Chapter Twenty-three

♦September's POV ♦

"What?"Arianna and Dane say in utter shock

"Yeah. Poor girl," Selena says dryly. I give her a look "What September? That's as far as I can get to consolation. Not for him anyway, I really do feel sorry for said soulmate"

"You two shouldn't even be related, you're complete opposites," Neruda says, glaring at Selena. Trying her. "They're too good for you aren't they?"

"What did you say" Selena asks icily.

"What did you hear?" he taunts

It happened so fast. One minute she was glaring at a smirking Neruda. Next minute she looked so smug and sipped her martini. Then it happened, he was holding his head like it was too heavy for his neck and had to sit down. Then I think he felt okay but that didn't last long because he was holding his head again. Whatever she's doing to him must definitely not feel good.

"Selena," Cyril warns

"Oh fine." she says and turns to give her full attention to her drink and Dane sitting beside her, all the fun clearly ruined.

"What the hell did you do to me?" Neruda spat.

Selena turned and smiled. That patient grandma smile. It reminds me of grandma even. I shake my head. She cocked her head to one side "Those are just your emotions Neruda. I just gave you a slight headache"

"You literally made me feel like I was carrying the whole world on my head," Neruda narrowed his eyes at her.

"Yeah," she rolled her eyes "if you want to say it like an idiot."

Cameron sighed and looked like he was about to explode from laughter. "Okay can you guys just stop? Neruda leave her alone already. You're patronizing her." he advices, shaking his head.

"Yeah" I agree

"Watch it Wolfe" Selena warns "I know where you sleep" she looks at me in annoyance. What now? I mentally groan.

"Anyway didn't we come here to party?" Arianna says cheerfully.  I think she's drunk.

"Yeah. Let's do just that" Selena says dragging me up.

"Hey! I have to dance alone?" Dane whines.

"If you keep acting like a baby" she promises him before leading me away

Away from everyone, and moving our bodies to the music, I feel like a bird.  Maybe it's because I had a little to drink. Selena keeps keeping me away from alcohol. I don't think I'm in any mood for a hangover anyway so I'll be upset some other time.

"Hey September did you hear me?" I feel Selena bump me with her hip.

"What?" I ask

"Can't you see the way Zach and Cameron get when you're around? Or are you blind?" she says tiredly. Then in a very annoying but funny British accent,  she says"they have the hots for you Ember" she smirks.

I want to laugh so hard but I don't know what stops me. "Cameron?" I blurt and laugh "yeah, right". Now my mind is reeling. "Zach?"" Selena you're being a real witch if you're making all this up" I say slightly annoyed.

She's still dancing but now she laughing and shaking her head. "Oh honey. I know you want it all to be a lie. Well,  not the entire thing though," she smirks as she sways her hips smoothly side to side. "I know you like Zach too.  Cameron? I don't know. But Zach's pretty hot"

I don't know how I'm still dancing.  Maybe it's the alcohol or maybr Selena added a little party spirit it something.

"Anyway I have a boyfriend to dance with. And you have Zach behind you. Goodluck and please don't stutter." she dances away to where Dane's seated to drag him to the dance floor.

"Uh, hey September" I turn to see a smiling Zach.

"Hey Zach. What's up" I ask, Selena's warning not to stutter playing on repeat in my head.

"You want a drink? I have two left feet," he says shyly

"No way.  You'll dance for a while then well go get that drink.  How about that?" I surprise myself by saying. I mentally curse Selena for her extra touch. She confirms it by smiling when I turn to look at her.

"I don't know but okay.  I can't promise not to step on your feet though." he laughs  nervously. Such sweet laugh. I can almost taste it.

I agree anyway and teach him to dance. Or I think I do. Because he moves like he knows what he's doing. Although I sensed his nervousness when he held my waist at first. That disappeared because we we soon completely interested in the song and in moving to the best that when it ended,  we both burst out laughing.

Humph.  Now I'm beginning to think she also gave him a boost.

Zach and I find our way to the bar for those drinks he proposed. "Water please," I tell the waiter

"Same," Zach says and the waiter gets our orders and leaves as silently as he came.

"So how'd I do?" he asks

"Not bad," I smile "though you may have stepped on me more than once" I tease

"Okay people. I hate to be a party pooper but it's time to leave." Cyril says, behind me. And I see Selena close behind him kissing Dane goodnight I suppose. I can't spot Cameron anywhere.

"Oh well. I guess I'll see you around then." Zach says extending an arm.

I take it and it feels really soft.  I don't think I want to let go. 'His eyes are a deep pool I want to drown in...' I'm brought out of my thoughts by a loud chuckle and I quickly remove my hand. "yeah," I say as I follow Cyril out the door with Selena at my side. 

"Nice timing Selena," I mumble

"What now?" she asks innocently.

I get into the backseat with a quiet Neruda because Selena already said she's staying in front. Great for me anyway. I don't want their bickering to ruin my night. I can still feel Zach's soft palms. I sigh and sink further into the seat.