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Soundproof windows, rolled shut couldn't keep the loud bangs of the music from reaching them.
Mason packed along the rows of other parked cars in the open clearing.
"When you said Grayson's party needed people," Rain turned to Nora. "I should have asked just how many."
But Nora didn't look her way.
They stepped out of the car, and the cold night's air instantly embraced them. Rain hugged herself tightly, regretting not bringing a jacket.
It was an outdoor party, held beside Rock Cove. A burn fire lit in the middle and at the far corner stood the Gaint rock; the town's tourist attraction.
A monument that brought popularity to Sunset Cove and most especially, cash.
She walked closer into the sea of moving bodies. Her eyes glanced past familiar faces, and lingered on those she barely recognised.
Her gaze shifted to Nora, whose head was glued to her phone, oblivious to the world around her.
"Who are these people?" Rain asked. Her arms wrapped across her body trapping the little warmth she could.
Nora took a quick glance at the few she could and returned her gaze back to her phone. "Probably people from school."
"Are you sure?" Rain asked. "I have never seen any of them before."
Nora shrugged, her head still inclined.
Rain squeezed her arm tightly, and after what seemed longer than a minute she turned away.
"Okay, I think this was a bad idea." She blurted out. "I am going to leave." Heading back to the car.
Quickly, Mason and Nora held her back, stopping her from walking off.
"Would you relax!" Nora insisted. "And so what if they are a bunch of people you don't know? We are here to have fun and that's what we would do."
"Yeah. Listen to Nora. Loosen up will you." Mason suggested.
Rain sighed, it took a moment. Then she gave a small nod. "Fine, I am going to have fun."
"Exactly." Nora smiled. Then glanced back at her phone.
"Ah… why is it glitching?" She frowned. The screen flickered, then went black for a second too long. "Work, stupid thing." She smacked it lightly.
Finally, a smile crept on her lips "Great, it's back to normal. Okay, have fun." She said, leaving Mason and Rain behind.
Rain stared at her as she walked into the life of the party. Her camera turned on, capturing bright, intoxicated smiles and faces exhaling smoke.
Her gaze shifted to Mason, about to say a word. But before her lips could part open, he had walked away to join his crowd.
Rain stood still for a while. Her eyes swept through the crowd, everyone lost in the moment.
But yet, she couldn't quite tell why it felt—off.
She inhaled deeply and exhaled just the same. "Time to have fun." She muttered quietly before walking into the sea of intoxicated bodies.
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Rain leaned against the side of a tree. Her arms still folded, as her fingers tapped and head nodded to the sound of music.
A fact still remained, she was cold and slightly uncomfortable. But watching everyone have fun brought a small smile to her face.
"What's with that smirk?" A soft familiar voice called out. Rain's head turned to her side. Her gaze fell on a petite and attractive girl.
Long wavy raven colored hair and large almond brown eyes.
"Hazel!!" She blurted her name from shock. "I didn't notice you?"
"It's fine," her lips curled upwards. "Drink?" She held out a can of soda.
Rain hesitated, then took it. "Couldn't find a soda, I thought they only had alcohol." popping the can open.
Hazel maintained a slight grin, she didn't turn to Rain while she spoke. Her focus was pinned forward. " Didn't take you for a party-person?" She gently swirled the can of beer in her hand.
"Me?" Her brows lifted. " No, I'm not, Nora invited me."
Hazel's grin immediately vanished, as she took a another quick sip from her drink.
"Cool." She simply said, with a hint of disinterest in her tone.
"Oh…" Rain voiced out. She couldn't quite understand why Hazel was speaking to her.
Was she bored or looking for a means to kill time?
The last time they had a proper conversation was in middle school, when they were still friends.
But as they spoke, something about her tone… felt different. Rain took a quick glance at the party, then her eyes landed on Grayson.
The host, going all out.
Surrounded by a bunch of other guys, he chugged down a large bowl mixed with different types of alcohol.
A few drops spilled down his dark skin and onto his white shirt.
"He's having fun." Rain muttered softly, sipping from her drink, unaware Hazel had picked up her words.
"Yep. There goes my man." a smile tugged at her lips as she stared at him. "Speaking of men," she continued. " I see Luke can't keep his eyes off you, finally she looked at her.
Rain almost choked.
"What… no way," Her gaze landed on him, and he was already staring.
Then she quickly shifted back to Hazel.
"that's impossible…" The words came out uneven, although the thought of it made her heart race.
The music suddenly cuts. Hazel and Rain look around as the crowd murmurs in confusion.
"Why did the music go off?" Someone mentioned.
"Hey. What's going on?" Another yelled.
Then a boy picked up the microphone and laughed into it.
"What's Grayson doing?" Hazel said aloud, her eyes wide with curious interest.
"Good evening everyone." Grayson's voice was deep, and even more so drunk.
"Sorry for the interruptions, but I've got bad news." He added, " We are out of drinks."
The crowd immediately erupted. Boos from each side, laughter and someone shouting, "No way!"
"Does anybody have any solutions?" Grayson asked, too drunk to stand upright and almost missing his steps.
Hazel rolled her eyes, then gulped her drink empty. "Looks like I need to rescue him."
She breathed, giving Rain a quick nod before slipping into the crowd.
Mason looked around, no-one was volunteering and luckily he has stopped by the shop to get a whole crate. Swiftly, he lifted up his hand, "I've got some in my trunk." he yelled.
All heads turned his way, as Grayson took steps towards him, trying to walk as sober as possible but still failed.
Almost falling to the ground, but Hazel quickly caught him.
"I'm fine babe." He said, brushing her hands off his arm. Mason quickly ran closer to him.
Grayson gave an uncanny grin. Then turned to the crowd " Everyone give it up for…."
"Mason."
"Mason….," he quickly corrected. "He's a life saver. A real hero."
The crowd cheered Mason's name even louder.
"i'll go get them." He excused himself, hurrying to the car.
Rain watched. The music turned back on, and the people returned to their carefree moment. Their bodies swayed to every rhythm of the beat.
She glanced through the crowd and then her gaze stopped at the woods.
The darkness within was a deeper shade than ever.
The woods were still. Unmoving, as though time had stopped, and the only moment that existed was that the light from the burn fire could reach.
Then suddenly a voice reached her. One of the people in the party complained, smacking the back his phone repeatedly.
"Its still glitching?" A guy by her side inquired.
"Yeah." His voice was low. "And i just got this phone."
Rain's brows drew closer.
Weird....
She thought,then went back to normal as the cheers for Greyson grew louder as he chugged the little drink he had left.