CHAPTER TEN:
Fixing my black lacy dress, I follow Paisley up the stairs which lead to Henry's house. My heels are too high for comfort and I'm totally regretting picking them now. However, Paisley has guaranteed me that they look amazing on me and that we will have a good night... Only if I stop complaining. I hate her bubbly, sassy personality sometimes, but I guess she might be right.
"Ready?" She asks, and I nod my head. Even Though I don't think I will ever be ready for this night- the night I get to tell my crush how I feel.
I take a deep breath and try to tough out the fear of rejection. Paisley knocks the door and Henry soon opens it. My heart beats fast. My hands get sweaty−embarrassingly sweaty. I hold on to Paisley from fear of me tumbling down the stairs from the anxiousness.
I stare at him for a minute. His black like the night hair is pulled back into a man bun and he is wearing a cute button up light blue shirt with little stars on it. He has a red cup on his hand and I notice he is staring at me with his cute caramel hazel eyes. My heart begins to beat fast and all I want to do is throw my arms around him.
"Are you guys coming in?" He laughs. We both nod our heads and we follow him inside.
"There are people at the back-playing beer pong and downstairs there is dancing going on." He tells us as he sips on his drink. "Have fun you two." He winks at us and begins to walk away, only to come to a stop and turn around, "Anastasia...save a song for me, will you?"
I nod my head and feel my cheeks go completely red with shyness. I'm usually cooler than this. But Henry does something to me that I can't explain.
"OMG did he really say that?" I fan my face to try and get rid of the redness and heat.
Paisley nods her head giggling, "come on let's get a drink." Paisley grabs my hand and drags me to the kitchen. I can't believe how good she can walk in her shoes. They are higher than mine and she doesn't even look tired. Her red dress is extremely short, and I can't deny I feel jealous about how pretty she is.
"Make mine extra strong." I tell her and laugh.
"Sounds good!" She grabs two red cups and pours vodka and coke in them. She hands me one and we walk out of the kitchen. I'm glad when we find a spot to sit outside and enjoy the loud music and people having a good time. I'm ready to let loose and forget about everything that has happened in my life.
When I come back out of the house from getting another drink I don't see Paisley anywhere. I was only gone a minute or two. I keep looking around until I finally see her. She is standing way too close to a guy. I walk towards her and pull her by the arm. She turns angry, ready to fight whoever is touching her until she sees it's me.
"Where were you? I have been looking for you." she smiles, like suddenly she doesn't care where I have been. I go to say something else but, I stop.
"Care to dance?" a quiver shot through me at the sound of that deep, masculine voice. Henry stood before me, looking like prince charming. His big hand extended towards me, his expression hopeful.
"Um..." I paused, not sure how to answer. To refuse him would be rude, and I like him. But to accept- to take his hand and have him lead me to the dance floor, pull me into his arms and hold me so close? Could I handle that without throwing myself at him and begging for him to kiss me? That would be playing with fire. And I have been always been very careful when it came to the emotional stuff. As in I didn't let my emotions come into play whatsoever. A sharp elbow stabbed me in the ribs, and I jumped a little.
"Answer him," Paisley whispered out of the side of her mouth.
"Don't leave me hanging, Anastasia." His deep voice was laced with humor, but there was something in his eyes. A hint of disbelief at my potential refusal, mixed with a generous dose of invitation.
"I-yes, I would, um." I stumbled over my words, feeling like an absolute fool, and Paisley jabbed me in the ribs yet again. With my luck, I'd end up with a massive bruise from my so-called friend's abusive encouragement.
Pressing my lips together, I set my hand in Henry's, and his fingers tightened around mine. A tingly feeling shot up my arm at his assured touch, sending electric pulse throughout my body, I tried to ignore it. Really, I did.
But my body responded at the feeling of him being so near me. Just breathing him in is making me dizzy. Being in his arms? Thank goodness he had a firm grip on me or I would melt into the floor.
"You are very beautiful." As he says this his hand moves lower down my back... too low for comfort.
"Um, thank you." His compliment surprised me, and I wonder if he was being nice. Feeling suddenly shy, I thought it best if I kept my gaze trained on his chest.
"Are you Okay?" He asks as his hand is almost at my ass. The question sounded more like a reassurance that his hands are allowed there.
I gently reach down for his hands and slightly moved them up. I smile trying not to upset him, "Yes I'm fine. I really like this song."
"Would you like another drink?" he asks.
I nod, and he disappeared into the crowd, leaving me standing awkwardly by Paisley.
Paisley jumps up and down then reached and grabbed me by the arm and giggle. "Omg my favorite song, come one we must dance!"
I smile at her and let myself enjoy the night.
I have been sitting down for what seems forever. I'm ready to leave, but to my bad luck Paisley is having a great time. Standing up I head to the bathroom. I whisper to Paisley telling her where I am going, and she nods her head, not paying attention to me. She has her eyes in a cute blonde guy. I roll my eyes and head inside. I look around and finally find the stairs to the second floor where I am assuming the bathroom is.
I jump excited when I see it and quickly step in needing to take care of business. I have been drinking way too much and I am feeling so dizzy. When I'm done, I wash my hands and make my way out the bathroom until I come to a halt.
"Henry-" I smile.
His eyes wander up and down my body, making me feel very uncomfortable. I wonder if there is something wrong with my outfit? I wouldn't usually wear something like this, however, I felt bold and ready for change.
"What?" I yell so he can hear me.
He smirks and takes my hand. "Come with me." We walk through the hallway and I take a good look at my surroundings.
Henry leads me into a bedroom, I take in the well decorated room. A king bed near the windows and I'm surprised to see the walls painted black, his curtains and bedspread are red making the room very intense. I take a good look at the painting above his bed. I don't know if I should be shocked, the picture is of a pair of naked women.
"Henry why are we here?" I say, trying not to sound nervous.
He moves closer to me; he bites his lip and smiles at me. He keeps moving until our faces are inches away.
My eyes wide, "Are you about to kiss me?"
The shock made me look almost comical. "If I did, what would you do?" He says not taking his eyes off me.
My mouth opened twice before I whispered, "I don't know."
"Would you slap me?"
That had me frowning again "No,"
He took another step towards me "Would you push me away?"
My cheeks flushed with warm color, I shook my head. "Of course not."
"Great" He moved closer still. He took my purse and set it on the bed.
"What would you do if I did more then kissed you?"
I stared up at him, my eyes shining, my lips parted. "I'm not like that." I said in a breathless gasp, he smiles at me and takes a sip of his drink.
"Like what?" He asks curious.
"You know... sluty." I tell him. He looks confused at my response. "Is this your room?" I ask finally trying to change the conversation
He shakes his head and takes a seat on the bed. "yes."
I wander around the room, the view from here is incredible; I feel my cheeks turn red at the thought of Henry wanting to kiss me. I wonder why he asked me what I would do? Why didn't he kiss me? My phone buzzes and I quickly check it. It must be from Paisley. Yet, to my surprise it is from the last person I expected.
Christian.
"I better go, Paisley must be looking for me," he stands up and walks with me, yet we stop just before the door. Staring at me he moves a string of hair behind my ear.
"Don't go." he says whispering. His lip brush against mine and I can smell the alcohol in his breath. "Let's have a good time."
I look confused, wanting to know what he meant by that. However, I don't ask him, I walk towards the door. Yet, he comes behind me and grabs me. He kisses my neck and I begin to freak out.
"This is not a good idea Henry."
"Why not?" He demands. "I know you like me, and I like you. Plus, you got all dressed up with that sexy black dress."
I get his hands off me and yet again try to walk away.
"Anastasia, wait! Don't you want to spend the night with me?"
"Drop it Henry." I hiss.
But before I can open the door his foot kicks it close and he corners me. "Come on Anastasia, I have waited way too long. I think I deserve a little taste." He grabs my arm and pulls me close to him. His lips crash into mine. My hand immediately comes up pushing him back.
"I said no, Henry." I quickly move away from him. "Not like this."
"Come on don't be a bitch, I spent a lot of money to throw this party." He grabs my waist and pulls me close to him again. "Stop pretending like you don't want this." With that he lifts me up. Where did the nice guy I had a crush on go? Who is this man in front of me?
"No... Please don't." I cry hitting him as he lays me in the bed and spreads my legs.
"Don't worry baby I will be good to you." His hand moves up my leg and I panic. "You will like it I promise." He kisses me, and I grow desperate. I kick and scream, but no one can hear me. He kisses me again and I bite his lip.
"Get off me," I scream as I see him touch his bleeding lip. I take advantage of how distracted he is and push him. Only to send him down to the ground as he wasn't expecting that. I quickly take advantage that he is down and kick him in the balls. "I told you to get the fuck off me." I kick him again much harder this time and rush out the door needing to be far away from here.
