Seven Minutes In hell

The week blurs past.

One minute, it's Monday. The next, it's Saturday, and I haven't seen Brian all week which is great because I've been actively avoiding him. And honestly? Life's been better without him haunting every corner of it.

Right now, I'm in my room, tearing through my closet for something to wear to the party tonight. It's been way too long since I've gone out, and after everything, I need this.

Adria flops onto my bed, holding up a dress. "What about this?"

I glance at it. Tight. Short. Black.

"It's kinda… slutty," I say.

She grins. "Wasn't that the goal?"

"No, we were going casual."

"Speak for yourself." She waves the dress in my face. "Come on, it's perfect. Erin's jaw will drop. Hell, everyone's jaw will drop."

I roll my eyes. "Yeah, no thanks." Instead, I grab my original choice blue cargo pants, a white crop top, and a brown sweater. Comfort over chaos.

I throw my hair into two buns, let my bangs frame my face, add some spiky clips, a little makeup, and we're out the door.

By the time we get there, the house is packed.

Music vibrates through the walls, the air thick with sweat, alcohol, and something else 

Adria and I head straight for the bar.

Then Erin appears out of nowhere.

"Hey, ladies." He's grinning, eyes way too bright.

"Nice party," I say.

"Thanks. You just made it better." His gaze lingers a little too long. "Drink?"

"Sure."

As he walks away, my stomach drops.

Because Nate just walked in.

With Brian.

My breath catches. What the hell is he doing here?

I glance at Adria. "Did you know he was coming?"

"Nope. Did you?" She looks as shocked as I feel.

But Brian knew I was here.

And he still decided to show up.

Great.

Our eyes meet.

I don't flinch. I don't look away.

Instead, I turn to Adria and say, "I don't wanna keep you."

She frowns. "Leah…."

Too late. Erin returns with our drinks, oblivious to the way my body is suddenly rigid. I take the cup from him and smile.

"Wanna play pong?" I ask.

He grins. "Hell yeah."

His arm drapes around my shoulders as he leads me to the table, showing me off like I'm his.

I let him.

Because I refuse to look back.

The night blurs in a mix of laughter, drinks, and reckless decisions.

I'm actually having fun until I glance across the room.

Brian.

With Ivy.

She's touching his arm, laughing like he's the funniest guy in the world. He looks comfortable. Like he belongs here.

Like he never left.

I hate it.

I shove my drink into Erin's hand. "I need another."

He frowns. "What's up with you?"

"Nothing."

He steps closer. "You sure?"

I force a smile. "Let's play another round."

We're now deep in a game of Truth or Dare, people gathering as it gets messier by the minute.

It's fun. Until Brian and Ivy join in.

Suddenly, I'm on edge.

And then

The bottle lands on me.

And Ivy.

Oh, you've got to be kidding me.

Her smirk is dangerous. "Truth or dare, Leah?"

I should say truth. I should.

But I don't.

"Dare."

The room erupts.

Ivy's smirk widens. "Seven minutes. Closet. With Brian."

Oh, hell no.

People cheer, laughing, hyping it up.

I shake my head. "That's ridiculous."

"What's wrong?" Ivy taunts. "Scared?"

Brian leans back, unreadable.

I want to kill him.

Instead, I walk straight into the closet.

The door slams shut.

The space is too small.

Brian's shoulder brushes mine as he leans against the wall, arms crossed. He looks amused.

I glare. "What's so funny?"

"You," he says, smirking. "This. It's like fate keeps pulling us together."

"Or maybe you have a habit of going to places you're not invited to."

"Nah," he says, still smiling. "I like my fate theory better."

"This is stupid."

"You're the one who agreed to it."

"Didn't have a choice."

"Sure you did." His voice is low, knowing. Dangerous. "But you like the attention, don't you?"

My head snaps toward him. "Excuse me?"

He steps closer. Too close. "You heard me."

My pulse spikes.

"Oh, I'm sorry, was I supposed to ignore the fact that Erin actually sees me? Unlike someone I used to know?"

Brian's jaw tightens. Bullseye.

Then he smirks.

Slow. Infuriating. Dangerous.

"That's why you're here? To make me jealous?"

I laugh, sharp and cold. "Be for real, Brian. The world doesn't revolve around you."

His head tilts, studying me. "Then why'd you come?"

"Because I wanted to." My voice is sharp, cutting. "The real question is why did you?"

Something flickers in his expression.

Then "Because I wanted to."

"Liar."

Brian exhales, running a hand through his hair. "I came because I knew you'd do something stupid."

I cross my arms. "Like what?"

"Like letting Erin touch you pretending like he actually cares about you ."

I laugh. "Oh, and you care?"

Silence.

Then 

"Yes. More than he ever will."

I freeze.

My chest feels tight. The air is too thick. I should say something anything but the words get stuck.

Instead, I scoff. "That's rich. You've been glued to Ivy all night."

Brian frowns. "I haven't been with Ivy all night."

I roll my eyes. "Right. And I'm supposed to believe you?"

His jaw clenches. "I don't give a damn what you believe."

I take a step back. "Then leave me alone."

"I can't." His voice is rough. Unsteady.

We're too close now.

The heat between us crackles.

"This is boring," I blurt out.

Brian smirks. "Then let's make it interesting."

My breath catches.

I should step back.

I don't.

Brian moves not touching me, but just enough.

His fingers graze the hem of my crop top. Barely there. A test.

My pulse spikes.

His gaze drops to my lips.

I should push him away.

I don't.

Then he steps back. Completely.

The door bursts open.

The party is still wild, but I feel exposed. Like people can see right through me.

Brian brushes past me like nothing happened.

Like I wasn't just standing there, waiting for something I should never have wanted.

And that's the worst part.

I did want it.

Even if I'll never admit it.