Her senses sharpened again.
The music around her felt quieter as the wind stronger.
And beneath all of it that familiar metallic scent returned.
Irene's smile slowly faded.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the glass she was holding as her eyes drifted across the rooftop
Mia and all were laughing and talking
while the sound of heels clicking against the floor, The quiet whisper from a table behind her, Even the ice shifting inside someone's drink, It all rushed into her head at once.
"Irene?" Mia called, but her voice sounded distant in irene's ear
The scent grew stronger and Closer again
Irene slowly stood up from the couch without realizing what's happening her
"Irene, wait!", Mia hurried after her, weaving past tables and people until she finally caught up near the quieter end of the rooftop.
Irene leaned against the railing, breathing unevenly as she gripped the cold metal tightly.
Mia slowed down immediately when she saw her shaking hands.
"Hey…" she said gently, stepping closer,"Talk to me."
"I'm okay," Irene replied quickly.
But even she knew how weak the lie sounded.
Mia frowned. "No, you're not."
Irene shut her eyes briefly.
The scent was fading now, Thank God, she still felt hungry
"Irene."
Mia's voice softened again.
"What happened back there?"Irene stayed quiet for a moment.
Then she laughed nervously a small, broken sound.
"You're going to think I'm crazy."
"At this point?" Mia folded her arms lightly.
"I smelled blood," she admitted quietly.
Mia blinked. "What?"
"The waiter," Irene whispered. "His hand was bleeding."
Mia frowned slightly. "Okay…?"
"No, Mia," Irene said quickly, finally looking at her. "You don't understand. I didn't just notice it. I could feel it."
"I heard it before I even saw him," Irene continued softly. "And when he walked past…""I wanted it, i feel like cutting his flesh and drink his blood dry"
Mia stared at her for a few seconds, trying to process the words.
"I hate this," Irene whispered suddenly, tears burning her eyes again. "I hate feeling like this."
Mia stepped closer immediately. "Hey—"
"What if I lose control one day?" Irene continued, voice cracking. "What if I hurt someone?"
"You won't.","You don't know that.",Mia said firmly.
Behind them, the rooftop door opened quietly and then Nicholas stepped out.
His gaze landed on Irene instantly then mia
"You okay now?" he asked
"Yeah", she said as she wiped her tears quickly
Nicholas clearly noticed that she was lying, But he didn't figure what's wrong with her out
Mia glanced between them before speaking.
"We should probably head back."
Nicholas nodded slowly. "Probably."
A few minutes later, the group gathered again near the elevator.
The mood had shifted slightly now,friendly
and warm but quieter compared to the other time
"You sure you're okay?" Ralph asked Irene.
"Yeah," she answered softly this time. "Just tired."
"Well," Ralph smiled lightly, trying to lift the mood again, "next outing, we're choosing somewhere louder."
They took elevator down so as to be fast
Mia leaned against Irene's shoulder.
Ralph scrolled through the pictures they took.
Nicholas stood near the back silently.
Watching the reflection of them through the mirrored walls.
When they finally stepped outside,The streets glowed beneath scattered streetlights.
"I'll walk you guys partway," Ralph offered.
"Same," Nicholas added casually.
Mia smirked instantly. "Gentlemen behavior."
Ralph bowed dramatically. "Always."
They started walking together again.
Slow steps with soft conversation
But Irene couldn't shake the feeling growing inside her chest.
As they reached a quieter street, Nicholas suddenly slowed beside her.
"You know, whatever it is you will overcome it ,wheather it is fear, anxiety, blackmailing, anything, just have it in mind that you will overcome it and you will" he said quietly enough that only she could hear
Irene looked at him instantly"thank you, i really apprecaite"
"Please can i hug you? ",irene said ,Her chest tightened.
" Yeah, of course", he said as he pulled her into a tight hug
"Hmmm, see what we have here, what are you guys talking about" Mia said
"I'm jeolous"complained jokingly" come let me hug you ", ralph said to irene
Irene pulled away from him and huged ralph" Though you didn't tell me what happened to you, but just be calm, okay? ",Ralph encouraged
" Okay", irene replied
Mia waved dramatically at the boys. "Goodnight, Canadians."
"I'm literally not fully Canadian," Nicholas replied immediately.
"whatever" Mia joked
Ralph laughed while Irene shook her head with a small smile.
"Goodnight," Irene said softly.
Nicholas looked at her for a second longer before nodding. "Goodnight, Irene."
The moment they were out of hearing range, Mia grabbed Irene's arm excitedly.
"Okay," she whispered loudly. "We need to talk."
Irene already knew where this was going.
"Mia…"
"No, don't 'Mia' me," she grinned. "Your cousin is actually so handsome."
Irene burst into laughter. "I knew it."
"You literally changed your voice when talking to him so it obvious"
Mia covered her face instantly. "Oh my God."
Irene laughed again genuine this time.
Then Mia suddenly narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"But let's talk about you now."
"What about me?" Irene asked carefully.
"Nicholas.", mia said
Irene blinked once. "What about him?"
"The hug?" Mia dragged slowly. "The eye contact? The quiet emotional support?"
Irene rolled her eyes lightly. "You're overthinking."
Mia smirked. "Am I?"
"He's just nice," she muttered.
"Hmmm," Mia hummed dramatically. "Sure."
They continued walking home together, laughing softly as Mia continued teasing her nonstop about the boys.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the street, Ralph and Nicholas walked quietly beneath the streetlights.
Ralph shoved his hands into his pockets. "Mia is funny."
Nicholas nodded lightly. "Yeah."
There was a short silence before Ralph glanced sideways at him.
"And don't do that with my cousin?" ralph asked
Nicholas looked ahead. "do what? "
Ralph smirked slightly. "Don't do that."
"The thing you use to do with other girls", ralph said
Nicholas chuckled quietly but said nothing.
Ralph's expression softened slightly after a moment.
"Look," he said more seriously now, "I don't know what's going on with her lately… but she's important to me."