CHAPTER THIRTY THREE: Lights
RILEY'S POV
I woke up later than usual.
For a moment, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling.
Then—
Party.
I groaned, turning to the side.
"I don't want to go," I muttered.
—
The day passed slower than I expected.
Kayla kept me company most of the time, talking about random things while I half-listened and scrolled through my phone.
It was… nice.
Calm.
Normal.
Xander wasn't around.
Not that I wanted to notice.
Or cared.
—
By evening, I had almost convinced myself that I wasn't going.
Almost.
—
"Lily!"
I flinched at the sudden voice as my door flew open.
Harleen walked in like she owned the place.
Amber followed behind her, quieter.
"No," I said immediately.
"I didn't even say anything yet," Harleen replied.
"You don't have to."
"You're going."
"I'm not."
Amber sighed softly. "Riley—"
"I said I'm not going."
Harleen crossed her arms. "Get up."
"No."
"Get up."
I stared at her.
She stared back.
…
I sighed.
"Five minutes," I muttered.
Harleen grinned. "That's all we need."
—
I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my outfit for what felt like the hundredth time.
"This is fine," Amber said from the bed.
"You said that ten minutes ago."
"And it's still true."
Harleen walked past me, barely glancing.
"Stop overthinking. You look good."
I hesitated.
"I think this makeup is a bit too much," I said, studying my reflection.
"It is not," they both said at the same time.
I grabbed my phone.
"Fine."
—
The music was loud.
Even from outside.
I paused for a second as we got closer.
"Wow… is this Max's house?" I asked.
"No, it's Ben's," Harleen said.
"It's… a lot."
"His parents are artists," Amber said with a small laugh.
"That explains the weird design," I said, glancing around. "It's actually beautiful."
"Aren't they around?" I asked.
"Nah," Harleen replied. "Ben said they're on a trip."
"I see."
—
We stepped in.
Lights.
Music.
People.
Too many people.
"Relax," Amber said quietly.
"I am relaxed."
"You're not."
"I am."
—
"Riley."
I turned.
Max was already walking toward us, a grin on his face.
"Well, well," he said. "You actually showed up."
I rolled my eyes. "Like I wanted to."
He laughed.
"Good to see you."
He led us to a surprisingly large kitchen before heading off to get drinks.
I took out my phone, scrolling through TikTok, then switching to Instagram, knowing fully well I couldn't hear anything over the music.
"Here."
I looked up to see Max holding out a glass.
"What's that?" I asked.
"Apple juice… with a bit of vodka," he said, smiling.
"Um… I'm good," I replied, pushing it away.
"You're so fun, Lily," Harleen said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
She took a large gulp from her glass before dropping it on the counter.
"Come on. Let's dance."
I hesitated for a second, catching the look she gave me.
"Alright," I said.
—
XANDER'S POV
"Alright, I'm done here," I said, setting the glass down in the sink.
"Max, have you seen my girl?" Connor asked, walking into the kitchen.
"Nah, man. She hasn't come yet," Max replied, before glancing at me.
"Oh—Xander," he added casually. "I also invited your girl."
He winked.
Connor and Jaden burst out laughing.
My jaw tightened.
"Don't think I've forgotten that stunt you pulled a few weeks ago," I said, my voice low. "Or that I have other ways to repay you."
"Max played that one well," Connor said, shaking his head.
"Oh, I'm not trying anything like that again," Max said with a chuckle.
But I caught the smirk.
"I'm heading to the back," I said, turning away. "Don't bother looking for me."
I didn't wait for a response.
—
"Where do you think he's going?" Connor asked.
"To the maze," Max replied, his tone almost amused. "At the back."
Jaden glanced up briefly. "Didn't think Ben's parents would actually buy that land."
Then he went back to his phone.
Max didn't respond.
But the look on his face said trouble.
RILEY'S POV
I sighed, feeling a lot better than I did earlier.
Spending over thirty minutes on the dance floor with Harleen was not something I planned.
Amber had disappeared with her boyfriend after a few minutes, leaving just the two of us.
"I'm going to get something to drink,"
Harleen said, waving as she walked off.
I nodded.
Finally.
Peace.
"Hey."
I turned.
Max stood behind me, a wide smile on his face.
"Hey, Max."
"I know the perfect place you'd like."
I frowned slightly. "Um… no thanks."
"It's a maze," he continued anyway.
"Backyard. Quiet. You can actually breathe there. The view of the sky is nice too."
I hesitated.
"Why do you think I'd like to go explore a maze?" I asked.
He shrugged. "You look like someone who would."
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
"Won't you?" he added.
I exhaled.
Honestly…
This place was too loud.
Too crowded.
"…Alright. I'll check it out."
His smile widened slightly.
"Good."
—
The moment I stepped outside, the noise faded.
Not completely—
But enough.
The air felt cooler.
Quieter.
Better.
I walked a little further, spotting the entrance to the maze.
For a second, I paused.
Then—
I stepped in.
—
It was darker inside than I expected.
The lights from the party barely reached in.
But with the moonlight it was just enough to see.
I walked slowly, brushing my hand lightly against the hedge as I moved.
Left.
Right.
Another turn.
"…Okay," I muttered.
—
A faint sound.
Footsteps?
I stopped.
Listened.
Nothing.
I shook my head slightly and kept walking.
—
THIRD PERSON'S POV
Max stood just outside the entrance.
Watching as Riley walked in.
His hands slipped into his pockets, a small, satisfied smile forming on his lips.
"Perfect," he muttered under his breath.
"I'm such a genius"
Then he turned and walked away.