22
LAST NIGHT
EVIE
THERE’S A PARTY ATVIKTOR’S HOUSE TONIGHT TO CELEBRATE THE END OF THE TERM BEFOREeveryone scatters for Christmas break.
Are you sure you don’t want to come?I ask Annie as I dress.The guy she’s been seeing has already gone home for the holidays.
No way.You’re just going to take off with Viktor, and then I’ll end up wandering around like a lonely loser.
I want to protest that I’ll stick by her side like the good friend I am, but realistically I’ll end up doing whatever Viktor wants.He’s been too busy to see me this week, and I’ve missed him.
I put on an emerald satin blouse since it’s almost Christmas, but following Mia’s advice I addnormaldark jeans.Then I ponder whether my embroidered belt is too weird.It looks nice to me.
Are you staying over at his place tonight?she asks.
I hope so.
I’m already packed to leave for my great-grandmother’s place tomorrow, where my mom and dad will join me for a week.I can’t wait to see my parents.I hope they’ll be happy to hear all my news, but my father will not approve of the fact that I have a boyfriend.Or he’ll want to do a complete security check on him.
I can’t believe the way your fling turned out.You tamed the biggest player on campus,Annie declares.
I make a face.I haven’t changed Viktor at all.We complement each other in many ways, so our relationship works.That’s all.
I go to the party alone, something that would be unthinkable when I first got to Monarch.But I’m more confident now.
The party is loud and crowded when I get there.
Evie!Rosie floats across the room and gives me a hug.How are you?I still love my purse charm.
You’re too sweet.She compliments me each time I see her, which I secretly love.After the frat party incident, Rosie helped me figure out the right thank-you gifts for everyone except Viktor.In return, I sewed her a namesake purse charm.The rose is made out of velvet and glass beads, and it turned out as lovely as Rosie herself.
Where are you spending Christmas?I ask.
I’m going to spend it with Connor’s family.Our first big holiday together.She grimaces, but those two are so close.She raises a can of beer.Well, I was supposed to bring him a drink, so I better go.
She makes her way over to Connor, who is DJing as usual.
I search for Viktor.Someone who can find me in an arena usually spots me immediately at a party, so it’s odd that I even have to look.I finally find him talking to two women and push my way through the crowd.
Hey, Viktor.I smile at the two women who I don’t recognize.They’re both tall and pretty.
Evie.Viktor turns and gives me a half-smile.This is Bella and Monique.
Then they resume their conversation about some big outdoor concert that happens in the summer.Nobody makes an effort to include me, and Viktor is being extra-friendly to the brunette woman.In fact, he seems to be deliberately ignoring me.I’ve never been jealous before, but he’s never given me reason.
Finally, I get fed up.
I’m going to get a drink,I mutter before heading towards the kitchen.But before I’m halfway there, he grabs my wrist.
Evie.We need to talk.
Oh, you’re talking to me now?I reply.
Yeah, come up to my room.He links our hands together and leads the way.I follow reluctantly.He hasn’t even apologized for being so rude.Then I wonder if he’s drunk.I’ve never seen him drink to excess, but maybe he’s letting loose before Christmas holidays.
We climb the two flights of stairs and enter his room.I hear the sharp click of the door closing behind us.
