A Party

Thunder sounds loudly from outside. Peering outside of my bedroom window, I take in the dark clouds in the sky.

Another deafening boom and then a stream of blue lightning strikes down, creating an eerie glow on the woods outside the house.

I love this kind of weather. It gives the trees a haunting aesthetic and I love nothing more but to sit at my window with a good book.

Lightning streaks across the clouds once more and I spot a shadowed figure at the edge of the tree line. Squinting my eyes, I peer down at it, and make out the black dog with blue eyes that seem to glow in the darkness.

What is a dog doing out there? Could it be a stray looking for shelter from the poor weather?

Grabbing my coat, I quickly run downstairs.

"There's a dog outside!" I exclaim to my mother from where she sits on the couch. "Can I bring it inside?"

The skeptical look has me speaking once more before she can answer, "Just until the storm passes, please!"

She sighs and brings a hot cup of tea to her lips, "Only until it passes," She says, her voice stern. I smile and nod my head.

I pull the hood of my coat over me and run into our backyard. It's dark, the shadows of trees iry in the night. Sighing, I run towards the tree line, eyes scanning in search of the black dog.

I frown when I don't see it, could it have run off already?

Lightning cracks across the sky, lighting up the forest before me enough to see that the dog really is gone.

Sighing, I turn and head back inside.

"It's not out there anymore. He must have gone somewhere else for shelter." I sigh. "At least I hope so." I murmur.

***

Music blares from speakers mounted to the wall, the base so loud that the floor shakes beneath my feet. I can't even tell it's raining from in here.

Lilith and I push through the front door, and I can recognize the many faces I saw at school everyday. Beer sloshes over the rims of red solo cups, the smell of spilled alcohol and sweat permeating the air.

It smells like teen spirit, and teen spirit smells gross.

My nose wrinkles as Lilith grabs my hand and steers us to the kitchen. As we push past the crowd of teenagers, I spot Stephanie grinding back against Luca. Her short jean skirt rides high at the movement, and I swear I see a glimpse of her thong. His hands grip her waist, his front pressed flush against her back. His head is tucked down as he kisses her neck.

My chest tightens and I tear my gaze away from them. I bet he feels nice pressed against her like that. I bet his lips are warm and soft, a contrast to his hard body.

My cousin is so lucky, I sigh.

I lean against the kitchen island that is crowded with different drinks, alcohol and sodas. I can see them from where I stand, and I watch as Stephanie reaches back to wrap her hand into Luca's hair.

"Stop being a fucking weirdo!" Lilith snaps at me, "You seriously need to get over him. You should get laid tonight."

I snort, finding the thought ridiculous. There was no one here that interested me, no one but Luca.

"And what about you? I know you're still a virgin too." I say as I grab a can of soda.

"Shut up!" Lilith snaps, glancing around to make sure no one was paying attention, "Why would you say that out loud?"

I rub the back of my neck, "Sorry," I chuckle sheepishly. I shouldn't have said it with so many others from school being around. She would never forgive me if someone found out.

"Just don't say it out loud," she scowls. Her gaze drifts over to the side and she chuckles, "I don't think you're the only stalker here, tonight." Lilith says, nodding at someone behind me. With furrowed brows I glance over my shoulder.

Leaning against a wall in a shadowy corner, Ares Abernathy has his arms crossed over his chest as he glares at me.

"Ugh, what is his damn problem with me?" I bite out and chug from my drink. "I've never even done anything to him." I glare back at him. His jaw clenches and he looks away to say something to his friends.

Lilith smirks, "You think he's obsessed with you the way you are with Luca?"

I snort, "Don't be ridiculous. If anything he wants to bury my body in the woods. It's clear he hates me."

Lilith hums. She hands me a red solo cup, "Here, it'll make you feel better,"

I take it and chug it down, the cherry flavor enveloping my senses. Wow, that's good.

Immediately my body feels light and I'm no longer in a bad mood.

"Hey, Mavis right?"

My body goes rigid and my eyes widen as I look at Lilith. She chuckles, takes my cup and makes me another drink.

"Uh, no. It's Marley." My voice squeaks as I turn to look at Luca.

There was no way this was happening, Luca Valentine talked to me first. And he remembers me! Sure, he got my name wrong, but he remembers me!

Don't fangirl, be normal!

"Oh, sorry." He chuckles. He leans against the kitchen island and grabs a beer, "I'm not good with names, but I'll try to remember yours. Being Steph's cousin, you'll be around a lot, huh?"

My head feels light, and my cheeks hurt from smiling so big, "Uh, yeah," I giggle. "Where is she anyway?" I glance around for her.

I don't need her to see me fawning over her boyfriend. She'd make my life a living hell if she did. There was one time a girl flirted with Luca right in front of her, and she spilled milk down her shirt at every single lunch period for a year.

"She had to use the bathroom." He shrugs.

I nod my head as if it's interesting.

We fall into awkward silence. Oh fuck. What should I say? I bet he finds me boring, even I find me boring!

Lilith snorts and I glare at her. My eyes drift behind her and I spot Ares. He glares at me, hands curled into fists at his sides. He pushes up from the wall he leans on and stomps towards me.

My eyes widen, oh God is he coming over here? Is he going to tell Luca about my obsessive crush on him?

"Uh, I have to go." I don't wait for a response from Lilith or Luca. I turn around and push my way through the living room.

I'm about to head outside to the backyard when a firm hand wraps around my wrist.

"Where the fuck are you going?"