Forbidden Flames: My Best Friend (Book 1)

Sky's P.O.V.

After picking up Zoe, I arrive at the club. She's dressed in a white body-con dress, her straight brown hair styled perfectly, with curtain bangs framing her forehead. Her makeup is flawless. I, on the other hand, am dressed in a simple black t-shirt and jeans, feeling somewhat underdressed beside her.

Zoe loves to dress up, and she knows how to turn heads. As soon as we step inside, she pulls out her phone and takes a quick selfie. Then she insists I take a few photos of her.

"Okay, okay, but just a few, or we'll be here all night." I sigh, reluctantly pulling out my phone and snapping a few photos of her, knowing she won't leave me until I do.

***

"Next month, we have a match with the Wild Flowers College team. We have to win that match, Sky." Alex speaks, sitting beside me on the bar stool, holding a glass of drink in his hand. Zoe is sitting on my other side.

Alex has always been the bad-boy type, but I know there's more to him. Despite his tough exterior, he's a softie on the inside. When I first joined college, Alex and I were enemies due to his rude attitude. But as a teammate on the basketball team, I got to see the real him. Alex has a good heart, even if he doesn't always show it.

"Alex, you don't have to worry," Zoe chimes in. "Sky is perfect at everything. If he's on your team, he'll never let you lose any game."

"I like the confidence you have in me, Trouble," I say with a smile before taking a sip of my drink.

Honestly, I like the way she believes in me.

"I'm just stating the truth," she responds, shrugging her shoulders.

As we talk for a while, Alex suddenly nudges me. "Sky, a girl has been watching you since we walked in. I think she's interested in you."

I glance in the direction he's pointing, but shake my head. "Alex, I can't do anything today because Zoe is with me. I can't leave her alone. You already know she's a troublemaker." I glance at Zoe with a teasing smile.

She rolls her eyes playfully. "You go enjoy, Sky. Alex is with me, and he'll drop me home safely."

I hesitate, but Zoe and Alex insist. "Go, Sky. Have fun. You deserve it after winning the match." "Yeah, I'll drop her. You go."

I finally agree. "Alright, but Alex, please make sure she gets home safely."

Alex nods. "Don't worry, I'll take care of her."

I leave with the girl who had been eyeing me, but not without a final glance back at Zoe and Alex. "Trouble, just be safe."

She laughs. "I will. Now go have fun."

I instruct Alex again. "And Alex, please safely drop her home."

With that, I walk away, still feeling concerned. Zoe can handle herself, but I can't stop myself from being protective of her.

***

Zoe's P.O.V.

As Sky leaves, I click selfies and enjoy my drink.

After a few minutes, Alex receives an urgent call, his expression immediately growing tense.

He turns to me. "Zoe, let's go. I have to be somewhere urgently. I'll drop you home first."

"What? No. I wanted to enjoy more. You go, Alex. I'll stay here." I pout, not wanting to return to my apartment where no one is waiting for me. Sometimes the emptiness of being alone feels overwhelming.

"Zoe, Sky will kill me if I leave you alone. You know how overprotective he is."

I sigh, knowing he's right, but still reluctant. "Don't worry, Alex. I'll go home myself. I promise."

"Are you sure?" he asks, concerned.

"Yes, I'm 100% sure," I reassure him, giving him a confident smile.

I just pray I don't get into any kind of trouble tonight. Please, God. Or else Sky will lock me up in my apartment after lecturing me.

He hesitates, but eventually nods. "Alright, but be careful, okay?"

"I will." I wave him off as he heads out.

Left alone, I decide to make the most of the night. I hit the dance floor, moving to the music, enjoying the rhythm, and losing myself at the moment. I even have a couple of light drinks.

As I drink, standing at the bar, I overhear a girl conversing with her mother on the call. "Yeah! Mom, I'll be back home on time. Don't worry."

I freeze in my place because it brings back the memories of my mother.

"Zoe, you're my strong baby. Momma loves you a lot." As my mother's voice echoes in my ear, I feel a heaviness in my chest.

Sometimes, I miss my parents so much. First, my brother died, and then my parents. When I started living with my grandmother, she also passed away. It feels like everyone I get close to ends up leaving me. This hurts me.

No matter how much I try to live freely and be carefree inside, I sometimes feel so broken and empty.

To dull the pain, I start drinking more heavily, losing myself in the alcohol. I'm sitting alone, looking through old photos with my family on my phone, tears welling up in my eyes as I remember the happy times with them.

I miss them so much. I wish they were with me right now.

Suddenly, a guy approaches me. At first, I don't notice him, but then he speaks. "Hey, you look like you could use some company."

I look up, blurry-eyed, and shake my head. "I'm not in the mood. Let me go."

He doesn't listen. Instead, he grabs my arm, his grip firm. "Come on, I'll take you home after we have some fun."

"No! Let me go!" I yell, trying to stand up, but I'm too drunk to keep my balance.

Fuck! I'm in trouble again.

He laughs shamelessly, holding onto me tighter. "Relax, girl. You're with me now."

"No, I said let me go!" I scream, trying to wrench my arm free, but I'm too weak.

Just as things start to get worse, I hear a familiar voice. "Get your hands off her!"