𝐀 𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐄𝐓 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋'𝐒 𝐃𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐌𝐌𝐀

09.

THE PARTY WAS IN COMPLETE LAVISH -- when I entered Archibalds' mansion. I looked around the interior, my lips parting. There were intricate chandeliers, neon lights, art installations, and colourful lights floating around. A DJ was playing upbeat music. A table with beers and alcoholic fruit punch. It seemed as if every person from school was invited and a few influences I had seen on social media.

I couldn't help but feel completely out of place. It felt so weird being here. I looked around seeing the familiar places before walking further inside.

When I walked towards the pool area, I saw Christian whose eyes lit up when he met mine. He walked closer.

"You came," he smiled and I shrugged, smiling a bit awkwardly. We hugged. "I knew you'd come," he chuckled as we pulled away and I looked around the crowd surrounding the pool.

Some were sitting in the pool chairs and some were swimming in the pool, splashing but the pool was getting emptier.

Christian took me to an empty chair and I sat down as he handed me a can of beer before getting distracted and walking away. I stared at the beer can. I brought it to my nose, taking a sniff before making a disgusted expression. Having a beer on an empty stomach seemed like an awful idea.

I held it with both hands, keeping it on my lap as I looked around and saw everyone drinking. Feeling curious, I took a sip and immediately cringed at the taste.

"Disgusting," I mumbled before someone tapped my shoulder and I looked behind me to see Cassius, handing me a red cup.

He sat down on the pool chair, balancing on his elbow while facing me. "I didn't think you were into parties." He said.

"I'm not," I said, taking a sip of the fruit punch which tasted slightly better than the beer. "But I thought why not see what the hype is about."

I had always heard people talk about Christian parties and how "insane" they were.

He chuckled, "Well usually a fight breaks out or someone gets rejected or thrown in the pool or a game of truth and dare," he explained.

"Boring," I said, smiling as I took another sip.

"Oh, so how will you have it then?" He asked, tilting his head.

I thought about it and shrugged, "I don't know, what do you ask in a truth or dare? Biggest fantasy?" I mocked.

Cassius sighed and shook his head, leaning back and propping himself on his elbows. "Amethyst Warren, you are far more innocent than I thought." He said.

I smiled, tilting my head and decided not to correct him.

We made eye contact again as I brought the red cup to my lips just as a random guy ran up to the pool chairs and yelled, "Alverton Rocks!" And popped a party popper before running away.

I flinched, as the confetti drifted down on us like sparkling snowfall. I looked at Cassius before I laughed, surprised. I brushed the tiny papers off my head before Cassius reached forward to pull a piece out of my hair.

I looked towards the pool and saw two guys standing there, I waited to see what they'd do and Cassius followed my gaze. One guy gave his friend a red cup who drowned it in one gulp. The guy patted his friend's shoulder before his friend ripped his shirt, yelling and jumping into the shallow part of the water.

I stared in confusion, "what was the point of that?" I thought before Cassius and I looked at each other and shook our heads.

Cassius stood up and walked away after receiving a text on his phone. I sighed and finished my cup before looking around. On the other side of the pool, sat Caspian on a pool chair, an unknown girl in his lap as she kissed his neck.