I stepped in with Mercury.
The place was packed. People spilled across the whole compound, the late afternoon sun casting long, golden shadows over the grass and stone paths. The house was big, a swimming pool out front with girls in bikinis splashing and laughing in the water, their skin glistening under the bright light.
The rest of the crowd moved to the heavy beat of the music across the yard, bodies swaying, drinks in hands, colorful outfits catching the sun as they laughed and talked in clusters.
"Let's party." Mercury took my hand and pulled me inside, her fingers warm and firm around mine.
The music in the house was more controlled than the wall of sound outside, bass vibrating through the floors and walls, lights pulsing softly overhead.
"You ever been to a party before?" she asked, glancing back at me as we moved through the crowd.
"No. Grew up on the plain. We weren't exactly throwing these."
