Whenever I look at you, I forget what everything I was going to say.
-Unknown.

**********************

'You're not dressed.' Brenda gapes when she shows up at my door in the evening.

I look down at my paint splatter shorts and green tank top.

'The party starts by eight.' I frown taking in her short skirt, sequined blouse and strap sandals. Smoky eyes and perfectly curled hair finishes her look.

She looks great.

I bit my lower lip. I hope I have something that can pass for an appropriate party dress.

'It's 8:30.' She counters.

'What? That can't be...' I trail off.

I quickly glance at the wall clock which confirms her story.

'It can.' She states, shoving past me into the apartment.

'I didn't realize it was late. I was working on a painting in the studio. I set a reminder on my phone.' I explain.

'You must have missed it.' She says, herding me into my room.

'You have to get dressed pronto. I'll do something with your hair. Nice but fast.' She says stopping just short of shoving me into the closet.

I can tell she wants to though.

'Okay.' I nod, heading to my closet.

Appeased I'm taking this seriously enough, she returns to the foyer.

Why did I agree to go to this party anyway?

'If you aren't done in ten minutes, I'm coming in after you!' She yells.

I have no doubt that she will.

Scanning my options, I pull out a tight fitting grey dress with a low neckline and some workman boots.

I quickly pull it on and head out for Brenda's appraisal before she comes after me with a sharpened pitchfork.

'So, what do you think?' I grin, doing a little twirl for her.

'You don't plan on wearing those shoes, right?' She asks with a frown.

'Uh.... N-n-not anymore?' I say unsurely, glancing at my boots.

'Good answer.' She replies, beaming.

I guess the boots have to go then.

'My hair.' I prompt.

'On it.' She declares, as we head back to my bedroom.

'Sit.' She orders and I sit at the edge of my bed.

She pulls my hair off my shoulders and fiddles with it for a while. It's like she's giving me a scalp massage even though she's not touching my scalp.

I just love the feeling of someone playing with my hair.

Pulling a hair clip studded with a single pearl out of her purse, she inserts it in my hair to hold it up.

'All done.' She declares.

I look at my reflection in the mirror.

I look good. Maybe not as great as Brenda but at least I don't look unfortunate.

'Thanks.' I smile at her.

'You're welcome.' She smiles back.

'Now lets go!' She yells.

'Right.' I grab my phone, keys and my purse.

We don't remember the shoes until we're in the elevator.

'Shoot!' Brenda cusses.

'It's okay. I like it anyway. Besides it'll be dark. No one will really notice.' I shrug.

'If you say so.' She replies, looking dubiously at my feet.

If she could clone a pair of her strapped sandals for me, I'm one hundred percent sure she would.

'I do.' I smile.

***

'Well, we are definitely late.' I state as we park on the sidewalk a little ways from the address Asher sent me.

'Better late than never.' Brenda shrugs.

Cars litter the sidewalk on both sides and a few party goers are outside. The music is blaring so loud I'm surprised none of the neighbours have called the cops to lodge a noise complaint yet.

We both get out of the car and make our way over to the house. I go to ring the doorbell even though the door is wide open. Brenda shoots me derisive look that stops me short.

'No one is going to hear the bell over the loud music and even if they did, they won't care.' She yells to make herself heard over the noise.

She enters the house and gestures for me to do the same. Shrugging, I go in after her.

If I thought the music was loud outside, it's nothing compared to the ear blasting decibels inside.

'If nothing else, we'll have destroyed eardrums to show for tonight.' Brenda yells to make herself heard.

I nod in response.

We maneuver our way through the living room, avoiding swinging elbows and the writhing bodies on the makeshift dancefloor as we head to the kitchen where we each get a can of soda.

As we head back, I lose Brenda in the sea of writhing bodies. She barely manages a gasp of surprise before she is swallowed by the crowd.

I spot Tom standing not too far from where she disappeared so I know she's safe. If she needs any help, I'm sure he'll come to her aid.

Looks like I'm on my own. What do I do know?

I wander around the house for a while before I get the urge to pee. Since Brenda has still not returned, I quickly run up the stairs.

I look for an empty room, trying not to shudder at the grunts and moans that serve as background noise.

It doesn't work. A violent shudder racks my body.

'Hey there beautiful.' The hand on my wrist stops me faster than the drunken slur ever could.

'Hi. I was just looking for an unoccupied room.' I say.

I tug my wrist out of his grip but he's holding on too tight.

I recognise him. He's in two of my classes. He's always with two blonde guys and he doesn't always come to class.

From the dilation of his pupils, I can tell he's way past tipsy.

Just my luck.

'I could help with that.' He slurs just as I realize my wrong choice of words.

He pushes himself up against me and backs me into the wall.

'Back off, Fred.' I growl, holding my breath. He reeks of alcohol.

That's the only warning he's going to get from me. One of the benefits of going to an elite boarding school is that they teach you everything. Including taekwondo.

Back off.

He presses himself against me and leans in so his hot breath caresses my neck and I can feel his hard-on nestled against my thigh. Eww.

I warned him.

Before he realizes what's happening, I knee him in the groin and follow it with a kick to the head.

He slums to the ground, unconscious.

That was fairly easy.

I squat beside him and check his pulse to make sure he's okay.

He is fine.

When I stand, I notice Asher leaning against the wall a yard away in his impeccable black leather jacket as always.

How didn't I notice him earlier? He has a quiet but magnetic presence.

'How long have you been standing there?' I ask curiously.

'Long enough to know he's a lousy drunk.' He says in his low baritone.

'So you were just going to watch?' I ask in disbelief.

'I was about to step in but you handled yourself just fine. A knee to the groin is an expected move for a girl but that kick. That was something.' He says, approval colouring his tone.

'Thanks.' I blush.

I return to my search for a empty room. Asher goes in the opposite direction.

I don't want him to leave but I don't ask him to stay.

'Here.' Asher calls out, gesturing to an unoccupied room.

'Thanks.' I smile, heading into the room.

I only feel slightly guilty about leaving Fred unconscious on the floor.

Asher nods and follows me into the room, locking the door behind him.

I glance pointedly at the locked door and then at him.

He's wearing a black leather jacket, black pants and white tee shirt. With his height, sculpted jaw and muscled arms, I realize something.

He's the perfect predator. I can't protect myself from him if he wanted to take advantage of me.

'Why did you lock the door?' I ask.

A/N:

What do you think Asher is going to do? Why did he lock the door? Is Kelsey safe?

I know this chapter was a little boring. It's a filler chapter. I cut it into two because I don't want the chapters to be too long but if you're okay with longer chapters, let me know. Hopefully, I'll update soon.

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