little does she know

- he thinks about her too

"God, why didn't I bring my camera? These are some of the wildest animals I've ever seen. it needs to be clicked" Seive mused a moment later, looking around as she was actually in zoo.

"When did you said was the last time you went to one of the college parties?" I asked the girl behind me, looking over my shoulder.

"Almost seven months ago" Seive murmured.

"Well, it's all good. To be honest, nothing ever changes except the drinks and place. Be careful with your steps, every single person you see here is either drunk or high, unless they have some high key party poopers here like me " I chuckled under my breathe.

"Like me too" she chimed.

She was holding my hand, clinging to me like an infant to his mom and I didn't mind it. I knew that parties and big crowds were not her scene, she just needed a little help to blend in. Needed little company to make her feel comfortable.

The house was packed with giggling girls and guys under the influence of heavy consumption of alcohol. Somewhere at the corner of the living room, a game was going on and the hooting of the students were swaying in the air.

The volume was turned up even higher when some yelled to raise it, making people deaf to other noises but the music. Everyone had a purple plastic cup in their hand, sipping on their drinks.

As we entered the living area, I spotted Maria standing there with a scowl, what happened? My eyes trailed down to the wet front of her peach colored off shoulder top and found the reason behind that scowl.

She found me peeking at her with what I assume an amused smile as she hurried in our direction.

Glancing back at my friend, I whispered "brace yourself, Sieve"

"Winterrrr, finally! What took you so long? I was waiting for you and some drunk fucker spilled his drink on me" She came whining like a toddler, before her eyes fell behind me.

I knew what was going in her head, so turning around I smiled at Sieve and went for a little introduction.

"Sieve this is Maria, my friend" I gestured with my hands, before continuing " Mar, meet Sieve"

Sieve was quiet for like solid six seconds, standing shell shocked as Maria quickly threw me a concerned glance. I simply waved her off.

Finally, recovering from her nervous attack, Sieve offered her hand and said ever so slowly, "Hello, it's pleasure to meet you"

A grin stretched on Maria's face as she took the silver haired girl's hand and replied, "Yeah same, it's always pleasure meeting hot chicks"

Punching her shoulder lightly, I rolled my eyes She was going to scare her away and stepped to speak, "I was with her, sorry for being late. She's like my guest for tonight"

She just nodded like a child in a carnival with a big smile and looked back at Sieve, "Of course babe, we're best friends, your guests are my guests. So, Sieve do you want a drink?"

The girl looked taken back for a moment and honestly, who could blame her? Maria had that effect on people, especially girls. She peered at me with an uncertain look as I smiled encouragingly to her.

"emm sure, I guess" She nodded with a shy smile.

"Good choice, c'mon we'll get you a drink, I know all about the cool stuffs here" Maria threw an arm around her shoulder, ready to drag her away, before turned to me, "What about you Winter? You coming?"

Although, she asked that as nonchalant and sweetly as possible, but in her eyes she was jumping with a sign board written 'NO' on it.

Her pathetic expression made me chuckle as I said, "No. You guys enjoy. I'll go and find the girls"

Not even a second and Maria was out of there with Sieve. I just hoped, she don't go around getting drunk or acting all wild in front Sieve.

Shoving my hands in the back pockets of my ripped jeans, I decided to go and really look for Kate and Sharon. A part of me was hoping to run into a certain guy with the most gorgeous smile in the world, but again he needed to be with his teammates more. They're celebrating tonight, of course.

Stepping inside the kitchen, I quickly moved out of the way to dodge the guy practically coming flying towards me as he fell on the floor. Hand on my chest, I peeped down at him as he grunted something in Spanish.

What on earth

Just as I was about to move another pair of guys came, but this time they looked sober as a bulky guy went to pick up the guy from the floor. They cursed and muttered something, struggling to pick him up.

Shaking my head at the them, I stepped aside and let them do their work. Seive was right, some of them were really wild.

A strong smell of something sweet and liquor was mingled in the air, making me want to inhale a good amount of it as I looked around, searching for the source of that delicious smell.

Skimming the messy counter top, I saw heaps of wrappers and crushed cups, empty packs of cigs and a glass bottle sprawled over the liquid.

"Sorry, no whiskey for you big girl" I jumped, hearing a sudden voice speak close to me.

Turning around I glared at Finn, who stood there showing off his best grin. One hand gloved in the pocket of his red hoodie as he held a purple cup in his other hand.

"Planning to get drunk again?" He raised at eyebrow at me. His smile dancing in the shadow of mischief.

I let out a sigh at the memory his words brought and said, "Nah it's not always Christmas", eyeing the cup in his hand, I further added, "though I am craving a drink whatchya got?"

With a smirk, he simply pushed it towards me , "Why don't you try it yourself?"

Although, the color of that liquid looked very concerning, which made me hesitate at first. But, I just shrugged my shoulder and took the cup from him and gulped down the drink in one go.

The sour and a little spicy taste instantly kicked my taste buds and the stinging sensation later brushed my throat.

Quickly shutting my eyes, I muttered under my breathe"Damn it's good"

When I opened them again, the sweet little lightheaded feeling clouded my senses, like the feeling of freedom after years of imprisonment.

"And a little strong too, get me another one" I shot Finn a look.

A smoky chuckle escaped his mouth as he stared at me with those all too knowing eyes and remarked, "I thought you were not planning to get drunk?"

"Maybe, I changed my mind. Now, will you hurry?" I crossed my arms over chest, grumbling. Patience had never been my virtue, besides I really liked that... whatever that was.

After pissing me off with his teasing smirk, Finn disappeared to get me another drink after telling me to wait there. Sliding away all the trash and cleaning the counter top, I hopped on it and enjoyed the view from my way.

The dim lights and drunk people, it maybe a little crazy to think, but they were all vulnerable in their own way. They thought they had the control and enjoyed it, but it was alcohol who had more control on them.

Alcohol make people do things they would never even think about doing in their sober state. For a moment, it makes us brave.

My eyes fell on the top of Finn's gelled hair, before I saw him approaching me with a familiar purple cup in his hands. He saw me and broke into a grin, handing me the drinks.

"There we go. I am gonna go and join the guys, you okay here?" He looked at me with questioning eyes.

I just nodded taking a sip and peered down at him, from my throne made of marble he looked few inches shorter than me.

Nodding in return, he grabbed my arm adjusting me on the counter top as I scooted back more comfortably and spoke, "Well good then. I'll let your man know where to find you"

I let Finn take his leave and drank in silence, although it was not at all quiet, but it was peaceful. Sip by sip, I felt myself relax, while holding the other cup in my hand. He knew me well to bring me two cups.

Because as I finished my first drink, it didn't take me long to crave another one. So, I immediately took a big gulp from the another cup trying to sate myself. That was the thing, this time I was not drinking to drown my sorrows, but to sate my appetite.

Sitting there and just being a watcher of all the madness was fun, I didn't mind it, but there was someone on my mind. Someone who still haven't showed up in front of me after being the man of the match and I was kinda dreading the party now.

At least, we would've been together now if not for this stupid party. When did I become so homesick? and since when you could become homesick for people?

Without even realizing, I was bobbing my head to the beat of an unknown song with a familiar melody and swung my legs freely. I guess humans are just like that song, sometimes we don't even know them but everything about them feels so familiar.

As if your soul have known them for years before you two even met and as you find the song after having that melody stuck in your head for so long, you instantly fall in love.

Surely, the melody was nice, but the song? The songs becomes your favorite as soon as you hear it for the first time and you realize, no matter what from now on this one song will always outshine others.

This one particular song will always be your favorite now, because you fell in love with it before you even heard it.

swallowing the last drop, I tossed the empty cups on top of the trash mound decorating the table and jumped off of the counter top. My legs wobbled like jelly hitting the floor too hard and I had to grasp the counter to stop myself from falling.

The alcohol was slowly starting it's magic, but I knew I won't be out of it.

Wiping my mouth with the back of hand, I fixed my clothes and decided to look for my folks. It was not even past midnight and you could see almost half of the students were completely toping , while the other half tried to control them or lead themselves towards the same destination.

I followed the yelling and cheers around, but was met with disappointment as I saw some juniors. The hall was filled with people and few players from the team, but none of who I was looking for were there.

Maybe upstairs? I thought and a flash from the past lit up my head. A small tug on lips formed them into a smile as I recalled the night when I came here for the first time.

Muttering a string of continuous excuse me and apologies, I slid past the sweaty and high bodies to reach the stairs.

I felt a hand clasped my shoulder and I leaped in shock withe the sudden contact. Twice in one night, someone was really trying to give me a heart attack.

Thinking it was Finn or Maria, I whirled around ready to give a piece of my mind, however I closed my mouth after seeing a complete stranger.

I stared at him with a raised eyebrow and annoyed face, before he spoke up letting his heavy Scottish accent flow, "Erm excuse me, sorry I didn't mean to scare you. You're Winter, right?"

"Yeah, thats me", I replied a little uncertain, still studying him.

His hair were bleached and I was not sure if he was from my college, although it didn't look like as if he was.

He offered me a piece of paper and informed, "Your boyfriend from the basketball team told me to gave you this"

Oh taking the note, I thanked him little too excitedly and quickly unfolded it. I didn't even want to think about that weird expression on my face, I must've looked hideous for all I care.

Snow, meet me outside. I am waiting for you.

~ Ethan

Two sentences, two sentences were all it took to make my heart bounce against my rib cage and bring a goofy smile on my face. Love really change people or maybe it just brings out who we really are, that we try to hide from the world.

Shoving the paper in my pocket, I fixed my hair and looked around to see if anyone witnessed my subtle show of weirdness, thankfully everyone was busy in their own world to intrude others.

The crispy and cool air hummed a welcome as I stepped outside. The vibration and low distant music was swaying in the atmosphere. Taking a deep breathe, I cherished a moment of peace and looked around.

Hoping to see his handsome face, I walked out on the empty road. At this cold night, it was barren illuminating with the lights sneaking out of the house.

Where did he want me to come? It's outside, right?

Furrowing my eyebrows I turned my head and searched for him. It was really quiet and I couldn't see anyone out here except few trees and the road leading to the neighborhood.

Peering down at my sneakers, I blew out a tired breathe maybe he was not here after all.

I blinked when my vision suddenly blurred for a second and quickly glanced up. Tears were welling up in my eyes as I tried to adjust my sight. The quick and continuous pop up of black spots made my head spin.

My legs were losing the energy to hold me and my heart hammered almost painfully. There was sharp twist of weakness in my body as I tried to grab something, trying to hold onto something. My tongue turned into sand and no words formed my mouth.

Shivers trembled my body as I tried to squint my eyes to see something. My breathe hitched when I saw a dark looming shadow from the distance and the whispers of terror were clear in my ears.

Something was wrong, something was telling me to run, but my body didn't comply. I tried to take a step back, but couldn't move an inch. My vision turned fuzzy, blackness was taking over me. I did my best to fight against it, to stop my eyelids from shutting, but I couldn't hold back and the darkness fell over my eyes like a blanket.

So, the only reason why I didn't want to update is, because this chapter ends with a cliffhanger

And 2020 is finally here, can't believe it's a start of a new decade. Man, I feel old.

That's all for now, I'll see you next time with some heavily intense chapter. Stay happy and safe. Your smile has the power to light up a room and to connect with people without saying a single word :)

Love, Zee..