11:30 PM. The music is so loud that I can feel it rattle my bones. Thick perfume and cloying cologne threatens to choke me. On all sides, discarded coats, scarves, and various Halloween paraphernalia feel like they're moments away from attacking. The drink I finally took minutes ago is nothing more than an inconvenient weight, but I need the buzz.

My phone vibrates against my thigh, secured inside my garter belt. I jolt in surprise and barely manage to resist the urge to throw my drink. It's only cheap beer inside a red Solo cup, but there are too many valuable objects around me and I'm not one to waste alcohol, anyway. 

The phone stirs again, then a third time. My heart skips a beat.

"It's probably Bryce again," I mutter. It's the only incentive I need to not cave in and answer; He can call and apologize as many times as he wants, but it won't erase what he did.

Something hard hits the door from the other side of this cramped closet and I almost leap out of my skin. It's followed moments later by a whispered curse, then my name.

"Amanda," says Bryce, voice muffled through several inches of wood. "Open the fucking door. I know you're in there."

Shit. I knew I should've left.

"Amanda." He jiggles the doorknob. "Come on."

I press closer to the wall behind me and bring my knees to my chest. Plastic crinkles in my fist. I take an anxious sip from my drink, just to prevent it all from going to waste. Before me, the closet door slams open.

"There you are." His eyes seem to glow in the dark. "I was getting worried about you when you wouldn't pick up my calls. Hey, listen... we need to talk."

My knees wobble, threatening to give out, but I somehow stand.

"We have nothing to talk about," I reply.

"So you forgive -"

"No." The instant the thought leaves his mouth, I cut him off. "No. Absolutely not."

"But... Lacey, she didn't -"

"Mean anything?" I take a moment to remold my cup before I continue. "You say that, but... I can't believe it."

"Amanda, please."

"No." It's hard to keep my eyes on his, but I manage. My stomach does several somersaults and my heart clenches, though whether in sadness, anger, or fear, I can't quite tell.

"If I let this slide," I bite out, "then you'll just do it again. Hell... maybe you won't be drunk next time."

His hands ball into fists. "You're leaving?"

His tone is dark now, dangerous. It's one I've heard before. I look past him and give him the only response I can think of. I walk away. 

Bryce shouts after me once I've almost dove into the crowd.

"Amanda Briars, you fucking slut!"

This entire time, he's forgotten to hang up the phone.