Interrupted

By now Angel had showered and started getting ready. CeeCee had already finished her own rigorous make up regimen and had started on Angel. They both sang Ariana Grande's Dangerous Woman as they dressed and did their hair. Angel had straightened her coils down into a long silky style that stopped just above her butt. She did a once over twirl in the mirror, she looked great in the outfit. The stylish black wedges made her feel even sexier. She pouted before putting on a nude matte lip.

Then the night sped forward. She was suddenly in a giant kitchen, music blaring around her. The house full of people pulsed with life. Out the backdoor, she could see people in the pool and chaos erupting around a beer pong table. She looked away, back to the ever-talkative CeeCee who had been cornered by one of the more popular boys. Angel had yet to see Shawn anywhere, so she slipped away from CeeCee towards the beer pong table, figuring she had time to kick some ass.

"I got next," she yelled to the group of guys surrounding the table. They all looked over with mixed expressions of shock, lust and arrogance. None of them really recognized her. She'd never been to any of the parties. Instead, she learned to play beer pong in the frat parties her and CeeCee snuck into. This was her first time letting anyone at school see this side of her.

"You sure cupcake?" a red shirted boy asked motioning behind himself to the den of viper-like girls huddled around each other, "the girls typically stand over there and gossip about us."

"I'm not your cupcake and trust me...I have no intention of joining the 'admirer's club'," Angel laughed, catching their glares, "I'm here to kick somebody's ass."

"Are you here with somebody? I've never seen you at school," a tall boy named Zach asked. They had several classes together. In fact, Angel sat right next to him in Calculus.

"Yea I'm here with CeeCee but I actually do go to our school. We have a bunch of classes together," Angel grinned, "We sit next to each other in Calculus but I'm not usually dressed like...this."

"Holy shit! You can't be Angel? The nerd who's always reading romance novels in class? The one who dresses like a slob?" he quipped. Angel was annoyed at how he viewed her but she wasn't surprised at her reputation as the weird girl. She nodded in confirmation anyway.

"Daaaaaamn, let me find out you're actually hot under all those hoodies girl. You're up now then, these dipshits just lost," he motioned to the red shirt boy, "You're with me....here, drink this."

Angel nodded before taking the shot he offered her. She didn't actually drink it, remembering what Thia said, and tossed it out next to her mouth. She felt the effect of it nonetheless as the events of the loop couldn't actually be altered. What happened had already happened and would happen again. Brazz told her several times that even if she made big changes to her behavior or actions, everything around her would still play out the exact same. It felt cruel. But Angel guessed torture loops weren't supposed to be nice.

"Oh shit, got a chick playing?" a deep voice asked from behind Angel. She turned to see Shawn and a brown haired boy walking up to the table, "Me and my cousin are up next too then. I'm all for equal asswhoopings, girl or not."

"I feel the same," Angel scoffed, "No reason to show you any lenience just because you're a jock strap."

That won everyone over into a laugh but even though he was laughing, Shawn's eyes twitched. Angel had to admit that even though Shawn was cute, he was definitely not her type. Nothing about him was original. Mr. All-American jock with a semi-decent IQ and a corny sense of humor. But she wasn't going into college a virgin and she didn't want any attachments either. She was making the best of the bad situation. Reading the room, so to speak.

As she watched Shawn and his cousin take their turns, Angel's eyes drifted to the patio door behind them. She looked over just in time to see a gorgeous black-haired boy weaving his way through the throng of people toward her.

No, boy wasn't right. He was a man, in his early twenties maybe, in a pair of acid washed jeans and a loose v-neck that hugged his muscular body. He was slim but strong. Maybe the body of a swimmer or track star. His disheveled hair splayed across half of his face. Every girl near him started gossiping immediately and putting on their best pick-me poses but he didn't seem to notice at all as he leaned against the doorway. He only looked at Angel. His smile flashed two dimples and perfect teeth. He felt unreal, divine, as his eyes flashed an inhuman black before returning to honey gold. Her body felt like living static under his intense gaze.

Instinctually, she grabbed the beer pong balls Zach handed her and broke eye contact with the nameless hottie. She returned her attention to the table where Shawn and his cousin were mocking her, implying she wouldn't make a single shot. Just as they were in the middle of really trying to embarrass her, she bounced both balls with a wrist flick. They both landed in the cups without a sound aside from the roar of the crowd of onlookers. She smirked to herself at how perfect her concentration could be under pressure. She glanced back to the mystery man whose eyes softened as he nodded gently. Was he...proud of her? Why did he give her deja vu?

"Oh shit! My partner's a beast," Zach congratulated, "That's four cups douchebags!"

Shawn's mouth hung open and his eyes twitched into an ugly shape. Maybe CeeCee had been right, his ego seemed too fragile to appreciate getting his ass beat at anything by a girl. At the realization, Angel silently decided the night with Shawn was a bust. She didn't want to give her v-card to a guy with no humility. She suddenly had someone else in mind. Then turned herself back to the patio door, but the bad boy had vanished.

She sighed, watching Zach make the last two cups to end the game and waded through all the congratulatory hugs that everyone but Shawn gave her. She wandered away from the table and into the house, even as she heard everyone yelling for her to do a repeat performance. She blamed her absence on a bathroom break but really, she was looking for the hottie.

Angel made her way towards the back of the house, looking for the stairs to the second floor. She scanned the room for CeeCee and found her in the corner, making out with her crush. Angel smiled, knowing this wouldn't be the first bet she lost. She was happy for CeeCee, who actually liked her crush. Then she noticed the familiar black hair out of the corner of her eye. He stopped just in front of her face and whispered a hi into her ear.

"Hey," she replied breathlessly before regaining her composure, "You disappeared before I could come over. I thought you left."

"Hmmm looking for me huh?" he mused, pressing closer, but his eyes betrayed sadness for a moment, "I just went to get you a drink, love."

The words stuck in her throat as his sweet, warm breath danced on her neck and sent heat straight to her stomach. He only smiled wider at her loss for words, passing her something in a red party cup. He put the cup up to her lips and she pretended to taste it, never forgetting her true intentions there. Regardless, she felt thickness on her lips but the taste was sweet and warm.

His body pulled her into its gravity. It felt seductive as the sensation tingled through her, his eyes never moving from hers. They were enchanting and menacing at the same time. His eyes melted onto her face. Why was he studying her so intently, so...lovingly. As if he could read her mind, he suddenly broke his stare and stepped back a bit. The whole thing felt so familiar.

"Sorry," he coughed, "must be drunk."

Angel knew he was lying. Perhaps he was as drawn to her as she felt to him. She could feel her body heat up, knowing they were just staring at one another without a word. In the crowded party full of noise, their silence stood out. It began to draw unnecessary attention and glances from passersby.

"Excuse me," Angel suddenly said, desperate to break the sexual tension, "I'm looking for the bathroom."

She walked away and started climbing the steps. He didn't follow, only watched her with a dark look. She tried a few doors in the hallway but still hadn't found the bathroom. Finally she found the right door but saw the meandering line of people outside and huffed. A girl caught her annoyed stare and whispered, "Jennifer's in there fucking some guy from a rival school. Shawn's gonna flip his shit!" Suddenly someone was at her back, "Come use the one in my room," she heard Shawn whisper. Had he been following her? Had he heard what the girl said?

He pulled her further down the hallway, ignoring the gossiping girls they passed. Angel knew this would get back to his girlfriend and quietly groaned, although Jennifer seemed to have her own situation to worry about. Once in his room she rushed into the en suite bathroom. Maybe I misjudged him, Angel thought. He obviously took her to his room for a reason. Maybe she hadn't thrown him off when she beat him after all. But now, the thrill was dead for her. Instead, it was replaced with a kind of sorry feeling.

When she exited the bathroom, Angel saw Shawn leaned back on the bed, holding himself up on his elbows. He sat up as she walked closer.

"You know, I don't think we've ever talked," he said, laying on a thick, husky voice, "Seems like a shame we're all heading to college and I've never noticed you until now."

"Yea I guess, but I'm sure we'll all see each other again when we come home for the holidays," Angel rebuffed quickly, making her way over to the door. She didn't like the atmosphere in his room but as she made her way to the door, she couldn't stop herself from asking, "Did you...did you hear what that girl said...about..."

"Jennifer?" he asked, finishing her thought, "Yea. I'm pretty sure she's fucked half the football team. We broke up yesterday when I found out. Guess no one cared about keeping her secret now that school's officially done."

"But...you're okay with that?" Angel asked, suddenly interested again, "It just seems like you would have your ego crushed?"

"Wow do you think you could think any less of me?" he laughed humorlessly before taking another gulp of his drink on the nightstand, "shit happens. I thought it was love..."

He trailed off and looked towards the window. Angel walked back to the bed and sat down. That sorry feeling crawled deeper into her gut. She felt bad for him.

Just as she started to put a reassuring hand on his back, her legs suddenly went out from under her. Angel fell hard against the bed and immediately felt the weight of his body on top of her. She tried to roll out from under him only to find Shawn glaring down at her.

"You really do think you're better than me," he spat, "First you embarrass me at my own party and now, you dismiss me like dirt under your shoe. Asking about Jennifer like you fucking care. You're all the fucking same. Heartless whores..."

Angel had a feeling he wasn't even seeing her. He looked like he was lost in his own mind, maybe thinking of Jennifer. His eyes were on her chest, roving over the cleavage like an animal. He kneeled quickly and grasped both of Angel's wrists to her sides. His breath felt repulsive again her face. Alcohol poured from him with a sharp scent.

He grinned at Angel's wide eyes and just as he thought he'd captured her, Angel shot her leg up into his groin with everything she had. As he hollered and rolled beside her, she stumbled to her feet and tried to throw open the door. It didn't budge. She desperately jiggled and pulled at the handle to no avail.

"Hey can someone open this door? Please?!" She banged against the door with her fist. Something terrible pressed into her chest as she saw Shawn moving off the bed. She was afraid of what was to come. Just as she backed away to scan the room for help, the door violently burst open from outside, hanging like a torn limb from the hinges.

Angel snapped her eyes to opening only to find the familiar gold eyes staring back at her. The mystery man snarled as he flexed his eyes from Angel to the boy throwing up against the floor. He held out his hand to Angel, wordlessly, and she didn't waste a second clasping it and following his pull down the hallway. Safety wrapped around her like a warm hug. She trusted him completely.

"I took my eyes off of you for one fucking second..." He fumed, pulling her through the house and out the back door. Zach noticed Angel as she stumbled past him and he put a high five to the air. The man kept pulling her farther and farther away from the house, weaving her through the thick branches of the tree line. Angel could feel her body getting warmer, and heavier. She felt like lead. She fought to stay awake but the pull of the heat was eclipsing everything.

When they were finally far enough in the woods that Angel could no longer hear the sounds of the party, the man pulled her to his chest. Her eyes fluttered as she fought to stay aware.

"I don't feel like myself." It fumbled from her mouth in slow motion. He stared at her with an unreadable emotion, caressing her cheek. He was now holding her entire weight under his arm as her legs went numb. "I never got your name?" She whispered so low she almost thought she hadn't said anything.

"You can call me Tali," he responded with so much emotion Angel thought she was imagining it, but then he pulled her into a warm embrace, "I'm so sorry little love. I have no choice in this matter. You must forgive me...I pray you forgive me..."

Then the night sped forward again. Angel was back in her house, sitting at the dining room table. The clock blinked two in the morning. How had she gotten home? The people from the mugshots sat across from her. She looked around the room and saw the same two faces in picture frames. She was with them in many of the pictures, smiling. The realization started to register in her mind, they were her parents. They were supposed to be away on business.

They smiled so sweetly at her then looked down to the table. She followed their gaze to the birthday cake with candles waiting to be extinguished. Angel expected to feel the familiar feeling of happiness, or joy, or relief at least but instead, her heart gave way to dread. Terrible, deep, impending dread.

Her eyes followed the feeling to the corner of the room where Tali stood, looking at her with a darkness that threatened to swallow her. His eyes were almost devoid of all emotion, but she could see under the surface, a terrible grief.

The shadows beside him began to shift and open. Angel felt deja vu again, like her mind was trying to remind her of something. It was on the tip of her memory. A-tri-Arter-Atria. Asteria. Who was Asteria? Her heart squeezed and sputtered at the name. Just then the loop stopped as she saw Hades burst through the door and drag her from the house.