Chapter fourteen| Dark hair theory

Chapter fourteen| Dark hair theory

I coated a second layer of the lipstick on my lips, making sure that they look the perfect shade of burgundy. I silently thanked the Gods above for finding a matte lipstick that didn't dry my lips like the fucking Sahara desert.

"You don't need the makeup," I heard Eli say from the other side of the door. I rolled my eyes at his statement. Opening up my bathroom door, I stepped out in my bathroom with my makeup done to perfection.

Narrowing my eyes, I placed my hands on my hips. "What did you say?"

Eli gulped at my tone and bit his lips. "You don't need makeup?" The statement came out as a timid question.

I huffed and placed my hands on his shoulders. "Eli, every girl who applies makeup, isn't insecure. Yes, all of us have insecurities, but they are too insignificant to care about most of the time," I said, feeling exasperated.

I turned and made my way towards the bathroom once again. I stopped and gave him a look over my shoulder. "Some of us like to apply makeup. It is like a refreshing exercise. For me, it is also empowering in a sense." I added to my argument.

I closed the door behind me and untied the robe I was wearing. The soft material slid down my body as silence ensued from the other side of the door.

A few minutes later, I made my way out of the bathroom, ready for the party. Eli looked up from his phone at the sound of the door opening and froze. His eyes went wide along with his mouth as he almost dropped his phone.

His reaction was flattering, making me blush a little. I gave a small twirl in front of him, making him avert his eyes.

"You look hot," he said, still in a daze. "But why are you wearing lingerie to a party?" He gestured at my dress.

I rolled my eyes and sat next to him on my bed. "It is a slip dress, not lingerie," I corrected him, gesturing at my burgundy short slip dress that hugged my chest nicely and flared around my body, stopping in the middle of my thighs.

He huffed and did a once over. His eyes didn't linger at any point in my body as he looked solely at the dress. I wasn't sure if it was supposed to make me feel bad or better.

"Just try to avoid any twirls," he said out of the blue. "You might flash yourself to someone."

A mischievous smile lit my features. "Did you see my black lace panties, Eli?" I teased.

His face turned to a dark shade of beet red, making him look cute.

"Of course not. It was just advice," he tried to say nonchalantly. He cleared his throat awkwardly and stared at the neon sign above my bed.

"Are you ready for the party?" I asked, trying to make conversation. He didn't stiffen, but the shrug he offered was the answer enough.

"I will be there with you all the time, I promise, Eli," I said as I tried to show my sincerity through my words. My hands snake towards his, and I entwined my fingers with his.

He sighed and hunched over his knees, our hands still entwined. "Why are your parents never at home?" he asked out of curiosity to divert his mind to other topics.

I ran my finger along the visible vein of my arm, trying to form words. "My mom and dad divorced when I was eleven. My mom shifted to California. Malibu, to be exact," I said with a short dry laugh. Talk about cliche. "My dad is an international commercial pilot. So, he barely was home when we were younger. Even now, he is barely home. Leaving me and my sister, who goes to a college nearby alone."

He was quiet for a few seconds as the silence between us coiled with heavy strain.

"What is your type?" he asked suddenly, making me frown a bit.

I gave him a look. "What type?"

"Your type of guys?" he repeated and gave me an expectant look, waiting for my response. I gave the question a thought.

My mind screamed an answer I couldn't comprehend.

"I mostly find dark-haired guys more attractive. Other than that, I don't have any type." I replied with a shrug.

"Dark-haired guys, why?" His eyebrows scrunched together in curiosity.

"It is a proven fact that women find dark-haired men more attractive than others because dark hair gives more masculine vibes." I raised my hand, trying to explain.

He scoffed and leaned back on his arms. "You are bluffing," he said in a dry tone.

I shook my head, and my hair fluttered with my movements. "It is truly a proven fact. You can check it on google."

A sudden thought invaded my mind. "What kind of girl is your type?" I asked as interest laced my voice.

"I don't have a type, but I usually like the person's personality before their physical appearance, mostly. But attractiveness is a bonus," he said, giving me a bored look. "The same went for Andrea."

I nodded and averted my eyes. My mind was blank, and my eyes fixed on a spot. I don't why, but I suddenly felt uneasy.

Before we could exchange any more words, Andrea barged through the door, looking like a goddess in a silver dress. The dress hugged every curve of her body, enhancing its beauty.

She looked at me and squealed. "OMG! You look awesome." I got up from my seat on the bed and hugged her close. Her excitement and enthusiasm were infectious, making me grin momentarily.

Over her shoulder, I scowled at the pest of her boyfriend. Jacob just gave a self-satisfied smirk as he shamelessly raked his eye on me, stopping at my tits for a few seconds.

Now I wish I was wearing a garbage bag.

"Looking hot, Cyn," he said and whistled. I shifted away from Andrea as he walked closer. He snaked a hand around her waist but kept his gaze on me.

A shocked gasp slipped past my lips as a warm hand wrapped around my waist.

I turned my head towards Eli as he openly scowled at Jacob. Like a wall ready to protect me, he stood under Jacob's harsh glare. A warm feeling bloomed in the chest.

"Eli, you look HOT!" Andrea exclaimed, oblivious to the tension coiling in the air. It wasn't a lie as the light gray t-shirt complimented his lean body and his icy eyes.

I bit my lips as he smiled at her compliment. My stomach churned at the odd feeling, making my throat clog up.

I gave his face a look as he listened to Andrea talk animatedly about something. For some reason, I wanted that smile because of me. My heart ached, and suddenly I wanted him away from Andrea.

The sudden wild train of thoughts made me stiffen. My eyes went wide as my heart stopped beating for a second.

God! NO! NO... no.. no! I mentally screamed, not letting my inner turmoil out.

"Let's head to the party," Jacob said in a bored tone. For the very first time, I agreed with his words. I needed an escape from my rampant thoughts.

The music was thumping wildly as the bodies filled every corner of the house. I had locked my door already, not wanting anyone's bodily fluids inside my sanctuary. Eli was next to me, scanning his eyes over the crowd with ease. Benefits of being tall. I know he was looking for his friends he invited over today.

The smell of alcohol was already lingering in the air, along with the horrid smell of sweat. I could predict that it would take around thirty minutes before the trail of sex starts to flow too.

The alcohol bottles I had kept on the tables were already near the end, and it was just an hour into the party.

A sudden pungent smell wafted through my nose, making me cringe. The college students, whom I never invited, along with a few high schoolers were high as kites. Snorting things I didn't even want to steer close too. My sister was there too, making me shake my head at her antics.

I grabbed Eli's hand and took him away from that area, shoving the moving bodies aside. I had already lost Andrea in the horrid crowd as soon as we made our way downstairs. Jacob had dragged her far away from me to meet his friends.

I felt a tug on my hand, and Eli pulled me into the kitchen. It was way calmer than the living room as the music got muffled by the wall. A couple was making use of it by the way they were humping each other with their clothes still on. I avoided looking at them all together and turned my attention towards Eli.

Under the lights of the kitchen, his cheeks were tinted with a faint pink color. I smiled his way and reached up in the cabinet by standing on my toes. Pulling a fresh bottle of vodka out, I fill up a cup.

"How well can you handle your alcohol?" I asked as I filled another cup.

His wild and anxious eyes halted on me. I smiled at him, trying to ease his tense nerves.

"I can handle three bottles of beer without feeling tipsy, so I can say, high enough to be an average drinker," he said, blinking down at me with his icy iris.

I passed him a cup filled with pure vodka and gestured for him to drink. "Then enjoy it."

He rolled his eyes and cringed a bit at the taste of just vodka. I took a hearty gulp of my drink too, enjoying the burn down my throat.

His phone pinged with a text message, making him turn away from me. I continued to sip on my drink as he tried to talk to the person he called.

Goosebumps of disgust broke across my skin as I felt the heavy alcohol reeking breath on my neck. A hand snaked around my waist before I could react.

"Fuck, you look so fuckable, Cyn," Groaned a familiar voice near my ear. I shot away from his arms as he ground his erection along my ass.

"No! Stay the fuck away, Ian," I hissed, narrowing my eyes on him. My outburst had caught Eli's attention, who still had the phone connected to his ear. He caught the sight of Ian and gave me a questioning look. Shaking my head, I scowled towards Ian.

Oblivious to the daggers aimed his way, Ian gave me a lopsided grin. "I love it when you are feisty, but just in bed. How many times I have told you that..." he slurred, swaying on his spot.

In a quick movement, he came forward and connected his lips to mine. Disgust flowed through me, and I acted promptly. Reaching forward, I grabbed his ear and twisted it hard.

He yelped and fell away from me. A loud groan slipped past his lips as he clutched his now throbbing red ear. "Bitch," he hissed, leaving the kitchen in haste.

I jumped as I felt a hand on my shoulder, adrenaline coursing through my veins.

"Are you okay?" Eli gave me a concerned look. While his eyes were swirling pools of concern, his body was rigid with tension.

I nodded and took another glass. My previous drink was now on floor, all because of that sleaze bag.

Eli's eyes were still focused on me as he took his drink. "Don't leave it unattended," I muttered under my breath.

I brought the glass to my lips, observing Eli closely. His eyes flickered to my lips, making my breath hitch.

"Your lipstick is a bit smudged at the corner," he said, pointing at the right corner of my lips.

With awkwardness powering my movements, I wiped the side of my mouth in quick movements.

Before we could say anything, his friends came barreling through the kitchen door. Eli relaxed in the company of his buddies as a calm smile spread across his lips.

Feeling satisfied with his behavior, I knocked my glass up. "I need to find Andrea," I said, making his eyes move towards me. Nodding towards Navya and Connor in acknowledgment, I swiftly turned on my feet.

"Socialize, Eli! Socialize!" I called out over my shoulder, making him shake his head with a light smile.

As my eyes scanned the crowd, I got a bit concerned about Andrea's absence.

A sigh of relief slipped past my lips as I found her dancing to the music, between the sweaty bodies. She was waving her hands wildly in a child-like manner.

Noticing me arrive, she smiled brightly. Wrapping my hands around her waist as she did the same, we swayed to the beat of the music.

"Let's dance!" Andrea declared, already beyond tipsy.

"We are already doing that!" I screamed near her ear as music threatened to drown out my words.

I don't know for how long, but we kept on dancing until I felt my feet ache. The occasional sips of alcohol I was taking from my cup were enough to get me drunk too.

"I need to pee," Andrea said, giggling unceremoniously, making me chuckle too.

"I'll take you to the bathroom," I said, guiding her through the crowd.

Stopping in front of the bathroom door, I waited as she moved inside. Leaning against the wall next to it, I closed my eyes for a moment. I listened to the wild holler as I heard my sister screaming something. She was a party animal, ready to please the crowds with different antics.

An unpleasant memory resurfaced in my mind, but I was quick to smother it down. Now wasn't the time to relive my sister's tyrant reign.

I opened my eyes as I heard Navya approaching. "Andrea is inside," I said, gesturing at the door.

She stopped and slumped against the wall. Her feet drummed against the hardwood as her head moved to the muffled beats of music. We exchanged no words as we waited for Andrea to show up.

The bathroom door was pulled by brutal force, making the hinges creak in disapproval. Andrea got out giggling but stopped short at the sight of Navya. "You look hot, Navya!" she squealed, pulling her in a hug.

With a weird expression on her face, Navya awkwardly patted her back. "Same," she muttered.

My phone pinged with a message, making me look away from them.

Eli: 'Where are youuuuuuu?'

I chuckled at the text from Eli, laughing at the excessive use of u. He was beyond drunk by now.

Cynthia: 'You are drunk. Where are you?'

It took him a long moment to reply.

Eli: 'IDK. Come and get me.'

I rolled my eyes and smiled secretly. "I need to find Eli," I explained and made my way away from Andrea and Navya, who nodded in understanding.

I found him slumped against the stairs, staring at a couple grinding with significant interest. I giggled, gaining his attention.

"They are making babies," he said with horror in his voice, pointing directly at them.

A dry chuckle slipped past my lips, and I wrapped my hands around his arms. "You need to sleep this off."

He slumped against me and mumbled against my skin. His warm breath caressed the sensitive spot, making me shiver. "I am not having sex with you. I am not that type of guy."

"Shit! I lost my chance," I joked, making him mumble something intangible.

Pushing the bedroom door open, I dumped him on the bed and handed him a water bottle. "Drink this. It will help you sober up."

My voice was commanding, but he scrunched his nose at the sight of water. Getting up from the bed, he made his way close to me. I stretched my arm, offering the bottle.

Shoving the bottle aside, he pulled me closer. A surprised gasp escaped my lips. Cupping my face in his hands, he looked straight in my eyes.

My eyes got lost in the green flecks of his eyes as he leaned forward.

Before I could react, his lips were on mine.