safety net (kepat au)

10

We arrived at Oscar's house after a few minutes drive. The house is lively from the driveway. You can hear the booming sound and also some laughter from the front yard.

And that made me want to run back home.

"Come on," Nine said when he noticed that I’m just standing beside the car.

I didn't move making him cling to my arm as well as Liu Yu.

"Don't worry, we're here,"

They know how I hate crowded places so I'm so sure that they won't leave me alone.

As we both enter the house. The blinding party lights and the wild crowd welcomed us. The whole place has the party vibes as it should and the beat of the loud sound thump against my chest.

"Patrick!!"

We looked at our back where the voice came from and we saw Oscar. He's holding a cup that probably contains alcohol.

"Happy birthday!" I greeted him and gave him the gift I'm carrying. The other two greeted him too.

"They are my friends, by the way, he's Nine and he's Liu Yu,"

"Nice to meet you. Enjoy the party okay?" He shouted because the sound dominated the whole place.

After the quick talk, Oscar has been called by one of his guests so he excused himself and we just nodded.

I slid my phone inside my pocket and felt Nine's hands on my wrist. He also held at Liu Yu so we won't get lost.
It's indeed crowded and the lights make me feel dizzy. I also accidentally found some wild scenes in the dark which is I didn't want to describe nor tell. You know what I'm talking about.

I noticed the two put down their phone and started talking. I'm still on my phone and checking my socials. There I saw Daniel posted a story.

I immediately looked at the entrance and  I saw the tall guy searching for someone. His appearance dominated the crowd as if he got the spotlight. Most of the people turned their heads and looked at him.

And then Oscar finally accompanied him. I just watch from afar as they talk and then a girl appeared and he put his arms on his waist making my stomach feel hollow.

"Hey," I heard Nine, maybe he noticed that I'm silent.

I didn't answer, I just watch the three as they talk. They're far from where I stand so obviously I can't hear their conversation.

And then, after a few minutes, I saw Daniel looking in our direction. My eyes widened and looked away. I suddenly felt that I should run and hide. I hope he won't come towards us or else I'll be facing another wave of awkwardness.

Then, I shifted my position and just faced my friends, joining their world all of a sudden. I want to shake off my thoughts about him for a while and just chill.

I admit it, I really admit that this weird feeling isn't as simple as before.

I know he's been in a relationship since those days before I met him. I don't have the right to complain, and it's not his fault if I'm in pain because of that. We're not even that close.

I shut my eyes as I swallow the lump on my throat. I then continued checking my socials less anxious than earlier,  not until I scrolled through my IG feed.

There it is making me feel as if a boulder fell directly to my back, making me hard to breathe and breaking every piece of the strength I tried to build up.

It's been posted six hours ago but why did I see this at this time?

I turn my phone off and put it inside my pocket. I then focused on my friends, joined their conversation and grabbed myself a drink.