We were celebrating my friends birthday and my uncle kindly lent us his old house. I was confused as to why it was still in his possession as i was so sure he had sold this magnificent three story house.

There weren’t many people there yet; just a few of us girls and his boys. But it was only 7’oclock; still so early.

I headed down to the pool area with a brown eyed brunette with ringlets of hair. It was dark but the water was so inviting. I could hear the boys on the balcony above us; the clatter of glass and laughter. But then we heard a noise and noticed we had been joined by a fit young man. We tried to contain our laughter as we observed the red thong; who had hired a male entertainer?

We waded into the pool and he followed us. I propped myself up onto a step in the pool and he sat between the two of us. I grew uncomfortable as the space between us was hardly centimeters. My hands rested underwater next to my leg. I glanced down at my left hand as he had placed his on top. I looked over to my friend who sat comfortably next to him, without being touched but she took no notice of me. I looked at him confused and he drew his head in. I felt as though i was being observed from above.

Horrified, i tried to withdraw but he gripped harder. I did not want this. Panic started to grip me. The noise upstairs grew fainter. Next thing i knew, this man grabbed my face, bringing it an inch from his lips. I tried to shake free but he clenched, limiting my movement. I managed to shift my glance up and i could see that James was watching in disgust with a friend.

No, no, no, no! He’s got the wrong idea!

I tried to claw at this mans face, screaming for James, over and over. But i felt as though it were too late; although i couldn’t glance up anymore, i felt his presence had disappeared.

Where did my friend go? Why was no one helping me?

I tried to hit him, scratch and claw at his face with all my might, still screaming for James. Finally, he let go and i swam to the edge to throw myself out of the pool. I dashed inside clumsily and ran up the stairs with my heart beating in a frenzy.

How could he not believe me? He had to. He knows i could never do that to him.

I nearly slipped on the floorboards as I reached the first floor. I looked through the sea of people and finally found him in the middle of the floor next to the kitchen. I ran over to him and he stood there indifferently. I felt like he had already made up his mind. My eyes began to prick and i felt as though i was losing control.

“You have to believe me” Surely he saw the whole thing?

“Do you realise how much that hurt me to see that?” He answered. He must have only seen the beginning when he pulled my head in…

“Didn’t you hear me screaming your name? I was trying to claw that guys face so he would let me go!” But he wasn’t looking at me anymore. He had this indescribable expression on his face. He wasn’t listening. I grabbed his arm, but the feeling didnt register.

“James” He started to pull away.

“You’re not listening!” He shifted away from me, adverting his eyes. I grew feeble.

“please..” But he walked away. I watched him, frozen, as he made his way through his friends. I felt crushed, beyond sick. Hollow.