"Vi? You there?" Gigi's voice pulled me from my thoughts. Her brows furrowed, the excitement on her face now replaced with concern. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah... yeah, I'm fine." I forced a smile, but it wasn't convincing and Gigi didn't seem to buy it.
"Drink some water. You look a little pale," she said, watching me like I was some wounded animal.
"I'm fine, Gi. Trust me," I reassured her, even though I wasn't entirely sure it was true. "I just need to see Devin, that's all."
She studied me for a moment before nodding slowly. "Okay... yeah. Go do that." She motioned toward the back of the bar with a small smile. "But talk to me later. I missed you." She looked at me with a stern face, making me laugh.
I gave her a short hug before turning on my heel, making my way toward Devin as quickly as possible.
I didn't know why I felt so anxious, but I did. I never liked too much attention on me, and I thought that was common knowledge, but apparently, it wasn't. My fingers instinctively picked at my nails as I walked.
As I approached Devin's table, I could see him surrounded by people, their faces blurred by the dim lighting. The only one I could make out clearly was his. And, to be fair, I didn't really want to see who else was there.
But Devin spotted me immediately, rising from his seat before I even reached their area. As I got closer, my eyes adjusted, and suddenly, I could see everyone.
I shouldn't have been surprised to see Zayn sitting there. I was the one who agreed to let him come. But still, the sight of him would always take me aback. It was just how it was.
"You finally made it," Devin said with a smile, stepping over a few feet to reach me.
He pulled me into a brief side hug before pressing a quick kiss to my lips.
It felt... wrong. Not because I didn't want it, but because people were watching. Because he was watching.
What is wrong with me? I should not be admitting that.
"Yeah." I forced a smile, looking up at Devin as he wrapped an arm around me. Before I could protest, he started walking back toward his seat, pulling me along with him.
I tried not to let my internal panic show as we approached his group of friends. I recognized a few of them, but not well. The only ones I really knew were Niall, Louis, and Liam—and that was only because of Zayn.
The rest of the guys sitting around them were complete strangers to me.
Niall, Louis, and Liam greeted me with polite smiles, but I could tell they were strained, awkward. Meanwhile, Zayn didn't say a word, finding his lap more interesting.
Devin sat down and glanced around for an extra chair. When he didn't find one, he patted his lap, motioning for me to sit.
I shook my head no immediately.
He furrowed his brows but didn't push it.
I wanted to leave. Every part of me wanted to turn around and walk away. But Devin had thrown this party for me, the least I could do was stay with him and his friends for a little while. So, despite the discomfort clawing at my chest, I stayed.
"Congratulations on the drop, Vienna," one of Devin's friends, someone I didn't recognize, said as we settled in. I took a seat next to Devin, offering a polite smile.
At that, Zayn's head snapped up, his brows furrowing as he looked straight at the man whose name I didn't know. I knew exactly why.
"Thank you," I replied, then added, "And, uh, Vi is fine."