Chapter 2 The One That Got Under My Skin

Ella's POV

The moment I stepped outside into the cool night air, I felt like I could breathe again. The stifling heat of the party, the noise, the drinks, the flashing lights-they were all too much. I wasn't made for this.

I wanted to leave. Wanted to pull Lela and Kate away from the madness and just go back to our dorm, maybe order some takeout, and pretend tonight didn't happen.

But the second I thought about leaving, my feet stopped. I turned my head toward the door.

Abby.

She was still inside. She was the one who looked like she was playing the game, making everyone laugh, being the centre of attention. But I knew better. I saw her when no one was looking, when her face softened for just a second, her guard down. I knew that look.

I couldn't explain it, but I wanted to understand her more. She wasn't just some mean cheerleader who tormented me in high school. There was something else underneath it all. Something I had to get to the bottom of.

I stepped back inside, hesitated at the threshold, and then without thinking moved deeper into the crowd.

The moment I stepped into the living room again, I noticed her. Abby. She was standing by the door, leaning against the frame, her arms crossed tight. She was watching me again. Not in the way she had when she made that cutting remark earlier this was different. It wasn't the same old taunt. No. This time, there was something else in her eyes.

But I couldn't figure out what it was.

I told myself to ignore it. To pretend I wasn't looking at her the same way I'd looked at her in high school, when I'd been forced to pretend, I didn't care about her.

I didn't know what it was about her that had always gotten under my skin. But it wasn't just the way she treated me. It was the way she was so confident, so perfect, so untouchable. And yet, every time I saw her, I couldn't help but feel drawn to her.

I turned my attention away and pretended to laugh at something Kate said. But Abby's presence didn't leave me. It clung to me, followed me, every step I took around the room.

When the game started up again, I thought about making my way to the kitchen to grab another drink. But before I could leave, Lela's voice cut through the noise. "Ella, truth or dare?"

"Dare," I said without thinking. What was the worst that could happen? It was just a game, right?

Lela smirked. "Who in this room do you secretly want to kiss?"

My heart nearly stopped. I could feel my face heat up.

"Pass," I muttered, trying to brush it off.

But the circle wasn't having it. They laughed, chanted, "No passes!"

I was cornered. There was no way out. The heat in my chest burned brighter. My mind raced what was I supposed to say? Who was I supposed to say?

I glanced at Abby, my eyes locking with hers for the briefest of moments. The world seemed to tilt on its axis.

I didn't even know what to think. How was it possible that after everything after all the years of being cruel to me, of pretending I didn't exist Abby still had this effect on me?

But I didn't want to admit it. Not now. Not here.

"I don't know," I said quickly, forcing a laugh. "Maybe no one."

It didn't feel true. But I had to say something.

And that was when the bottle landed on Abby.

"Truth or dare?" the circle asked.

She didn't hesitate. "Dare."

"Make out with someone," Tasha grinned, clearly enjoying the chaos.

The circle went wild, but Abby just took a deep breath and walked toward the guy next to me. I felt a strange pull in my chest, like I was watching a train wreck and couldn't look away.

Abby leaned in and kissed him a quick, empty kiss and I couldn't help but feel something sharp twist inside me. It wasn't jealousy. I didn't know