Safety Net • CTH

Chapter 3 • Disconnected

- Evalina's POV -

The rest of the week went by quickly, all I really did was take orders and organize; which, I didn't really mind because it's all part of the experience.

I got home from work, freshened up, grabbed a snack, and headed in my room.

It was almost 9pm; I was just relaxing in bed when I got a facetime notification, it was Harmony.

"Hey H, what's up?" I ask.

"You wanna go out tonight? I feel like dancing.", she says with a giggle.

"Sure, I'm just gonna need a power nap beforehand. Where we going?", I question.

"We could go into the city and go bar hopping? I don't know, I just wanna get out of this house.", she says, sounding frustrated.

"Monica's got you all pissy I see.", I laugh.

"Yeah, she's driving me up the wall. My finished load of laundry in the dryer wasn't even sitting in there for 5 minutes before she sent a passive aggressive text in the groupchat.", she says rolling her eyes. " 'Hey guys lets make sure we take out our laundry asap, we all have to use the washer and dryer', she adds mimics Monica's voice, "..give me a fucking break.", she finishes.

I started laughing, "what a nut job that woman is, you'd think a 40 year old woman, intentionally living with a bunch of 20 somethings would be less of a karen, but nope.".

Harmony moved into an apartment with 4 other people, trying to save money when she moved out of her parents house, she regretted it soon after she realized that the people she lived with were insane, especially Monica. She was a 40 something year old lady who's kids left home so she rented out their rooms, though, she still acts like the others living there are beneath her, even though they're paying her mortgage.

"Be ready for like 11pm, I'll text you when I'm on the way.", she says.

"Sounds good.", I reply, then hung up the phone.

I took a power nap, then started to get ready. I slipped on a tight purple 2 piece and went all out on my makeup, I did a purple-ish black smokey eye with lots of glitter. I finished getting ready and waited for Harmony's text.

A few minutes later, I got the text that she was downstairs. I met her downstairs and we got a cab to East Village; the subway would've taken us almost 2 hours and there's always weirdos at night. To be fair, there's weirdos all day, but the night brought out the worst ones.

We got to the bar around 11:30pm, when we walked in, it was already packed. The music was so loud and there was a crowd of people having a great time on the dance floor.

We made our way to the bar and ordered our first drinks; I got an amaretto sour, Harmony got a vodka redbull. The dance floor was soon calling our name so we stepped out and started swaying to the music.

***

It was almost 2am, I was about 3-4 drinks in, feeling the tingly sensation of drunkenness come over me. The dance floor had a hold on me, dancing to good music, drinking good drinks, dancing with my best friend, it was a great time all around.

I suddenly got the feeling of someone behind me, wanting to dance. I almost never turn down a dance, especially when I'm drunk, I cant help it. I rock my hips to the beat, grinding into this stranger, who I hadn't even looked at yet. I look at Harmony and she gives me a thumbs up, assuming she meant the guy behind me was cute. She was also pulled in by a guy that wanted to dance with her.

The music finishes and changes into something a little less dance-y, so I turn around to face this stranger who had my attention for the past few minutes. When I turn around, I meet eyes with my dream guy once again.

"Oh, um, Calum, hi", I say shyly.

"Heyyy, I remember you. You're the girl that wouldn't get me a coffee the other day.", he says pouting.

I looked at him in the eyes, seemingly annoyed.

"I have a name you know.", I say, rolling my eyes.

"Ok.. you gonna tell me what it is or what, sweetheart?", he slurs, taking another sip of his drink.

"Uh, actually, don't worry about it.", I say, about to walk away.

"Whaaaat? You don't wanna come home with me hun? I promise I'll show you a good time.", he laughs.

Did he really act like this?

Did I really put this guy on a pedestal for so long without knowing how he actually acted?

Was he really this arrogant?

What was he even doing here? I would've thought they'd all fly back to LA by now.

So many thoughts and questions rushed through my brain as I walked away from him.

I walked away and walk up to Harmony, "Hey, can we go?"

"So soooon? It's only 2ammm", she whines.

"Yes, please H.", I beg.

"Ughhh, fineeee.", she slurs chugging her last drink of the night.

We make our way to the exit and waved down a cab, then headed back to my house.

I had to help Harmony up the stairs. Even though I drank more than her, she was very much a lightweight when it came to alcohol.

We went inside, freshened up, changed into pjs, and climbed into bed.

***

We woke up to hangovers, obviously, but, luckily, we had the rest of the weekend to recover.

Not wanting to think of my encounter at the bar with Calum, I tried to keep busy all weekend.

Sunday night came along soon enough, and I got my things ready for work in the morning.