Double Take [Sequel to Bound]

24. Forgiven

Chapter 24—Forgiven

Leah's POV:

Klara's incessant need for having a full on, raging party was monstrous, but it was happening and there's nothing anyone could do about it. Which is why the party at Freddy Carlton's house was barely beginning, yet almost the entire school was already here. Much to Freddy's relief, Klara had paid for everything; the DJ, the lights, the food, the drinks—everything. All he needed to do was provide his ridiculous mansion, and now everything was set.

And of course, I came as well, even though I was a bit against the idea of this party, wearing a fitted black tee tucked into denim shorts, with one of my mum's old pairs of black Vans. With my hair straightened and my make-up not overly done, I pushed my way through the large living room of the house, filled with already drunk teens rubbing bodies to the loud music playing, before stepping to the backyard.

Not only did Freddy have a pool, but off on the side was a large Jacuzzi—both of which were overflowing with teens either in their bathing suits or fully clothed, being too lazy to actually change. Almost everyone had some kind of drink in their hand; either an actual bottle of beer or a red Solo cup swishing the liquid inside it around and over.

It was nighttime, of course, nearing eight p.m. as stars were barely visible, since the clouds loved to decorate the London sky. Music was playing all throughout the Carlton property, and inside there were even lights of red, blue, white, and any other color flickering as if we were in an actual club. The last thing I wanted to do was go inside amidst all those teens, even if I did suddenly have a craving for some bitter beer. But if I wanted that, I'd have to go through the living room to get to the kitchen where the drinks were, and I was currently not up for that.

I let out a heavy sigh, having it be silenced by the ear-drum bursting music playing as I walked around, trying to find Klara or one of my friends. My eyes wandered around the hundreds of faces here, realizing I haven't ever spoken to 98% of the people here. Trust Klara to invite people she barely knows just so she could have a huge party like this.

Shaking my head, I realized I couldn't possibly enjoy even a little bit of this party without some alcohol in my system. So, bracing myself and inhaling deeply, I re-entered the house and made my way to the kitchen; narrowly avoiding bumping into any couples that were making out and groping each other in the halls and corners. Upon entering the living room, I saw the countless of bodies dancing and grinding and rubbing against one another to the music, and pressing my lips together, I walked along close to the wall by the kitchen to squeeze my way out.

The incredibly loud dub step music pounded in my ears as I passed by one of the speakers, most likely making me deaf, as I finally stumbled into the kitchen and let out a sigh of relief. Looking up, I caught sight of a bunch of people gathered around a table on one side of the kitchen, catching sight of them playing beer pong, before I made my way to where the drinks were being kept.

But as I walked towards them, my eyes wandered to a lone figure leaning his back against the counter by the fridge; wearing a grey tee that fitted him all too well and black jeans, with a bottle of Corona in his hand as he watched the beer pong game with an unimpressed expression clear on his face.

Oh, God—I didn't even think that he would be here.

Pressing my lips together and sucking in a breath, I casually made my way towards the fridge, pretending I didn't even see him there as I finally approached it and opened the door, catching sight of the ridiculous amount of alcohol stored inside. As I pulled a bottle out and shut the fridge—still pointedly ignoring him—I caught sight of a bottle opener magnet on the fridge and used it to open my drink, sounding a distinct pop.