Chapter 6: New Rules | 1

Arabella's POV

It's been two hours since Erika and I came to this party. Surprisingly, she didn't ditch me the first minute we entered, but somewhere along the line she got caught up in some guy and I have no idea where they went. I've drunk a fair amount of drinks, but I was nowhere close to drunk. I've been to so many parties in my entire life that I know how to handle my liquor.

Right now I was in the kitchen, chatting with a few students who recognized me as The Arabella Smith. It was like I was some kind of celebrity here, but not for a good reason. What I didn't understand is why a rumor all the way from high school followed me to college, it's far-fetched but considering the kind of students I attended school with, I'm not surprised they shared with their friends my former reputation.

I downed the rest of my drink and dumped the solo cup it into the garbage.

As if right on cue, a pair of warm hands encircled my waist, and I knew it was time to keep the promise I made for how indiscreet Erika was when we just entered. "Ready for our dance?" Carter or should I say black hair--blue-eyed boy mumbled into my ear. I nodded my head vigorously and bid goodbye to students I knew I'd never speak to again.

The entire night I've spotted Tyler here and there. Sometimes drinking and sometimes dancing or sitting on the sofa whilst his eyes flickered around the room as if he were searching for someone. I didn't pay much attention to him because I just wanted to enjoy myself and go home to sleep. We made our way onto the dance floor as music loudly blared out.

I didn't study what song was currently playing because the minute we reached the middle of the room; I began to dance. First it was just swaying to the beat of the song, but that soon escalated to my back pressed against his chest and his hands fondling my waist.

"Your friend might as well get you in trouble all the time because. . .wow," he whispered loud enough for me to hear into my ear. I rolled my eyes and titled my head towards him before spinning on my heels and wrapping my hands around his neck.

He bit his lower lip seductively and wrapped his hands around my waist, and this time the proximity between our fronts were so close that he was breathing down my neck. He wasn't drunk as well, maybe wanting to remember spending time with 'The Arabella Smith.'

It's not like I'm a legend or something. It's just that people think I'm an easy deal when really I'm not. The amount of guys I've turned down in my entire life could sum up to the amount of money my parents are paying to send me off to college.

As we danced my eyes involuntarily traveled all around the room of other teenagers who dry humped each other or danced around like maniacs. I heard hooting coming from before me and I glanced around until my eyes landed on what they were hooting at and it wasn't a pleasant surprise, well not for me at least and I didn't want to admit why.

My gaze locked onto Tyler who was leaning on the sofa, his signature smirk plastered on his face as his focus was on the girl grinning on him. I had the sudden urge to march towards them and grab a fistful of her hair and slam her onto the ground, but I couldn't give Tyler the satisfaction of seeing me possessive or jealous.

Why would I give someone that doesn't even like me the satisfaction of seeing me broken because my heart can't seem to stop loving them?

I was snapped out of my thoughts when Carter squeezed my arm tightly to get my attention, I snapped my head towards him and arched my brows questionably, he leaned into my ear and spoke loudly, "Wanna go upstairs. This is my house, so I know a secluded place where we'll be alone."

I wanted to decline his offer and stay here to see what Tyler's next move was, but I'd just be admitting to myself that I was possessive even if he wasn't mine, "sure."

He intertwined our hands and began guiding me through the crowd of students. Brushing past them with a few sorry's and watch it. We successfully made our way up the stairs and I couldn't help but glance at Tyler one last time just out of curiosity.

This time surprisingly his eyes weren't settled on the girl still perched up on his lap, but instead they were focused on me as if he were watching for the longest while. I sucked in a harsh breath as his eyes flickered to mine and he scowled deeply, his eyes narrowed to slits and his fist clenched rather tightly. I watched as he sucked in a deep breath and clenched and unclenched his jaw before he averted his gaze from me and glared at Carter, who was still leading me up the stairs unbeknownst of Tyler's penetrating gaze.

His face was deep crimson red and his eyes were filled with rage, looking like a feral animal. He seemed like he was about to lose his shit any moment now and prance at Carter. With a smirk, I averted eye contact from him and followed Carter, who led me down a corridor that flowed with students who were currently eating each other's faces off.

"Get a room," Carter hissed angrily as he shoved past them. They scowled in our direction and moved out of the way nonetheless. We made our way up another flight of stairs and this time there was no one stumbling down the hallway drunkenly. It was silent, and I was thankful for that.

We made our way to a door at the end of the hall and he pushed it open. Before I could utter a word, he pushed me into the dark room and shoved me up against the wall.