Angela's POV:
Bella rushed past me before I could stop her. I sighed. Is this what college was going to be like? Chasing after my drunk friends? I went back to the front of the house, intending to follow Bella despite her objections. "Are you ready yet?" snapped Lauren, sitting with a sobbing Jess. I sighed again.
"Mmm, not yet. I'm trying to find Bella."
"You can't be serious," she looked genuinely surprised. Her features wrinkled together making her inner cruelty plan on her face.
"She needs a ride home too. I'm not leaving her here."
"She probably wants to spend the night with Mike. You'd be doing her a favor." Lauren's retort caused renewed sobs to erupt from Jess.
"It's okay, Jess. You're way prettier than her. Mike is just drunk. He probably thought he was kissing you! Don't cry." Lauren rhythmically rubbed Jess' back, still glaring at me. "Just go find her so we can leave already!"
"Be right back," I mumbled, turning around to find the bathroom.
The bathroom was empty.
"Hey, Angela!"
I turned around and was face-to-face with a very drunk Mike. "Oh, hey Mike."
"I didn't know you were here!" he wrapped me in a tight hug. I hugged him back awkwardly; he stunk of beer.
"I came to drive Lauren and Jess home. Uh, where are your other bathrooms?"
"This one not good enough?" he chuckled, finding the idea much funnier than it was.
I hesitated. I didn't want to tell him I was looking for Bella. She probably didn't want to see him so soon after what happened earlier. Thankfully, Mike answered without pressing further.
"There's two upstairs, I could show you!"
"No, that's okay!" I smiled.
"Really, it's not a problem."
I was trying to think of an excuse that would let me search his house on my own when, thankfully, I was saved from explaining.
"Miiiike, man, what a party!" Colton appeared around the corner sloshing beer onto Mike's floor with every approaching step. I didn't really know Colton that well, but he was my favorite person right now. I could sense a quick escape.
"Hey man!"
This was my cue. "Bye, Mike! Colton!" I swiftly stepped around them both.
I started up the staircase when Bella appeared at the top. "Bella!" I called, relieved. Something about her expression, however, made me stop short. "Are you okay? Is that blood?" Her hair was a mess, fresh tears were pouring down her cheeks, and blood was steadily dripping down the sleeve of her shirt from what looked like three very large gashes on her arm. "What happened?"
She looked down, appearing to notice the gashes for the first time. Blood was collecting at her fingertips and dripping onto the floor. She balked at it.
I waited for her to respond but she just stood there staring at her arm. I took off my jacket and went to join her at the top of the stairs. She winced away from me as I firmly tied my jacket around her arm. The wounds looked way worse up close. "You should go to the hospital. I can drive you there."
"No! I'm fine," she said hurriedly, glancing around as if searching for someone.
"Are you sure...? it wouldn't be a problem. I really think you should go..."
"Please, I want to go home."
I didn't want to argue with her further so I just nodded and walked with her in silence to the front door. "What took so long?" Lauren whined rudely when she saw us.
Bella completely ignored both her and Jess and walked right out the front door. It would have been kind of funny in different, lighter circumstances. Unfortunately, it seemed to enrage Lauren even more.
"Creep," Lauren called after her.
"Lauren, please stop," I said, turning to frown at her. "Let's just get in the car so I can take you all home."
"What's her problem, anyway? She should be apologizing to Jess, not acting like she's too good for us and walking past without so much as a 'hello.'"
"Let's just go," I repeated, with a little more conviction. "Fine," Lauren huffed, helping Jess to her feet.
Bella was already at the car. I unlocked the door and she crawled into the back seat, trying to look as small as possible. She must be even more shaken up about Mike than I had originally thought.
Lauren helped Jess into the front seat and slammed the door before getting in next to Bella. I sighed. This was going to be an awkward ride.
Driving over to Bella's house I checked on her a few times in the rearview mirror. She had her cheek pressed against the glass with her eyes screwed shut. I would have thought she had fallen asleep if it weren't for the tremors running repeatedly through her body. There was no way this was just about Mike. What he did was so messed up, but the Bella I knew would be more angry than upset. Her body language screamed defeat and dejection. I wondered again what happened to her arm. I was about to ask but decided against it. If she wanted to talk, she would talk.
I pulled up to Bella's house first. It wasn't exactly the quickest route – I should have dropped Jess off first – but I was worried about Bella's arm.
It looked like every single light was on in her house. I heard the back door open and the car automatically filled with light.
"Thanks, Angela," Bella called softly. She shut the door and slowly approached her house.
Chief Swan's silhouette appeared in the doorway, light pouring out around him and illuminating the driveway. I definitely did not envy Bella tonight, I thought sadly as a pulled away from the curb.