NOAH'S POV
"Dude, stop calling her. You look desperate," Mason said, snatching my phone after I hit redial for the sixth time.
I grabbed it back, scowling. "I need to warn her about Steven."
"At Madison's birthday party? Great plan." Mason rolled his eyes as we stood in the driveway, watching cars pull up and groups of students spill out, dressed in their party best.
The music inside Madison's house thumped so loud we could feel it through the concrete. Colored lights pulsed through the windows, casting bizarre shadows across the manicured lawn. Under different circumstances, I'd be in my element—center of attention, life of the party. Not tonight. Tonight, I was a man on a mission.
"She's not picking up," I muttered, shoving my phone back into my pocket.
"Maybe because she knows it's you calling?" Mason suggested with raised eyebrows.
I shot him a look that would have withered a lesser friend, but Mason just laughed.
"What happened between you two anyway? You and Elle used to be joined at the hip in music class."
I opened my mouth to respond when Mason suddenly tensed beside me, tapping my arm urgently. "Heads up."
A sleek black car pulled into the circular driveway, engine purring to a stop. My stomach clenched when I recognized it—Steven's car. The same one he'd been showing off in the school parking lot.
The passenger door opened, and Elle stepped out looking... stunning. She wore a deep blue dress that hugged her figure, her hair loose around her shoulders instead of in the practical ponytail I was used to seeing. She looked flushed, almost upset, and Steven was right behind her, his hand reaching for her arm.
"Elle, come on," I heard him say, his voice carrying in the night air. "It was just a kiss. Don't make this weird."
Something primal surged inside me. I took a step forward, ready to charge across the lawn, when Mason's hand clamped down on my shoulder.
"No," he said firmly.
I shrugged him off. "No, what? You expect me to stand back and watch when you know what he's capable of?"
Mason's grip tightened. "Calm down. Don't ruin the party. Talk to Elle when you're calmer."
As much as I hated to admit it, he was right. Making a scene would only embarrass Elle and probably get us both kicked out. And then I wouldn't be able to keep an eye on her.
"Fine," I growled. "But I'm not letting him out of my sight."
We watched as Steven caught up to Elle, saying something that made her pause. After a moment of what looked like tense conversation, she nodded reluctantly. Then, to my dismay, they entwined hands and walked into the house together.
"See?" Mason said. "She's fine. Now can we please go enjoy this party like normal teenagers?"
I followed him toward the back of the house where a group of guys from the basketball team were gathered around the pool, but my mind was elsewhere. I couldn't shake the image of Elle in that dress—a dress she'd clearly worn for Steven, not for some random party.
I'd never seen her dressed like that in all our rehearsals, all our time together.
Once inside, the noise hit like a physical force, music blasting, people shouting over it, laughter erupting in waves. The house was packed, bodies pressed together in every room. Mason immediately gravitated toward a group of his teammates, but I hung back, scanning the crowd.
I spotted them in the kitchen. Elle was perched on a counter, looking uncomfortable as Steven poured something from a bottle into two red cups. I watched his every move, taking note of which bottle he grabbed, making sure he wasn't pulling anything shady.
"Earth to Noah!" A hand waved in front of my face. "Are you even listening to me?"
I blinked, finding Madison, birthday girl herself standing before me in a sparkly silver dress, her blonde hair piled artfully on top of her head.
"Sorry, Maddy. Happy birthday," I said, forcing a smile.
She followed my line of sight and frowned slightly when she saw who I was staring at. "Tyler told me you weren't coming," she said, touching my arm lightly. "You had a change of mind?"
I nodded absently, still watching Elle and Steven. "Something like that."
Madison leaned closer, her lips brushing my ear as she whispered, "How about some making out up there?" She glanced meaningfully toward the staircase that led to the second floor.
Any other night, I might have taken her up on the offer. Madison was gorgeous, popular, and we'd had our moments in the past. But tonight, all I could think about was Elle.
Speaking of whom—I suddenly spotted her breaking away from Steven, heading for the hallway. She looked pale, her steps hurried.
"Sorry, Maddy. Rain check?" I said, already moving away.
I pushed through the crowd, ignoring the greetings and high-fives thrown my way. Elle was moving quickly, one hand pressed to her stomach. Something was wrong.
She disappeared around a corner, and I followed just in time to see her slip into the downstairs bathroom, slamming the door behind her. I hesitated outside, debating whether to knock or wait.
"Elle?" I called, knocking lightly. "Are you okay?"
No response. Before I knock again, a terrible retching sound came from behind the bathroom door—the unmistakable sound of someone violently throwing up.
Without hesitation, I turned and burst through the door, all thoughts of privacy forgotten. The small bathroom was dimly lit, but I could clearly see Elle on her knees in front of the toilet, her body heaving as she vomited again.
"Elle!" I rushed to her side, gathering her hair back from her face with one hand while the other supported her shoulder.