Shadows Ablaze

Chapter 9- Shyah

The sun has gone down, causing the streets to feel much cooler than they had earlier today. The heat that had settled on the pavement now rises, sending a light fog across the ground. I trek the next couple of blocks in silence, allowing my brain to go blank. I don't have the energy to think about today, especially not before seeing everyone. Music drifts down the street as I grow closer. The house on the corner bounces as shadows pass behind curtains. I twist the knob and push the door open, a wall of noise hiting me as I enter. My eyes search for the familiar faces of friends as I pass through the kitchen and living room. Teenagers are scattered everywhere, all of them students at Quince Academy with powerful parents. Everyone who fills this house is some tier of Elite.

I find my way to the dining room, spotting Rowan's deep red hair. Next to her, Bennet stands, one hand resting on Rowan's shoulder and the other tucked in the pocket of his khaki pants. My gaze lingers on the place Bennet touches Rowan, but only for moment before moving on. They always interact like this; close friends. Danise hovers beside them, her hip thrust out as she leans against the elegant wooden chair beside her, making her appear even curvier than usual.

"Hey," I greet as I approach the group.

Ben almost jumps, dropping his hand from Rowan and spinning to face me. "Hey babe! You didn't tell me you were on your way." He reaches for me, wrapping his arms around my torso.

"I texted you," I reply, allowing his embrace to wash away a bit of my irritation.

"I definitely missed it," he replies with a smile. "But I'm glad you're here now."

"Oh good!" Danise exclaims, straightening. "Now that you're here Shyah, the fun begins." The right corner of her mahogany colored mouth twitches upward, her eyes flashing with excitement.

"What are you talking about?" I ask, glancing over at Ben to see if he wants to offer clarity. He just smiles at me.

Kole, Ben's baby brother, sits in a nearby chair, watching us over the flame of a candle placed in the middle of the table.

Danise takes a step closer, ridding the empty space between us. "Have you heard of Axenil?"

I shake my head. "What is that?"

"It's a new drug. Creed was telling me about it earlier. Apparently it's supposed to make you feel really happy and colors get super vivid." She pauses, reaching into her pocket. When she pulls out her hand, she's holding a tiny plastic baggy with four small, blue pills. "Say hello to your night."

I don't respond for a long moment, but can feel my eyes popping out of my head. My vision skips from Danise to Ben to Rowan. "This is a joke, right?"

Rowan throws her head back, laughing. "No," she says. "C'mon Shyah. It'll be fun. Kole and Verie are going to be our supervisors. Keep an eye on us. Make sure we don't die." She shrugs. "The usual."

"Make sure we don't die?" I gawk.

"It's a joke," she strings out the words, giving me a playful roll of her eyes.

"You know I don't do drugs," I add, looking between the three. They should know this. We've been friends since we all came out of our mothers' wombs. They know everything about me.

The same way I know that they enjoy occasionally experimenting with drugs. It isn't harmful, and it's always done in a controlled environment, but it isn't my scene. It never has been. But I don't judge them for choosing to do it, as long as they are safe. That's their decision, and this is mine.

Rowan rolls her eyes, placing both hands on my shoulders. "You're sixteen, Shyah. You're practically an adult. Don't you think you should experiment a bit? Just try it." With that, her hands slip from me, allowing me some space to breathe, and think.