4 glasses of champagne down…
Elise clutched on the fifth champagne glass so tightly that her knuckles turned white, the cool stem grounding her as the emotions inside threatened to spill over. It was a surprise the glass didn't crack under her grip.
The bass of the music pounded in her chest, but it was nothing compared to the storm raging in her mind. She had come to prom determined to have a good time, to forget about everything that had happened, but then he had shown up.
All the boys in the room had their eyes on her while her gaze was on him who was strolling around with his prom date. She stared at him across the room, weaving through the crowd as he let go of his date.
That same cocky smirk that used to make her heart once flutter. Now, it only made her stomach turn. He had no right to be here, no right to act like everything was fine, like he hadn't shattered her just a day before.
"Elise," his voice broke through her thoughts, and she looked up to find him standing in front of her, his expression a mix of lust and desperation as he took in Elise's new not-nerdy presence that was making every boy question why they didn't ask her to be their prom date. Any person could understand his intentions behind approaching Elise."Baby, listen to me. I'm sorry. I was just—"
"Don't call me that," Elise snapped, cutting him off before he could finish. She stood up, nearly knocking over the chair behind her. The alcohol in her system buzzed through her veins, giving her the fire she needed. "You don't get to call me that anymore from those flithy cheating lips."
Was it cheating to break up with her and next day show up with some other girl's arm around his? YES IT WAS!
His eyes widened, and for the first time, she saw uncertainty flicker across his face. "I didn't mean to hurt you," he said, his voice low, trying to act genuinely guilty to get into her pants. Pathetic."I made a mistake, okay? I just… I want to make things right, babe."
Elise felt a bitter laugh bubble up, but she swallowed it down, her grip tightening on the glass. "Make things right?" she echoed, her voice shaking with anger. "You think an apology is going to fix everything? You think I'm just going to forget how you left me for her, how you humiliated me in front of everyone? And, you left her right now to come to me. If someone else appears maybe you'll leave me for them?"
The music seemed to grow louder, drowning out everything but the sound of her own heart pounding in her ears. She took a step closer, her eyes locked onto his. "You don't get to just walk back into my life and pretend like nothing ever happened. After all, once a cheater always a cheater."
Her ex opened his mouth to speak, but before he could get a word out, the music abruptly cut off, leaving the room in a heavy silence.
Elise didn't even think.
The slap came out of nowhere, her hand connecting with his cheek in a sharp, satisfying crack that echoed through the room.
He stumbled back, his hand flying to his face as he stared at her in shock. The room seemed to hold its breath, everyone frozen, watching the scene unfold.
"That's for thinking you could ever make this right," Elise hissed, her voice dripping with disdain. "You don't get to hurt me and then act like you're the hero. You're a pathetic cheater. And, don't you stare at me offended because you deserve to die in a f******g ditch, a*****e!"
Before he could react, Christie was suddenly at her side, her eyes wide with a mix of concern. She just finished dancing with her crush to find Elise drunk out of her mind. "Elise, we need to go, now," Christie urged, grabbing her arm and pulling her toward the exit.
Elise felt the adrenaline start to fade, leaving her shaky as Christie guided her out of the hall.
The eyes of their classmates bore into her back, but she didn't look back, too focused on putting as much distance as possible between herself and him. F**k them! High School is over anyway!
Once they were outside, the cool night air hit her like a wave, sobering her up just enough to feel the weight of what had just happened. Christie was already on her phone, her fingers shaking slightly as she dialed Dietrich's number.
"Dietrich, I need you to come get Elise," Christie said, her voice tight with worry. "Yeah, it's bad. She drunk out of her mind."
Elise leaned against the wall, closing her eyes as the reality of the situation settled over her. She didn't regret standing up to him. But, the confrontation had left her drained. And, her fragile palm stinging.
All she wanted now was to get away, to leave this night behind her.
A few minutes later, Dietrich's car pulled up to the curb.
He got out quickly, his expression filled with a weird type of anger and concern as he approached. "You okay?" he asked softly, opening the door for Elise. "It's only been 1 hour since I left you guys. And, you stirred up trouble again."
Elise nodded weakly as she scrunched her nose as Dietrich's scolding while letting Christie and him, help her into the passenger seat. "I'll be leaving with my date. You should take care of her." Christie sighed as she softly shut the door while staring at Dietrich with an apologetic look on her face.
Dietrich nodded, his face annoyed, as he watched Christie walk away. He slipped into the driver's seat, glancing over at Elise.
The tension in her body had finally eased, her eyes fluttering shut as the exhaustion and alcohol took their toll. Her breathing slowed, becoming steady and rhythmic, a sign that she had drifted off to sleep.
For a moment, he just sat there, his hand resting on the steering wheel as he looked at her, a sigh passing his lips.
She seemed so different from the Elise he had known since he was young… She seemed more mature now. Something he didn't want to notice.
Her plum lips were pressed in a thin line while her swollen chest rose and fell.
Dietrich reached over, carefully adjusting the seatbelt across her chest to make sure she was comfortable. The cool night air from the open window whispered through her hair, sending a stray lock across her face.
Without thinking, he reached out and gently brushed it back, his fingers lingering on her soft skin.
She sighed softly in her sleep, her lips parting just slightly, and Dietrich felt his breath catch in his throat.
F**k! That's your sister, Dietrich. Dietrich thought, before correcting himself. Stepsister. And, since when did I ever consider her my family?
Dietrich's hand pulled away from Elise as he slammed them on the steering wheel in frustration. A battle ranging inside him which he miserably lost in 3 seconds as soon as his eyes locked on her defenseless frame.
Just this once… I need to taste those lips.
Elise... You are driving me crazy.