the back exit.

I burst out the door into the freezing, cleansing night, taking deep swallows of sweet, fresh air. I’ve spilled out into an empty, narrow alleyway behind the club. Full trash cans line the building, as well as a large recycling bin of empty alcohol bottles. I don’t even care that I’m surrounded by trash. I’m blissfully alone.

Tears prick in my eyes, and I laugh with relief, doubling over. Now that I’m outside the Ballroom, I’m wondering if I was just being dramatic.

“Thought you were going home.”

My head snaps up. Noah’s walking slowly toward me, hands in his pockets. The cross on his arm twitches, his biceps flexing. Every hair on my body stands up. His footsteps are slow. Menacing.

“I…I thought this was the front exit.” I back up until my hands hit the doorknob. I try it, but it’s locked. Unfortunately, Noah clocks the motion.

“See.” He wipes a hand down his face. “That hurts my feelings. I’ve been nothing but nice to you all evening. I bought you a drink.” Noah’s getting closer and closer. There are no exits. “I called you pretty. And then you lie to me?” I’m pressed back as hard as I can against the door, shaking.

“I didn’t…” I gasp. “I promise I didn’t mean—”