Chapter 5

The blasting music was the first thing I took notice of as I entered the club. My feet could feel the vibration from the floor coming from the bass notes. Loud conversations and laughter were everywhere. Neon lights were spread all over the ceiling and the walls. The live atmosphere tonight is completely the opposite of my aura. I squeezed in between the crowds until the long lit up bar came to sight. My eyes immediately searched for Ronnie.

As soon as I stood still while looking for Ron, a presence from my right side started to close in on me. He had one shot glass on each of his hand. He offered the other one in front of me.

"Hey ba-"

"Walk away." I said bluntly without even looking at him. I have no interest in whatever he's offering. I'm sure that drink came with something else. My focus was to find Ronnie after all.

My eyes narrowed when I found her talking to someone. Her left leg slightly bent and her head tilted to the side. The position of her body and the movement of her hand running up and down the stranger's arm clearly signified flirting.

'Every time' I thought to myself as I made my way towards her, passing by the guy. Ronnie saw me walking towards her and her face lit up. "Callie! Come. This is .." she paused and looked at the man.

"Carl." He continued. His eyes roamed my body from head to toe, biting his lower lip in the process. My face twisted in grimace. His expression is very much disgusting.

"Come on." I said nodding my head towards the bar counter.

"Two tequila." Ronnie instructed the barista, raising her two fingers.

"Alright hit me." She said, looking at me closely. I glance back at her. I didn't exactly know what she meant by that. She rolled her eyes before speaking that as if she knew what I was thinking, "What's wrong? We always end up in here whenever something is bothering you so tell me, what is it?".

She knew me well. I blinked a few times before looking away. I didn't know what to say. I can't exactly blurt out about my situation even if I trust her. This is something I have to keep to myself. "Callie, what's the problem?" She repeated.

"I just wanted to unwind after being sick for the last five days." I replied shrugging my shoulders. She did not seem to be satisfied with my answer by the look she is giving me. I thought so. "I'm fine." I insisted hoping that she will buy it. I am not the person who lies but, this time was an exception.

Two shots of tequila was presented to us and we drank it instantly. "Another one." I said raising my glass at him.

The shots kept on coming until I lost count of how many we've had. Suddenly, an image of Drew and aunt Claire flashed in my head - Aunt Claire who raised, treated, and never abandoned me - and Andrew who added joy to my life. The thought of leaving them pained me. It was something I never thought of doing in my entire life.

"Hey, hey, hey. That blonde over there is totally checking me out." She uttered in excitement. Her shaking my arm vigorously made me follow who she is looking at. I shook my head with amusement. Ronnie flirted but she wasn't the type of person who slept around. Leading on men was one of the things she found entertaining. She never failed to do so since her appearance made it very easy for men to be drawn to her.

I watched her for a while, thinking that I would miss this woman tremendously. The reason I called her to meet me was because this is my last night. Octavia and Alexander gave me time to process everything and make a decision by the end of the week. Tonight is my last night. If I don't meet them by tomorrow night, I would never get the chance to find out about where my mother is from.

Ronnie's hand waved on my face. I blinked a few times and tried to focus on her but my vision started blurring. "Callie? Yohoo." Ronnie snapped her finger at me. I looked at her. Her body moved uneasily and her eyes began closing. Oh no, the alcohol is starting to affect her too.

"R-Ronnie. We uhm .... we have to ... go." My eyes were clearing up but as soon as we stood up, it slowly became unfocused again.

I held on to her arm to support myself but she herself were also unsteady. Then the buzzing in my head came with the blurry vision. Ronnie and I tried walking but it just made everything worse.

I felt Ronnie's grip on me loosening. I turned to her and found that someone was already helping her up. "H-hey leave her ... alone." The words I said trailed off and felt like a whisper that no one but me could hear.

I walked to her but completely lost my balance. I tried to steady myself yet an arm snaked around the small of my back supporting me, securing me in his arms. The club smelled of alcohol and cigarette but, a certain scent were more dominant than both. I held myself up by holding on to that person's arm.

A pair of cold silver eyes were focused on me. They were very familiar but, I could not quite remember where I saw them. After all, my judgement and memory is clouded and untrustworthy. My eyesight became more hazy within the second and my eyelids drooped. Those eyes were the last thing I saw before I lost consciousness.

***

The bright sunlight coming from the glass door to my balcony was what woke me up. I groaned and brought myself up to sit down. I definitely regretted what I did. Soon I felt a throbbing pain all over my head. I clutched my hair close to my scalp and lazily fell back down to bed. I pulled the blanket over my head and went back to sleep thinking that I would cheat my way through hangover.

I was awakened hours later by the annoying buzzing that I felt on the right side of my butt. I searched where it was coming from and realized that it was my phone, still tucked in my pocket. I was probably highly drunk that I did not bother taking it out. I lazily fished it out and answered before bringing it to my ear.

"Hello?" I answered, my eyes still closed.

"Hey thanks for dropping me off last night. Did you get home alright?" She asked, a clicking sound of a spoon being stirred and banging at a glass was heard from the background. She is probably stirring a drink of some sort.

Drop her off? Get home?

It was as if ice cold water was splashed at me. My eyes sprung open and I sat down from bed at once. I dropped the phone and immediately ran my hands all over my head. I sighed in relief when my clothes from yesterday is still intact.

"Hello? Callie? Are you still there? Hello?" I heard Ronnie's muffled voice on the phone.

"Y-Yes I'm here." I said picking up the phone.

"I said did you get home safe last night?" She repeated. I could just imagine her shaking her head with her tone.

Home? Last night? I closed my eyes and massaged the bridge of my nose, trying to remember everything. I remember us chugging tequila and talking for a while but that was it. Nothing else came up. "I don't even remember getting home." I answered.

"Right?! I mean I just woke up craving for something cold to drink, I opened the fridge and found my coffee pot inside! Men we must have been wasted. Anyways, how did you get us home? I remembered you were as drunk as I was." She queried, curiosity heard in her voice.

She's right, how did I get home? Last night was a complete blur. "Beats me." I said shrugging to myself. I ended the call and decided to get up to take a shower. I reek of alcohol and it's disgusting.

I stepped into the shower and let the water cascade down my body. The water somehow helped with the sensation going in my head. It took me quite a while to make up my mind to either step out or soak in the refreshing water. Nonetheless, I turned the tap off and dried myself.

I walked across my room and noticed that it is completely dark outside. It's 10:37. I slept through the day. I stroll towards my desk while drying my hair with the slightly damp towel.

Upon nearing it, I caught a sight of a small piece of paper placed on top of my laptop. With curiosity, I picked it up.

'I will be waiting at our first encounter, today at midnight'

- A

My hand tremble suddenly when reality slapped me in the face. My thoughts were utterly preoccupied by last night that I forgot all about it. I read the note again and again trying to figure out where we first met. I looked towards my balcony - that was where I first saw him.

I found myself mooching around the room. I know I had to make the decision to go with them but, is it the right one? I shook my head. There is no time to doubt.

No, wait. I stopped in my tracks when I realized something. First encounter? It wasn't on my balcony. It happened at school, the rooftop! That is where we first met. I mean semi-met?

I inhaled deeply then sat down by my desk. I took out a blank piece of paper and started writing. It is a farewell letter. There I wrote everything from how I am grateful to Aunt Claire and to saying goodbye.

Writing that letter was extremely hard for me. Every word was like a needle piercing through my heart. It was horrible. I glanced at the clock and it is already 11:25. Time flies so fast when you don't want it to be. I placed the paper on top of my bed and stared at it for a second.

I grabbed my jacket and walked out my room. I went straight to Drew's room and found him sleeping soundly. I leaned down and kissed him on his forehead.

I left the room almost quickly before I consider changing my mind just by the sight of Drew. I tip toed down the stairs and to the door. I quietly turned the knob and stepped outside. It was a relief that Lydia is not up.

I looked back one more time to the house I grew up in. Taking a deep breath, I turned my back and walked away, leaving everything and everyone behind.

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