Gabe stays silent for a second. “I’ll get back to you,” he responds before he disconnects.

I’m in the car when Gabe messages a few minutes later with the name of a popular nightclub. He’s close by, so he’s reaching there as well. I give directions to Mike.

Aaliya

MY MOOD HAS COMPLETELY soured after my conversation with Damien. I reach Jonathan and ask for another shot, waiting for the happy buzz to return, but it doesn’t.

There’s a tap on my shoulder. My hands curl into fists on seeing Gabe behind me.

“You have five seconds to go away before I punch your face,” I snap at him.

He raises his hands up. “Hey, what’ve I done?”

Gabe looks beyond me at Jonathan and the two shake hands. I raise my fist up and take a menacing step towards Gabe, but Jonathan pulls me behind him. “Hey, hey, relax wild cat. What’s going on?”

I turn to Jonathan and point a finger at his chest. “Why did you tell him where I was?”

His frown deepens as he takes a flustered step back.

I turn to Gabe. “Go away! I don’t want to talk to you and I don’t want to see you.”

Gabe holds my arm but I shrug his hold off me.

“I’m mad at you and you don’t want to be around me when I am this mad at you. So, leave me alone.”

“Aaliya, I don’t know why you’re upset with me.” He shakes his head. “Anyway, you need to go home. Damien...”

I cut him off before he can finish.

“Damien can buzz off and so should you. I’m not listening to you anymore,” I yell. The people around us turn to look at me, but I’m beyond caring.

Jonathan takes a step forward, putting me behind him. “What the fuck is going on, Gabe? Is that why you called me? To spy on her?”

Gabe looks heavenward before saying, “Look, Jonathan, I can’t explain right now, but you need to stay away from her. Let me take her home.”

Jonathan stands taller with his arms folded in front of him. “I’m not letting her go anywhere until you tell me what exactly is going on.”

I move Jonathan aside and come and stand next to him. “Yes, Gabe. Let me hear you explain this to him. Go on.”

Gabe gives me a nasty glare. “Aaliya, you’re drunk and you don’t know what you’re saying.”

“He doesn’t want to be with me, Gabe.”

“What are you talking about?” he asks.