I had assumed the event would wrap up quietly, without much fuss. But I should've known better. Felix's teammates might've looked like beautiful angels on the surface, but they were the type with clipped wings and devilish grins. They loved a good time, and sneaking alcohol into school? That had only been a matter of time.
What saddened me most was how the teachers didn't seem to notice—or worse, pretended nothing inappropriate was happening right under their noses.
The guys on the team shared their smuggled alcohol only with close friends, forming a tight circle of secrecy. No one wanted to be the snitch. I felt a sharp pang of frustration as my eyes landed on Felix and Mike, standing casually by the wall, blending vodka with orange juice so they could drink openly, right from the bottle, without drawing suspicion.
Eve stood beside me, and her eyes lit up the moment she noticed what they were doing.
"I like them," she said with a devil-may-care grin. "They really know how to have fun."
Without hesitation, she grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the boys. She extended her palm to Mike like a queen demanding tribute.
"Senior colleague, don't be stingy—share."
Mike, amused, handed over the bottle without protest. Eve took a generous sip and then held it out toward me, urging me to join in.
But before I could respond, Felix's hand shot out, swift and firm. He snatched the bottle away and handed it back to Mike.
"Selena doesn't drink," he said flatly.
Eve blinked, taken aback for a moment, then gave me a sideways look.
"This man really cares about you," she said, her voice edged with a mix of amusement and admiration. "That's sweet."
I stared at Felix for a moment, trying to tamp down my irritation. It wasn't that I didn't appreciate his protectiveness—on the contrary, it made my heart flutter—but seeing him drinking at a school event? That didn't sit well with me. Still, I told myself we hadn't been dating long. Maybe it wasn't my place yet to tell him what he could or couldn't do.
He seemed to disagree. From the beginning, he'd been watching over me like it was second nature.
Felix reached for my hand again, his fingers brushing against mine with deliberate tenderness. His gaze melted through me like warm butter.
"Don't be mad at me, okay?" he murmured.
"I'm not," I replied, my voice softer than I intended. I felt his thumb stroke slow circles across the back of my hand, and I knew it was impossible to stay upset.
From the corner of my eye, I noticed Eve watching someone intently. Her expression darkened, her jaw clenched slightly. I followed her gaze and spotted Sebastian nearby—except he wasn't alone. An older girl was clearly flirting with him, and Sebastian looked more confused than charmed.
So… she was jealous?
"Isn't that your classmate?" I asked Felix quietly.
"Yeah, we go to class together."
Mike's brows furrowed as he watched the scene, clearly puzzled.
"Violetta's going after younger guys now? I never saw that coming."
Felix smirked.
"She doesn't care about age. As long as the guy has a pretty face, that's enough for her."
His words lit a fuse in Eve. Her whole demeanor shifted—shoulders squared, eyes blazing. She rolled up the sleeves of her uniform with theatrical flair, looking ready to launch into battle.
"I don't care how old she is. No one's laying a finger on my pretty boy."
I didn't even know who the true object of her affection was anymore, but watching her spiral into a jealous rage erased all doubt—Sebastian had clearly stolen her heart. Her flirtation with Hannah had been a game. This? This was something else.
My mouth fell open in horror as Eve stormed across the room, grabbed Violetta by the hair, and yanked her downward with shocking force.
"He's mine!" she shouted. "You dare even look at him, you wrinkled dumpster?!"
The vulgarity of her words left the room in stunned silence—just before chaos erupted. Teachers appeared almost instantly, stepping in to break up the brawl.
I made a move to intervene, but Felix's arms closed around me like a protective cage. He held me tight, refusing to let me go.
"I have to help her. She's my friend," I said quickly.
"She'll be fine," he murmured. "It's Violetta who got the worst of it."
He paused, eyes narrowing toward the scuffle. "So… Eve's really into this guy?"
"I wish I knew," I admitted, still watching the scene. "But judging by her reaction..."
Felix gave a small, grim nod. His eyes flicked back to Eve—a silent warning gleaming behind them.
"This event's a circus," Mike muttered, running a hand through his hair.
"That's why you're here," Felix shot back with a smirk. "The main clown couldn't be missing."
The jab made me laugh despite everything. Mike's sour expression showed he wouldn't dare respond—not in front of Felix. It was that kind of bond between them, half brotherhood, half battlefield. Endless teasing, but laced with affection.
One of the teammates ran up, panting slightly.
"We're on again soon. Don't get too drunk or you'll mess it up."
Mike nodded and straightened, while Felix turned his attention back to me. His hand rose, brushing a lock of hair from my face, and his expression softened.
"Don't let me lose sight of you," he said. "Stay close."
I didn't yet realize those weren't ordinary words from a boyfriend—they were something deeper, darker, almost possessive. But mesmerized by the sweetness in his voice, by the warmth in his touch, I only nodded.
"I won't. I'll stay right here."
*
The guys on the team had just finished their final performance, and I watched Felix with a smile tugging at my lips. I still didn't understand how I'd managed to fall for someone so perfect, but I did—and it felt wonderful. He was flawless in every way, and judging by the glares of three-quarters of the girls at school, I wasn't the only one who thought so. They looked at me like I had stolen something precious—like they were silently wishing I'd meet some tragic end.
They say that if you truly want something, the universe eventually delivers. I guess, in my case, it had.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Sebastian running up to me, his face twisted in panic. Without warning, he ducked behind me, clutching my shoulders as if I were his last shield against the apocalypse.
"Selena, please… get rid of that crazy woman," he begged in a frightened voice. "She thinks I belong to her. Can you explain to her that I'm not some object to be owned?"
Eve lunged toward him, but he tightened his grip on my shoulders so much that I winced.
"How old are you two? Five?" I sighed.
"Step back, Selena! Let me catch him! I swear I'll lock him in a bathroom and never let him out," Eve fumed, her eyes blazing.
"Weren't you the one practically drooling over Hannah earlier?"
"That was just a passing crush. He's the one I want now. Legend has it, I was the first girl to kiss him. That means something. I've decided he'll be my first love."
I rolled my eyes. I hated to admit it, but Mike was right—this party was a circus. And unfortunately, my best friend was the headlining act.
"You always go nuts after vodka," I muttered under my breath.
"Shut it! I don't even like you, psycho!" Sebastian yelled, peeking from behind me. "I'd have to be completely desperate to go near you!"
I'd had enough. I stepped aside, allowing Eve to finally grab him. Like a predator dragging her prey, she seized his arm and hauled him away, ignoring his protests.
I scanned the room, searching for Felix. He had asked me to stay close, so now that his performance was over, he should've been back at my side. But I didn't see him anywhere. Instead, I locked eyes with one of his teammates—the same annoying guy who had cornered me at the last party and spat out crude comments in the kitchen.
"Left all alone, princess?" he sneered. "Isn't your boyfriend worried someone might snatch you away while he's not looking?"
I bristled. Every time I encountered him, he rubbed me the wrong way.
"Our relationship isn't your concern," I snapped. "And I'm not some doll to be passed around. No one's going to snatch me from Felix. Trust me."
I turned away, trying to ignore him, but he followed, persistent.
"You seemed shy before. Didn't expect you to have claws."
I froze as he placed his hand on my shoulder. His grip tightened, and when I tried to move, he caught my wrist, yanking me closer.
"Aren't you pushing your luck?" I hissed through clenched teeth.
"Didn't even notice we had such a cool chick around—at least, not until you curled up with Felix. Makes me jealous."
I struggled to pull free, but it was Felix who tore me from the guy's grasp. He shoved the boy hard and stepped protectively in front of me. Fury radiated off him, and his eyes burned with a rage I'd never seen before.
"What the hell gives you the right to touch her? Want me to break your damn hands?" he shouted.
I stood frozen, heart pounding. This wasn't the Felix I knew. His anger was feral, dangerous—like he was on the edge of losing control.
Mike appeared just in time, pushing the other guy away and stepping between them. He seemed to understand how close Felix was to exploding.
"Walk away unless you want to get kicked off the team. I'd suggest staying far away from the captain's girlfriend," he warned coldly.
Felix gave a twisted smile, venom lacing his voice. "I'm really looking forward to our next training session."
He grabbed my hand and led me swiftly out of the hall.
"I've completely lost my temper. I don't want to be here anymore."
I didn't say anything. His grip was firm, and his body tense as we entered the empty hallway. The noise of the party faded behind us.
"He was irritating, sure, but I think you overreacted," I said cautiously, watching him with uneasy eyes.
"Overreacted?" he snapped. "So I was just supposed to watch him put his hands all over you? Or did you like it?"
I took three startled steps back. His voice was sharp—wounded and possessive.
"You're being ridiculous. I don't like your tone."
Felix rubbed his face, dragging his fingers through his hair in frustration. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.
"I'm sorry," he said finally, quieter this time, his eyes squeezed shut. "He just pisses me off. And seeing him touch you made me lose it. I honestly wanted to kill him."
"Then thank God Mike showed up when he did."
Felix didn't move. I stepped closer, gently taking his hands in mine. I gave him a small smile, trying to break through the cloud of anger that still clung to him. Slowly, his features softened, and his fury gave way to sadness.
"I'm sorry I yelled at you," he murmured.
"Let's agree it was the first and last time," I said. He lifted his gaze to mine, pleading, remorseful.
"It won't happen again. I promise, Selena. I'm sorry. I'd die if I lost you because of something so stupid."
He pulled me into his arms, holding me close. And just like that, the storm inside me calmed. In his embrace, everything else faded away.
I sank deeper into his closeness, deeper into this feeling, failing to notice the warning signs. I was falling madly in love, blinded by it—willfully blind to the cracks, pretending I didn't see what was right in front of me.
Why do girls in love become so stupid, so willing to ignore the obvious? Why do we silence our instincts and trust the illusion?
Soon, I would learn the answer the hard way.