the air thickened from around us, and it all felt like painful, full of agony kind of silence, and no, the music around us didn't reach my ear.

Noah stood there, chest puffed up, eyes colder than the Antarctica, his long legs steady, and grey eyes focused on Lucas. my brother frowned at his presence, and soon enough his expression was turned into rage that didn't seem to do anything but tense the atmosphere.

''what's happening here?'' a voice erupted from Lucas through clenched teeth. i could feel Della fidgeting from next to me, and the sound of swallowing out loud reached my ear.

Veronica was the first to answer, ''oh, hey, i thought you guys went studying?'' her tone flinched not, and she sounded totally un-suspicious.

Logan's eyes snapped, and it was obvious how his eyes roamed her entire figure. his eyes reflected awe at first, but it was shortly turned into anger and irritation. ''what are you doing here?'' Logan was the one to talk this time.

''what? we came clubbing, obviously!'' Veronica sassed. Della gulped, again.

''what is he doing here?!'' Lucas gritted out. my eyes snapped to Noah, and a warm feeling settled in me when i saw his eyes fixed on me. his eyes were dark as they took in my body, and i instantly shuddered as in impact.

''look, dude, no need to go all crazy here. we decided to come here to change moods, but Abby here wanted to have her boyfriend with her, and i don't see anything wrong with that, so after we arrived she called him and he came. if you think we will call Levi and tell him do not bring Noah with you because you two have problems apparently then you absolutely need to rethink your aspects in life.'' Veronica lost it, and i give it to her. Lucas and Logan were actually starting to piss me off.

what's wrong with them?!

''no need to get riled up here. we are simply concerned for what belongs to us, alright, tiger?'' Logan shot Veronica a deadly glare, and my mouth shaped an O.

what the hell? why is he treating her like that?

i looked at Veronica sideways and saw how much hurt her expression reflected. i felt like punching Logan in his manhood for hurting this almost perfect girl. why do boys always seem to fuck everything up amazingly?

she turned her head to the side and i could tell she was trying to blink away her tears, but thank god, it didn't show on her.

''Della,'' Lucas's voice came out strong and hard, ''come with me.'' he continued and was already starting to go in his own way as she followed him like a lost kitten.

''i am going to the bathroom, excuse me.'' Nora said, softly as she started making her way to search for the creepy bathroom.

my eyes widened and my hand shot up on their own as they gripped her delicate arm. she turned to face me with a questioning look. ''can't you hold it, Nora? don't go to the bathroom.'' i stumbled making absolutely no sense in my words.

i noticed Noah's jaw flex at what i said, but i ignored him and turned to Nora, giving her persuading looks. she bit her lip but nodded non the less.

''Abby, baby? do you wanna go home?'' Levi asked Abby softly while caressing her arm. she was still stunned by the whole scene that happened before us, and also about the fact that i went missing for some long minutes. she looked at me, her eyes watering a bit and i had to avert my gaze from her or i will break down in front of everyone.

''no, not yet.'' she answered him, her gaze still fixed at me. does this girl ever give up? ''we came here to have fun, right? let's not ruin the night!'' she cheered as she reached out for Levi's face and pecked him quickly. he looked at her with pure adoration and together they darted to the dance floor and started dancing happily.

Veronica and Logan both had angered and irritated expressions, but they were not sparing each other a glance, and for Nora and Carter, they were eyeing each other from time to time while she had a deep blush on her face and he a small smirk tugged at his mouth.

i stood there awkwardly, and once my eyes shifted to Noah his face tensed as he stormed to the bar and i saw him ordering a drink from the other bartenders. i bit my lip hard that i could feel a taste like steel in my mouth and crossed my arms over my chest trying so hard not to storm out of the freaking place!

we all went to sit on the bar after that, but it was fair to say that everyone of us was in his own land. Logan was beside me, a frown latched on his face from earlier. i nudged him softly, sending a glare his direction, ''why did you have to be such an ass?'' i whisper yelled.

he gritted his teeth, ''it's not like she is my girlfriend or something.'' he said lowly, but i couldn't answer him when i felt Veronica shift from the other chair and head to the dance floor.

oh-uh...

she walked confidently, knowing just enough how her body was un-mistakenly breath-taking. she started swaying her hips to the music and in no time, guys were already evolving around her like busy bees. i smirked at her and turned to look at Logan. his eyes widened at the scene before him, but his eyes quickly turned cold and an angered expression took its place on his handsome face.

he muttered something under his breath and in a matter of a second, he was up, climbing the VIP stairs.

Carter and Nora were busy in their own conversation, so that basically left me awkwardly silent on my own. now with Veronica gone, only one chair separated Noah and i from each other. in his hand, there was a drink as his eyes were fixed on his phone doing what God knows best.

not seconds later, a red dressed girl came and crashed herself on the seat between us as her smell reached my nostrils. i scrunched my nose in distaste, and then noticed how she gave her all attention to the cold hearted guy next to her. he was on his phone not noticing how her hands reached out for her boobs as she puffed them a little, causing her already shown cleavage to pop out.

''hey handsome,'' she slurred in a seductive tone and i automatically found my body tense.

taking in the scene in front of them, Carter and Nora both looked at me to make sure i was fine, but i wasn't. all i wanted to do was to punch this red bimbo in her perfectly shaped breasts.

''yes?'' Noah's voice reached my ear, and i found my eyes widening.

''hey?'' i called out for one of the bartenders. she turned to me, ''can i have 3 vodka shots?''

Nora gasped audibly while Carter gaped like a fish out of the water at my behavior. the bartender smiled at me as she filled three shot glasses with vodka and handed them towards me.

''you certainly look hot tonight, are you like that always?'' the red bimbo had her fingers running along his sculpted bicep the same time my hand reached for the first shot glass as i gulped it in one breath.

the transparent liquid burned its way along my throat, making me hiss painfully. Noah's eyes fixed on me and it had the most indescribable emotion ever. disbelief, and it's the first emotion his silver eyes reflected today.

i looked back at him and together we held each other's gazes, challenge swimming in them.

''where are you looking, hottie?'' bimbo reached for his hard jaw as she turned it to her. i stiffened at that.

biting my lip, i held the second glass and gulped it again, this time feeling the effect kicking in.

Carter glared at me, and so unusual of me, i neglected it and turned my eyes to look at the newly found couple. aww, they look so good together with her drooling over him like a piece of a candy cane.

she was still moving her fingers somewhere, but i am sure it was not his arms anymore. all i felt was numb cheeks and heat rise over my body as if i was in a freaking sauna. as i reached out and took my third glass, a hand gripped mine hard and halted my movement. a shiver escaped me and i turned my gaze to the hard yet gentle hand in front of me.

''stop what you are doing, Emma.'' it wasn't a harsh order. it was sweet and concerned, but again, this is Carter.

my eyes widened as i took in his appearance.

o-okay... why the hell is he putting on a red lipstick? he never does that.

i laughed out loud and bumped my fist on the bar, ''what the hell, Boo? why are you wearing a-a lip...stick?''

''g-goddammit, never thought she has this low tolerance.'' Nora... well, crazy haired Nora said.

Carter looked at her, ''she rarely drinks.'' w-what? who? ahhh! the red bimbooooo.

''umm hey!'' i patted her head annoyingly and waved my hand enthusiastically in front of her face, taking her by surprise with my overly joyed behavior.

''hey sweetie,'' she soothed, clenching her jaws, turning her attention back to Noah. oh-uh...

''no, no, no, you don't understand.'' i interjected her again, giving her my all attention. she looked annoyed by now, but i didn't care. my eyes were locked with stone like person behind her. it was right for me to say he was amused or surprised? i don't know.

''what if i don't want to?'' she spat, her eyes shooting daggers. i smiled and turned my gaze to her.

''i like you.'' Carter fell to his knees laughing, and for me, i was getting too dizzy. my hand reached out for the third shot and with no much thinking, the drink was already in my stomach.

''w-what do you mean you like me? like me?'' i nodded at her question.

no, bitch i don't like you, i just love him.

''oh my god! look, there is a freaking penguin here...'' my voice trailed down when i felt a kick in my head that made me lose my balance on the chair. i gripped the bar tightly and stood up straight with wiggly like spaghetti legs.

''are you alright?'' Nora rushed to my side quickly.

i looked up at her, ''pfttt...never been better. where is Asher, though?'' i blurted out. a person tensed up, but i couldn't know who... and Nora looked at me weirdly.

''A-Asher?''

''yeah! that boy is hella fine, right?'' i screamed loudly, but then quickly turned to the red bimbo again, ''oh no, no, no! not as fine as you, sweet heart.'' i wiggled my eyebrows.

''she needs to go home.'' Carter said as a matter of fact. i shot him a glare and straightened up from Nora's secured arms around me.

i took a few steps before turning to them, ''you know what? maybe i wanna get laid tonight! so what?!!'' Nora gasped.

''get your ass back here before we get killed.'' Carter warned as i looked over to Noah. and oh boy, he never looked angrier. he was on his feet by now, marching my direction. my eyes widened, and i found my own legs turning around and running to the other side.

i stumbled upon a few guys here and there, but was quick to recover. until one boy had his arms around me, pulling me against his sweaty freaking body. i struggled against his chest, but it didn't take long before i was literally snatched away from him and into another chest, but this time i wanted to stay there forever.

''fuck off,'' the chest snarled in venom, and turned to face me, still pulling me against his body where there was no space between us.

he searched my eyes for a while before speaking, ''how many times shall i be saving you today?'' his voice wasn't angry anymore.

''what the fuck is wrong with you, Emma?'' a mad voice interrupted, followed by the jumping penguins from before. how dare them jump in a public place, these freakery small creatures?

''we have to get her home,'' Nora patted Carter's shoulder, comforting him.

''hey! i said not until i get laid.'' i fought back for my right. every girl should get laid once for the least before she dies. aren't i right?

Noah's hold on me tightened, and i felt his fingers dig into my back. i looked at him only to be faced with an un-recognizable pair of eyes. they looked so dark and so emotionless, yet very angry.

''Emma, you symbolize Mary the virgin, and i know damn well you wouldn't like what you are doing now when you wake up the next morning.'' Carter said, taking my face between his hands. Noah moved back a bit, so Carter's hands fell beside him, and i frowned in distaste.

''let's go to my place, mum and dad are out of town.'' Nora suggested, her eyes lighting up at the idea.

''okay and i will deal with the boys, don't you worry.'' Carter reassured us.

''what about Veronica and Della?'' Nora asked before we started walking out.

''Lucas will for sure drive Della, and for Veronica, i will, so don't mind it, alright?'' he patted her hair gently, giving her one last look before scurrying off to the boys.

''do you have a car?'' Noah asked Nora.

''yes, but we came with Abby in a cab.'' she answered.

''then let's go to my car.'' he started walking with me in his arms, but i ended up stumbling over my legs with his sudden jolt, so without a warning i was carried up in his arms and out of the place in a blink.

''can you put me down?! you know i have legs right?'' i shouted at him. he ignored me and continued walking, and that only angered me more.

''i said put me down!'' i kicked my legs in the air furiously, but he was stubborn as hell to let me down. my eyes glimpsed a sight of the jumping penguins around the corner and i started crying all of a sudden. i so wanted to jump with them, but how could i when this hulk was carrying me like a broken doll?!

''oh my, why are you crying?'' Nora exclaimed out loud, earning the attention of my carrier. he stiffened as his eyes took me in. he didn't say anything but slowly put me down on the ground, his hands still around me gently.

i looked at him and all of a sudden started crying even harder. his features reminded me of something warm and happy, but i couldn't remember what happened, it's like it wasn't there anymore. my mind was foggy and these damned penguins were dancing now, making me unable to focus.

''Emma what's wrong?'' Nora's soothing voice interrupted my racing thoughts. i looked at her through my streaming tears and hiccupped in agony and discomfort. arms wrapped themselves around me, and i found myself instantly feeling better. my crying has ceased but the hiccups were still there.

''i am sleepy.'' i muttered against his chest. i felt a light kiss on my hair before a small indication of a nod. he carried me again, but this time i had my legs wrapped around his torso, and my head on his shoulder. he kept soothing my tangled hair throughout our walk to his car, but i didn't mind it all. i felt like i would miss something like this later...

Nora was smiling like a maniac at the scene unfolding itself in front of her. her eyes locked with mine as her gaze held sincerity of something as if she was proving herself right, somehow.

slowly everything started fading away, and all i saw after that was blackness.

.

are you an early bird or a night owl?!