CARLOS
I grab the edge of my window and pull, easing it up just enough to slip through. The glass whispers in protest, and I freeze, counting my breaths like that might undo sound. It doesn't. Nothing ever does.
"Come on. Just jump already," Damasen urges from below in a whisper-yell.
I wonder how this guy manages to convince me to do this kind of stuff, like sneaking out late at night to go to a party in the middle of the woods.
"Well, you're not the one climbing down a fucking tree, so just shut up and let me work," I retort.
"You're wasting too much time," he pouts.
I bite back the barrage of curses forming in my head, aimed at Dame-which would no doubt be satisfying, but would also undeniably wake my mum up to find her son climbing down a tree instead of using the front door.
Later, then.
Standing as still as possible, I swing one leg out, then the other. The tree is there-solid, reliable. The bark scrapes my palms as I cling to it, and I curse under my breath. I've definitely acquired some brand-new splinters.
Just what I needed.
My feet hit the ground, and I stand there for a second, staring up at my window like it might call me back.
Damasen swings an arm around my shoulders, nearly knocking me off balance.
"Took you long enough," he smirks.
"Asshole." I hear him snicker in the darkness as I shove him away.
I press my fingers to my lips as we pass the front porch on the way to his car. I glance through the window. My mum is in her PJs, lying on the sofa, half-asleep. The TV light flickers over her snoring face.
"I came in here looking for love, not to be mugged off under fairy lights by someone who still needs space-" a devastated woman's voice cries from the TV.
Damasen chuckles beside me, covering his mouth. A grin tugs at my lips.
Gotta love my mother's late-night reruns of Love Island.
"Quick, let's go." I nudge him forward, and we make our way to his 2008 Honda Civic.
"Your mum is so cool."
"Just shut up and drive, Crane."
***
Damasen parks just before the tree line. He pops the trunk, and we grab a few packs of beer before heading toward the glow of laughter and fire.
The trees are drenched in mist, a hazy veil that makes it impossible to see too far ahead. It feels like something menacing is biding its time, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Red eyes locking onto me.
The ultimate predator stares down its prey.
I've been spying on Ashley for a while now, and it doesn't seem like she's lying about not knowing what happened that night. Almost like it never happened at all. Still, the feeling in my gut tells me otherwise.
I know what I saw. And I need to know what the hell that thing was.
I shove the thought aside. Now isn't the time to scare myself stupid.
I need a distraction.
"I honestly still have no idea how you convinced me to come," I tell Damasen.
"You seriously need to chill." He balances one pack of beer atop the other, pulls out a can, and pops it open with his teeth. He takes a sip.
"You seriously need to get laid."
"What-"
"See, all that virgin tension, my good friend, will vanish as soon as your-"
"Fucking shut up."
He shakes his head and shrugs.
Damasen is tall and muscular. Extroverted, with that effortless charm. He draws people in like moths to a flame.
Still, he's the nicest person you'll ever meet. He wasn't always like this. Back in elementary school, he'd been shy and reserved. Honestly, that's how Elara and I even became close to him. But everything changed the day he lost his sister, Maeve.
It was a long time ago, and Lar and I had tried to get him to talk about it. He never wants to open up.
But sometimes I catch him, in the middle of cheering someone up or being the life of a party, a flash of what I can partly ascertain is deep melancholy in his eyes. And it sucks knowing I can do nothing but be there for him even when he says he's fine, but probably isn't.
When we come into view, a few guys spot Dame and head straight for him as we set the drinks down. I hang back, offering half-hearted waves to people who feel bad enough not to ignore me completely. Not that I care anyway.
Eventually, I plan on slipping away with a beer or two to be alone.
Social situations exhaust me.
Music thunders through the clearing. People dance and laugh like this is the best night of their lives. At the center burns a massive bonfire-constructed from whatever flammable junk high schoolers can get their hands on.
I spot girls wearing the skimpiest outfits imaginable and shiver on their behalf. There's no way they're not freezing their asses off.
"It's Carl, right?"
The voice pulls me out of my thoughts. I turn to face a pretty blonde girl.
"I hope so." I grin.
She smiles, dimples and all.
"I'm gonna go over there," Damasen says, winking at me with a sinister smile before disappearing.
"I'm Halle."
I snap my fingers. "Halle Carmichael."
I groan internally. Cheerleader.
"Yeah, guilty," she giggles.
I smile back, though my interest fades by the second.
A few minutes later, I find myself trapped in what may be the most boring conversation I've ever suffered through. She's nice enough-maybe even into me. No idea why.
Halle wears a sleeveless tee and shorts, her blonde hair cascading in curls down her back.
My mind drifts.
I imagine being with her. Damasen's dream of me getting laid would finally come true. Still... it feels too-
Boring.
I know I shouldn't judge someone off first impressions, but here I am, doing exactly that.
"All right, everyone, let me get your attention!"
A shirtless Justin Whitaker stands atop a plastic table.
Ironically enough, the mayor's son is the one throwing the party.
"Let's take a moment to honor those who can no longer be here with us." He raises his bottle. "To Bryce."
The crowd echoes the toast.
"Most of you know this, but he was my blood. And he always will be."
My heart stutters.
From the corner of my eye, I notice someone standing apart from the crowd.
Ashley.
I move toward her instinctively-until a hand grips my shoulder.
"Running away from me already?" Halle asks.
"Of course not." I smile.
When I look back, Ashley is gone.
Justin continues. "And also to Mrs. Stain, mother of the love of my life." He gestures toward a crying redhead. Laura Stain, I think. He hops down and pulls her into a hug.
The crowd stays silent.
"Tonight, we celebrate them!" he shouts.
Cheers erupt. The music blasts louder. The party surges back to life.
I scan the clearing. No sign of Ashley.
Halle clears her throat beside me and holds out her arm.
"Come on. Let's dance."
"You know what? Great idea. I'll be right back."
I walk off before she can respond.
I search for Ashley, weaving through the crowd. There aren't that many people-maybe just under a hundred. I spot Damasen grinding with a group of girls.
At least one of us is enjoying himself.
I'm about to give up when I see a dark-haired girl grab a bottle and head toward the woods.
My heart skips.
I follow her without hesitation.
I keep my distance at first. The woods are eerily silent. The fog is thin and drifting. Moonlight spills through the trees, casting long shadows across the ground.
Ashley looks like she belongs here. Like she's part of the scenery itself.
The meaning of life itself, wrapped in shadows and silver light.
She stops in a small clearing and sits on a tree stump, gazing up at the moon. I hide behind a tree, watching her, completely mesmerized.
"I know you're there, creep."
My heart drops.
I look up and meet her eyes.
Shit.