Chapter Eight

Present day

Storm

"You did what?!" Zara screamed into my face when I told her what went down last night.

"Zara, keep it down," I warned her through gritted teeth, looking over to Mrs. N who was in the kitchen.

"You fucked Drew," she looked at me in surprise. I shot her a warning look. "You fucked Drew," she repeated quieter, still shocked.

"Yes and what? Do you think I feel proud?"

"Well, I wouldn't either if I fucked Drew."

"Zara!"

"What? I don't want you to catch an STD!"

I shot her a glare and she shrugged.

I know what I did was below my dignity, but I'm desperate.

I need to feel something.

After everything that had happened, I'm afraid I won't be able to feel again.

"Alright, I'm sorry... I'm not being a good friend," she apologized, sipping her coffee.

"Yeah, you're not. Do you think I don't judge the way you treat Law?" I raised my brows and she gasped. "Yeah, you heard me. He's been at your feet since you two met and you always choose older dudes over him."

"Zaraella, is that true?!" Mrs. N gasped from the kitchen, leaning on the marble island, with one hand over her heart and the other around a cup.

Zara glared at me before she directed her attention to Mrs. N.

"Mum, this convo is none of your business!" she fired back, narrowing her eyes at her mum.

Mrs. N sighed and raised her arms in surrender.

"My point here is, you don't get to judge me, babe," I reminded her, taking a bite of my muffin.

"Who gave you permission to be so smart?"

The day went by slowly. Zara and I mostly watched Netflix and ate garbage food.

Drew called me later and asked where did I go. The thing that surprised me the most was that he sounded genuinely interested. If I didn't know any better I would have thought he has feelings. I told him it was a one-night thing and to stop calling me.

I hope he doesn't act any different on Monday in school.

×××××

"Zara!" I manically screamed as I dug through my new closet. "Zara!"

Panic rose to my chest when I realized I was missing something - a piece of me.

"Dude, stop fucking yelling," she appeared at my doorstep, in her silk robe and with slippers on.

"Zara, did you pack Sar's hoodies?" I asked her, breathing heavily. She hesitated.

"Well, they were at his house and we didn't go there because of Orsen," she explained nervously.

She knows how much they mean to me. I need them. I need his black electric guitar.

I got up, taking my coat and putting on my Converse.

"Storm, where are you going? It's three in the morning," she grabbed my arm and prevented me from leaving through the door.

"I need your car keys," I demanded.

She can't comprehend how much I need his clothes. When I wear his hoodies and hold his guitar, it's like he's there with me.

"You're not going anywhere at this time of night."

"Zara, I swear to God I will walk ten miles to his house if you don't give me the keys," I threatened her, our eyes fighting a war much bigger than ourselves.

"I'm sorry, Storm, I can't let you leave," she apologized, her eyes softening. "We'll talk about this in the morning."

Mine were still swirling with anger and hatred, which led to impulsive decisions.

"Fine, then I'll call Drew to pick me up," I wangled out of her clutch and grabbed my phone, dialing his number.

"Storm, you can't do that. You know Drew," she begged me. "If you give him any reason, he will believe you want something with him."

"Maybe I do, Zara. Maybe you don't know me the way you think you do," I fired back, pressing the phone to my ear.

She stood quietly behind me, her arms helplessly hanging next to her body.

"Storm?" his voice was deep and raspy. Now I realized why he was so surprised I'd left the next morning.

He was so used to waking up next to his victims because they all wanted to hear his morning voice.

It was like a gift and a curse.

"I need you to pick me up at Zara's house."

It took him a couple of minutes to respond. "Has something happened?" a door shut closed.

"I... " I glanced at Zara who disapprovingly shook her head. "I just need to get out of here."

I closed my eyes, realizing how messed up I am for doing this.

There's something seriously wrong with me.

It was like when I felt anger I wanted to destroy everything I cared for.

The problem was that I liked it.

"I'll be there in ten."

I put my phone in my back pocket and headed downstairs. Zara stopped me in the living room. She wasn't worried or sad anymore.

She was angry.

"You have no right to do this to me," she blamed me, fiercely glaring at me.

"You didn't let me leave."

"It's three in the morning!"

"So what?!"

"Do you even realize what kind of creeps are out there?!"

"And when did that stop us?!"

She screamed, hiding her face with her hands. "God, Storm, what the fuck is wrong with you?! You used to be normal!"

I stared at her, not able to comprehend what just came out of her mouth.

"My fucking soulmate died! I'm sorry for not being the same!" I screamed back, turning away and leaving through the door.

Drew arrived in only a couple of minutes and as soon as I saw him, I jumped into his car.

"Drive! Just drive!" I panicked, only now realizing I was crying.

"Okay, okay!" he drove off, glancing at me now and then. "Fuck, Storm, what happened?"

I sniffed, recapping everything that went down.

He stopped the car in the middle of a deserted road and entirely directed his attention to me.

At first, I was shocked at his level of empathy. But then I exhaled and decided to risk it all.

"I need a drink first," I relaxed my shoulders and rubbed my eyes.

He smirked and nodded, starting up the car again. "Say less. I know just the place."

We drove in silence, which gave me enough time to clear my mind.

I'll drink a little then Drew will drive me to Sar's house and I'll collect everything I need.

"Can we make a deal?" Drew asked me when he parked the car in front of an empty diner.

"Depends."

He laughed. "The drinks are on me, but you have to tell me what's going on."

I raised my brows, genuinely shocked.

"That's all? Damn, if you didn't have your signature perfume, I would've thought a wrong Drew picked me up," I chuckled and he scoffed. "What, no dirty jokes or sex stories?"

"Oh, Thunder. There's so much more to Drew than you think you know," he smirked and stretched his hand. "So, deal?"

I thought about it, seeing nothing that could go wrong.

"Deal," I nodded.

Only one hour and ten vodka shots later I'd realized what could go wrong.

Let's put it this way.

The drugs weren't the factor that made me hook up with him that night.

It was the combination of alcohol and Drew.

"Truth or dare?" I asked and playfully winked at him.

He thought about it, eventually choosing the truth.

"Who did you have the best sex with?"

That question took him off guard and he downed another shot.

He wasn't smirking anymore but was deadly serious. "You."

I opened my mouth, but he outdrove me.

"Truth or dare?"

My head was spinning and I wasn't able to see clearly, but I downed another shot and announced, "Dare."

"Kiss me," he whispered, his dark eyes full of mischief and desire.

Although there was a table in-between the two of us, I climbed over it and sat in his lap. I grabbed his face and kissed him.

He was blown away for a second, but soon enough he embraced my waist and pulled me even closer.

Maybe he tasted so good because I was shitfaced, but maybe it was because he was forbidden fruit.

"Why are you so warm?" he whispered against my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

Two images flashed in front of me - 1. our naked bodies in his car and 2. our naked bodies in his flat.

Is there any other way this night is going to end?

"I know you're just using me, but it feels so good," I whispered back, sliding my hand in his jeans.

"I'm not using you," he moaned sharply, bending his head backward. His black hair followed his head, falling behind his seat. His dark eyebrows created a lonely line between them, showing me just how much he enjoyed this.

I smirked and moved closer, biting his lower lip. "Well, I'm using you."

I slipped from his lap and walked to the waiter behind the bar. "I need another shot," I slurred, leaning on the counter.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" he asked worriedly.

"Wait, you're kinda cute," I complimented him after I stared long enough at him.

I don't remember what he looked like, but I know he was cute.

"Thank you," he blushed, grabbing a glass and pouring vodka in it. "What's your name?"

"I'm Storm. And you?"

"Jason," he smiled and handed me the shot.

"Okay, that's enough," Drew suddenly appeared behind me and grabbed the shot from my hand.

He paid the waiter and dragged me out of there to his car. I pushed him away and leaned onto the car door.

He looked pissed off.

"You're hot," I smirked.

He scoffed and pulled out the keys. He started walking to the other side of the car, but I stopped him and pushed him on the hood.

"What's wrong, baby?" I brushed my fingers against his lips and he closed his eyes.

"You're playing me," he blurted out frustrated. Once he opened his eyes, they were black and dark like two Onyx stones.

"And you're not doing the same thing to me?"

He thought for a moment. "I'm not."

I scoffed, still pressed against him. "I've known you for two years, Drew. You've been with more girls than anyone I know."

"So?"

"It's kinda unbelievable to think you've changed after a night with me."

At that moment, I was soberer than I wanted to be. Why couldn't I just forget this entire conversation ever happened?

"It's just as weird for me as it is for you," he sneered, looking at our connected bodies. "Nobody is making me hard anymore except for you."

I pushed myself off and walked a few steps back.

What have I done?

I turned a monster into a human being.

"I don't know what do you want from me."

"I can't live without it," he begged me.

"So you are using me," I crossed my arms. "For sex."

He scratched the back of his neck.

"You don't understand," he sighed and wobbled to the driver's door.

What I did next may have initiated everything that happened after, but I wasn't able to stop myself.

I ran to him and slammed his body against the door, grabbing his face. "Then explain it," I muttered, staring directly into his eyes.

He opened the door and crashed his lips onto mine, throwing both of us inside.

×××××

We were sitting on the hood of his car, smoking. In front of us was Sar's house, completely in dark.

"Do you ever stop missing him?" I asked Drew, taking a drag.

He mirrored me, blowing a puff of smoke. "No. He was like a brother to me."

"Did you know Orsen is back?"

He shot me a shocked look, glancing at the house. "Are you fucking kidding?"

"Nope."

"When did that happen?"

"Monday," I inhaled the smoke, enjoying the burning sensation it left me with.

He scoffed, shaking his head. "I can't believe that motherfucker didn't even call."

"He said he came back for me, but I knew he was lying. Something is going on."

"Wanna find out?" he suggested.

"I can't deal with it yet. We'll see what happens next."

I hopped off the car and stepped on my cigarette.

"Should I wait for you?" he asked, following me.

"No, Zara will pick me up," I declined his offer and he nodded. "Oh and Drew?"

He looked up, hopefulness swirling in his disturbing eyes.

"Don't call me."

×××××

I was digging through Sar's closet the fastest I could, throwing everything I could find in his duffel bag.

I have no intention of meeting Orsen, so I tried to be careful and quiet.

Have I ever mentioned I would be an awful thief?

I grabbed his poems and drawings, tugging them in the bag. I practically emptied the entire room.

When I collected everything, I grabbed his guitar on one shoulder and the duffel bag on the other, heading downstairs.

"Storm, what the fuck are you doing?" a low voice stopped me from even exiting Sar's room.

I dropped everything on the floor, blankly staring at Orsen.

"I'm just leaving."

"No, Storm, what have you been doing for the past hour?" he corrected his question.

"I forgot to bring some stuff so I came by to pick it up."

"You can't take all of that," he protested, staring at my luggage.

"This belongs to me, Orsen."

"No, it belongs to Sar," he defied me.

"Dammit, Orsen! Sar is mine! He is my soulmate and his stuff is mine!" I screamed, pushing him away.

He paused for a moment, examining me. "You reek of alcohol, Storm."

"You reek of betrayal," I fired back, glaring at him with all the hatred I could collect.

He doesn't deserve mercy.

"I-"

"No, shut up! You left me, Orsen! You were my family and my best friend and you left me!" I cried out. "Do you think Sar would be proud of you? No! He would be ashamed to call you his brother!"

"Stop it! Shut the fuck up!" he screamed, pushing me away.

I hit the wall, all air disappearing out of my chest.

I don't know what came over me, but I've never felt rage like this before.

I wanted him to hate me.

"You ruined everything! You left just to make yourself feel better without even thinking about what would happen to us. To me!"

"I wasn't the one who ruined Sar and caused his death," he growled with rage.

I walked to him, smashing his face with my fist. "I loved him! I saved him from killing himself and what did you do? NOTHING!"

I turned around and screamed, connecting my fist with a wall. I fell to the floor, punching the hard wood.

"You are a coward and I will never forgive you."

After that, I passed out.

×××××