THIRTY EIGHT

NORA

I blankly resisted the urge to cackle into laughter.

I looked up at Jordan, my heart beeping when his eyes went even much more intensified on me. His eyes were cold and unyielding, and I knew that he wasn't going to back down. I felt the sinking feeling in her stomach deepen, as I shook my head, he won’t be the one to tell me what to do.

"No." It was a blatant refusal. I don’t know why he suddenly wanted me away from the party I came on my own. "You can't make me leave."

He didn't say anything, but his expression remained unchanged.

As I stood next to Natalie, the music thumped in her ears, the bass vibrating through her body. The lights were flashing, the air filled with the scent of alcohol and sweat.

The party was in full swing, the crowd bubbling with energy. I felt a little calmer now that I was with her, but I could still feel the tension thrumming through me.

I watched as Natalie moved towards the dance floor, her eyes fixed on a boy across the room. My friend smiled fli