Ximena's POV
The bass still thumped through the speakers, but something had changed in the air. The carefree laughter and dancing from earlier had transformed into something thick and suffocating, all of it aimed directly at me.
No matter where I looked, whispers followed.
I could sense it - glances sliding my way before quickly averting when I met them. Some people buried their faces in their phones, others forced fake smiles at friends, but the tension was undeniable.
They had all witnessed it.
Ezekiel's fist connecting with Kane's face.
Anton's explosive reaction.
Cell phones raised high, capturing every second.
Me frozen in the center of it all, the catalyst for everyone's newest gossip.
Glenda had slipped into the kitchen under the pretense of getting water, but I knew she was watching over me. She always did when situations spiraled out of control, my constant protector whether I wanted it or not.
Tonight, I wished she didn't have to be.
