Bree was on a black hoodie and the moment she stepped into the lit-up front yard, she wanted to melt into the ground.
People were everywhere — drinking and chatting and but Bree wasn't sure what to do with herself. There was loud music and to Bree, this was chaos.
Holding her shoulder purse tight to her side, she hurried along beside Ashley who looped a hand around her elbow. Bree could guess that the girl had already sensed her discomfort and was trying to help.
They went into the house. It was packed and arranged for everyone to fit in.
Thank God for the large size, it was enough room for everyone.
Ashley kept pulling her through the current of bodies until they reached the top of the staircase.
Upstairs, the noise thinned just a little.
They paused in the hallway.
"Hey, Bree. I'll have to go downstairs. So, I'm giving you the key to a room you can use tonight."
"Yeah." Bree said, her voice whispery.
"So.... I haven't seen Alejandro yet and the others are downstairs. I'm guessing he's in his room. He should be." Ashley paused and glanced toward a shut door.
"Call me if anything. Don't be scared, no one can get up here. The pass code is 267542."
"I'll save that on my phone."
"Let me type it in."
Bree handed her phone over and waited for Ashley to enter the code.
When she got it back, she looked up at her sweet roommate and smiled shakily but still gracious enough.
"Thanks."
"Hey. Don't be like that. And yo, don't be scared. Alejandro should be scared instead. He won't hurt you, I promise."
Bree nodded, not trusting what her voice would sound like if she dared to speak. She didn't even trust what she might say. So, yes, she just nodded.
Ashley leaned in for a hug and squeezed her gently.
And just like that, she was hurrying out and the sliding door was soon closing behind her.
Bree was alone again
Silence lingered.
Then, she straightened her shoulders and turned to face whatever came next.
★★★
★★★
The party was booming behind her.
Laughter, music, chaos and ecstasy.
But Tiffany didn't mind.
She shifted her glasses and looked back.
She was at the side of the house now, having walked the distance of the yard into the shadows of the tall, green trees.
She really was keen on ensuring no one saw her.
And she dove in.
Into the vast, waiting forestry. Then she fell to her knees. Her voice came out to be very frantic and breathless.
Like she was in a hurry.
"Oh Bellows and The Paragon, lead me.... Oh dear...."
Adjusting her glasses every now and then, she bent over so low that her nose was almost touching the earth then she began to search for something on the ground.
Crawling through leaves and branches. Searching carefully.
With unsteady hands.
★★★
★★★
Rolando was standing silently, watching in the shadows now. A cigarette burned between his fingers and smoked itself lazily but he didn't seem to mind.
He has been watching her.
That nerdy girl from school.
He'd noticed her right from when she came in.
She didn't act like the others. She wouldn't blend in and enjoy the party. And now, he'd seen her sneak into the trees? Alone? Crawling all around there like a creep?
His forehead creaked in wonder. "But, why? What the hell was she looking for?"
★★★
★★★
Brielle sat beside the door, her world quietly crumbling. She stared at her phone, unsure if she was meant to call him or just sit there.
Eventually, Bree rose to her feet and began to ring the doorbell again but after long moments with no sign of Alejandro's presence, she wondered if it was connected at all.
So, she went ahead and resumed knocking on the door.
Harder.
Momentarily, she wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans and whipped her hair off her face.
She banged the door some more and finally kicked the door, infuriated already.
"Hello?" She called angrily.
No reply.
Bree got tired and stepped back. She kicked the door again.
"What the hell was wrong with Alejandro?" She wondered as her chest began to swell with anger. She stepped back.
She was tired of waiting for nothing.
Ashley had guessed he was in the room. He had to be in here.
After all, he was the one who wanted her to come over.
He was the one who had sounded insistent.
She was really really wondering what it was for but Ashley had assured her she was safe.
Let down and very angry, Bree turned away sharply, her jaw clenched and she stormed out toward the steps.
The hallway door slid open and she got her face smacked with the whole noise, people and lights again.
Okay, there was nowhere to run to now.
It all came rushing back.
She had to merge in and see whatever it was that remained of her night.
★★★
★★★
Bree went down the stairs dreadfully and kept eyeing the door for a place to hide. Where could that be?
She went down and shrunk, holding her bag tight as she strided fast.
Once she got outside to the fresh night air, she sighed and looked around.
She urgently needed a place to hide throughout the night and think. She just didn't know what to do.
She grabbed a plastic chair.
Bree edged towards the side of the house where the noise wasn't too much except for some couples.
"Hey, Bree."
She stopped short. She recognized that voice. And so, she turned sharply.
Shawn.
He had a red Solo cup in one hand and his other tucked into his pocket. His blonde hair was a little messy, and he looked warm and charming — like someone who belonged here but wasn't lost in it.
"You made it." He smiled, stepping closer. "Thought you'd chicken out."
Bree gave a half-laugh, tightening her grip on her purse.
"Almost did."
"Glad you didn't." He raised his cup slightly. "Soda? I can get you one. It's cold. And sugar helps awkwardness."
She laughed again, softer this time.
"Sure."
"We'll sit in my car. Wait for me."
"Oh.... Okay."
He disappeared and returned quickly, handing her the cup.
"Thanks." Bree said and Shawn gave her a friendly smile.
"It's kinda loud and crazy in here, you know?"
She hesitated, but then she nodded. They moved towards where he parked his car in front.
The lighting was dimmer and the speakers weren't screaming.
They sipped. They talked — lightly. Music. Classes. The party. Bree laughed lot.
Dear Esteemed Readers,
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The real drama is turning up and you won't wanna take your eyes off this book one minute.
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Love you
AuthorVianelli 📌.