- Gabriella -

The butterflies did cartwheels in my stomach as I stared into his warm brown eyes. He's looking at me, waiting for me to reply to his question.

"Okay." I agreed. I just need an outlet for this pent up energy. I reasoned to myself. Something to distract me from all these weird things that apparently only I can see. Maybe I can work it out of my system for just a few minutes.

Just a few minutes only because I know the crowd will make me feel closed-in.

He grinned. "That's more like it." He waited for me as I stood up, and then we headed towards the rest, joining them. Just ignore them. If you don't look too closely they don't look that strange. A boy with jaded scales on his right cheek passed by from the corner of my eye. Nahh those are tattoos.

"Gabriella, glad you could make it!" Shayla laughs as she spins and sways her hips to the beat. The corner of my lips lifted in a grin. One look at her, and her previous slightly offensive words were forgiven. She's on a roll, dancing effortlessly and I realised I've never bothered to ask her anything about her dance club. Why? Because I'm always wrapped up in my own little bubble. I made a mental note to talk more to the others.

"Hi guys." I said as I started to sway to the music, slowly getting my muscles warmed up. Claudia swings in beside me as she pounds to the beat. Shooting me a worried smile, she mouths. "You ok?"

"Never better." I mouthed back. Vin was busy nodding her head to the bass drops and she shot me a wave when she saw me.

"Oh the golden girl finally made it!" Mike shouts over the music at me as he enthusiastically pumps his arms high into the sweat-filled air. Jason chuckled as he danced beside him. Rolling my eyes at Mike, I noticed that Jason seemed like an expert. Or maybe even better than Shayla. Surprise clouded my judgement. 

Wait, is Jason in another one of the university's dance clubs or something? I clearly don't remember any of them mentioning it. 

As long as Mike doesn't decide to spout some nonsense on my looks again like the previous time, I think I can still take it.

As I pumped with the music, I tried to push away thoughts of the crowd. I closed my eyes and imagined myself alone. Just me and the beat. Letting my primal instincts take over, my heart pounds to the rhythm and my body sways to the music. Someone whistled and I heard Shayla exclaiming. "Wow. Where did she learn to move like that?"

I said nothing, just letting the beat move me. The bass resonated like a pulsing energy against my skin, and my muscles clenched and relaxed as I danced. It has always been this way since I could remember. Music and art, a part of me feels it coming naturally. I was too busy staying in the "zone" and before I knew it, they have all surrounded me. With me in the centre.

The music rises to a crescendo and then descends to a slow halt. The next music begins playing yet I didn't stop. I can smell the sweat enveloping bodies and feel the air closing around me, but still, I don't feel the need to leave the place. Not yet. It's different this time I guess... this isn't half bad. And for the record, I've never enjoyed myself in parties.

It's starting to feel a little too tight, but I chose to ignore it. "Briel, you're smiling. Didn't I say you should give this a chance? Look now you'd have regretted it if you didn't come alright." Claudia laughs as she spots me smiling slightly to the music. "Teach us where you learnt those dance moves. You're making us look bad."

Jason chuckles as he slides in to take Claudia's place beside mine when she sways away. "I don't find it that hard to keep up with the bar."

He pulls a high-level dance move, setting the bar higher. From my left, Res groans. "Stars, the reason why I don't want to end up dancing with you guys in a party. Remind me what I'm doing here again?"

"Because of a certain pretty gal." Mike butts in and winks at him, earning a fit of coughing from Vin.

"Who?" I asked them, curious about Res' mystery girl. My muscles contract tightly as I groove to the beat. Res likes Vin? Wait, why do I care? Not that I should care about his love interests. Before anyone could answer me, the place started to go crazy with squealing.

Jeez, guess that's the cue when the star of the party arrives huh.

Without waiting, Shayla, Vin and Claudia begin to squeal as well even though I'm sure they can't see him from our spot. Omg, time to get out I guess. The mass of people started shifting towards the source of their screaming and squealing, while I deliberately chose to move against them in the opposite direction. Somehow, by whatever stroke of sheer luck, I managed to get out before the group of girls trample me to the floor.

"You okay?" Res asked as he squeezes himself out between two crazy girls who are jumping and screaming and totally not pushing everyone else. "Yeah. I'm alright. I'm going to get some drinks." I said without looking behind. I assumed he would wait there for the rest to come. Slightly breathless from all the squeezing and dancing, my dry throat feels like its on fire. Some water would be much appreciated.

I made a beeline for the table with finger foods placed neatly in small dishes, while marvelling at how Vin and Shayla managed to transform the dormitory lounge into something else. There is a pool table and a soccer table. They even created a makeshift bar. And oh stars!

The jug of iced fruit punch sits invitingly on the table and I reached for it easily since there was no one around. Everyone's attention has been captivated by Prince Damien somewhere else. I'll be honest. I'm curious to see him in real life, but not involving squeezing and screaming in my ears. Too bad I'll just sneak in a glance later.

"Hey, excuse me." Someone spoke near me as I was grabbing a paper cup.

Startled, I almost lost my grip on the jug of fruit punch. I turned to see who it was and the boy looked vaguely familiar. "Er yes?"

"Hi, we met briefly before. Remember the dubious-looking guy with the duffel bags sneaking in the middle of the night to the dormitory?" A small smile plays on his lips as he watches me make a quick sweep through my memories. "Oh, right. You were that guy I bumped into. Sorry about that." I said awkwardly as the hazy memory popped up in my head. Jeez, of all the things I give people impressions of.

"Well, I never got the chance to introduce myself since you left in a hurry." He offered me his hand. "My name is Daniel."

Aha, now I know why I didn't recognize him immediately. He's wearing a pair of stylish designer glasses, which he wasn't wearing the night I accidentally bumped into him. And as I studied him, I realised everything that he's wearing screams branded. I placed the jug down and took his hand after wiping my palm on the skirt of my yellow dress. Something started beeping faintly from his jean pockets, but he ignored it.

"Don't you need to get that?" I said as I pulled my hands away from his and resumed pouring my drink. I gulped down the iced drink, feeling the cold liquid flow down my hot throat, soothing the wild thrumming of my heartbeat.

He shrugged before flashing me a smile. "Sorry, but can you help me to pour a cup too?"

A pointed cough came from behind, and I realised that Res had followed me here without me knowing. "I'll get that." He said gesturing at the jug and I stepped back to let him have it. He poured two cups and handed it over to Daniel. "Here. Next time get it yourself man."

Daniel calmly raised an eyebrow in a bemused expression but he said nothing. He drank the drink in one go, his eyes studying me curiously. It's a genuine way and not in an uncomfortable way, but still I can feel his probing gaze. Why is he so interested in me?

"Sorry, I know this seems sudden but I need to speak with...uh" He trailed off as he gestured at me and I realised I didn't tell him my name when he had already politely introduced himself first. "Call me Gabriella." I said, looking a little sheepish.

"I need to speak with Gabriella alone. I hope I'm not interrupting anything between the two of you." Daniel continued as he glanced at the both of us. What us? There's nothing between us.

"Oh no no. You're not interrupting anything at all." I was saying at the same time Res said. "Is there something you want with Gabriella?" I narrowed my eyes at Res in irritated surprise but he only looked at Daniel, refusing to meet mine. What the hell was that?

Daniel shot me a grateful smile, but he directed his words at Res. "I know as a friend you might be worried about her, but she's old enough to decide for herself. I'm a pretty decent guy and I swear I won't put my hands on her if she says so." Exactly.

"How long have you known him? Or did he just talked to you?" Res asked me without keeping his eyes off Daniel.

"Um, I kinda bumped into him a few days ago. I'm curious to know what he has to say to me. Maybe it's important." I shrugged.

I needed an excuse to get out anyway. Another bout of fatigue is coming, I can feel the edges of it. Damn it! Why is it coming so frequently nowadays? Whatever that Daniel guy wants to tell me better be short so I can find some greenery for a quick recharge.

After several minutes, Res finally nodded. "Alright... call us if you need anything." He said before leaving me alone with Daniel.

"Okay... that definitely went better than I expected." Daniel says as he looks at Res' retreating back. "He looked like he had a problem with me." He opened his mouth probably to comment about Res' relationship with me.

"Sorry, uh whatever it is you need to say to me, can you make it short and sweet? I have to be somewhere soon." I interjected.

"I guess will try." Daniel says as he drums his fingers before folding his arms. "Hmm, how should I start? Okay, maybe let's start with asking this. By any chance have you heard of the acronym S.P.A.D.?" Relief fills me. If he was thinking about asking me my personal particulars, then I would need to turn him down. He's a stranger after all, that I only met several days ago.

"No. What's that?" I ask, shrugging. I blinked, as the room began spinning a little. Shit. Not now. Why is this time so fast?

"Oh never mind. Are you okay?" He frowns as he studies me. "You look pale."

I almost laughed. Everyone has been asking me that same question lately, except this time maybe I'm really not okay. I shook my head. "I think I need some fresh air." Should I call Claudia? Maybe I'll tell her later.

"Sure. We can continue this outside." Daniel said as he followed me out of the suffocating room. I glanced briefly at the crowd of people who are now chanting "Dance for us, prince Damien! Dance! Dance! Dance!" But I couldn't catch a glimpse of his face. By the time I'm out of the doors and halfway in the open, not knowing where to go, a throbbing headache is pounding at the back of my head.

A wave of dizziness crashed into me and I put out my hand to grab something - anything - but there's nothing and I fell face first onto the ground.