The world seemed like it had stopped spinning. I couldn't quite wrap my mind around what actually happened.
A girl got shot after pushing me out of the way. She got shot because she saved me.
I threw my hand over my mouth as I watched blood seep from her chest. My eyes scanned the now chaotic crowd as I tried to see who did this. I had thought they'd be long gone already, but then I met eyes with her.
She had a death scowl on her face as she eyed me through the thin bars of the balcony rails, and then she was gone.
A sob broke through my lips as I scurried over to the unknown girl that literally took a bullet for me. I whipped off the thin cardigan I was wearing and pressed it against her wound. I didn't even see her coming. The poor girl was maybe just looking for a bathroom.
"Somebody call 911!" I shouted as people continued to dash away. She wasn't moving and there was no sign of life in her, but I continued to try and help.
I felt a light pulse that sprung hope into me. "Call help please! " I shouted again helplessly. I had a habit of leaving my phone and purse in the car whenever I came to these parties.
"Oh my gosh are you okay? " My eyes darted up at the voice of my best friend as she rushed towards me.
"I'm fine just call somebody please! " Her eyes flashed to the girl in horror as she quickly whipped out her phone.
Why didn't I ever pay attention in first-aid in high-school?
"Stay with me okay. Help is on the way" I whispered soothingly as I continued to apply pressure to the wound.
Emily stayed with me, keeping a look out as I gave my all for this girl. She saved my life so the least I could do was return the favour.
Throughout the wait, I checked her pulse every now and then, finding it still there but faint. She was a fighter.
Finally, I heard the distant sound of sirens, and soon enough they were here.
"Up here! " I called out as they entered the house. Everybody was already gone by now, making it easier for the paramedics to find us.
I watched as they hauled her onto a stretcher and hope filled my heart. I followed closely behind as they brought her to the ambulance, but I was stopped at the door.
"We'll take it from here Miss. She's lucky you were there " A paramedic smiled in reassurance. Yea so was I.
"Will-will she be okay? " I asked as my eyes flickered towards her.
He gave me a small nod before hopping in the back. "She'll be fine"
I watched as the ambulance sped off, and I was left with the blinding blue lights that lingered. I was so focused on the ambulance that I didn't notice that the house was surrounded by officers.
"Cianna?"
I yelped in surprise and quickly spun around at the sound of that familiar voice, Tristan. For some reason I felt suddenly emotional as he welcomed me in his arms.
"Hey are you okay? " He whispered against my head.
"That-that girl is hurt because she tried to save my life-which she did" I managed to say into his chest.
He pushed me back just far enough to look at me in confusion. "The shot was meant for you?"
I nodded slowly, confused at his confusion; but then I realized that no witnesses but Emily and I were left. Not even the owner of the house.
"Cianna what happened? " He urged again, bringing my eyes back to his.
"It was Mia--she shot at me. I was standing on the balcony trying to get Emily's attention but seemed to get hers instead. She tried to kill me" I told him with a heavy heart.
If it was any other situation like she missed or shot me instead, I would've been furious.
But the fact that an innocent girl was fighting for her life because of some stupid vendetta against me had me flustered.
"How did she know you were going to be here?" He was in full cop mode by now as he took notes on his pad. But each time his eyes flickered to mine, they would hold concern there.
"I don't know. She knows where I live, maybe she was stalking me and followed me here?" It came out more like a question than a statement as I tried to understand this woman's craziness.
I shivered under the cold breeze that bathed me. It wasn't just for the cold though. I felt like she could emerge from anywhere and shoot me, not caring who got hurt.
I was brought back by a warm garment being wrapped around my shoulders. I offered Tristan a smile and gladly accepted his coat and its comfortable warmth.
I followed as he led me to his jeep. Once we were a good distance away from the others, he dropped his cop guard and hit me with the full concern.
"Cianna are you okay? Like okay okay? " He asked as he held my cheek and gazed into my eyes. I leaned into his touch, loving the way his fingers brushed my skin.
"I'm fine. But that girl isn't. She's in the hospital because of me"
"No she's there because of Mia" He gently kissed my forehead before pulling me to his chest. "My captain will have to view the surveillance video of the living room to be certain, but we are going to catch her okay? "
I simply nodded, not wanting to say another word. I wasn't afraid of Mia, but I was afraid of what she'd do to anyone who came in her way to get me. She was officially deemed dangerous, and it only took one person being hospitalised for the police to finally see that.
"For now I don't think you should stay home alone. Most likely she knows where your dad lives too, so in order to keep both of you safe, I don't think you should stay there either" He said. "As a cop, I can only advise you to do so but as someone who cares for you personally, I'm asking you please".
"She can stay with me" The familiar voice of Emily echoed from behind us. I offered her a grateful smile but shook my head anyways.
"In a university dorm miles away from work?" I don't think so. Thanks anyways, I love you for it " I declined gently.
"Where will you stay then? You heard the man... I'm Emily by the way" She quickly introduced herself before turning her gaze back to me.
"You can stay with me," Tristan offered, making me turn to him in surprise.
"What? " I asked, seemingly having heard wrong.
"Stay with me Cianna, despite your decision about us. I just want you to be safe until she is behind bars."
"I mean, I think it's a good idea. He is a cop after all," Emily chimed in. She had a look on her face that had me holding in an eye-roll. I pondered on the idea for a bit, after all, I had no other friends.
"Okay," I agreed quietly. "Until you guys catch her"
I met his eyes again, seeing that they were still genuinely concerned. It warmed my heart that it didn't seem like he was just trying to get me closer to him. I'm sure it was there somewhere, but the primary reason was his concern for my safety.
"Good. You should pack a small bag. It shouldn't take long for us to catch her. " He whispered against my hair.
"Okay," I mumbled.
"Want me to take you to the hospital? " He asked gently, brushing my hair away from my face.
Without answering, I just offered him a small smile, hugged Emily and hopped in the truck.
"I'll meet you there okay? " I waved at her as I handed her my car keys.
I got comfortable as Tristan got in next to me in his large jeep. We buckled in before the familiar sound of his engine roaring to life filled my ears.
"Yes" I whispered softly, a blush creeping up my cheeks.
"I know. I'm taking you there now."
"No I mean yes. Yes I want to do this with you. And I want it to me more than just intimacy."