3 Poisoned

"It seems to me, that love could be labeled poisoned and we'd drink it anyways." - Atticus

As what we've planned, we'll go dorm hunting in the morning and attend to the welcoming party in the evening. Fortunately, we found a dormitory near our school campus, we can just walk to school everyday.

"Here." Talia tossed to me a black halter top dress. "Wear that." She winked playfully and tried on some clothes. I have a fair complexion and the color of this dress will surely emphasize my color. I changed into the dress and looked at myself in the mirror. I must say, this looks good on me.

"You look so beautiful, Amber." She complimented me. "Let me do your hair and makeup." She pulled me and made me sat on the chair infront of the vanity table.

"Light makeup only." I reminded her and she just nodded, neglecting what I just said.

After hours of preparing for the party, we were good to go. We bid our goodbyes to the people inside the house and head out.

The place was crowded when we got there. It was an open-space venue but the place is full with people and you can barely recognize them because of the dimmed lights. Minutes later, a light was pointed at the stage. The start of the program.

"Welcome, everyone. I won't make this long because I only have one thing to say." The host of the party said on stage. "Enjoy the night!" He said and everyone clapped their hands. The loud music filled the place and everyone was dancing and mingling with other people.

"Amber, I'll just go there, okay?" Talia pointed at the people near the stage. I nodded and faced the table filled with liquors. I only grabbed the blue lemonade bottle and continued watching the people around. I noticed a man with a defined jawline, thick eyebrows, pointed nose and dark red eyes, staring at me. I looked away, obviously uncomfortable with his stare.

I was a little bit surprised when another man stood beside me, holding a drink in his right hand and another in his left.

"Hi." The man said. I wasn't sure if he was talking to me so I didn't respond. "What's your name?" He asked. I looked at him and I saw how his lips rose to form a smile. "Yes, you." He chuckled.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you weren't talking to me." I laughed akwardly. "I-I'm Amber." I smiled.

"Beautiful name. Such a gem." This time he moved closer to me because the music was so loud we could barely hear each other. "I'm Kevin." He added. "I would shake your hand right now but, I can't. I've got drinks in both hands." He laughed. "Do you drink?"

"A little." I answered.

"Okay. Here's yours." He handed me the drink from his left hand and I was polite enough to refuse but he kept insisting. "Come on. Just one shot."

I was about to grab the drink to make Kevin shut up but I heard someone behind me. So, instead of getting the drink, I turned around to see who it was. My mouth formed an 'o' when I realized it was the man that kept on staring at me a while ago.

"You poisoned that drink." The man said casually looking at Kevin.

I was shocked when I heard what he said and looked at Kevin.

"What?" I asked, irritated.

"H-huh? No, I-I didn't." Kevin was stuttering and in that moment, I knew he was guilty.

Before he could even explain, I marched myself away from there. I can't believe I almost drank poison. I was muttering curses while walking away from there but I felt that someone is following me from behind. I stopped walking and turned around. It was the man that prevented me from drinking the poisoned drink.

I sighed heavily before opening my mouth to talk. "Thank you." I said and I was about to walk away again when he stopped me.

"Want to get out of this party?" He asked and I looked him straight into his eyes. There was something in his eyes that made me nod as an agreement. I couldn't find Talia and so I followed this man right in front of me.

Right now, we are sitting on the benches at the back of the venue because I told him we can't go anywhere without my cousin knowing. We were filled with silence and the only sound I hear is the faded music coming from the party.

"How did you know he placed poisoned in that drink?" I broke the silence.

"Instincts." He answered and drank on his can of beer.

Again, we are filled with silence. I didn't know what to say anymore. I looked at him and had a better view of his face.

Handsome.

"What's your name?" Thank God he broke the silence. He slowly swifted his head towards my direction to look at me.

"Amber. You?"

"You, you can call me baby." He chuckled and I did, too.

"Stop kidding around." I laughed.

"Levi Theodore, but, call me Theo." He handed his palm and we shook hands. It felt like an electric current flowed inside my body. He was not warm ,but rather cold. The light of the moon made me have a clearer view of his dark-red eyes.

We stayed there for a while before we went back to the party to look for my cousin, Talia. I saw her dancing, looking drunk. I walked towards her and told her we should go home. She refused at first, but I insisted. She was defeated and bid her goodbyes to the people she was mingling with.

As we walked towards the car, Talia's eyes were half-closed. I shook my head and pulled her towards the car.

"You drank too much and you don't have a high alcohol tolerance." I rolled my eyes at her even though she can't see. "Stand up!" I sound irritated. We stopped walking when someone grabbed Talia's arms.

"Let me help." Theo said, smiling. I gave him an apologetic smile before walking towards the car. I placed Talia inside the shotgun seat and placed on her seatbelt.

"Thanks, Theo. I'm sorry for the hassle." I said while playing with my fingers, embarrased.

"My pleasure, Amber." He said and waved his hand. I got inside the car and drove away from the place. I looked at the rearview mirror while driving and saw Theo, still standing. I slightly opened the car window and waved my hand at Theo. A huge smile was plastered on his face as I waved at him.

"Bye, Amber!" He shouted so that I could hear him.

This party was not so bad after all.