The party (Part 3)

And it's true, I only did it because he helped me with that depraved guy, otherwise, I wouldn't have thought twice about continuing to run, no matter what happened to him.

—You're welcome—he says, still out of breath—. That was fun.

—That was crazy—I say, laughing—. I never thought I could do something like that, now that I think about it, they could arrest me if they manage to find me, for trying to assault an officer.

—Don't worry, there are no cameras there, we always choose places like that for parties—he sits on the ground to check his leg. There's a scrape on his knee, his blue pants are torn from the fall, his foot and ankle don't seem to be bad, it probably just hurts from the hard impact he took when he fell.

—Do they always end like this? Fleeing from the police?

—From time to time, only when a neighbor complains about the music—he gets back on his feet.

—Have you ever been arrested?—I ask, intrigued by the vast experience he has in these types of parties.

—For a party? No, never. And you?—he brushes off the dirt that's left on his pants.

—In general, I've never been arrested. I think I'll ask for an Uber before it gets too late.

—My car is nearby, a few blocks away. Do you want me to take you somewhere?—he looks at me with that characteristic penetrating gaze he has.

—Now that you mention it, I think so, my friend left me, I guess she left when she saw the police arrive. Do you always leave your car far from the party?

—I leave it a few streets away in case I have to flee like tonight, sometimes the police even block the streets so that no one can escape and if you escape on foot, they take the information from the vehicles that are left at the scene and have them towed to their lot.

—The police plan the raids very carefully, and... you're not far behind with the good ideas.

We walk a couple of blocks until we reach his car, a 2023 Dodge Challenger, sleek and black, with leather interiors. To my surprise, the interior is immaculate, as if it were just detailed; there isn't a single speck of dust or lint anywhere. It's clear that he takes exceptional care of his car. The powerful hum of the engine is the only sound that breaks the silence of the night. It's so intense, it almost makes my chest vibrate. When he accelerates, the roar of the engine grows louder, quickly turning into a deafening howl that echoes through the empty streets.

—Where can I take you?—he looks at me out of the corner of his eye while driving.

—Do you know the Three Hills apartments?—I still don't know the exact address, I always forget which avenue they are on and the number.

—You live in those luxury apartments?

He drives at lightning speed, and I'm sure we're going almost 100 km/h on a street with a 60 km/h limit. It makes me incredibly nervous, so much so that I find myself gripping the seat, pressing an imaginary brake with my foot every time I feel like he's getting too close to another car. If they didn't arrest us before, they'll definitely catch us now; him for speeding, and me for being underage and a little drunk.

—Yeah, well, the apartment is my uncle's, he just lends it to me while I finish my studies.

—How considerate, he lends you an apartment that costs almost a million dollars.

—A million?—I ask, astonished.

—Yes, you heard right.

—That explains why there are so many luxury cars parked in the basement.

Kane slows down when he reaches an intersection that has the train crossing, the traffic light turns red announcing that the train is about to pass. He stops the car at a safe distance to wait for it to pass. —Why did you decide to help me with that guy?—I ask, taking advantage of the moment alone we have.

—Why wouldn't I?—he asks, puzzled.

—It's just that I've heard some things about you.

—Like what?—he says, somewhat disgusted.

—That you're a bit of a jerk, you have that bad reputation of using girls.

—And do you really believe that?—he asks, his gaze intensifying as he looks at me seriously. —Just like that, without even knowing me? Do you believe everything they say about me?

—Well... Yes, tonight I saw you with two different girls, who knows how many more you were with just today, just like that jerk who tried to kiss me.

—I'm not the same as that idiot—he frowns, while continuing the journey after the train passes—. Yes, I have many girls, but I have never forced any of them to do something they don't want to, just because it's a one-night stand doesn't mean I'm not going to be a gentleman. I know you've heard a lot of things about me and my brothers, most of them are true, I'm not going to deny it, but we have never hurt any girl, much less force her to do something she doesn't want, not like that idiot.

—I think I might have judged you wrong...—I try to fix the awkward situation I created.

—I don't really care about your opinion—he interrupts—. I just wanted to make it clear that I'm not like that.

—I'm sorry if...

—Leave it at that, — he interrupts again, cutting me off. He parks in front of the apartment building, slamming on the brakes so hard that my head jolts against the back of the seat.

—Thanks for the ride, — I say through gritted teeth, my annoyance obvious.

I get out of the car without hearing a response, when I close the door, he accelerates at full speed, I step aside just in time, just before his tires can run over my feet.

—Idiot!—I shout, although I know he can't hear me.

Just when I thought he might actually be a decent person, he pulls this savage stunt just because of what I said. Who wouldn't think it's true after seeing him with all those girls? He plays the womanizer and then gets offended when I call him out on it. Enough drama for one night. I don't want to think about him, or what happened, anymore. I head up to my apartment, determined not to let him occupy another second of my thoughts. But as soon as I step inside, he's all I can think about. What is happening to me? Why can't I just let this go? I shake my head and push the thought aside. He doesn't even deserve a minute of my time. I open the door to find Jen sitting on the couch, waiting.

—Thank God you're okay—she says, looking me over from head to toe to make sure I'm in one piece.

—I can't believe you left me and Marie too.

—Well, just you—I'm sorry, she smiles apologetically—. I panicked when I saw the police, so I started the car, and Marie jumped in right as I did. Then I drove as fast as I could here. I thought about going back, but I was worried the cops might still be there.

—It's fine, it doesn't matter anymore, I just need sleep—I say, heading straight to my room.

—How did you get home?—she asks, curiosity written all over her face as she follows me down the hallway.

—I'll tell you the whole story another time. But for now, all you need to know is that Kane Casanova brought me back. And before you say anything, nothing happened. He just dropped me off and left.

—Didn't you invite him in? You really don't want to lose your virginity, do you?

—How are you so sure I'm a virgin?

—It shows because you never want to sleep with anyone.

—I don't like one-night stands, it's silly.

—Okay, okay—she rolls her eyes—. I'm just saying that it wouldn't be bad if he was the first, right?

—Ugh! Not a chance. He's a jerk. You know what? I'm angry again, good night.

I go into my room very angry with her and with Kane, I lock the door, I'm not in the mood for her interrogations today, much less to explain why I don't want to sleep with him like she sleeps with everyone. I toss and turn in my bed, I can't fall asleep no matter how tired I feel, suddenly my cell phone vibrates, I'm sure it's a message.

° Hi! Jen gave me your number, I hope you don't mind. I just wanted to make sure you both got home safe. 1:03 am

° I'm going to kill her for giving you my number (: Yes, we're both fine. It was an extraordinary night. 1:05 am ✓✓

° I know, I almost didn't make it out, Caleb and I had to go out a window. 1:06 am.

° What about Shawn? 1:07 am ✓✓

° He went out to smoke before the police arrived, he got home before everyone else. 1:08 am

° He is very lucky, eh? 1:09 am ✓✓

° Yes, very much. 1:09 am

° Oh, and that friend of yours from the library? He totally tried to get handsy with me. What a jerk. 1:10 am ✓✓

° What exactly happened? Was he super drunk? 1:10 am

° Yeah, he was wasted, tried to touch me. Good thing Kane was around, he pulled him off me. 1:11 am ✓✓

° He'll pay for this tomorrow, it's not the first time he does this to a girl. 1:11 am

° Nah, he got what he deserved. Let it go. 1:12 am ✓✓

° I could still punch him, though, if you want. 1:13 am

° Nah, it's cool. Thanks. Gonna try and sleep. See you in math.1:14 am ✓✓

° Sleep well. 1:14 am