Nikolay Esteban

The party was in full swing, and I could see people were enjoying it to the fullest. The party was divided into two zones. On one side of the lawn, all the youngsters were dancing and drinking and then again dancing. And on the other side of the lawn, there were all these serious-looking people, having sophisticated chats with a glass of champagne in one hand and the other hand in their pant’s pocket. Caleb was the one I was pitying. The poor birthday boy was juggling between the two sides.

“Hayley come on!”, Anna came and pulled me into the crowd of a bunch of drunk teenagers moving their bodies to the beats.

“I told you I don’t feel like dancing!”, I screamed, so that she could hear my voice over the loud music.

“I don’t care. You are dancing!”, she screamed back and then started to sway her hips and hands. I laughed and soon we were both jumping to the beats.

Fifteen minutes into dancing and I look behind to see Ethan also joined us. We were all enjoying ourselves and I must say Caleb does have some handsome friends. While dancing I was busy checking out a few of the muscles that were blocking my view.

“Woah!”, I exclaimed as I saw a guy take off his shirt. Anna was equally mesmerized. He was moving his body perfectly with the beats and he was about to jump when my view got blocked.

“What the hell!”, I yelled and looked up. Finding Caleb standing there with a little annoyed face, I gulped in fear. I was not able to forget all that he said in the room and then how he left me alone there. I ignored him and turned around to face Ethan who was busy doing some weird dance of his.

“What is he doing?”, I asked Anna who looked as confused as me.

“He is doing his Nemo dance.”, I felt warm breath fanning over my ear making me freeze.

“W-what is a Nemo dance?”, I asked a little unsure.

“Ask him! Only he knows.”, the voice now came from above my head. I turned around and bumped into Caleb’s chest.

“Why are your cheeks red?”, he fake exclaimed, ending the drama with a smirk that clearly showed he knows what he did.

“I have been dancing for so long. That is why!”, I answered frustrated and walked away.

I went towards the drinks area and picked up a glass from the juice section.

“So, I see, you don’t drink?”, the familiar voice made me freeze.

“What do you want from me?”, I was done with his stupid excuses to talk to me.

“I am afraid, I didn’t introduce myself. I am Nikolay Esteban!”, he said and pulled his hand out of his pant’s pocket for a handshake.

I looked at him a little confused but then shook hands with him.

“I am Hayley.”, I replied.

“Hayley Robinson! I know you.”, he said giving my hand a firm shake.

“How do you know me?”, I asked with my face frowning.

“Your grandfather is my good friend. We play together- often!”, he vaguely replied.

“My grandfather lives in London.”, this statement came out more of a question.

“And where do you think I live?”, he smirked.

“You are Caleb’s old principal. Your name sounds Russian, but you live in London?”, I was so confused. It was too much information. But he smiled and nodded.

I was still processing all the information when he suddenly bends towards me and his face is too close to mine.

“W-what are you doing?”, I was taken aback. He didn’t answer but his hand moved and before it could touch my face, I took a step back and bumped into a wall. A wall that moves!

“What do you think you are doing, sir?”, I heard Caleb’s voice. It was laced with venom. I could feel the hatred that made me shudder.

“I was just talking to this sweet lady here.”, Nikolay answered with a very suspicious smile and then looked at me. I could feel the fear rise now. Suddenly I was pulled away from the middle of these two scary men and I found myself standing behind Caleb.

“I appreciate your efforts to know my friends, but this girl is not well and will be leaving the party now.”, Caleb told him with a smile and without waiting for his answer turned around.

“I am not feeling sick. I want to attend the party.”, I whined like a kid only to make him go all “Shush!”.

He was pulling me away, but I turned around to see Nikolay smiling at me.

“See you soon!”, he mouthed, and his eyes changed from brown to green and then back to brown.

“H-his eyes!”, I exclaimed.

“I told you to stop talking about stupid eyes!”, Caleb yelled at me making me stop. Who does he think he is? He can’t just yell at me.

“What is it now?”, he asked irritated, still not realising I am waiting for him to apologise.

“How dare you raise your voice?”, I asked. He finally turned around and looked at me.

“You need to stop being so curious.”, he said in a low threatening tone.

“Even if I am curious, you cannot yell at me. Your eyes change colour! How am I supposed to ignore that? And Nikolay’s eyes change colour!”, I was the one screaming now.

“Stop it!”, he screamed making the people around us stop and stare at us. I could see my best friends watching us amazed and confused. Tears were welling up in my eyes. But I can’t let him embarrass me in front of all the people. I slowly took a step forward and did something I never imagined I could do to anyone. I slapped Caleb!

“You deserve it. And I hate you!”, I screamed and without looking at anyone I walked out of the party. I could see a lot of eyes watching Caleb with sympathy but they were not aware how the school’s prince is also the world’s biggest jerk!