Mia made her way back to Rachel, trying to shake off the feeling of embarrassment and disappointment. She forced a smile onto her face and joined Rachel on the dance floor, trying to lose herself in the music.
But after a few minutes of dancing, Mia felt like she needed a break. She excused herself and made her way to the bar, hoping to grab a drink and collect her thoughts.
As she waited in line at the bar, Mia couldn't help but think about what had just happened with Karl. She felt like she had made a total fool of herself, and she couldn't understand why she had been so drawn to him.
Just as Mia was starting to feel like she was going to be stuck in line forever, she heard a voice behind her.
"Mia?"
Mia turned to see Asher standing behind her, a look of surprise on his face.
"Asher! Hey," Mia said, trying to sound casual.
"What are you doing here?" Asher asked, his eyes scanning the crowded room.
Mia shrugged. "Just hanging out with Rachel. What about you?"
Asher smiled. "I'm supposed to meet some friends here. But I have to say, I'm surprised to see you. You look...amazing."
Mia felt a blush rise to her cheeks as Asher's eyes locked onto hers. She couldn't help but notice the way he was looking at her, like he was really seeing her for the first time.
"Thanks," Mia said, trying to play it cool. "You look pretty great yourself."
Asher smiled. "I didn't know you party."
Mia nodded smiling. "I do sometimes."
The bartender called out to Mia. "Hey, you're next! What can I get you?"
Mia turned to Asher, hesitating for a moment. "Do you want to grab a drink with me?" she asked, feeling a sense of excitement at the prospect of spending more time with him.
Asher's face lit up with a smile. "Definitely," he said, stepping forward to order their drinks.
Asher ordered their drinks, Mia couldn't help but notice the way he moved with confidence, his broad shoulders and chest evident even under his fitted shirt. She felt a flutter in her chest, and suddenly, she shook her head, she shouldn't be feeling this way.
Asher handed her a drink, and Mia took a sip, feeling the cool liquid slide down her throat. They stood there for a moment, sipping their drinks and chatting, the noise of the party fading into the background.
"So tell me..." Asher started. "Are you having fun?" He smiled at her.
Mia nodded. "Yes, I'm having a great time," she replied, smiling back at Asher. "Although, I have to admit, I'm a bit surprised to see you here. I didn't know you were into this kind of scene."
Asher chuckled. "I'm not, usually. But my friends dragged me out tonight. I'm glad they did, though. I wouldn't have run into you otherwise."
Mia felt a flutter in her chest at Asher's words. She couldn't help but notice the way he was looking at her, like he was really happy to see her. She took another sip of her drink, trying to play it cool.
As they stood there, chatting and laughing, Mia found herself feeling more and more at ease with Asher. She couldn't help but notice the way his eyes sparkled when he smiled, or the way his hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck.
Asher leaned against the bar, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. "So, what's new with you? How's school going?"
Mia shrugged, taking another sip of her drink. "It's going. Just trying to get through the semester without too much stress."
Asher nodded sympathetically. "I know the feeling. I'm just trying to get through this week without too much chaos."
Mia laughed. "Chaos? What's going on?"
Asher grinned. "Just school stuff. We're launching a new project and it's been a bit of a madhouse."
Mia's eyes widened. "That sounds exciting! Congratulations on the launch."
As the night wore on, Mia had a few more drinks, laughing and joking with Asher. She was having the time of her life, and she couldn't believe how much fun she was having.
But as the drinks kept flowing, Mia started to feel a little fuzzy. She stumbled slightly as she tried to take a step back, and Asher caught her by the elbow.
"Whoa, careful there," he said, smiling at her. "Maybe you've had a bit too much to drink."
Mia giggled, feeling a little silly. "Maybe you're right," she said, leaning against the bar.
Asher nodded, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I think I'll get you some water," he said, signaling to the bartender.
As Asher handed her a glass of water, Mia took a sip, feeling a little more sober. But as she looked up at Asher, she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her.
"Whoa," she said, stumbling slightly.
Asher caught her by the waist, holding her steady. "Easy there," he said, smiling at her. "Maybe it's time to get you home."
Mia nodded, feeling a little embarrassed. "Yeah, maybe you're right."
Asher helped her out of the bar, Mia couldn't help but feel grateful for his kindness. She was having a great time, but she was also glad to have someone looking out for her.
As Asher helped Mia out of the bar, he kept a gentle but firm grip on her waist, guiding her through the crowded room. Mia stumbled slightly, her heels clicking on the floor, but Asher was there to catch her, his arm wrapping around her shoulders to steady her.
Once they reached the entrance of the bar, Asher pushed open the door and led Mia out into the cool night air. The bright lights of the bar gave way to the dim glow of streetlights, and Mia blinked, feeling a little disoriented.
Asher smiled and took her hand, leading her down the sidewalk. "My car's just around the corner," he said, his voice low and soothing. "I'll get you home safe and sound."
Mia nodded, feeling a wave of gratitude towards Asher. She was glad to have him looking out for her, and she trusted him to get her home safely.
As they walked, Asher kept a gentle pace, matching his stride to Mia's stumbling gait. He chatted quietly, asking her about her favorite music and movies, and Mia found herself laughing and responding, feeling more and more at ease.
When they reached Asher's car, he opened the door and helped Mia inside, buckling her seatbelt for her. Mia leaned back against the seat, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over her.
Asher smiled and started the engine, pulling out of the parking spot and onto the road. "I'll have you home in no time," he said, his eyes glinting in the rearview mirror.
Just as Asher was about to drive away from the bar, a figure suddenly stepped out in front of the car, making Asher slam on the brakes to avoid hitting him.
Mia's eyes snapped open, and she sat up straight, looking around in confusion. "What's going on?" she asked, her voice slurred from the drinks.
Asher's eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on the figure standing in front of the car. "It's Karl," he muttered, his voice low and even.
Karl walked towards the passenger side of the car, his eyes fixed on Mia's face. He reached out and opened the door, his hand extended to help Mia out.
Karl's eyes locked onto Mia's, his expression intense and possessive. "Mia, don't go with him," he said, his voice low and urgent. "Come with me instead."
Mia's eyes fluttered, and she looked at Asher, then back at Karl. She seemed uncertain, and Asher's grip on the steering wheel tightened.
"I've got this, Karl," Asher said, his voice firm but polite. "Mia's had a bit too much to drink, and I'm just trying to get her home safely."
Karl's eyes flashed with anger, but he didn't move out of the way. "I can take care of her," he insisted. "She doesn't need you."
Asher's eyes locked onto Karl's, a silent challenge passing between them.
Mia's eyes widened in surprise as she stared at Karl, her mind racing with questions. What was he doing here? And why was he telling her to go with him?
At first, Mia felt a flutter in her chest at the sight of Karl. She had been thinking about him all night, wondering why she had been so drawn to him. But as she looked into his eyes, she saw something there that made her feel uneasy. A possessiveness, a sense of ownership that made her skin crawl.
"Karl, what are you doing?" Mia asked, her voice shaking slightly. "Why are you telling me to go with you?"
Karl's expression didn't change, but his voice took on a persuasive tone. "Mia, I know you're not in any state to be driving with him," he said, nodding towards Asher. "Let me take care of you. I'll get you home safely."
Mia felt a surge of anger at Karl's words. Who did he think he was, trying to tell her what to do? And what was with the possessive tone?
"I don't need your help, Karl," Mia said, her voice firm. "Asher is taking care of me. I'm fine."
Karl's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in frustration. "Mia, don't be stupid," he said, his voice low and menacing. "You don't know what you're getting yourself into with him. Let me take care of you."
Mia felt a chill run down her spine at Karl's words. She didn't like the way he was talking to her, the way he was trying to control her. She turned to Asher, who was watching the exchange with a calm, neutral expression.
"Asher, can we please just go?" Mia asked, her voice shaking slightly.
Asher nodded, his eyes never leaving Karl's face. "Of course, Mia. Let's get you home."
With that, Asher put the car in gear and started to drive away, leaving Karl standing alone on the sidewalk. As Mia watched Karl standing alone on the sidewalk through the rearview mirror, she felt a pang of hurt and confusion. She couldn't understand why she was feeling this way, especially after the way Karl had treated her earlier.
When she had walked up to Karl, he had made her feel stupid and belittled, which had left her feeling embarrassed and humiliated. But now, as she saw him standing alone on the sidewalk, she felt a pang of hurt and a sense of longing.
Mia couldn't understand why she was developing feelings for Karl, despite the way he had treated her. She thought to herself, "Why am I feeling this way? Why do I care about him after the way he spoke to me?"
As she reflected on her feelings, Mia realized that she was torn between her attraction to Karl and her disgust at his behavior. She didn't know why she was drawn to him, but at the same time, she couldn't ignore the way he had made her feel.
As Mia thought about Karl's behavior, she realized that he had always been indifferent towards her. He never made an effort to get to know her or show any genuine interest in her life. In fact, he often seemed dismissive and unresponsive, which made Mia feel like she was invisible to him.
Despite his indifference, Mia found herself drawn to Karl. She couldn't explain why, but there was something about him that captivated her attention. Maybe it was his rugged good looks, or his confident and self-assured demeanor. Whatever it was, Mia couldn't deny the strong attraction she felt towards him.
However, as she reflected on their interactions, Mia realized that Karl's indifference was not only hurtful but also confusing. She couldn't understand why he would sometimes show glimpses of interest, only to pull back and become distant again. It was like he was playing a game of cat and mouse, and Mia was the unsuspecting prey.
As Asher pulled up to Mia's dormitory, she smiled and thanked him for the ride. "No problem, Mia. It was my pleasure," Asher replied, smiling back at her. Mia stepped down from the car, feeling a little more steady on her feet now that she had some fresh air. She waved goodbye to Asher as he drove off, watching as the taillights of his car disappeared into the night.
As she turned to head into her dormitory, Mia's eyes widened in surprise. Standing at the door, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed, was Karl. Mia's heart skipped a beat as their eyes met, and she felt a shiver run down her spine.
What was Karl doing here? Mia wondered, feeling a mix of emotions: surprise, annoyance, and a little bit of fear. She hadn't expected to see him again tonight, especially not after the way he had acted at the bar.
Karl pushed off from the doorframe and took a step towards Mia, his eyes fixed intently on hers. "Hey," he said, his voice low and smooth. "I wanted to make sure you got home okay."
Mia raised an eyebrow, feeling a little wary. "I'm fine, Karl. Asher drove me home."
Karl's eyes narrowed slightly, and Mia could sense a hint of jealousy in his tone. "Oh, Asher, huh? I didn't know you two were so close."
Mia shrugged, feeling a little defensive. "We're just friends, Karl. He was just making sure I got home safely."
Karl took another step closer to Mia, his eyes burning with an intensity that made her feel uncomfortable. "I would have taken care of you, Mia," he said, his voice low and husky. "You don't need Asher to look out for you."
Mia felt a shiver run down her spine as Karl's words sent a thrill through her. She didn't know what to make of Karl's behavior, or why he was suddenly being so possessive. But as she looked into his eyes, she saw something there that made her heart skip a beat.
Mia looked seriously into Karl's eyes, her gaze piercing as she searched for answers. "Karl, why do you care about my safety?" she asked, her voice firm but laced with a hint of curiosity.
Karl's eyes locked onto hers, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, a small smile played on his lips, and he took a step closer to Mia.
"I just care about your safety...." he shrugged.
As Karl finished speaking, Mia's eyes suddenly glazed over, and she swayed unsteadily on her feet. Karl's expression changed from calm to concerned in an instant.
"Mia, are you okay?" he asked, reaching out to grab her arm.
But before he could react, Mia's body lurched forward, and she vomited all over the sidewalk. Karl's eyes widened in shock as he quickly grabbed her, holding her upright as she continued to retch.
As the vomiting subsided, Mia's body went limp, and she passed out in Karl's arms. He looked down at her, worry etched on his face. He quickly scanned their surroundings, realizing that he couldn't take Mia to her dorm room. He didn't think she would be okay with people seeing them, especially in her dorm.
Without hesitation, Karl scooped Mia up in his arms, cradling her like a child. He quickly walked towards his car, parked nearby, and gently laid Mia down on the back seat.
Karl buckled her in, making sure she was secure, before jumping into the driver's seat. He started the engine and began to drive, unsure of where to take Mia, but knowing he had to get her somewhere safe.
As he drove, Karl couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions: worry, concern, and a hint of possessiveness. All of a sudden, he was beginning to react this way with her. He had never been so confused in his life.
Karl's eyes glanced in the rearview mirror, checking on Mia's unconscious form. He frowned, feeling a pang of guilt. He had been so caught up in his own emotions, he hadn't even considered how Mia might be feeling.
As he drove, Karl's mind raced with questions. What had suddenly made him so interested in her? Why was he going out of his way and against the rules just to make sure she was fine? What was this attraction he felt for her? Was it love or pity?
The only thing Karl knew for sure was that he couldn't deny being attracted to her. Whether it was out of love or pity, he didn't care. He would protect her the best way he can while he figured out what attraction he felt for her.
Karl's eyes scanned the road, his mind racing with possibilities. He couldn't take Mia to her dorm, it was an all girls dorm and he couldn't enter. He couldn't take her to a hotel, there is no one there to take of her and he didn't know how she would react when she wakes up and find out, it was just both of them that shared a room. He finally made a decision, turning the car towards his own apartment. It was the only place he could think of where Mia would be safe, and where he could take care of her.