Toxic Love

3 years ago…

The end of year party was supposed to go smoothly and it did. That was until I felt something creamy coat my perfectly styled hair as I was making my way to the exit.

Halting as cream splatters all over my dress, I turn on my heels, staggering as they make contact with a spillage on the floor.

Murmurs fill the crowd before cacophonous rounds of laughter bounce off the walls.

Cake.There’s cake in my hair and dress. And the one responsible for it stands only a few feet away, eyes wide but lips pressed tightly as if to hold back a laugh though he fails.

Wild, uncontrolled laughter taunts me along with the flash of a camera. His eyes scan me from head to toe, undoubtedly admiring his work whilst people cackle and point at me.

“Fuck. I was tryna hit my friend. It was an accident.”

“An accident?” I repeat, stunned at the sheer audacity. “You messed my dress up!” His brow cocks whilst his grin widens.

“I told you, it was an accident,” he replies smoothly with a shrug, like it’s nothing but a simple misunderstanding and I'll forget it sooner or later.

I expected an apology at the least, maybe a tissue or perhaps a look of shame even. Yet there's nothing but a smirk meeting my furious gaze. Balling my fists, I glance at where my friends are gaping and distance themselves from their dates.

Stella comes first, scowling and strutting like the confident person she is.

“Fucking apologise now! Her dress was so freakin’ expensive and it took ages doing her hair!” Instead of complying, amusement paints his face as he leans down.

“It was an accident and she knows it. I don’t need to apologise, shawty,” he says, tapping her forehead then straightening his suit jacket. Flashing me an all too smooth wink, he strides off as if he didn't just cake me and humiliate me publicly right after.

If that's how he wants to play, then so be it.

Wiping as much of the cake from my hair, I snatch a perfectly decorated cupcake, pink, sticky and covered in sherbet crystal sprinkles before dipping it in the chocolate fountain.

Stalking after him with strong, purposeful strides, I grab a fistful of his silky raven black locks and smudge the cake across his cheek, holding him in place as I return the favour in earnest.

Withdrawing from the scene, I dust my hands off and admire the handiwork. Feigning shock, I press a hand to my chest dramatically, apologising incessantly and biting back a grin as he wipes sugar and buttercream from his eyelids.

“I didn’t see you there but I’ll be careful next time.”

“Bitch, you’re gonna regret that,” he hisses, careening towards me and I bite down a scream, sprinting behind a group of people and darting through the maze.

Shifting to my side, I catch the cakes in his hands as he gives chase, hot on my heels as he tries to squeeze through the tight gaps.

Amidst the chase, some of the gooey cake splats onto nearby people who swear, grabbing food and tossing it at him in an act of vengeance but missing.

Many people suffer from the attack of delicacies, retaliating and starting a merciless food fight.

Shrieks reverberate as it rains food and still, he hasn’t given in, running even as I slip between teachers who get caught up in the battle.

“Stop at once!” One of the teachers cries out but no one obeys.

Something heavy crashes into my back, tackling me to the ground and all I can do to protect myself is cover my face as I’m rolled over and smothered in cream and chocolate.

The relentless grip on my wrists sends my pulse skyrocketing and I respond with kicks before my legs are pinned apart, a bulky weight settling between my thighs and my hands are pinned above my head.

Writhing beneath him as I'm left completely helpless, I scratch his fingers as a last resort, hoping against hope that he releases some of the pressure or becomes distracted.

Wrapping my legs around his waist, I succeeded in diverting his attention and jerk them to the side, using his hips as leverage.

Momentarily losing his balance, he falls forward, crushing me with his weight on my stomach and chest. Watching my dress ruin entirely, I yelp, using all my strength to shove him off but to no avail.

Sitting on his heels, he licks his fingers before smearing some of the residue on my cheek and neck.

“There we go. Much better.” Before he can climb off of me, Nicole empties a whole jar of punch over his head, soaking the both of us and he slips, face planting directly into my chest.

Heat blooms fresh on my cheeks and I thrust him off, jaw slack and pulse thunderous in my ears as I cover my chest protectively.

Nicole grins sheepishly before helping me onto my feet, drawing me in and whispering.

“I got emo boy good.” When I glance at him, he’s rubbing his face and his friends are by his side, chuckling and watching a video on their phones.

“Lucky bitch.” I catch and frown.

What could be so lucky?

We ditch the party as the food fight continues, fleeing the crime scene whilst others quarrel.

I hope I never see this bitch again.

Sebastian Cole.

Our eyes lock once more and my body freezes when I see the furnace of his eyes, resentment swirling like black smoke as he glares daggers before disappearing into the crowd.