We cruised into Riverside City, which I had estimated would take around 40 minutes from Oakland City, but surprisingly, we arrived in just 20 minutes. As we pulled up to the party venue, I could see that it was a shared house space located off-campus. The place was already teeming with young adults, their laughter and chatter spilling out onto the sidewalk.
Gabriel led me inside, and as we entered, I was immediately immersed in the rowdy atmosphere. The party was in full swing, with music blasting from the speakers and people dancing, laughing, and chatting in every corner of the room. The air was thick with the smell of pizza, beer, and the sweet scent of perfume. It was clear that this was a popular gathering spot for students, and I felt a thrill of excitement mixed with a dash of nervousness as I scanned the crowded room.
As we navigated through the crowded party, I spotted Charles, who caught sight of us and made his way over, dancing to the beat as he approached. "Hey, man, you made it!" he exclaimed, his breath reeking of alcohol. He took my hand, planting a soft kiss on it, and I couldn't help but giggle at the charming gesture. However, Gabriel quickly intervened, yanking my hand away, and I laughed at his possessive display. Charles smirked, seemingly amused by Gabriel's reaction.
"Want to see the others?" Charles yelled over the music, and Gabriel nodded. Charles led us to a quieter room, where a group of people were engaged in a heated game of truth or dare. As we approached, I spotted the rest of Gabriel's friends, who welcomed him with warm hugs. Ryan and Zoe greeted me with friendly hellos, but Bella and Shirley completely ignored me, their eyes glazing over as if I were invisible.
The group scooted over, making space for one person to sit, and Gabriel nudged me to take the spot. However, I declined, reminding him that I had come to the party with the sole intention of making friends. I excused myself, opting to mingle instead, and slipped back into the other room, where the music pulsed loudly. I found a quiet corner, content to observe the partygoers and wait for an opportunity to strike up a conversation.
As I stood in the corner, I couldn't help but feel like an invisible ghost hovering on the periphery of the party. No one seemed to notice me, let alone make an effort to talk to me. The music pulsed on, a relentless beat that matched the growing frustration in my chest. I'd had enough. I decided to make my way back to Gabriel.
As I navigated through the crowd, a careless elbow knocked against me, and a drink splashed down my front, soaking my shirt. I gasped in shock, feeling a surge of embarrassment and anger. "Seriously?" I muttered under my breath.
Frustrated, I asked a passing partygoer where the bathroom was. "Down the hall, second door on your right!" they yelled back, barely breaking stride.
I made my way to the bathroom, desperate to clean up the mess. As I stood in front of the sink, scrubbing at the stain on my shirt, the door creaked shut behind me. I turned to see a tall, dark-haired guy, his eyes gleaming with a hungry intensity, as he twisted the lock into place.
My instincts screamed warning signals. "What are you doing?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
But he just smiled, his eyes roving over me like a predator sizing up its prey. I quickly grabbed my phone, intending to call Gabriel, but he pounced, tearing the phone from my grasp.
As he reached for me, his hands grasping for my clothes, I screamed, but my voice was drowned out by the thumping music. Panic set in, my heart racing with fear.
Just as he was about to overpower me, a figure emerged from one of the toilet stalls, her eyes blazing with fury. With a swift motion, she swung her purse, hitting him repeatedly, the force of the blows sending him stumbling backward.
"Get away from her, you creep!" she yelled, her voice fierce and commanding.
The dark-haired guy stumbled backward, clutching his head in pain, as the girl continued to swing her purse at him. Finally, he managed to unlock the door and made a hasty retreat, disappearing into the crowded hallway.
As the door swung shut behind him, the girl turned to me, a mischievous glint in her eye. And then, to my surprise, she burst out laughing.
"I'm so sorry," she gasped between giggles. "I've always wanted to do that. What a creep!"
I couldn't help but laugh too, relief washing over me. "Thanks for saving me," I said, smiling.
The girl grinned, wiping tears from her eyes. "No problem. I'm Mia, by the way."
"I'm...," I started to introduce myself, but Mia's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"Wait, aren't you the one that came in with Gabriel ?" she asked, her voice low and excited.
I nodded, and Mia's gaze lingered on me with interest.
"I have to say, I'm surprised," Mia said, her voice low. "Everyone noticed when Gabriel walked in tonight. But nobody dared to turn their heads. His father's...reputation tends to inspire fear."
I understood how that felt. The feeling of fear. I picked up my phone from where it fell and Mia suggested we skip the party and I tell her about my encounter with Gabriel. I frowned, recalling our first meeting. "I don't think that's a good idea."
Mia's voice was laced with skepticism. "Why?"
I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Cuz I just met you. I mean, I don't know you. I'd love to get to know you, though... but how can I be sure you're not luring me out of here for something bad?"
Mia raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement dancing on her lips. "Girl, you got trust issues. It's cool, I get it. We can talk here instead."
"What kind of person do you think Gabriel is?" I asked.