章節 6: Chapter 2 - Where the hell is Batman? (3)

A U T U M N

For a second, I thought maybe I could get away with this, maybe I could just get my drink and run without them ever noticing that I was here. I mean, they were clearly too occupied to notice anyway. But considering the barrel was right next to her thigh, that was unlikely to happen.

I took a step back, ready to make my way out when his eyes fluttered open and froze me in my place. Those hooded dark grey eyes filled with passion and promises sent shivers down my spine. Maybe he was caught in the moment, maybe the kisses that blonde girl was giving him on his neck had something to do with that. Yet the mischievous smile appearing on his sensual lips told me otherwise.

The beer has forgotten, I took a step back, out of the kitchen and walked as quickly as I could to get back into the party. I went to the media room where most people were there and joined them, hoping if that guy was to follow me, he wouldn't be able to find me in the middle of a mash of warm bodies.

My hips bumped into someone and I was about to turn and say sorry when I realized it was Jess. "Jess!"

Her eyes went wide. "Autumn! Where have you been? We've been looking for you everywhere!"

"Er, upstairs," I answered quietly.

"What's upstairs? Do they have another party upstairs?" asked Colton who was standing right next to Jess. They looked so cute wearing the same color outfits. Jess wore a beautiful coral blue dress while Colton had a dark blue blazer on.

I shook my head. "Nope."

"Oh." Colton sounded disappointed.

"This place is huge!" exclaimed Jess with a little shake of her head. "Seriously, you all Columbia kids are loaded!"

"I'm not," I said with a shrug. Just like Tyler, I got into Columbia with a scholarship. Although mine was partial, unlike Tyler who went in with a full scholarship.

We walked through the crowd and went to the next room. "Do you girls want some drink?" offered Colton.

"Jack on ice for me, babe," answered Jess as she winked at him.

Colton shook his head. "No. No more Jack Daniels for you." He turned to look at me. "Autumn?"

"Beer would be fine," I replied. "Thanks."

He nodded then walked away.

"So," said Jess with a playful look on her face. "What were you doing upstairs?"

I kept my face blank. "Nothing."

"Oh, come on!" She nudged me and bit her lower lip. "Colton isn't around, you can tell me." Her eyes narrowed. "Did you get high?"

"No!" I yelled, causing a few people to glance in our way.

She gasped. "Oh my God. Did you accidentally cheat on Tyler?"

I would be annoyed if it wasn't for the word 'accidentally' she smartly put in her sentence. "No." I rolled my eyes.

"Then what did you do? Tell me!" She linked her arm in mine and dragged me to the nearest couch.

"I didn't do anything," I answered truthfully. She looked at me as if she didn't believe a word I said. "Okay, fine. I stalked a guy."

Her eyes went wider than I thought humanly possible. "Who?" asked her enthusiastically.

"Matthew Hussey." I wasn't lying, I did stalk Matthew for a bit to find out what Camila's boyfriend looked like.

Jess' smile dimmed a little. "Who's that?"

"Camila Cabello's new boyfriend."

She punched my arm lightly as she laughed. "Geez. You and your daily stalking." She shook her head.

"Don't you dare judge me! You stalked Niall Horan for God knows how many times!" I laughed.

"That's cos he's Niall Horan for Horan's sake!" She gave me a 'duh' look and we both laughed.

My laughter died once I saw the guy walking in with Colton. It was that guy, the one in the kitchen. "Come on!" I took Jess' hand and led her to the dance floor.

"What are we doing here?" She frowned. "Colton is coming with our drinks."

"Yes. But he's coming with the creepy guy!" I said close to her ear, just in case anyone around us knew that guy.

"Where? Which one?" Jess looked around and stopped once she spotted her boyfriend. "Oh. That's Phraser."

I raised one brow. "Who?"

"Phraser Ronan," replied Jess. When she looked at my dumbfounded face, she quickly added, "Geez, babe, how could you not know him? We're at his house."

What?! I honestly thought it was just some random house used for partying. I mean, come on, this House was freaking huge, who would want to live here? You need to walk twenty minutes to get to the kitchen from the front door. I couldn't wait that long to get my pizza delivery to the dining table, I would probably eat them on my way.

No wonder he felt so free to make out with a girl in the kitchen, this was his house after all.

"I'm gonna go to Colton and get our drinks," said Jess. I replied her with a nod.

♫ Last year took a toll on me but I made it with you next to me. Around the world and back again, I hope you're waiting at the end ♫

I closed my eyes and followed the beat, finally letting go. I didn't realize how much I missed dancing to good music until now. Last year I've been so busy thinking about final exams and college. Even after the exam was finished, I was too busy preparing myself for New York that I didn't have much time to have fun.

I suddenly became aware of a pair of big hands on my waist. For a second or two, I didn't give much thought of it. I mean, the floor was crowded, and people were bumping into each other, maybe the touch was an accident. But it became obvious to my stupid booze-soaked brain that the touch wasn't accidental, I threw my right elbow, wanting to shove whoever it was. Instead, my hand bumped into a solid wall of muscle. I looked over my shoulder, way up into a pair of grey eyes and a face that dropped my jaw on the floor.

♫ I got you, I promise, let me be honest, love is a road that goes both ways ♫

He didn't smile or say anything. Not even a small 'hi'. He just looked directly into my eyes while his hands lightly rested on the curve of my waist. Despite being caught right-handed, he looked not a bit sorry that he was touching me.

His gaze held mine, and I knew trouble when it stared down at me. I knew it by the rumble in my stomach and the catch in my breath. I knew I should run. As fast as I could. As far away as possible.

Again, damn! Where the hell is Batman when I need him?