You could hear the music buzzing in the air long before we got there.
Claire's car rolled to a stop in front of a massive timber-framed house on Lakeview Street, transformed for the night into a full-on swarm of overexcited teenagers.
The house loomed tall, its wide glass windows spilling colored halos across the lawn. Cars were parked every which way along the curb, and bursts of laughter shot through the warm night, carried by the pounding bass. The sweet smell of punch mixed with the salty scent of snacks drifting in the air.
"We're here," Claire announced with a triumphant grin. "Ready to have some fun?"
I took a long breath before stepping out of the car. My heart thudded too fast, tight with the strange feeling that something was waiting for me inside. Hidden. Unseen. I shook my head to chase the thought away.
"Not totally convinced," I murmured.
Claire arched a brow, playful.
"Just a little fun, Avery. No drama."
We crossed the threshold, and warmth hit us instantly. The living room was packed: some were dancing, others laughing loudly around the drinks, while strings of colored lights cast shifting reflections on joyful faces. I tried to cling to Claire's promise: just a little fun.
"Hey, look who it is!" a familiar voice called.
Calvin Harrington cut through the crowd toward us. Blond hair still messy, bright smile—he radiated that effortless glow that always drew people in. Serena Woods trailed behind him, stiff and cold, her face locked in an expression that suggested she'd rather be anywhere else.
"Hi, Avery!" Calvin exclaimed, pulling me into an abrupt hug that lifted me slightly off the floor.
"Hey…" I replied, startled and unsure.
"I'm really happy to see you," he added, setting me down gently with a sincere smile.
"Me too…" I breathed, still confused.
Serena's gaze sliced into me, sharp as a blade. She flashed a tight, almost scornful smile that sent a chill down my spine. She knew exactly the effect she had—and she wielded it like a weapon.
"Come on!" Claire said, already pulling me along. "You're not just gonna stand there, right?"
I let myself be dragged away, relieved to escape the charged energy surrounding that couple.
It was obvious—well, you could feel it—that Calvin was already tipsy, and the last thing I wanted was to get caught in their power games. A suffocating pressure settled over my chest, like a lamb lost among wolves.
This place that once felt familiar suddenly seemed foreign, and the sensation of being watched only made it worse.
"So, who organized this circus?" I asked Claire, mostly to distract myself.
"Derrick," she said with a shrug. "Apparently, he wanted to remind everyone he's still king of the school."
The music vibrated beneath my feet, conversations melting into a constant roar.
Farther away, I spotted Jackson mid-conversation. Our eyes met for a split second—then he immediately looked away, as if an invisible wall stood between us now.
A jab of pain shot through my chest. Memories of our old friend group flashed by—all those moments erased by time and hurt. Claire, always perceptive, rested her hand gently on my arm.
"You know… it'll be okay. Just let yourself enjoy the night."
I nodded, forcing a smile that didn't quite convince.
Time slipped by, carried by laughter, pointless conversations, and awkward first dances. Calvin drifted in and out, tossing light-hearted words my way, warm despite the alcohol clouding him. The connection between us—fragile as it was—still echoed faintly, even with Serena hovering close, a shadow ready to put me back in my place.
Then came a light rush of breath in the thick air: Claire, giggling wildly, launched into a ridiculous story about me. Calvin, never short on comebacks, threw in a sarcastic remark that made everyone burst out laughing.
Even Jackson, who I thought untouchable, let a brief smile slip.
Serena rolled her eyes, half annoyed, half amused despite herself.
"See, Avery?" Claire whispered, looping her arm through mine. "You're already having fun."
I inhaled deeply, letting music and laughter sink into me.
But the feeling—that cold pressure between my shoulder blades—wouldn't let up.
Like an unseen gaze tracking my every move.
Instinctively, I turned around.
Nothing.
Only darkness stretching beyond the wide-open doors.
I shook my head, forcing myself to stay present. Voices rose and fell; rumors flew; summer plans bloomed; new couples stirred. After enough laughter, my defenses slowly crumbled. Claire stuck to my side—steady, reassuring.
"So, have you spotted any idiots to avoid tonight?" she teased with a conspiratorial wink.
I shot her a mock-serious look before smiling.
The hours slipped by, suspended. In this bubble of music, warmth, and light, Raven's Shade felt like it didn't exist outside this house.
Yet somewhere deep inside, I knew this peace wouldn't last.
Summer had barely begun, and already I sensed that secrets, tension, and shadows would soon seep into my life again.
The party raged on. Laughter burst around me; bass pounded against my temples. And in the middle of all that euphoria, I couldn't shake the feeling of a cold, unwavering gaze locked on me.
Raven's Shade—behind all its lights and disguises—had never felt so alive…
or so threatening.
Not since my father's death.
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