Her

Chapter 20

I was four shots in, and I was feeling great. I stayed close with Cindy and her two friends. The music was blasting and I could barely hear Cindy when she talked to me. I trailed off to find a bathroom. I fixed myself up in the mirror. Once I left, there were swarms of other people. I had to find Cindy. I was approached by a tall, very attractive man. He had to have been in his early twenties. He smiled as he looked me up and down. 

"What's your name?" He asked loudly over the noise of people and blaring music.

"Stella." I smiled.

"I'm Craig." He responded. 

The night went on and we were partying, and this man was giving me attention, but I didn't care for it. It didn't make me feel good. Maybe it stroked my ego a bit, because I never got attention from random men. But it was temporary. I only wanted Aiden, but we were only friends.

Craig was talking about nonsense, I wasn't actually listening to him because I was too busy pulling out my phone to check the notifications. I had a bunch of Facebook notifications, from when Cindy tagged me in that post. I looked amazing in all the pictures, something I never thought I would say. I looked like I fit in, for real this time. There were loads of comments, and I also got a message stating that "Aiden liked a post you were tagged in."

I also got a text from him. He told me I looked great and seemed a little jealous that I was out clubbing with the girls. I smiled, because that means he still has feelings for me.

Are you having a good time? -Aiden

Yeah, but this guy keeps bothering me lol. -Me

He responded right away which made my heart race.

Tell me where you are and I'll save you from him. -Aiden

I was getting tired, and Cindy and the other girls were busy dancing with strangers. I decided that I was done partying and I really just wanted to be with Aiden. I texted him the address, and he was already on his way to pick me up.

"You look incredible." Aiden said as he rolled the driver's window down. He looked me up and down. Then he stopped himself from complimenting me further. 

"Wait, I'm sorry.. I forgot about the friends thing." He scratched his head.

I climbed in the car and buckled my seat belt, laughing. I was drunk. I was also drunk off the confidence and attention I was getting. I was having a great night.

"Don't apologize for how you feel." I responded.

"You hungry?" He asked me, quickly changing the subject.

"Yeah.. I am actually." I replied. I stared at the road ahead of us as he started driving away from the club.

The rest of the night went like this: We got Burger King and we went back to my place and watched Hulu as we ate. It felt like old times, before feelings ruined everything. 

I don't remember dozing off, but my vision was blurred as my half-eaten burger rested on my lap. Aiden shut my laptop and took my food off my lap. Then he paused before saying something.

"Uh.. do you wanna change into something more comfortable? I mean, that dress is-" He said.

"Yeah... can you help me?" I slurred. Somehow I felt more drunk than I was the entire night. I was ready to puke or sleep. Or both.

He felt uncomfortable because obviously we weren't a couple anymore. But I trusted him and gave him permission to help me. I slid out of the dress, leaving it a pile on the floor. Then he lifted my arms and helped dress me in a baggy shirt and pair of shorts. Then I nestled in my bed, he pulled the covers over me. I never felt so comfortable.

"Thank you." I said before slowly fading out.

I felt him plant a small kiss on my forehead. 

"Goodnight, Stella."