Chapter 144: Where are you, Dom?
Ash’s POV
The second we stepped out of the cab, my stomach dropped.
My palms were sweating, and I couldn’t tell if it was from the makeup on my face or just nerves clawing up my throat.
What if Dominic didn’t like the makeup? What if he thought I looked ridiculous, like I was trying too hard?
I told myself I wasn’t expecting anything special tonight...no big romantic gestures, no perfect moment.
I just wanted to see him, to maybe steal one second alone. Still... I couldn’t shake the bad feeling creeping up my spine.
That maybe, TheCoil would show up here, and hurt someone again.
June squeezed my hand, as we both sighed at the same time, staring at the house.
The bass from the music vibrated through the pavement. It wasn’t as massive as Dominic’s place, but close enough that walking in felt like stepping into another universe.
"This is it," June whispered, widening her eyes.
I checked my phone. 8:00pm. My palms were sweating.
"We’re really doing this," she smiled nervously, nodding.
"Yes, but, low-key? I’m scared," I admitted.
June’s smile wavered. She didn’t say anything, just tightened her grip on my hand.
"Guys," Marcus groaned dramatically ahead of us, already holding the gate. "If you keep standing there holding hands like that, people are gonna think this is prom, not a party. Let’s go."
I rolled my eyes, but June giggled nervously, and that was enough to get us moving.
The second we stepped inside, I gasped.
Neon pink and purple lights bounced across the walls.
Fog machines smoked the corners.
Girls in bikinis were dancing on guys who had red solo cups in both hands.
Somebody was pouring vodka straight from the bottle into someone else’s mouth on the stairs.
I clung to June’s hand tighter.
"Wow..." she gasped.
"Yeah," I whispered back, trying not to stare too hard at the chaos.
"So what are we gonna do now that we’re in?" Marcus asked, looking unimpressed.
"I... I have to go," I blurted, waving at them quickly. My chest was tight. "I need to see someone."
Marcus frowned. "Where are you going, Ash?"
I hesitated. "Just... someone."
June perked up immediately. "I also have to go find Ren."
Marcus threw his hands up. "Cool. So you’re both ditching me? Love that for me."
June looped her arm through his, smirking. "Don’t be dramatic. Come on, Marcus, you’ll survive. Freshman girls are literally everywhere. Maybe you’ll actually learn how to flirt tonight, instead of sulking."
"I don’t want to flirt with anyone," he muttered quickly.
My eyes flicked between them, the way his face went stiff, the way he avoided her gaze. Oh. I knew instantly. He didn’t want to flirt because... he wanted June.
June rolled her eyes, then winked at me. "Ash, go. We’ll be fine."
"Thanks," I whispered, as I slipped deeper inside.
The farther I went, the crazier it got. People were grinding against each other, some lighting up cigarettes by the back door.
Everywhere I turned, there were teenagers pressed together....mouths locked, hands wandering inside their clothes, shirts tugged up. I swallowed hard, forcing my eyes away.
I slipped past the kitchen, out toward the sliding doors, and stepped onto the pool deck.
The pool glowed blue under the neon lights.
A group of girls splashed each other while guys cannonballed. More couples lounged in the shadows.
Still no Dominic.
Where are you, Dom?
I don’t know how I even ended up at the bar.
My brain was too busy buzzing with.....don’t look awkward, don’t trip, don’t look like you’ve never been to a party before. Which... I hadn’t, at least not one like this.
I was trying to act casual, like yeah sure, totally normal for me to be standing here ordering a soda at a table full of tequila shots, when out of the corner of my eye I caught someone familiar smooching another figure.
And then she turned.
Big brown eyes. Lip stick all smudged.
"OMG, Ash!"
I dragged out her name, grinning. "Jaaaeee. Look at you." I wiggled my eyebrows.
She giggled, before her girl leaned in and kissed her cheek, whispering something.
Then she walked away, leaving just me and Jae.
I crossed my arms dramatically. "I can’t believe you found love in, like, one week at Blackwell. Meanwhile I’m still trying to figure out how not to look like a lost puppy. But I’m happy for you."
I nudged her shoulder. "And she’s cute, too."
Jae bit her lip, trying to hide a smile. "It just... happened, fr. You’re not gonna believe it though." She leaned closer, dropping her voice. "She’s the headmaster’s daughter."
My jaw dropped. "Wait. So Nari and Ian have another sister?"
She leaned in to whisper. "Yes! She came from Korea last weekend."
"That’s insane, another Han’s daughter," I muttered, shaking my head, and then Jae tilted her head at me like she was studying me.
"So what about you?" she asked softly. "Have you figured yourself out? How’s your mom doing?"
I sighed, looking down at my cup. "I’m... still figuring it out," I admitted. "And my mom’s okay. Just... y’know. Okay."
The bartender slid two drinks our way.
But Jae didn’t let me off the hook. She pointed at my face, grinning. "No, I mean....you. Like, have you come out yet? ’Cause with the makeup and everything... you seem like you have."
My face burned. I looked down at the drink, then back at her. My voice came out small.
I swallowed hard. "I... I’m not out yet." I whispered. "I want to. I really do. But I’m not... there yet."
Jae’s eyes softened. "Hey. That’s okay," she said. "You’ll get there when you’re ready. No pressure."
I was halfway through pretending to sip my drink when I felt it. That weird pull, like someone just said my name without saying it.
I raised my head... and there he was.
Dominic.
Across the room, lights flashing all over him, sweaty dancers bumping into his shoulders, and still... he was only looking at me. Like he’d been scanning the whole place just to find me.
My chest did this embarrassing little thud thud thing. I tried to smile normal, but it probably looked like I was glitching.
Jae was still talking beside me until she noticed my attention was gone. "Ash? Hellooo!" She turned, clocked him, and her jaw dropped. "Oh. Ohhh. Got it."
Dominic walked straight through the crowd easily, like people just moved for him.
My chest lurched so hard I thought the cup was gonna slip right out of my sweaty palms. God, why was my throat dry? Why were my knees literally shaking? It felt like my body forgot how to exist.
And then he kept coming closer.
Don’t drool, don’t stare at his arms, don’t think about his ripped body under that shirt, oh my God stop thinking about that.
Stop staring at his lips. Ash, stop staring at his crotch.
The closer he got, the worse it got...like every step stripped me down. All I could think about was his hand gripping the back
When he stopped in front of me, he leaned down, close enough that I could smell the faint sweat and cologne off his skin.
"I’m glad you came," he whispered.
My heart stuttered. My whole body wanted to lean into him, but I froze, because....people. Everyone. The whole school.
Jae smirked, pressing a playful hand to my shoulder. "Ohhh, I see. I think that’s my cue." She winked. "Talk later."
I nodded, and just like that, she disappeared.
It was just me and him now, and the bartender shaking a drink.
I looked up at him, nervous as hell, still clutching my drink. He didn’t say anything else, just kept looking at me with that soft, expression that made my knees weak.