Chapter 4 – Closer Than We Should Be

It was already 9:30PM I was still wide awake.

No matter how hard I tried...

I just couldn't sleep maybe because today was too... eventful.

"I'll call Kate it's too boring".

I grabbed my phone and called her.

"Hey, girl."

"I'm so bored."

"Wanna grab a drink?"

She didn't even hesitate.

"I'm on my way."

I laughed.

"See you."

After ending the call, I started getting ready.

A few minutes later...

Knock. Knock.

"Huh?"

Kate's here already?

I opened the door...

Only to freeze.

Jake.

"Hey, Chel."

I stared at him in disbelief.

"...How do you know where I live?"

He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Relax."

"I asked the registrar for your condo building."

I crossed my arms.

"That's still creepy."

He laughed.

"Maybe a little."

"What are you doing here anyway?" I asked.

"I was hoping we could grab some late-night snacks."

Before I could answer, another elevator ding echoed through the hallway.

"Chelsea!"

Kate walked toward us...Then suddenly stopped. Her eyes widened and she slowly looked at me. Then at Jake.

Then back at me again.

"Wait..."

She pointed at Jake.

"Since when do you hang out with guys?"

I immediately shook my head.

"I don't!"

"He just showed up."

Jake raised a hand.

"Hi! I'm Jake."

Kate leaned closer to me and whispered,

"You never let a guy near you."

"I know!"

"I didn't invite him!"

Jake awkwardly scratched his head.

"I feel like I'm being judged."

Kate chuckled.

"Maybe just a little."

I sighed.

"Well... since you're already here..."

I looked at Jake.

"We're heading to a bar to chill."

"If you want, you can come."

Jake's face instantly lit up.

"Seriously?"

"Sure."

"But don't make me regret it."

"I won't!"

The three of us headed to the parking area together.

As soon as we got there...

A group of guys started shouting.

"Bro!"

"There he is!"

Jake sighed and covered his face.

"My friends..."

One of them smirked after seeing me and Kate.

"Damn, Jake."

"You've been keeping secrets from us."

Jake immediately glared at them.

"Shut up."

I looked at Kate.

She leaned closer and whispered,

"I have a feeling..."

"Tonight is about to get interesting."

We got inside the car, and Kate was still teasing me.

"What was that, Chelsea?" she laughed. "You're insane! You've changed so much, girl."

I rolled my eyes and leaned back in my seat.

"You know I had a lot going on at the university today. I met Jake—the campus heartthrob." I grinned. "And you know what the biggest plot twist of the day was? I met the new transfer student, Sunny. We're friends already."

Kate's eyes widened.

"No way."

"Way," I laughed. "Everything's happening so fast. It's honestly insane."

....

The music inside the bar was loud enough to shake the floor. Colorful lights flashed across the room as people laughed, danced, and enjoyed their night jake suddenly held out his hand.

"Careful. It's crowded."

He was offering to guide me inside.

I looked at him, then at his hand.

"...I'm good."

I walked past him before he could insist behind me, Kate burst into laughter.

"Poor guy."

"He got rejected again."

Jake sighed dramatically.

"One day she'll say yes."

"Keep dreaming," I replied without looking back.

We found an empty table near the corner and ordered a few light drinks.

Nothing too strong.

We spent the next hour talking about random things.

Surprisingly...

Jake wasn't as annoying as I thought. Maybe he was just good at making people laugh, kate kept teasing both of us every chance she got.

"You two really act like a couple."

"No, we don't," Jake and I answered at the same time.

Kate laughed even harder.

"See? Even your timing matches."

I rolled my eyes.

"I'm going to the restroom."

"Don't miss me," Jake joked.

"I won't."

I stood up and walked toward the restroom.

Just as I reached the hallway...

Bang!

I accidentally bumped into someone.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry—"

The words caught in my throat.

The girl standing in front of me I can't see her face clearly too many lights. She was wearing a simple white dress, her hair falling neatly over her shoulders. Even under the dim bar lights... I recognized her instantly.

"...Sunny?"

Her eyes widened before a smile slowly appeared on her face.

"Chelsa?"

What were the odds...?

I wasn't really going to the restroom.

I just wanted a break from Jake, He's fun...But he talks too much. As I made my way through the crowd, I suddenly bumped into someone.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, smiling.

"I could ask you the same thing."

She laughed.

"I came here to chill."

"So did I."

For a moment, we just stared at each other, then Sunny suddenly grabbed my wrist.

"Come with me."

"W-Wait—"

She pulled me onto the dance floor before I could even protest. The music grew louder. People around us were dancing without a care in the world. I wasn't really the type to dance...

But somehow...

With Sunny...It didn't feel awkward. We laughed at our terrible dance moves she even copied my steps just to make me laugh. After a while, we both ended up at the bar sunny ordered two drinks. She handed one to me.

"Cheers?"

I smiled.

"Cheers."

Our glasses clinked, one drink became two, Then three.

Then...

I stopped counting. The alcohol slowly warmed my body.

"So..." I asked, leaning a little closer so she could hear me over the music.

"Are you here alone?"

Sunny shook her head.

"No."

"I'm with someone."

Before I could ask who, she took another sip of her drink.

"What about you?"

I pointed toward Jake's table.

"I came with my best friend..."

"...and that annoying guy."

Sunny laughed so hard she almost spilled her drink.

"I can tell he likes you."

I shrugged.

"I don't know."

We stayed there talking for what felt like hours.

About school.

About life.

About random things that didn't even make sense. It was strange I had only known her for one day...Yet talking to her felt so easy without realizing it, I found myself staring into her eyes. The colorful lights from the dance floor reflected in them.

For a second...

Everything around us became quiet.

What am I feeling...?

"Chelsea!"

A familiar voice snapped me back to reality. I turned around. Kate was standing behind me with her hands on her hips.

"There you are!"

"I've been looking for you everywhere!"

She looked at Sunny.

Then back at me.

A teasing smile slowly appeared on her face.

"So..."

"Who's the pretty girl?" Kate asked, looking at the girl beside me.

"Ah... this is Sunny, my classmate."

Sunny smiled and extended her hand. "Hi, I'm Sunny."

Kate shook it without hesitation. "Kate."

"Oh, so you're the girl Chelsea mentioned while we were in the car," Sunny said with a smile. "The best friend?"

"The one and only," Kate replied proudly. "Nice to meet you. And hey, take care of my single, stubborn best friend, okay?"

Sunny laughed softly. "Of course, I will."

The music was still blasting around us, but my head felt heavier with every step. I was so drunk I could barely walk straight.

My foot slipped.

Before I could hit the floor, Jake caught me in his arms.

Our eyes met for a brief second.

Then, without warning, someone gently pulled me away from him.

"Nah, bro. Let me."

It was Sunny.

Kate blinked at the scene in front of her. "Seriously? It's like a tug-of-war."

"Guys..." she sighed, trying not to laugh. "I'll handle it. I'll take Chelsea home."

Sunny looked at her and shook her head.

"Kate, you're drunk too. Let me drive both of you home."

Kate stared at her for a moment before finally giving in.

"Fine... but if you speed, I'm haunting you."

Sunny chuckled and carefully supported both of us as we made our way across the parking lot. Jake walked beside us, insisting on helping until we reached Sunny's car.

Just as Sunny opened the passenger door for me, Jake called my name.

"Hey, Chel..."

I slowly turned my head.

"I like you."

His voice was quiet, almost swallowed by the night.

I stared at him; my vision blurred from the alcohol. The words barely reached me.

"Hmm...?" I mumbled.

Before I could understand what, he had said, Sunny gently helped me into the passenger seat and closed the door.

Jake stood there, watching the car as Sunny walked around to the driver's seat.

The confession disappeared into the night... unheard.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***