Page 23 of Autumn Secrets
“I’ve already told you, there’s no door, trust me.”
I eyed Adrian with suspicion. “What? So, you just happened to find me on the floor?”
“Yes, I did. I found you exactly where you opened your eyes a few seconds ago.”
“That doesn’t make sense…” I mumbled and tucked my hair behind my ear. It seemed to be my signature move whenever I was around him. No wonder I had thought he could read my mind. I was so damn predictable.
“You fainted. Your mind is probably playing tricks on you a little bit.”
I stared at him. He was so sure, and that made me seriously doubt what had happened to me in there. If I could only talk to Lexi. She would be able to tell me if we had gone upstairs.
“Come on, it looks like you could use a drink.” He ticked his head towards the kitchen. “Shall we?”
I nodded and let Adrian lead me to the kitchen, where I found Lexi and the others, just like he had told me.
“Aaahh, there you are! You just disappeared! Oh, but I get it now.” Lexi grinned and winked at me.
So, there was the proof I needed, I guess. I’d obviously fainted and imagined the whole incident with Lexi and the door. None of the girls seemed to have any idea what had happened to me, and I now felt way too confused to even attempt to ask them about it. Still, there was a part of me that couldn’t accept this. I just felt it; something wasn’t right. This feeling was so strong that I couldn’t let it go.
“Do you want a glass of water, or maybe a Coke? You probably need some sugar,” Adrian said and made his way to the fridge.
“Just some water, thanks,” I replied and walked up to the girls.
“God, you’re lucky.” Jasmine chuckled.
“Ssshhh,” Mia whispered. “He can probably hear you.”
“Have you two kissed?” Jasmine wondered and took a sip of something that I assume was alcohol. She was definitely a little bit tipsy.
“No, of course not,” I whispered back, embarrassed. Then I remembered Julian. We, on the other hand, had almost kissed, right here in this kitchen, before I went to the dance floor. Jeez, what was I doing? I’d never been into dating or even gossiping about boys. Now I had two good-looking guys who were showing interest in me, and I was suddenly offering myself to both of them? Seriously, I needed to sort my life out.
They were so different, yet so alike. I couldn’t deny it. Julian was magnetic, dark and alluring, but I felt myself equally attracted to Adrian, if not more. Well, actually, I knew it waswaymore. Who was I kidding? The only reason I tried to deny myself any possible feelings for Adrian, was because I knew he would break my heart. I knew that he was with Evangeline, and I refused to bethatgirl.
Adrian could so easily pull me into his private little world without even trying. I had experienced it on several occasions so far. When I was around him, I found myself so far out of my comfort zone. He affected me on a much deeper level, something I was just starting to admit to myself. He was an enigma that I couldn’t figure out.
A glass of water abruptly appeared in front of me, pulling my attention back to the room.
“Here’s your water.”
“Oh, thanks…”
“So, Adrian…Aurora tells me you have a girlfriend. Is that true?” I jumped and almost dropped my glass when I heard Lexi. What was she doing?!
“Did she now?” He slid me a look with those beautiful eyes, and I could see a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Embarrassed, I managed to avert my gaze to the floor instead, praying to be swallowed by the ground. I could feel everyone watching me, almost like they were waiting for me to say something. Except, I couldn’t. This was the question that I wanted to ask him myself.
“So…do you?” This time it was Jasmine who asked. I held my breath, waiting for him to say something, even though I already knew the answer. I’d seen the two of them with my own eyes. I stared at the glass in my hand as I took a deep breath, bracing myself.
“No, no I don’t.”
My head snapped up, and I stared at him in disbelief. Was this guy for real?! My mouth reacted before my head did.
“Are you serious?! You are such a liar! I was right there, remember?”
Oh no. Did I say that out loud? I felt my face heat up instantly and, horrified, I did the only thing I could think of: turned and ran out of the kitchen. I continued down the hall, steering my feet towards the cloakroom, where I’d seen Julian hang my jacket earlier. We’d been some of the last guests to arrive, so luckily it was easy to find. I quickly pulled my jacket off the hanger, then left the party behind. I needed some fresh air.
It was pitch-black outside, except for the lanterns that lit up the walkway from the house to the grass, where everyone had parked their cars. A group of girls were standing next to one of the cars, drinking and laughing. I didn’t feel like talking to anyone, so I quietly sneaked away to the back of the house. The lights from inside made their way out into the yard, so I wasn’t walking around in complete darkness.
The first thing I noticed was a little garden arbour, and I silently thanked whoever had built one out here. At least I could seek shelter for a little while before going back inside. The arbour was equipped with a little table and two chairs, and I gratefully sat down and stared out in the darkness. I still felt a bit light-headed after what had happened earlier. I inhaled the fresh autumn air and closed my eyes. After a while I heard a car start, then everything went completely silent. The girls must have either gone inside or gone home. I stood up and wrapped my jacket around me a little tighter. It was so cold tonight.