(5). The monster
1837 Words
I take another sip of my cold drink. I'm assuming that whoever just called me saw me talking to Reid. That also means whoever is calling me is probably here at the party.
Who would that be, and how does he have my number? I'm thinking it's either Nathan or Kol, and they possibly got my number from my friends, but I quickly cross them off my list. I can easily recognize their voices over the phone.
I brush the call off my mind as I walk out of the kitchen. I'm sure I'll be fine. Reid is not the type of a guy I'd like to be friends with. I know his type all too well.
That means my mysterious caller s***h self proclaimed guardian angel has nothing to be worried about.
I spot Hazel the moment I walk into the party again and I walk over to her.
She turns to look at me when I place a hand on her shoulder.
"Where have you been?"
"Getting a drink. This party sucks. I want to go home." I tell her over the loud music.
"Already? It's barely eleven and you are our designated driver."
"I know. I can leave then come back to pick you guys once you're done."
"You're not leaving, Riya. Where is Asher?"
''Don't know, don't care."
"I mean, he could keep you company if you're bored."
"I'm not hanging out with Asher."
"I'm sure he's not that terrible."
"Hazel, I'm sleeping with him. Spending time with him on top of that is being dramatic."
"I know what you're worried about, Riya. You're not even capable of developing feelings for a guy, so you really have nothing to worry about."
"Are you trying to say that I'm heartless?" I ask with a gasp, feigning offense, and Hazel bursts out laughing.
"Call him."
I sigh before I get my phone from my bag. I dial Asher, and I cautiously let my eyes take in everyone in the room as I wait for him to answer.
I shake my head as I briefly close my eyes. I need to get that mysterious caller out of my mind.
"Miss me already?" Asher's voice fills my ear.
"You wish."
"You called me."
"Where are you?"
"What, can't keep calm without me?"
"Where the hell are you, Asher?"
"I already left. Why are you asking?"
"I just wanted someone to hang out with, but never mind."
"I thought you weren't the clingy type?"
"I knew this was a bad idea. Goodbye."
He hangs up while I turn to Hazel with an eye roll.
"He thinks I'm being clingy. Thanks for talking me into calling him."
She grins cheekily.
"You're welcome."
"Now I'm really going home. Call me once you're ready to leave."
She shrugs, since she knows nothing can change my mind right now, and I briskly walk to the entrance.
At the door, I reel backwards when I bump into someone in the most cliché way possible. My back bumps right into someone else and he easily wraps an arm around me to support me. I know it's a guy because he cusses when my back hits his torso.
"Look where you're going, dumbass!" The first guy I bumped into yells in my face.
"You look where you're going, you little shit." Whoever is still clutching my waist retaliates, and I immediately push his arms away from me.
"Reid?" I gasp, turning around.
He is not looking at me. He is busy glaring at the other boy who looks a bit lost as he slithers into the shadows.
He finally turns to me, and I clear my throat when our eyes meet.
I can't believe I'm so nervous around him.
"That was unnecessary. I'm the one who bumped into him."
Reid nods.
"I know."
"Then why did you do that?"
"You're welcome."
I roll my eyes for the tenth time tonight.
"The whole Knight in shining armour thing was unnecessary but okay."
"Where are you going?" He inquires, grabbing my hand when I make to walk away.
"Home. Don't touch me."
"It still early."
"I know. Get. Your. Hands. Off. Me."
His eyes fleet to my hand and he slowly unlocks his fingers from around it.
"Are you really okay?"
"I'm great."
His brow creases with a frown.
"Do you want a drink?"
"I'm good, Reid."
"You look so lost. Come back inside."
Reid takes the cup which I'm somehow still holding, and I watch him as he drinks from it. He makes a face when he swallows the mango juice then he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.
"Why are you drinking this?"
"I don't think I understand your question."
"Mango juice? At a party?"
"You were taking water last night in a club. I'm impressed by the hypocrisy."
"Can't you just answer a simple question?"
"I'm driving. Happy?"
"I'll drive you home. Let's get you a real drink."
"I'm very capable of driving myself home, thank you very much good sir."
"Don't be stubborn about this."
The way his dark eyes pierce into mine makes me want to stay and have that drink. I know it's not a good idea but my willpower is giving way. His familiarity is just.. I don't know how to explain it.
"I have to get Mia and Hazel home afterwards."
"Nathan and Kol will drive them."
"And if they don't?"
"Then I'll do it myself."
I let out a sigh.
"Haven't you been drinking?"
"I have the whole teetotaler thing going on, remember? Don't look so paranoid. I never go back on my word. If I promise to get you home, I'll get you home."
"Fine. Whatever."
What could possibly go wrong?
He reaches for my hand but I step away from him. He frowns at me before he turns on his heel. I walk closely beside him, and the party makers part to make way for us.
The drinks are placed on the kitchen counter but he reaches into the cabinet. I start to raise an eyebrow before he takes out a bottle of Scotch; the good type. He smiles at me as he uncorks it and pours some into a party cup.
"You're hiding the good stuff?" I ask with a tiny frown when he pushes the cup to me.
"It belongs to Kol's dad. He'll just assume that Kol drank it."
"You'll get him in trouble."
"That's the plan. Kol accidentally broke half of my mom's favourite china, and I had to take the blame. This is nothing in return."
"You still live with your mom?"
"Nope. It was a thanksgiving event at my parent's and we invited our friends. Either way, I don't think living with your Mom is bad at all."
"I take it that you have a cool mom?"
"I don't know what's your definition for cool, but my Mom is heavensent. She's a bit overbearing but it's nothing I can't handle. I let her be the boss, and boom! Everyone's happy."
The way he speaks about her makes my heart ache a little. He makes her sound like a good person.
I don't know a lot of good people.
"You love her, then?" I ask rhetorically as I scoop ice cubes into my drink.
"She's easily my favourite human. What did your mother do to earn your dislike?"
I shake my head, forcing a tight smile.
"If I start talking, we'll be here all night. She's done a lot of things I'd rather she didn't, and now she has burdened me with the task of living with Savannah. I don't like that at all."
He raises an eyebrow.
"Savannah?"
"My cousin."
"You don't like her? Why?"
"I don't like anyone."
Reid just shakes his head as he watches me gulp down the Scotch.
"You've had it rough in life, haven't you, Riya?"
"Who hasn't?"
"Everyone is having it rough but you are a different case all together." He calmly regards me. "You have to put on a strong, bitchy facade as a defense mechanism so people won't hurt you. Am I right, or am I right?"
"What are you, a shrink?"
"No, that's just Kol."
"I should probably leave."
"You should probably talk it out."
I calmly place the cup on the counter before I glare at Reid.
"I don't wanna talk about anything with you."
"I don't want you to talk to me. There are people.. professionals..I could get you one.."
I frown so hard when he trails off.
"What do you care? We didn't know each other two hours ago."
He makes to cup my face.
"Riya-"
"Don't touch me!"
"Why are you so furious?"
"Why am I so furious?" I demand, tears suddenly filling my eyes. I probably shouldn't have drunk that Scotch. "I'm furious because I hate everything and everyone. I hate myself, I hate my mother, I hate Savannah- God, she didn't even do anything wrong!"
''Hey, it's okay. Calm down, okay?"
"Calm down? You want me to calm down?"
"You're shouting, Riya." His calmness drives me crazy.
"And if I am? I'll shout however I want. You know why? Because I'm tired. I'm tired of putting up this stupid bad girl facade. I'm sick of hating everyone. I want to care, Reid, but I cant. I can't bring myself to trust anyone. I'm stuck being a heartless slut who only cares about herself."
I don't realize that tears are rolling down my cheeks until I feel Reid flicking them away.
I slap his hand away.
"Don't touch me!"
"Why can't I?"
"Because I hate men touching me." I sob. "A man ruined me. He destroyed my life. I don't want you acting like you care. I don't want anyone acting like they care. You know why? Because they don't. They just want me to trust them then they'll take advantage of that and tear me apart."
Reid steps closer and despite my protests, he doesn't budge. I try to push him away but he's like a solid wall.
"Step away, dammit!"
"No. I can't leave you like this." He opens his arms while I eye him with contempt. "Come here, Riya. I'll just hold you and if you don't like it, I'll let you go."
I cringe, stepping backwards until my back hits the counter.
"I don't want to hug."
"Then at least stop crying."
"I can't, Reid. I can't.....He was-" I shake my head, wiping the tears spilling over my cheeks. "He was horrible."
"What did he do to you?" Reid whispers.
"He used me. He hated me."
"f**k this." He growls, and he pulls me into his arms without warning. I start to fight him but he only hugs me harder.
I stop resisting.
He tightens his arms around me and cradles me to him. I hide my face in his chest and I close my eyes as I try to muffle my sobs.
"What happened?"
"He raped me." I gasp in between sobs. "It was all my mom's fault."
- Writer
