The Wrong Kind of Wild

Andrea stood stiffly, arms crossed as though warding off the very idea of fun. Her lips pressed into a thin line as Gleed approached with the relentless energy of a storm.

"Come on, Andrea," Gleed urged, a wicked gleam dancing in her eyes. "Forget Joe. That loser doesn't deserve you. Let's get dressed up, get wasted, and party till the sun comes up. You *need* this."

Taylor chimed in eagerly, her voice light and persuasive. "Yeah! And who knows? You might even hook up with someone ten times hotter than Joe."

Andrea shifted uneasily, biting her lip. "I don't know... I'm just not feeling it."

Gleed's eyes widened in mock disbelief. "It's my birthday, girl! You have to come."

Andrea exhaled a long, defeated sigh. "Fine. Yeah. Let's do it."

The room erupted in cheers, Gleed throwing her hands up triumphantly while Taylor fist-pumped. In the background, Lily smiled faintly, her quiet presence almost forgotten.

Sensing fresh gossip in the air, Gleed pivoted sharply toward Lily, her tone dripping with playful suspicion. "So, Lil," she purred, leaning closer, "what's really going on between you and Nolan?"

Lily's easy smile froze, her expression shifting into a careful mask. "Nothing," she said firmly, though her fingers nervously fidgeted with the hem of her shirt.

"Nothing?" Gleed echoed, raising an eyebrow.

Lily shook her head emphatically. "Nope. Nothing at all."

Taylor snickered. "Uh-huh. That's why you blush like a maniac whenever he's around."

A hot flush crawled up Lily's neck. "I don't blush," she protested weakly.

Gleed's grin turned downright wicked. "Well, good thing there's nothing going on," she said with mock relief. "Because tonight? All of us are getting our pussies slammed. "

Lily's breath hitched, eyes widening in sheer horror. "W-what?" she stammered.

Taylor blinked, then burst into laughter. "Wait—what? Lily, are you seriously still a virgin?"

The room fell silent for a beat before Lily's flushed face gave the answer away.

Gleed gasped dramatically. "No way. This is a record Girl, you've been holding out this long?"

Andrea shot a glare at Gleed. "Cut it out. Not everyone's trying to be a reckless mess like you."

"Oh, chill," Gleed drawled with a smirk. "We'll ease Lil into the wild side tonight. Trust me."

Lily's blush deepened as nervous laughter filled the room, her mind racing between embarrassment and disbelief at how the night had already spiraled out of control!

As they entered the club, the group's excitement was palpable. Neon lights flickered overhead, casting colorful reflections on glossy floors. The thudding bass of the music pulsed through their bodies, mingling with the scent of alcohol and sweat.

Lily hung back, preferring the relative calm of the VIP section.Gleed slipped into a cushioned seat, her boyfriend trailing behind. The moment she settled in, a group of partygoers raised their glasses, cheering over the pounding bass.

"Happy birthday, Gleed!" someone called from across the VIP section.

"Looking hot as hell tonight, birthday girl!" another voice chimed in.

Gleed smirked, tossing her hair back with effortless confidence. "Of course I do. It's my night."

Her boyfriend leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear. "Happy birthday, babe," he murmured before pressing a lingering kiss to her cheek.

Gleed turned to him, her eyes gleaming under the club lights. "Thanks, baby." She cupped his face, pulling him into a slow, teasing kiss, the heat between them momentarily drowning out everything else.

The moment was cut short as Jake, lounging on the other side of her boyfriend, leaned forward with a cocky grin. His sharp brown eyes locked onto Gleed, amusement flickering across his features.

"So," Jake drawled, nodding toward Lily, "I see you've got a new friend."

Gleed, already sipping her drink, waved lazily between them. "Lily, this is Jake. Jake, Lily's my roommate. And Jake's an asshole."

Jake's gaze swept over Lily, lingering too long, too boldly. A smirk curled at the corner of his lips. "Nice to meet you, Lily. You're pretty nice... and a good fuck, I bet."

Lily's face flushed a deep crimson as discomfort prickled down her spine. Gleed's boyfriend shot Jake a sharp, warning glare, his jaw tightening.

"Chill, man," Jake said with a dismissive laugh, leaning back in his seat.

Trying to shake off the awkwardness, Lily sipped her drink, hoping the moment would pass unnoticed. But the unease lingered, thick in the air.

Moments later, Jake leaned closer to Lily, his tone shifting. "Hey," he murmured smoothly, "want to step outside for some fresh air? It's getting loud in here. Might be too much for a girl like you."

Her gaze flicked uncertainly to her friends, but Jake was already standing, offering his hand with a charming smile. Against her better judgment, she took it hesitantly, letting him guide her through the crowded room.

The music faded as they stepped outside into the cool night. The distant hum of traffic and chatter filled the silence between them.

The cold night air wrapped around them as Jake guided Lily toward a shadowed alley behind the club. The faint thrum of music from inside vibrated through the brick walls, but out here it was quieter—isolated.

"You sure know how to pick friends," Jake said with a smirk, his voice low and smooth. "Bet you like a little adventure too."

Lily forced a polite smile, already regretting stepping away from her friends. "I think I should head back—"

Before she could finish, Jake's arm slipped around her waist, firm and possessive.

"Relax," he murmured, his grin widening. "We're just talking, right?"

Lily tensed, trying to step back, but Jake pressed closer, his breath hot against her ear. "I mean, a girl like you out here alone... Maybe you're looking for more fun than you're letting on."

"I said I'm not interested," she snapped, shoving at his chest.

Jake's expression hardened. "Come on, don't be like that."

In a sudden, fluid motion, he pinned her against the rough wall, the brick scraping her exposed skin. Panic surged through Lily's veins as his hand slid down her back, fingers gripping her ass. The other hand moved to her chest, groping roughly over her dress.

"Stop it!" Lily gasped, twisting against his hold.

Jake ignored her protests, his mouth hovering dangerously close to hers. "You'll like it," he muttered, teeth grazing her jaw as she turned her head away.

A blur of motion cut through the alley like lightning.

"Get your fucking hands off her!"

Nolan.

Before Jake could react, Nolan's fist collided with his jaw, the crack reverberating through the night. Jake staggered, blood spurting from his nose.

"You think you can touch her like that?" Nolan growled, fury blazing in his eyes.

Jake stumbled but tried to recover, his lips curling into a defiant sneer. "Stay out of this, man."

"Wrong move."

Nolan's fist met Jake's ribs with brutal force, knocking the wind out of him. Another blow landed on his cheekbone, sending him sprawling to the ground.

Lily, trembling, pressed herself against the wall, breath ragged as she watched the chaos unfold.

Jake coughed, blood trickling down his face. He held up a shaking hand. "I-I didn't mean—"

"You *meant* every fucking bit of it," Nolan spat, grabbing Jake by the collar and shoving him hard against the wall.

Lily's voice wavered. "Nolan, stop! Please!"

Chest heaving, Nolan froze, his grip loosening. Jake crumpled to the ground, groaning in pain.

Nolan turned to Lily, his expression softening despite the adrenaline still coursing through his veins. "Are you okay?"

Tears stung her eyes, but she nodded, her voice barely audible. "Yeah... I just... I didn't think—"

"It's not your fault," Nolan assured her gently. He pulled off his jacket, draping it over her shoulders.

"I shouldn't have come out here," Lily whispered, guilt mingling with fear.

"You were trying to be nice," Nolan said quietly, his voice steady but fierce. "But guys like him? They don't deserve your time—or your trust."

Jake groaned from the ground, but Nolan didn't spare him another glance. Instead, he kept his eyes on Lily, protective and steady.

"Come on," Nolan said softly. "Let's get away from here."

As they walked toward the distant streetlights, the alley fading into shadow behind them, Lily felt the lingering fear begin to ease. Whatever had just happened, one thing was clear—Nolan had her back.