The Nightcolt Manor

(17)

After yet another bout of arguing over the phone with her friend, Nadine practically threw her phone at the wall, letting out a frustrated yell as she ran her hands through her hair. "Gods.."

How was she supposed to fix up the manor if there were random people coming over all the time? People she probably didn't know, at that. She loved her friend, but Shay was always the one pulling her into trouble, even if she, admittedly, enjoyed it once upon a time. But now, Nadine was serious. She liked Heath. A lot.

She was snapped out of her anxiety fueled thoughts by knocking on the front door.

Nadine sighed deeply, her footsteps echoing in the foyer as she made her way to the door. She could see headlights outside, more shining through in the distance behind the treeline. "Nadine!" Shannon said loudly in a sing-song tone, holding up a few bottles of alcohol. Nadine couldn't get any words out as her friend pushed through the door, rambling on about how this was going to be "so much fun."

She opened her mouth, about to say more when more people came storming in. Almost immediately, loud music started to blast throughout the manor, filling its beautiful halls with bass and shouts of excitement. Nadine frantically ran around as more people arrived, telling them off when they got too rowdy; many weird looks and scowls were shot her way.

"Aren't you having fun?" Shannon yelled at her over the music. She was obviously already pretty buzzed by the look of it, her painted fingers grasping a bottle of beer. "Fun is one way of putting it.." Nadine replied, her eyes studying everyone and everything going on in the foyer and living room where most of the people were congregated. How the hell does she know so many people? Nadine thought to herself in exasperation before realizing most of them probably brought their entire friend groups along.

I need to get out of here.. She managed to pry herself from her friend's drunken rambling, heading straight for the library with hopes nobody would follow her. She closed the glass door behind her quickly, leaning her head back on the wood for a moment to compose herself.

"Heath?" She walked out into the middle of the room, biting her lip anxiously. It took a moment, but she blinked and he was there, as always. "Strange.. music." He said, saying it more like a question as he tilted his head towards the door where loud rapping and party music was filtering in. "Oh. Yeah. Sorry.." She cringed out apologetically.

"I'm doing everything I can to keep them from damaging anything." Nadine walked over to the couch, plopping down onto its boney cushions before letting out a groan and running a hand down her face. She felt Heath sit down beside her, "I suppose it's not so bad. None your guests have wandered into the other parts of the house as of yet."

He reached out, gently pulling her hands away from her face as if he missed it. "Don't fret, I've already told you it's okay." He said softly.

"Ugh.. you're almost too forgiving." Nadine responded, turning to face him. She scooted closer to him and he tilted his head, "Trust me, I do understand. I had a friend.. Attwell, actually.." he began, his face turning solemn for a moment before he continued, "Attwell was big into celebration. He would frequently drag me to bars and.. brothels."

He cleared his throat after the last word, his face scrunching up slightly in embarrassment. Nadine laughed, slapping his hand, "Brothels? I didn't know you were the type."

"Oh, no. I preferred to be at home in this very room, I'm afraid." He smiled, shaking his head. "That's what they all say, you dog." Nadine continued to giggle, much to the distain of Heath. "It's true." He insisted, a smile still on his face. She laughed once more, probably the beer she had had earlier to settle her nerves. Suddenly, Heath reached out, pulling her towards him and capturing her mouth in a kiss, effectively shutting her up.

She hummed slightly as they parted, "Still think I'm a dog?" He said softly, his dark eyes searching hers as his lips quirked up into a sly smile. She shook her head, "Maybe not.."

She leaned in once more, her arms wrapping around the back of his neck. He pulled her closer, getting a little more heated as the seconds passed. He moved from her mouth to her neck and she shivered a little in surprise at the feeling of his cold lips on her skin-- when suddenly..

The library door opened.