Chapter 30

Chapter 30

The penthouse felt unbearable by Friday morning. Alexandria stood barefoot in front of the tall windows, cradling a mug of coffee that had long gone cold. Sunlight poured across the marble floors, it was too bright, too cruel. Her eyes were still puffy from yesterday’s endless tears, her throat was raw, and her body was heavy with exhaustion.

She'd spent last night crying and feeling misery about everything, but she refused to spend another day drowning in her own weakness.

'No more of this.' she told herself, gripping the mug tighter. This wasn't who she was, she'd always been the strong one, the one who stood up for Ioannia since they were little, and now, she'd become someone she didn't even recognize.

She'd had enough of this, and she was determined to pull her shit together. Yes, she'd made a mistake, yes, she'd fucked up. But she wasn't going to let that define who she was, she wasn't going to let that haunt her forever. She was going to move past it.

Good thing Jonathan had said he'd let her drop his course without questions, that way, she wouldn't have to deal with him anymore. But for how long could she run from him? If she dropped his course this semester she'd still have to deal with him next semester, or next session, or even all the sessions to come. There was no escaping him, but still, she pushed the thought out of her mind.

She's cross that bridge when she got there.

She forced herself through the motion; a long, scalding shower, careful makeup to hide the redness around her eyes. A crisp white blouse tucked into tailored black trousers. She looked put-together on the outside, even if everything inside still felt fractured.

She spent the morning catching up on missed readings, highlighting passages with sharp strokes like they had some unspoken beef. In the afternoon, she attended two of her other lectures, sitting near the front, keeping her eyes fixed on the professors, her her possible best to let her thoughts stray.

By late afternoon, while packing her bag in the library, three senior girls approached her table. Her brow arched slightly as she watched them. The tallest one with bronze skin and full boobs smiled at her like she'd been chosen.

“Hey, Alexandria, right? I'm Maya. We’ve seen you around campus. You’re always studying alone or with that nerdy guy." She said, and Alexandria couldn't believe she was actually drawling. She could have sworn that only happened in highschool.

"We’re throwing a party tonight at our off-campus house. Good music, drinks, dancing. Nothing too wild, you should come. Bring a friend if you want.”

Alexandria hesitated. The old version of her would have declined, but the thought of another night alone in her penthouse, replaying Jonathan’s cold words and the feeling of him inside her, was unbearable. She forced a small smile. Grateful for the invitation.

“Yeah… I’d like that.” The girls looked satisfied. They gave her the address and told her to come anytime after nine.

Thinking about it, they truly were godsent. She would have felt like shit alone in the penthouse on a Friday night. Perhaps even Jonathan would be out enjoying the evening, hell, he'd been out enjoying the evening even on a Monday night.

She pushed the thought out of her mind, refusing to think about him or anything concerning him.

She pulled out her phone and texted Peter before she could overthink it.

Alexandria: 'Party tonight with some senior girls. Want to come with me?'

Peter: 'Me?? At a senior party? I don’t even own clothes for that. I'll sit this one out.'

And once again she was reminded how different people were. She literally had every material thing she needed and her life was still shit, and then there Peter who didn't even have what to wear to a party.

Alexandria: 'We can go shopping. My treat. Please? It's friday night.'

Peter: '…Okay fine. I'm in.'

She let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She was glad he agreed to go with her, she did trust herself to not get into wander off to some bar and end up in a hotel room. She needed an anchor, plus, Peter's vibes always made her feel better.

She met up with him in the parking lot and they drove to an upscale mall not too far from campus. She couldn't help but notice how he looked out of place in his faded hoodie and jeans, but he didn't seem to mind much, he was just happy to be hanging out. Perhaps he also needed a break from all the struggling and hustling.

“You're really dragging me into senior territory,” he laughed as they walked inside. “I’m warning you, my fashion sense is tragic.”

“That’s why we’re here,” she said, linking her arm through his. His easy, good-natured energy wrapped around her like a warm blanket. He hadn't asked questions about why she had been distant. He hadn't tried to prove her, he'd simply been good old peter.

They spent the next hour in a relaxed, almost therapeutic haze. Peter tried on ridiculous outfits just to make her laugh, and it worked. She found herself laughing and shaking her head as he tried on a loud floral shirt that made him look like a confused tourist, then a way too tight button-down that emphasized how skinny he was.

Alexandria eventually picked out a simple black button-alup and dark jeans that actually suited him.

“You clean up really nice,” she teased when he stepped out of the dressing room, adjusting the collar.

Peter rubbed the back of his neck, and it was almost endearing watching his cheeks turn pink.

“Don’t get used to it. This is strictly a one-time emergency service.” he replied. But he seemed genuinely happy and grateful for this.

And she encouraged him to pick a couple more outfits he liked.

"Hey, this one is more than enough." He said, turning down her offer.

But she insisted, reminding him that they were friends and that he shouldn't have any reservations where she was concerned. And he conceded. There was a twinkle in his eyes that warmed Alexandria's heart as Peter was handed the shopping bags filled with outfits he liked, and she didn't even want to imagine how many times he'd turned away from shoes and outfits he liked simply because he couldn't afford them.

They grabbed smoothies afterward and sat on a bench near the fountain, Alexandria didn't want to go back to other penthouse just yet.

Peter chatted easily about his classes and all, he was old her about a chaotic story about his roommate’s failed attempt at cooking, and his part-time job at the campus café. He never once asked why she had seemed off lately, or why her eyes seemed puffy when her make-up wore off.

It made the tight knot in her chest loosen, if only a little.

They talked for hours before patting ways to prepare for the party. She returned to the penthouse, showered, and straightened her hair. She applied her make-up, and chose a violet dress that hugged her curves and stopped mid-thighs.

By the time they arrived at the party house that night, the place was already pulsing with life. Music spilled out into the street, bass vibrated through the pavement.

Lights flashed behind the windows, and laughter mixed with shouted conversations filled the air.

Alexandria felt a flutter of nerves as they walked up the path, but she pushed it down. It wasn't what she was used to, but it was what normal people her age aged in. Plus, it beat staying home alone in the deafening silence of the penthouse.

Peter stayed close to her side, looking a little overwhelmed but clearly trying to match the energy. Inside, the house was packed; bodies were moving to the heavy beats, red cups littered everywhere, the air was thick with perfume, alcohol, and alcohol.

The noise hit her like a wave, it was loud enough to drown out the constant loop of Jonathan’s voice in her head. For the first time in days, her thoughts quieted. The music was relentless, the bass thrummed through her bones, vibrating in her chest.

She turned to look at Peter, he looked like he was already enjoying himself. His gaze scanned around as he took in the little skirts and dresses around.

They pushed through the crowd to the bar, Alexandria poured herself a generous mix of vodka and cranberry juice. The first sip burned down her throat, but she didn't care, she took another, longer sip, letting the alcohol spread through her chest like lava. It helped.

The noise drowned out everything else! the shame, the memories, the ache between her legs, the haunting image of Jonathan’s cold expression as he drove away. For tonight, she didn’t want to be the girl who'd completely fucked up.

She didn’t want to be weak or broken or used. She just wanted to feel young, reckless, and alive. She took another sip, the music was growing louder around her, the crowd was pressing in. Peter stayed nearby, chatting with someone about a video game.

Alexandria closed her eyes for a second, letting the alcohol and the bass wash over her. For the first time in days, she felt like she could breathe.