Cover by _taliyahk_

Dedicated to FmEver

QOTD: "What's your all-time favorite memory?"

"Knowing a person is like music. What attracts us to them is the melody and as we get to know who they are, we learn the lyrics."

*****

"Everything was perfect Zars. I am proud of you." Naomi says. Honestly, I was so nervous about the photo studio's grand opening but with Shorty's and our staff's help we did it. We already got two reservations for a bride and groom for next week. All my friends and family are here. Naomi, Pastel, Lav, Jeremy and even Ian. Nathan and Ian didn't talk much in the previous months, neither did I, but Nathan today seems indifferent towards him. That's better than sour, at least.

Eli and Claire are here today as well. They are mopping around, having one of their secret talks. When we were younger, Eli used to treat me and Claire the same way. Like his own sisters. He still does. But Claire tended to get jealous and used to indulge him in what she used to call 'secret talks' to piss me off. But that was back when we were 10 or 11. Guess we're still kids.

Talia has a job in New Jersey so she couldn't come leaving her town for only one day, but today morning she did sent me her good wishes.

As gradually days are passing, I can feel all the pieces of the puzzle that was my life fitting together. I have my old friends back. I have my own business that I love, and which is rocking. Plus I have a smoking hot boyfriend who loves me. My life possibly couldn't get any better.

"So you and Nate are a thing now, huh?" Ian asks. I have noticed that when it comes to him and Nate the latter seems to stay close and touch me while we talk. In contrast, Ian maintains so much distance from me, it's as if I am a highly explosive bomb and he might get hurt if he touches me. It may be because Nate's my boyfriend though.

Why am I comparing them anyway?

He clears his throat.

"Oh yeah," I break my train of thought. "Me and Nate are going great together."

"Even though he isn't the good guy material?" There is an edge to his voice and I sharply turn towards him, ready to defend my boyfriend. I really hate him it when he refers to Nate as that.

"I am sorry Ian but pardon me if I point out that you have had less to no interaction with him. You have spoken to him for like what two or three times these past months? So, please, excuse me while I point out that you might be a bit prejudiced."

"I just wanted to point out that you don't know him well. You guys dated, what, seven years back? A person can change a lot in seven years." His words give me something to think about but I don't stress on it now.

"Why do you want me to know that?"

"You are my sister's friend. You are like family to me." His words sound genuine. I still don't let go of the opportunity.

"Well I can ignore your words since I am not. Family." I state my point and he just shakes his head. He looks away in another direction and I think it's in frustration. "Oh, that reminds me." I say and he looks back at me. "Naomi came to my place last week at almost midnight."

His eyebrows raise. "What? Really? What for? Was she hurt?"

"The opposite actually," I look at the ground since that this is really hard to say. "She came to tell me how Kai hasn't actually put his hands on her. It's sad, really. As if she's trying to reassure herself he's not harmful." I look up and he's eyes are filled with anger. He leaves even before I can say more.

From the distance I watch Nate approaching. He puts an arm around my shoulders and kisses my forehead. We walk to a place where he starts talking with Paste.

I think about Ian as I see him talk to Nan. He seems angry but I can tell he's trying to maintain a composure. I know why he's angry though.

Ian was always the caring one among us. If I know him at all, I can guarantee he's kind of the person who can get attached to another quickly. And not in a creepy way. He just treats everyone equally and gives the best advice. Unfortunately, it doesn't apply in Nate's case.

I hope he's not straining Naomi, though. My eyes follow him as he walks away from her. He seems to be leaving so I look away. How rude. Doesn't even tell the host goodbye before leaving.

But my eyes find him again when he comes back. I see him moving around the floor. He walks away after a while, but I keep my eyes on the floor where he was standing. I see a tiny black line. My curiosity gets the best of me and excuse myself and walk towards it to see ants. They seem to be carrying crumbs away. But crumbs aren't supposed to fall here since no one dined here in the terrace. It was Ian. He brought crumbs around here so that the ants will have something to eat. Considerate Ian. Who would have thought?

"Anyone wants to go clubbing for celebrating my girl's success?" Nathan asks.

Pastel squeals like a little baby. Seeing her excitement, Lav ask Jeremy who says yes. And dramatically, Paste asks Naomi who asks Ian who says yes. Before the trend can follow and Paste goes and asks Claire who'll obviously ask Eli, I say, "All of us will go, Pastel. Become a baby later on."

I guess she didn't get the sarcasm in my tone because she squeals again. That makes me groan because my ears have started hurting by this point. "Nan I wish your baby doesn't turn out like Paste. If it does, I will kill it the first day to do the world a great favor."

Paste huffs at my remark and everyone laughs. "There's a chance the baby may turn out just like Kai." Lav says, obviously not realizing the impact her words are having an Naomi. "He's such a darling."

I bet he is, I think. Naomi looks stone-faced and before anyone can notice that I change the subject. "What club were you talking about Nate?"

****

Yeon is the most well-known nightclub in town. We have to wait quite a long time to grant access but it's worth it when we enter. Or not. The inside is full of warm bodies and music that hurts the ears. And has lights that could blind the entire neighborhood. Yeah, you guessed it. I am not the clubbing kind.

We go to a corner where there are booths and take our seats. I immediately take off my coat because the humidity is killing me. I am wearing a red dress that reaches just between my mid thighs. It's not too low to look immodest but they are off shoulder enough to make 2 pairs of hazel and blue eyes linger on me. I look at Naomi and see that she's red in the face. "Hey Nan, you alright?"

"Yeah, absolutely."

"I guess pregnancy and clubbing don't go well together, huh?" Paste asks.

"No, I think it's the humidity in here."

"Jeez guys, calm down. I'm fine."

"No, you're not." Ian and I say at the same time. His gaze flies to me but I keep looking at Naomi.

"You know what," she says, standing up. "I'm gonna go. I bet Kai's bored at home."

"Let me drop you," Ian offers but she brushes him off and leaves. I sent in a prayer for her safe arrival. I don't trust Kai. The table grows quiet after she leaves, but no place can stay quiet for long when Paste is there.

"C'mon mopping faces! Let's do what we are here for. Dancing!"

"I'm not in the mood anymore." Lavender says. Jeremy says something in her ears and she immediately stands and leaves with him to the dance floor. We all stare after them.

"Well?" I ask Nate.

"You go ahead. I'm sure it'll be more fun to watch anyway." I shake my head as Paste drags me and Claire to the dance floor.

It isn't that much crowded, thank God. We start to move timidly to the beat as the techno beats escalates. I surrender myself to it and begin to dance. Claire and I giggle as Paste starts throwing herself around. From the corner of my eye can see Jer and Lav making out at the end of the dance floor. Those two are so in love, it's sickening. I glance back at the table to see Nate and Eli watching us but Ian's nowhere to be seen. The dance floor seems to be filing up and we are forced together.

Suddenly two hands circle my waist. I smile as I think Nate has joined me I start to move against him, weaving myself around him. I put my hands over his and spin, but I am shocked when I see Ian with his picture perfect face. For some weird reason, my blood boils. "What are you doing?"

"Dancing," he replies cockily. I pull his hands off me but don't stop dancing.

"Well, why are you dancing with me?"

"Because I want to."

"oh, please don't give me the I want to card, I have a boyfriend."

"I have seen that. A man who doesn't deserve you."

"Mind your language, Ian. Why do u think that anyway?"

"I told you. You weren't here for 7 years, Zara. A lot can happen in 7 years."

"You're just over reacting." I say and scurry backwards. My back hits a rock solid chest. I turn to find Nate with his hands around my hips.

"How's my girl?"

"Great," I smile and look around to see if anyone has heard my conversation with Ian. But everyone seems too busy dancing to hear our words.

"Good." Nate says and starts to move. He can dance extremely well. He makes it seem like I can dance well. I follow him and he spins me around. It's honestly liberating. I giggle and whirl away from him, wanting him to follow me. But another pair of hands bring themselves on my waist. I'm about to tell Ian to keep his hands off me when a hand comes up and punches him.

I don't see the person who is being punched but it is not Ian. It's some random blonde dude whose hair shines like neon lights in this dark dance floor.

"Keep your hands off my girlfriend!" I hear Nate say and he plunges over the poor guy. He grabs the man's neck and slams it down into the floor.

"Nathan!" I scream, terrified of what he is doing. He ignores me as his fist connects with the man's chin again. When he makes no attempt to stop, I scoop down and try to stop him. But I should know better because the moment I put my hands on his arm, he jerks me away so hard I fall to the floor. Sharp pain escalates from my ankles to my legs. The other dancers have moved away creating space for us as they watch us like hawks.

Out of nowhere Eli and Ian come to break the fight. Lav pulls me to my feet but I stumble a little. So many emotions are flowing through my mind as I look at Nate trying to almost kill the guy. I don't dwell on my emotions though and instead look at Eli as he finally gets Nate off him. I see a blazing harshness in Nate's eyes when he stands up and that causes chills to run down me.

He timidly walks toward me when he approaches us. I notice his face is fine but his knuckles are bloody. The way he just randomly walks as if he didn't just barrel down a guy right now is scaring me.

"Are you okay?" Lavender asks.

"Yeah, I am fine."

He looks at me when he reaches us. The harshness in his face is gone and is replaced by complete vulnerability. "Did I scare you?"

"No, you didn't." I lie. He cocks his face to one side. Lav excuses herself and I stumble, so Nate grabs hold of me. I watch her walk away and I can feel she is uncomfortable. Before I can question her, Nate caresses my arm, bringing my attention to him as Lav vanishes. He has that 'tell me the truth' expression on his face. "You took me by surprise, that's all"

"Okay, but are you hurt?"

"No, not much." Expect my heart. I don't know where it is right now.

"We have got to get you home," he says. "I drank too much alcohol. I'll call a cab. I'm gonna get my car tomorrow."

I just nod. I really want to get out of this place and get a good night's sleep after all that's happened. I want to clear my head of all the thoughts I'm desperately burying in my mind.

"I should see if she's hurt." I hear Ian say.

"I'm sure she can fend for herself." Nate says, glaring at Ian. For God's sake, not another fight.

A/N: OKKKKKKKKKK! So i opened wp after 5 days today and guess what? 515 notifications! I spent the last 2 hours checking them!! LOL!

Anywayssssss, back to the chapter? So... This chapter was..not what i expected.(ik these come from my brain, but whteva. sometimes i think my brain and i are disconnected. ik tht didn't make sense so ignore my rambling.)

What did u think of this chapter?

I kind of can't let go of the fact that instead of asking the guy to 'eff off', Nate went BATSHIT crazy on him. Also, he asks Zara "Did I scare u?" instead of asking if she is okay after the fight. what does that tell you about his character?

ok, those are all my questions for today. (coz ik tht gave u something to think abt.)

Bye peeps! hv a nice day ahead!