CHAPTER TWO

 CHAPTER TWO

At 7:55 pm, we took a shuttle down to Dave's party, he lived in a two-bedroom self apartment. Dave 

was one of those extremely rich kids on campus, whom everyone wanted to get hooked up with.

Dave however was not your stereotypical rich bad boy. He was sweet and nice without an iota of pride, 

making him accessible to everyone and that explained why he was friends with Jane and me.

I guess that was why his party was stacked up, with different calibers of people, I mean who would want 

to miss a party hosted by Dave?

We entered the party, there were red cups everywhere. The music was loud as usual and girls dotted 

everywhere. Some grinding on boys, some kissing, some drinking.

Suddenly, everyone’s focus shifted to us for a split second. I felt the least comfortable, I stole a glance at 

Jane to see how she was faring and I wasn’t surprised to see that she was gobbling it all up. 

I chuckled to myself at this, Jane loved being the center of attention. 

“Let's find Dave real quick, he might think we didn’t make his party,” I whispered as we walked through 

the hard bricks, trying to get to the door.

“Who would have thought you'd ever fall for him?”

"What? Come on, Jane. Seriously! He’s our friend,” " I reminded Jane for the umpteenth time, 

emphasizing “our.”

Although Dave had a soft spot for me - which was quite noticeable- we never strolled beyond the border 

of friendship.

"I expected that," Jane said looking, disappointed and I scoffed at that, holding her hands and taking her 

inside.

We made our way to the inner room, where we saw Dave talking to two guys in suits, they weren’t 

students I was sure, they looked like people who were influential and had this mighty aura.

My eye squinted at their dark faces and I sighed, giving up. I couldn’t make out their facial 

features as blue florescent

Hey Dave,” Jane chirped obviously ignoring the two men. 

She flinched immediately as I pinched her hoping she would remember the “It is rude to interrupt 

conversations” courtesy. 

She didn’t back down at my warning and continued mischievously, “We were looking every where for 

you.” She added. 

“Hey Jane, Bella, sorry meet my friends, Isabella and Jane, there are both final year students in the same 

department as mine, we've been friends since sophomore year.”

The taller one stretched out his hands first, then the second copied, at least I thought so. 

“I'm Lawrence, nice to meet you two,’ He said with his arm outstretched and we both took it in turns.

“I’m-“ The shorter one started but a sudden tone blared through causing him to take out his phone 

bashfully. 

“Sorry, I’ll be right back.” He rushed out when he saw the caller ID and left the room to answer his 

phone immediately. 

“So let’s go, so no one would say we kept you hostage,” I said chirpily and they all laughed at my words. 

With that, we left the room and stepped out to the party that I was keen to enjoy, a party that would 

change my life forever. 

There was loud music coming from the sound system across the room, most people were paired up 

dancing. I smiled to myself when I saw Jane approaching, with a can of malt, bullet and peppered meat. 

She knew how much I liked food.

“Tell me who’s the guy you've been staring at?” She nudged me playfully as she sat down.

“Does it have to be a guy? Can’t I just look anywhere I want, I think you are becoming delusional,” I 

commented, rolling my eyes. The malt can popped open and I smiled, passing the refreshing drink down 

my throat.

“Yes, it always has to be about men, unless I’m friends with a lesbian.” She laughed, shifting away from 

my glare.

“Thank God you moved away.“ I replied, laughing too. 

“I have to take this, it’s Ben.“ she said walking away. 

“Sure,” I said silently, popping a lump of meat in my mouth. I brought out my phone, deciding to kill 

time with a little game. I was in the midst of playing temple run when an incoming call came in, almost 

making choke, on my drink.

Mum.

I picked it up and her calm voice seeped through the line, “How are you?”

“I’m fine ma, how’re you?” I was already making my way towards the door, hoping she would not hear 

the loud sound.

But alas, luck wasn’t on my side. “Bella, where are you?”

“Mum relax, I'm at a departmental function, all final years were asked to be there.” My lie rolled silkily

off my tongue, a little bit of guilt tugging at my chest.

“Oh alright, you know why I'm asking this, you can't risked be seen by Santiago's men or any of his 

family members.”

“They killed your father, your sister and still in search of you,” She started, her voice breaking through 

the line and my heart doing the same. 

“Yes mum, I know and everything is going to be okay I promise,” I assured her to prevent her from 

breaking down.

“I have to go now, bye.”

The line went dead and so did my mood for the party.