Chapter 8 Eight

Emma

My eyes fluttered open to an unfamiliar ceiling. The bed beneath me was bigger and softer than mine. The scent of sizzling bacon and fresh coffee filled the air. I sat up slowly, disoriented, my head still foggy from last night.

A loud scream ripped from my throat.

The guy turned around quickly. “Whoa, you’re up.”

I backed up against the headboard, pulling the blanket to my chest like a shield. “Stay away from me! Don’t come near me!”

“Calm down, calm down,” he said, raising his hands and taking a slow step toward the huge bed. “I’m not going to hurt you. You fainted last night and I brought you here so you’d be safe.”

I wasn’t hearing any of it. Pure terror flooded my brain. I launched myself off the bed and sprinted for the door. He moved slightly to stop me gently, but I swung my leg hard and kicked him right between the legs.

He doubled over with a sharp grunt of pain. “Fuck—!”

I didn’t look back. I yanked the door open and bolted into the hallway, slamming it behind me.

“I’m not trying to hurt you!” I heard him call out weakly as I ran.

The hallway looked familiar. My chest was heaving. I glanced at the door I’d just come from — Room 413. Right across from it was Room 412.

My room.

I burst inside, breathing raggedly.

“Emma!” Jade screamed the moment I entered. She looked exhausted, eyes red and swollen from crying. She ran straight to me and pulled me into a crushing hug. “Oh my God, you’re back! Thank God! I was so worried sick! I searched everywhere for you last night. I thought something terrible happened to you! Where were you?! I called and called!”

I hugged her back tightly, tears spilling down my cheeks. We both sank onto my bed together, still clinging to each other.

“Jade… last night was awful,” I whispered, voice trembling.

She pulled back slightly but kept holding my hands. “Tell me everything. What happened? I’m so sorry I left you alone. I went to the bathroom and then some girls dragged me into a stupid drinking game. My phone died and when I came back you were gone. I looked for you for hours. I felt so guilty I couldn’t sleep!”

I took a shaky breath and started talking. “I waited for you but you were taking so long. I got worried and went outside to look for you. That’s when this drunk guy approached me. He was really aggressive. He kept saying I looked lonely and that he could keep me company. I told him I was looking for my friend but he wouldn’t listen. He grabbed my arm hard and pulled me close. He tried to kiss my neck and said disgusting things like ‘don’t be a tease’ and ‘you know you want it.’ His hands were all over me. I shoved him and screamed no but he kept forcing himself on me, pressing his body against mine, laughing when I fought back. I was so scared, Jade. I thought he was going to—”

Jade’s face paled, tears filling her eyes again. “Emma… I’m so sorry. That’s horrible. Did he…?”

“No,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “Someone yanked him off me. This other guy started punching him really hard, shouting that he shouldn’t disrespect women or force himself on anyone. The punches were so loud and violent I got terrified and screamed for him to stop. Then everything spun… my knees gave out and I fainted. The last thing I remember is strong arms catching me and seeing his face for a second.”

Jade hugged me tightly again, rubbing my back in slow circles. “You’re safe now. You’re here. I’m never leaving you alone like that again. Ever. I feel terrible. Tell me more — what did the drunk guy look like? Did he say anything else?”

I recounted every scary detail — the smell of alcohol on his breath, how tightly he gripped my waist, the way he ignored me when I said no. Jade listened carefully, comforting me at every part. “You were so brave for fighting back. I would’ve frozen. I’m so proud of you.”

After a long pause, Jade asked softly, “Emma… where did you spend the night? You weren’t at the party when I looked, and you just came from across the hall…”

A rush of embarrassment hit me hard. My face burned as the morning scene replayed in my head.

“I… woke up in that room across the hall,” I admitted, voice small. “In his bed. I opened my eyes and saw this shirtless guy cooking bacon. I completely panicked. I screamed so loud. He turned around and tried to talk to me, saying I fainted last night and he brought me there to be safe. But I wasn’t listening at all. I backed into the corner of the bed, then when he came closer I jumped off and kicked him really hard… you know where. Then I ran out while he was crouched in pain. He was calling after me that he wasn’t trying to hurt me, but I just ran straight here.”

Jade’s eyes went wide. “You kicked him?! In his room? Across the hall?!”

I nodded, covering my face with my hands. “Yes. I feel so stupid now. I was so confused and scared when I woke up. I didn’t even connect the dots until I was telling you the story just now. He must be the one who saved me last night. And then I attacked him this morning after he helped me.”

Jade stared at me in shock for a few seconds, then her expression shifted to pure buzzed excitement. “Emma… that was Kai’s room! You spent the night at Kai Draven’s place!”

I blinked, confused. “Kai? Who’s Kai?”

Jade grabbed my hands. “The guy from the cafeteria! Remember when we were leaving with our desserts that night? The tall, intense one walking in with his two friends? The one I told you was popular on campus? That’s Kai Draven. Room 413. You kicked Kai Draven in the balls?!”

“Ohh… him?” I said slowly, the memory clicking. “The one you were so excited about?”

“Yes! That one!” Jade was practically vibrating. “This is insane. Kai doesn’t usually get involved in stuff like this. He’s more the mysterious, keep-to-himself type unless it’s parties or girls. But he carried you back to his room? And let you sleep in his bed? That’s actually kind of huge.”

I was still shook, processing everything. “It wasn’t a big deal… I mean, he saved me last night. I have to apologize properly for the misunderstanding this morning and thank him for coming to my rescue. I feel so embarrassed. I was so panicked I didn’t even realize it was the same person until now.”

Jade nodded rapidly. “You should. But take your time — you’re still shook from everything. That creep last night, fainting, waking up in a stranger’s room… it’s a lot.”

We sat in silence for a bit as I tried to calm my racing thoughts. Jade kept holding my hand, offering more comfort.

“I’m really sorry again for leaving you alone,” she said softly. “I should’ve come straight back after the bathroom. I hate that this happened on your first real night out.”

“It’s okay,” I reassured her. “Thank God it wasn’t worse. If he hadn’t been outside for air or whatever… I don’t even want to think about it. I’m just glad I’m back here safe with you.”

Jade’s expression brightened a little. “You know what? I’m going to make this up to you properly. We’re going shopping today. New clothes, snacks, maybe some cute dorm stuff. My treat. It’ll take your mind off everything.”

I started to decline. “Jade, you don’t have to—”

“I want to,” she insisted firmly. “Please? I feel so guilty. Let me do this for you. We can get ice cream, comfy clothes, and anything else you want. You deserve it after last night.”

I hesitated but finally smiled weakly. “Okay… thank you. That actually sounds nice.”