Hello my peeps!
So this is chapter 8. A huge thanks to everyone who REVIEWS! Please keep it up!
The song on this chapter is "CHILDREN OF THE BAD REVOLUTION" by Lana Del Rey... I adore her and the song totally sets the mood, so hear it before or while reading the party scene.
Anyhoo... here it is guys.
ANA'S POV
The rest of the week passed without commotion. I already started getting used to a familiar routine: school, homework, shower, dinner and sleep. There was this once when Mia invited us to her house to revise the details of the party, and of course, half the time I spent keeping an eye out for him. But to my great relief and disappointment, he wasn't there. I still hadn't figured out how I felt towards Christian Grey. On one hand, he was painfully attractive... okay, maybe even borderline mouth-watering, but what else did I really know about him? No one in the group even acknowledged his presence, and if I asked Kate she would assume I was interested. But, was I?
Ugh! I had no idea how to deal with this. I've never "liked liked" anyone before. Back in Georgia, I'd only ever had a slight crush on the son of the pastor that preached at the local church, and that was partly because he looked like he belonged in a boy band. With straight blonde hair and light eyes, he had all the girls in class swooning. I'd never found him all that appealing, I guess crushing on him just seemed like the right thing to do since everyone else was. But this, this was different, much different. Christian wasn't just hot, he was in a category all of his own. Gosh! If that boy was any hotter, he'd burn a hole through the ozone layer.
It wasn't just how he looked though, it was also how he was the most complicated person I'd ever met. I didn't know what to make of him, the one time I got a chance to talk to Christian, he'd been playful and sweet, yet so authoritative and aloof at times. His mood swings had me disoriented, there were so many sides to him, it was hard to believe one man was his own island.
Sighing, I stepped out of the soothing spray of the cascading water and wrapped a towel around myself. I was really going to have to stop trying to analyze Christian Grey in the shower, otherwise the Kavanaghs would surely run out of hot water.
All of the sudden, there was a knock on the door, and the familiar voice of Kate was heard from the other end.
"Ana? Are you about ready in there? We have to be at Mia's in about an hour!"
"Yeah, I'll be right out." I shouted back as I started to dry my body from head to toe.
It was almost time for the pajama party and my nerves were getting the best of me. I thought a nice hot shower would relax me, but here I was once again freaking out. When I was completely free of moisture, I put on my underwear, followed by the almost-indecent dark blue flannel sleep shorts that Kate had bought me. It had a light blue ribbon in the center to adjust around the hips and was ruffled where it came to an end a few inches higher than mid-thigh. Kate matched it with a simple tank top, the same color as the ribbon, that had lace trimming around the breast area and where it stopped at my waist, just covering my belly button.
I was feeling very insecure about the whole outfit until I stepped on my fluffy dark blue slippers and exited the bathroom. I couldn't help but gasp when I saw Kate's nightgown... Wow! It was all red satin, with a deep plunge neckline and though it was floor-length, it had a front slit that gave one hell of a peek of her right thigh.
"Kate!" I screeched and ran towards her. "You look amazing!"
She rolled her eyes and placed her feet in heeled fluffy sleepers.
"Ana, please, you're the one who looks like a love buffet."
I blushed and played with the trim of the shorts. "You think so? I mean, I don't want to look like a hussy..."
Kate's laugh interrupted any further complains and she dragged me to the vanity chair to start blow-drying my hair.
"Oh sweetie," she chuckled, "no one will think you look like a whore. You look sexy, embrace it!"
I nodded, though I still felt a bit wary about the whole situation.
...
As Kate rounded the driveway to the Grey's residence, I felt my stomach drop. There were so many cars outside it looked like a dealership, I could just imagine the multitude of people that were actually inside.
I heard Kate swear and slam the car door with a little more force than necessary as she stepped out of the shiny vehicle.
"What's wrong?" I asked trying to match her long strides towards the front door.
"It's always the same thing. No matter how exclusive we try to be, half the freakin' school shows up!"
Kate opened the double ivory doors and we were immediately hit by the full force of the music blasting from the stereos.
"Take me in your fast car Mercedes
Kissing on your neck while your driving
Doesn't care I'm always on my blackberry
All the time all the time buying into every line
I'm a flashy little lush but he thinks I'm really fine..."
The lyrics swirled through my brain as I took in the scene in what it seemed was slow motion. There were bodies, grinding against bodies who were grinding on other bodies. All my insecurities about looking like a harlot were out the door as my gaze fell on girls who refused to leave anything to the imagination. Guys weren't any better though, some were just on their tighty whities. Dear Lord!
"...Notorious and wild takes me where I'm gonna shine
Where the bad boys role hard dressing like James Dean
And the vixen starlets feels so good to be..."
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw kids drowning bottles like it was some type of elixir. Everyone seemed to be doing their own thing, but somehow everything would just fit together into this "bigger than life" party scenario.
"...We're children of the bad revolution
And partying's the only solution
And I'mma tell any confusion
About who we are and what we're gonna be
We gonna get free free free free
Get free..."
Lost in the whole flow of things, I had forgotten all about Kate, who was no longer by my side. Panicking slightly, I shoved my way into the crowd and did my best to look for her.
"...Every dude you ever seen
We're acting really tough
Like the world belongs to us
'Cause it does, yeah it does
But we do create the buzz
Where the bad boys blow smoke
Just like they're James Dean
And the it girls blow kisses
Just like Marilyn..."
Once I passed the threshold to the kitchen, I was tempted to just turn and give up on my search for Kate. There were at least ten people on the floor with a huge cloud of smoke surrounding them, I noticed they were passing around a bong and inhaled from it before handing the object to the next person to their right.
Suddenly, through all the fog I heard someone calling my name. I scanned the room for the source of the excited shout-out, when I felt someone place their hand on my shoulders. I looked up and met the disoriented stare of non other than Jack Hyde.
"Hey shorty!" He slurred, "Where have you been hiding, girl?"
His breath was so spiked with alcohol it was revolting.
"Um, I just arrived actually." I said hesitantly. I'd never dealt with an intoxicated person before and I had no idea how to approach the situation.
"Bout time! I've been waiting all day to get you alone." He whispered in my hear and I couldn't help but recoil from his attention.
He started pulling me towards the bar, where there was already a couple eating away at each other's face while leaning against the counter. I tried to stand my ground, but even this drunk, he was much stronger than I was. He forcefully sat me down in one of the stools while I saw him rummaging through the bottles for one that wasn't completely empty. Finally he pulled out a small bottle that seemed unopened, the letters in the label read "Everclear" and he quickly got one crystal glass, pouring a bit of the colorless liquid into it and sliding it towards me.
"Jack, I don't think I should..."
"Shh... it's okay, little lady, if you just swallow it all in one stride you won't even feel it. You just gotta loosen up, sugar, gotta stick up your ass."
"I don't have a..." I started to argue but he put a hand over my mouth.
"Yes, you do. People are starting to notice. Do you really wanna be kicked out of Mia's group for being a Little Goody Two-Shoes?"
That hit a nerve. I'd been constantly afraid everyday I went to school that the girls would realize I wasn't cool enough to hang out with them, that the boys would tease me for being the ugly duckling, that Kate would be ashamed of the frigid awkward orphan she was forced to carry as a burden.
Without thinking twice I grabbed the glass containing the odorless booze and proceeded to chug it down. Or at least, that was the plan. As soon as the burning substance glided down my throat I fell into a fit of coughing. It was awful! It felt like fire, like lava flowing through my body. My eyes watered and I couldn't even breathe. Immediately, I hurried out the door that led to the backyard, trying to grasp as much fresh air as possible into my flammable lungs.
Jack followed behind and I heard him snickering as he place a hand on my shoulder.
"Oh Ana, you crack me up!"
He kept laughing as I felt my stomach contort. The acid I had swallowed was scratching the walls of my belly and I couldn't stop a tear from falling from the corner of my eye as I struggled to keep composure.
Suddenly I was very close to Jack, very close. I felt his hands grip my upper arms as he looked down at me seriously, his mocking laughter long gone.
It all happened in a sort of haze. Jack started leaning down towards me, I saw his chapped lips duck down to unite with mine, I smelled the toxic waste coming out of his mouth, I felt his fingers stab at the sensitive skin on my arms, causing me to yelp in pain and scrunch my eyes shut. But before I could experience the torment of his lips on mine, his grip on my arms was gone, the rancid smell of his breath disappeared and there was the distinct sound of bones breaking and a tortured cry left someone's throat. I immediately opened my eyes to the dreadful sight in front of me.
Blood
Jack
Screaming
Ground
Kicking
My brain could no longer form coherent thoughts as I doubled over and spilled the contents of my stomach on the floor. It was painful, yes, but it also meant I was emptying my system of the vile I had drank. Just when I thought I was going to stop vomiting, more came back up and soon my throat couldn't handle more of the horrid torture.
After a moment, my legs gave out and I sank to the ground, trying to swallow anything but my mouth felt so dry, I seemed to not be able to find any saliva. Frustrated, in pain, and freezing in the night air, I let the tears fall down my cheeks, and soon I was so consumed by my own sobs I completely forgot of my surroundings until I felt a pair of strong arms pull me up to my feet. As I suspected, the moment I was upright, my knees buckled in weakness. However, instead of falling once again to the ground, I felt someone uphold me, placing an arm under my knees and another behind my head.
"Shit!" A smooth masculine voice cursed as I was pressed tightly to a firm chest.
I tried to focus my gaze on my captor, but my mind was so exhausted, all I saw was the blurry outline of someone moving me about.
Once again, the loud charge of the music inside the house assaulted my ears, and I whimpered, not knowing how to block the noise out. As if aware of my discomfort, my rescuer pressed me closer to his chest to drown out the uproar, and that was when I noticed my cheek wasn't rubbing against any fabric, it was skin on skin, warm solid skin.
All of the sudden, we were ascending up the stairs from what I sensed, and after a few minutes I heard the creak of a door and the sound of it shutting, dimming the clamour of the loud beat downstairs. I tried to blink and catch sight of the room around me, but it was pitch black. My heartbeat started to pick up. Where was I? Who was this person? Am I in danger?
Before my mind could worry me further, I was gently placed on a comfortable surface, my head raised on what I imagined was a pillow. Nearly hyperventilation now, I blinked rapidly, trying to get my eyes accustomed to the lack of lighting
Suddenly, I heard a click to my right and though I didn't have the strength to turn my head towards the sound I watched as a light illuminated the room. It wasn't very bright, like if someone had put something over it to dim it's intensity.
I heard footsteps, and I felt myself tense. I was so nervous I shut my eyes and focused on trying to slow down erratic breathing. I didn't even notice I was shaking until I felt a large warm hand engulf my trembling one in it's grasp, rubbing a soothing thumb over my palm.
"It's okay, you're safe now, Anastasia."
In an instant, I opened my eyes and gasped as I took in Christian's vehement gaze scorching my pupils, making me dizzy with their intensity. The sharp intake of breath made my flaming throat ache substantially and I couldn't help but give a small cry at the pain it caused.
"What's wrong? What did the fucker did to you?" He asked, distressed.
I pressed my hand to throat and did my best to get the words out.
"B-b-burrns..." was all it came out
He seemed to understand as he quickly got up and bolted out the door, leaving me alone inside the room. It wasn't long until he came back with a box of apple juice, the sight made me smile weakly. He moved my knees to the side tenderly, and sat on the bed, popping the box with the straw and placing his arm on my back, he sat me up and handed me the juice box.
"Small sips, you don't want to throw up again." He warned and I nodded, following his instructions since he seemed to have some idea on how to deal with this.
Out of nowhere he narrowed his eyes and growled. I mimicked his gaze and notice he was staring at the bruises that were starting to form on my upper arms.
"I will kill him." He fumed in a low scary voice.
I put the juice down in the midnight table and shook my head rapidly.
"N-no... y-yo-ou c-c-ann't." I gasped out through my sore throat
"How the fuck did you get so hammered? You'd just fucking arrived!" He protested, running a hand through his disheveled hair, seemingly frustrated.
"J-Jack... gav-ve me-e shh-ot." I rasped.
His forehead furrowed and he looked at me like I was crazy.
"You get shit-faced after one shot?" He raised an eyebrow.
I shurgged, never having had such a close encounter with alcohol before.
"Well, what the hell did he give you?" He demanded.
I tried to think back to the beginning of the night, I had a vague idea of what Jack had poured me but I couldn't recall the name exactly.
"Um, Ever..."
"Clear? EVERCLEAR?" He shouted.
I nodded meekly and he abruptly got up from the bed and headed towards the door.
"W-Wait!" I called. "W-wher-re a-are you go-oing?"
"Fucking finish the bastard off! EVER-FUCKING-CLEAR? Shit! Anastasia, straight from the bottle? How are you even speaking now?"
I gave him a dry look. Could he really call all this scraping of my throat, speaking?
He pulled at his hair, frustrated. "It's 95% alcohol! That's worst than vodka, whiskey, brandy! That fucker... after I'm done with him, he'll be carrying his intestines to the emergency room."
Once again, he made his way towards the door and I felt my resolve breaking, opening the water gates, afraid he'd leave me alone when I didn't even have control of my own body.
"C-Chri-s-tian, ple-eas-se." I could hear the tears in my voice and apparently so did he, as he immediately turned around and knelt next to me
"Hey...hey! Anastasia? Hey, it's okay." He tried to calm me, but I was too far gone. Tears were staining my face and I couldn't keep my lower lip from trembling.
"S-s-tay..." I begged.
"Anastasia, Hyde's gotta..."
"Ple-ea-s-se." I sobbed. "C-Chri-s-tian, I-I'm s-sca-red."
Looking deep into my eyes, he nodded.
"Move over." He directed, and I immediately made room for him on the bed.
He laid down next to me, and I turned so our eyes met. I was about to thank him but he placed a single finger on my lips.
"Shhh... you keep talking and your throat's gonna feel like sandpaper tomorrow. Now, get some sleep, Anastasia."
I nodded and closed my eyes. It didn't take much to lull me to sleep, I was beyond exhausted and with Christian next to me, I felt safe.
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Hope u guys had an awesome week, and not as hectic as mine!
Love ya'll,
Laters Babes...