The Recall Trials
Chapter 26: She Felt Like Home

Chapter 26: She Felt Like Home

I was still tense, still horny, if I was being honest as I made my way to the party. Every nerve in me was lit up, aching from how things ended. My fists were still sore from the fight earlier, and my head hadn’t stopped spinning since I left her.

I just needed air. Distraction. Maybe music. Or alcohol.

But the moment I turned the corner and stepped outside by the pool, my chest caved in.

There she was.

Zaara.

Bending slightly at the edge of the pool, stretching like she had no idea what she was doing to me her beautiful legs, that swimsuit hugging her perfectly and right next to her?

Fucking Theo.

My jaw clenched instantly.

Out of all people. Him.

The same guy who disrespected her in front of everyone. The same guy I nearly broke my hand punching an hour ago. She was with him? Laughing like nothing had happened?

Was she joking with me right now? Was this some kind of twisted payback because I stopped what was happening between us?

I couldn’t take it. I had to leave.

I was already turning to leave when I heard her voice.

"Nomi."

She was in an oversized tee, damp from the pool, hair dripping a little. She gave me this soft smile, but her eyes immediately dropped to my face.

"Heyyy," she smiled. Then she pointed to my

busted lip. "Was that painful?"

I gave a half-shrug, not wanting to get into it. "Nah."

She handed me a plastic cup. "Care for a drink."

"Thanks," I said, already sipping as the bitter burn hit the back of my throat. It was warm enough to distract me.

"You going somewhere?" she asked, watching me over the rim of her cup.

"I’m heading back," I said, turning towards the house.

Nomi shrugged. "Me too. This whole thing’s stupid anyway."

We walked side by side, barely saying anything.

My mind was spinning and not from the drink. From Zaara. From Theo. From the chaos in my head that I couldn’t seem to calm down.

By the time we got to the room, the cup was already empty. And I was pouring another from the half-full bottle someone left on the side table. And another.

I didn’t stop.

That was the thing about me, once I started, I didn’t stop. It was always like that. Drinking was the one thing I let carry me when my mind got too loud, especially when I didn’t want to feel.

And right now, I didn’t want to feel anything.

The liquor dulled everything: the jealousy, the ache, the hard on between my legs that hadn’t gone away since Zaara walked out, the bitter taste of regret. It all faded.

I slumped onto the edge of the bed, my vision started to blur, the dizziness building behind my eyes. My temples throbbed. Everything slowed down.

My throat felt dry. My hands shaky.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

You’re losing it, Vincent. I was.

But tonight? It felt like everything was slipping through my fingers.

The room kept spinning.

I didn’t know how long I’d been sitting there, it could’ve been minutes, could’ve been hours. The bottle had rolled to the floor by now, or maybe completely gone. My vision blurred in and out, and the walls felt like they were breathing. The kind of drunk where even your soul feels heavy.

My head hung low, my eyes were barely open, when I heard it....

"Vincent...?"

A soft voice called out.

It was calm, gentle.

I looked up, or at least tried to. Everything was moving. Fuzzy. The light in the room was warm, too warm, like it was pressing down on my skin. The voice came again, closer this time.

"Vincent... is everything okay?"

There was a hand on my shoulder. Warm. Familiar. I blinked again, but her face kept swimming in and out. I couldn’t place her,?my brain was too fogged. But I wanted it to be her.

Zaara.

It had to be Zaara.

"The way you’re drinking... it’s getting out of hand," the voice said again. The concern, softness in the tone, almost like she was trying not to cry.

I wanted to answer. I really did. But all I could do was breathe.

Then I felt it.

Her arms wrapped around me. Pulling me in. Holding me.

She hugged me.

For a second, everything stopped. My body went limp against her. The weight in my chest cracked open as her arms tightened around my back.

I pressed my face into her shoulder, breathing her in. That soft, warm scent.

Zaara.

It had to be.

She gently pried the bottle from my hand. I let it go like it never mattered.

Then she leaned in.

Her soft lips touched mine.

I kissed her back. My hand gripped her waist. Her fingers slid into my hair. Every wall inside me dropped in that moment. The jealousy. The shame. The pain. All of it.

I didn’t care who she was. I just knew how she felt.

And she felt like home.

She pulled back slowly, resting her forehead against mine. My eyes were still barely open, but I didn’t need to see her to know.

And then, just like that, the warmth faded. My body gave in. The alcohol finally pulled me under.

I collapsed backward onto the bed, my vision spinning again. The mattress dipped beside me. I didn’t know if she stayed or left. I didn’t even know if it was really her.

But my last thought before blacking out was simple.

Zaara... please stay.

BZZZZZ

The next morning, the harsh buzzing echoed through the room. My eyes shot open, the light slashing through my skull. My mouth was dry, my head was pounding.

Then came the annoying voice.

"All contestants, report to the arena. Your free day has ended."

I sat up slowly, the room still spinning. My shirt was wrinkled. My fists were still sore. The bottle lay empty on the floor.

But the question that hit me hardest wasn’t what was coming next.

It was the one echoing in my chest.

Was that really her last night... or am I losing my mind?