Amara's POV
I went to help Alice since she was finding it difficult to walk without losing her balance. She kept insisting she could manage on her own but I knew that was far from the truth. I handed her some tissues after getting seated and scanned through the crowd to find Madison. She's been away for like an hour and knowing the kind of person she was I was kinda worried.
"Are you looking for someone " Tony , one of Jake's friends asked me while sipping on a drink
"Yeah… have you seen Madison?"
"The short girl you normally walk with?"
"Yeah she's the one… have you come across her?"
"Yeah … I saw her making out with one guy a few moments ago near the river " he replied
"Madi? Making out? Are you sure you are getting the right girl?" I said
"You can go and check out for yourself if you don't believe me" he said and walked away
"Thanks!" I shouted after him.
I walked towards the river making sure I don't bump into any drunk person. I looked around but I couldn't find Madison around. The only place I hadn't searched was among the woods behind the river. There were no lights and the place was creepy. I wanted to call out her name but I knew it would be useless due to the loud bash.
"You've got this Amara " I encouraged myself and walked behind the river into the woods. I was gripped in fear the moment I walked inside the woods but I wasn't ready to turn back . I just wished my phone was with me but unfortunately it was with Madison. She took it to take some videos when we first arrived. "Madi!" I called out and I heard someone respond. It wasn't a female's voice, it was a male and that caused me to panic. "I'm I safe " I started to wonder.
Ivan's POV
I couldn't take my eyes of her as she made her way to help her friend. She was looking more beautiful than the time she crushed my party. Chloe had gone to be with some friends so I wasn't bothered by anything. Her black dress fit her so well, revealing her curves. Eric went to help her with her friend and she excused herself saying she was going to look for Madison. I watched her till she was out of sight and hated how she was talking with one guy from her school. I didn't hate the fact that she was talking with the boy , I just hate the fact that I don't get that chance with her.
Eric and I were playing a football game contest on our phone . He was wining at the start of the game but I was leading him at the later part. I scored the last goal and the game was over . He wanted to challenge me for another round but I didn't wanna lose. Eric approached a random girl and that reminded me of Amara. It's been 30 minutes and she wasn't back.
"Has Amara returned?" I asked my friends and they shook their heads. I didn't know why but a sense of anxiety rushed over me and I begun to feel worried. I stood up to leave but Chloe grabbed my hands.
"Where are you going?" She asked
"Checking up on something " I replied
"Is it really important cause I don't feel like staying here" she said
"What do you mean?"
"I want to go home… can you please drop me?" She said politely to my surprise.
"Can you give me like five minutes… I promise I will be back in five " I pleaded
"I don't want to " she replied grabbing her purse.
"This is urgent Chloe I have to find Amara!" The words left my mouth and she looked stunned.
"Oh I see so it's about her" she replied angrily
"I'm really sorry Chloe… it's been 30 minutes since she left and I don't even know why I feel she might be in danger " I replied
"Wow Ivan wow! Your neighbor left and you even remember how long she's been away. Did you come and look for me when I was away for an hour ? Do you even remember how long I spent there? Did you even miss my presence !" She yelled angrily.
"I know you Chloe and you know this place very well but Amara…." I didn't even finish my sentence before she replied. "Fuck you Ivan!" She said and walked away angrily.
"Can you go after her please?" I asked James and he immediately agreed.
I rushed towards the river , asking everyone I came across if they've seen Amara but most of them said no. I saw the boy she spoke with and rushed towards him.
"Hey man sorry to interrupt but do you know where Amara went?" I asked
"Who are you!" He replied, getting on my nerves.
"I'm Ivan and can you please tell me where she is ?" I replied
"Chill man! Is she your girlfriend or something ain't you dating Chloe " he said tapping my shoulder. I lost control over my temper and held him by the collar.
"Where is Amara and why the fuck are you playing dumb!" I yelled angrily. He was intimidated by my actions so I let go off him.
"Where is she!"
"In the woods!" He replied and I gasped.
"I will find you after I find her!" I said angrily and run into the woods.
"Amara!" I called out but there was no response
"Amara!" I called out again and I could hear some leaves rustling vigorously.
"Amara are you here?" I asked again and I heard her murmur Ivan. My heart skipped a beat as I could tell she was in danger . I followed the sound and the scene before me made my heart boil.
"Get your filthy hands off her !" I rushed forward and punched the guy . He was trying to rip off her clothes and was struggling with her.
"How dare you " I grabbed his collar and punched his face several times not giving him the chance to punch back. I threw him on the floor when enough blood had oozed out from his nose and mouth and went to Amara who was frightened and trying to cover her chest with her hands. I pulled her in for a hug out of the blue, wrapping my arms around her tightly. She buried her face in my chest and sobbed.
"Fuck you ! " the guy run away saying.
"Don't think you've had your way" I shouted after him. I waited till she was done sobbing before I released her. I took off my cardigan and handed it to her . I turned around and waited till she was done changing.
"You can turn around now" she said and I slowly turned around. She was looking down at herself, her makeup ruined yet she was still beautiful.
"Did he do anything to you ?" I asked raising her head slowly so she could look me in the eyes.
"No … you got here on time " she replied
"That's great but why did you come here?"
"I thought Madi was here" she replied
"Thank God I arrived here on time "
"How did you find me?" She asked looking into my eyes , as if she was searching for something in them.
"I heard some noises and decided to check, I least expected you here " I lied cause I didn't want her to find out I was actually worried about her and was looking for her.
"Thank you Ivan " she replied genuinely and her eyes shone. Something in her eyes made my stomach flutter and I blushed. How on earth was she having that effort on me . It was too strange to me and the feeling was new too . It was one I've never experienced.
"Can we leave now?" I asked and she nodded.
"But won't you feel cold in only the singlet ?" She asked
"Do I have a choice or unless you want to go out there in your tattered dress" I replied
"Seriously!" She rolled her eyes, giving me a glare . I smiled, knowing she hasn't let the incidence got to her . If there is one thing I like about her, it's the fact that she is a tough lady , hardly will something get to her.