Page 114 of Fear of Falling

“Leave.” I heard Lydia’s voice from behind me. A hand grabbed mine and I instantly knew it was Tasha’s. I felt better knowing I wasn’t alone on the dance floor with the creep.

“Not worth it,” the guy grumbled, shoving past me to find the next poor girl.

“What a dick,” Mila said after the guy left.

“Thanks guys.”

“We knew you could handle it, babe,” Tasha grinned, but I could see the underlying concern on her face. I squeezed her hand to calm her fears.Nothing happened.I silently told her with my eyes. Her shoulders relaxed and she gave me a squeeze back.

“Some drunk guy isn’t going to ruin our night. Let's dance!” I wanted a genuine smile to replace the look of concern on Tasha's face, even if it meant torturing my feet further in these heels. The other girls cheered, circling around each other.

I losttrack of how long we’d been at the club. My feet were killing me, and my ears were ringing slightly from the loud music. I was sober now, sticking to water, while the others were pretty much drunk at this point.

Mila and Lydia were still out on the dance floor, while Tasha and I managed to find a table off to the side. We could still see them in front of us, sticking to our promise. I grinned at the way Mila and Lydia danced. It was a mix of grinding and…well, I wasn’t sure what to call it. They were drawing a small crowd as they danced but neither seemed to notice or care, thanks to the alcohol in their systems. Tasha and I the only sober ones now.

“You’re happy,” Tasha suddenly spoke beside me.

“What?” I glanced over at her.

“You’re happier than when I left town,” Her eyes looked me over, a knowing smile on her face. I ducked my head, but not before she caught the smile playing at the corners of my mouth. She was right. I was happier. I hadn’t realized just how much of a shell I’d become until I met Wyatt.

Over the past year or so, I’d retreated into myself. The passing of my dad weighed heavily on me. Everything in life seemed bland and pointless. I’d existed in a perpetual state of sadness, feeling like a piece of me was missing.

Tasha saw and tried to get me out, like we were right now, but I’d always declined. She almost didn’t go to Florida, wanting to stay here with me, but I’d refused to let my sadness bring her down any more than she was. So, I’d practically shoved her out the door.

During the first week after she’d left, I buried my head in work and stayed home. Even Lydia tried to get me to do something, but I wasn’t interested, preferring to sit at home in front of the television with a bottle of wine.

Until I met Wyatt.

Our chance meeting in the elevator changed everything.

In just a matter of weeks, I’d felt happier than I have in a long time. Spending time with Wyatt brought me back to my old self. The person I’d lost in university and then again after my dad died. In many ways he’d saved me and didn’t even know it.

“I am happy,” I admitted. “Wyatt is just…” There really weren’t any words to describe him.

“You love him.” Her words made my head snap back up, eyes wide.

Love Wyatt? I can’t be in love with him. It’s too soon. Right?

“I…I don’t love him,” I stammered.

Tasha placed her hand on top of mine and squeezed. “The look in your eyes says differently.” Her words settled in my chest.

Was I in love with Wyatt? I liked being around him and I missed him when he was away, but was that love? I didn’t think I truly knew what being in love felt like.

“I…” I struggled to find the words. “How do you know if you’re in love?” I asked, just loud enough that she could hear me over the music

“Do you feel like your world would be empty without him?”

I went quiet at her words, a thousand thoughts running through my head. I wrestled with them as I tried to deny that I loved Wyatt, but whenever his face appeared in my head, everything else faded away. His smile alone was enough to make my stomach erupt in butterflies.

Before I could think more on that feeling, I felt my phone buzz in my purse.

Is Wyatt calling me?

Pulling it out, I saw the alert on my screen, and everything around me faded away as my stomach dropped and I gasped.

“Josie?” I could barely hear Tasha as she scooted closer to me, looking down at my phone “Fuck,” she cursed. That was all I heard as I stared at the words on my phone.

---