Chapter 3

The music throbbed around us, a pulsing beat that seemed to vibrate through the floor and up into my bones. I tried to let it wash over me, tried to relax into the rhythm and shake off the uneasy sensation still coiling tight in my chest. But I couldn’t forget those eyes—the way Darius had looked at me like I was something to be consumed.

“So, tell me, Viv, are you always this much of a loner?” Lila’s teasing voice cut through my thoughts, and I blinked, glancing over at her.

“What?” I managed, forcing a smile. “No, I just—I guess I’m not used to this kind of scene.”

Lila rolled her eyes dramatically, tossing her fiery curls over her shoulder. “Please. If you were any more tense, I’d think you were about to get attacked.” She paused, a small frown creasing her forehead. “Are you sure you’re okay? You looked totally freaked out earlier.”

“I’m fine,” I said quickly, even though my heart was still racing. “Really, I’m just not used to crowds.”

“Uh-huh.” Lila raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “You know, you’re a terrible liar.”

A small laugh slipped out, and some of the tension in my shoulders eased. “Yeah, I’ve heard that before.”

She grinned, leaning in closer. “Okay, then. How about this—forget the crowds, forget the weird guy, forget everything for just a few minutes. It’s just you and me. We’re gonna have fun, alright?”

“Fun?” I repeated, a skeptical smile tugging at my lips. “What does that entail?”

“Oh, you know,” she drawled, eyes glinting with mischief. “A few drinks, some dancing, maybe a little flirting if you’re up for it. Come on, you’re gorgeous. Don’t tell me you don’t want to show off a little.”

My face heated, and I glanced away, biting back a laugh. “I don’t know about gorgeous.”

“Psh, please.” Lila waved a hand dismissively. “That dress is killer on you. Trust me, half the guys in this room are drooling right now.”

“Uh-huh, right.” But despite myself, I felt a flicker of warmth at her words. Lila was just so… bright. So unfiltered and full of life. It was almost infectious.

Almost.

“Hey, don’t believe me?” she challenged, grabbing my arm and yanking me toward the dance floor. “Let’s find out.”

“Lila, wait—” I tried to pull back, but she was stronger than she looked, her grip like iron as she tugged me along.

“Nope! No chickening out, Viv!” she called over her shoulder, a wicked grin on her lips. “You’re gonna dance, and you’re gonna love it!”

Before I knew it, we were in the middle of the floor, surrounded by a crush of bodies moving to the pounding beat. The music was deafening, the lights flashing in dizzying patterns, and I felt myself starting to panic. But Lila just smiled, stepping in front of me and holding out her hands.

“Come on,” she coaxed gently. “Just follow my lead.”

I hesitated, glancing around at the sea of strangers. The air was thick with sweat and perfume, the scent of alcohol clinging to everything. My skin prickled, nerves jangling. But Lila’s eyes were steady, her smile warm and reassuring.

“Just us, remember?” she murmured, leaning closer. “No one else matters. Just breathe, Viv.”

Slowly, I let out a breath, nodding once.

And then, cautiously, I took her hands.

Lila’s grin widened, and she began to sway to the music, guiding me through the motions with an ease that made my own awkward movements feel less clumsy. It was simple, just a back-and-forth rhythm, but it was enough to distract me from the chaos swirling around us.

“There you go!” she cheered, giving my hands a little squeeze. “See? Not so bad, right?”

I couldn’t help but laugh, shaking my head. “You’re crazy.”

“Duh.” She winked, twirling me around before pulling me close again. “But at least I’m fun.”

“Yeah,” I admitted, a genuine smile tugging at my lips. “You are.”

For a few minutes, I let myself get lost in the music, in Lila’s easy laughter and the simple pleasure of moving without overthinking it. The tension in my chest loosened bit by bit, and for the first time since I’d arrived at Redwood, I felt… lighter. Like maybe this place wasn’t so bad after all.

But then, just as I was starting to relax, a familiar prickle crept up my spine.

I stiffened, my gaze darting around the room. The shadows seemed to press closer, the lights dimming just a fraction. That feeling—the one that had haunted me since I’d set foot on this campus—swept over me, sharp and cold.

Someone was watching me.

“Viv?” Lila’s voice was suddenly distant, her smile fading as she studied my face. “What’s wrong?”

“I—I think I need to get some air,” I muttered, pulling away from her. “I’ll be right back.”

“Wait, do you want me to come—?”

“No, it’s fine,” I said quickly, already turning away. “Just need a minute.”

I could feel her worried gaze on my back as I pushed through the crowd, my heart thundering in my chest. What was wrong with me? Why couldn’t I shake this feeling? It was like there was something lurking just out of sight, something that was always one step behind me.

The hallway outside the student hall was dark and empty, the air cool and still. I leaned against the wall, taking deep breaths to calm my racing pulse. I was being ridiculous. Paranoid. Darius was gone, and that other presence—whatever it had been—was probably just my imagination.

But no matter how hard I tried to convince myself, the unease wouldn’t go away.

After a few minutes, I straightened, rubbing a hand over my face. “Get it together, Viv,” I muttered under my breath. “You’re fine. You’re—”

A creak echoed through the empty hall, and I jumped, spinning around.

But there was nothing. Just the shadows.

With a shudder, I turned and hurried toward the dorms, my steps quick and uneven. I just needed sleep. I’d feel better in the morning.

I had to.