Chapter 29 #2
I turn to Vaeda instinctively, hope blooming inside my chest. Her eyes meet mine, the warmth in them softening, but beneath it lies hesitation.
“Vaeda,” I say softly, almost privately amidst the joyful noise. “Come out with us?”
She pauses for a moment, her gaze flicking briefly downwards. A subtle shadow crosses her features, one I immediately recognize as pain. When she looks up again, her smile is gentle but apologetic. “I wish I could, but my ankle…” she trails off quietly, regret lingering in her voice.
Disappointment settles inside my chest, but I nod in understanding. Her injury remains an unspoken challenge, a stubborn reminder of the sacrifices she’s made. Before the wave of frustration overtakes me completely, Vaeda leans in closer, her hand discreetly resting on mine beneath the table.
“But you can come to my room later,” she whispers, her breath warm against my ear, sending shivers down my spine. She discreetly slips a key card into my palm, her room number clearly printed on it. My pulse quickens.
“Okay,” I reply, my voice thick with anticipation. Her smile grows deeper, brighter, and I feel a rush of warmth radiate through my veins.
Yvonne’s sharp eyes catch our brief exchange, suspicion flickering behind her polished expression, but she quickly masks it, lifting her glass to her lips with a forced nonchalance.
We all stand, laughter and conversation rising as we step outside into the Parisian night. The air is crisp, the city glowing under a canopy of stars, and the Eiffel Tower sparkles brilliantly in the distance, casting its iconic golden hue over the city.
Vaeda slips into a cab, her eyes filled with discomfort as she favors her injured ankle.
Greyson leans in and says something to her, making her eyes light up with humor.
Sometimes I watch them and their easy friendship and wish I could get those same reactions from her.
For too long, we’ve hidden our true feelings away, and on the surface, we look nothing more than teacher and student.
Hopefully, her decision to ask me to her room tonight means that’s all changed. I pray it means she’s choosing me now.
We arrive at Le Duplex, the lively rhythm of music already thrumming through its doors, vibrating beneath our feet as we approach. The club radiates energy, a beacon of neon lights and pulsing beats, welcoming us eagerly into its embrace.
Inside, the atmosphere is intoxicating. Laser lights sweep across the expansive dance floor, slicing through clouds of artificial mist. Bodies move in perfect synchrony to the deep bass as laughter and cheers mingle seamlessly with the vibrant rhythm.
The DJ, positioned high above the throng, orchestrates the night’s energy with ease, hands raised and head bobbing in sync with the music.
Adam pulls Kari into the crowd immediately, their laughter swallowed by the music. Greyson chuckles beside me, taking in the vibrant chaos, but eventually leans over, patting my shoulder affectionately.
“I think this old man is going to tap out!” he shouts above the noise, his eyes warm and amused. “I may have bitten off more than I can chew here. Enjoy yourself, Mateo. You’ve earned it.”
I smile gratefully, watching him weave his way gracefully toward the exit, his suit jacket thrown casually over his shoulder.
Yvonne slides closer to me, her movements fluid, effortlessly matching the beat.
Her eyes meet mine, filled with longing and hope.
I smile warmly but keep a subtle distance, my thoughts inevitably drifting back to Vaeda waiting for me back at the hotel.
Yet I allow myself to become part of the pulsing mass, the music carrying my body, offering a brief distraction.
We dance through song after song, the club becoming hotter, the energy more frenetic.
I let the music seep into my bones, clearing away the lingering tension and nerves from the day’s competition.
Even amidst the neon haze and ecstatic beats, thoughts of Vaeda tug persistently at my heart.
Her face, her smile, and her touch are never far from my mind.
Yvonne has been back and forth from the bar, and her movements are becoming sloppier, her breath saturated with the shots she’s taking. I’m not one to judge, but I don’t want to see her become blackout drunk and have something bad happen to her.
Eventually, Yvonne leans close, breathless and smiling, shouting over the thundering bass. “Glad we did this! We needed this.”
“Me too,” I admit, a genuine warmth in my smile. Yet a glance toward the exit, the anticipation of seeing Vaeda again, pulls at me powerfully. “Maybe you should take it easy with the shots?”
Her head tips back on a laugh as her hand slips into mine, pulling me toward the bar. “Let’s get water.” Her suggestion settles my concerns slightly as we weave in close to the bar.
She leans over the counter and brings her face close to the bartender’s, telling him what she wants.
I lean against the bar and look out at the crowd just as Adam and Kari approach us.
Both are red-faced and sweating, their expressions filled with euphoria.
For the first time, I wonder if they’re a couple, and if they think Yvonne and I are seeing each other too.
“Mateo!” Yvonne grabs my arm and turns me around, grinning maniacally as she hands me a shot glass. “It’s tequila!”
My stomach flips as my breath gets trapped inside my chest, and I try to swallow but my throat isn’t working. Yvonne takes her shot and slams the glass on the counter, then looks at me expectantly. I can’t believe this is happening, that she’s disregarding my sobriety.
After a few more seconds, Adam grabs my shot and downs it, giving me a look of disappointment. “Dude, that was lame,” he chastises. “I got the next round.”
Adam shoves closer to the bar as Yvonne and Kari laugh together, both of them oblivious to my internal turmoil. Instead of yelling at Yvonne like she deserves, I turn on my heel and push through the crowd toward the exit.
I step out into the cooler night air and suck in a breath, hoping to calm my racing heart.
Anger and embarrassment burn through me as I stand there, looking up at the clear sky.
Soon, I begin to feel betrayed by Yvonne’s actions.
She was supposed to be my friend, the only one who knew about my sobriety tonight, and she let me down.
My thoughts turn to Vaeda, who has always been an advocate for my well-being, and my anger dissipates.
I head toward the hotel as my heart races faster, anticipation blooming into eagerness.
My footsteps quicken instinctively, drawn irresistibly toward Vaeda, toward the promise waiting in her eyes and her whispered words.