Lost ~ A KOTLC Story

Part 17

*Tam*

Biana rented a party bus to take us to Linh and mine's birthday party. We pile in and the driver plays music while he takes us to where we are going. I'm still not sure where that is.

I don't say much as along the ride, though I do occasionally glance Biana's way. She looks great in the dress she wears for the occasion.

Linh catches me in the act and gives me a look that says just tell her how you feel already. I shake my head at her.

About fifteen minutes later we pull up to a purple building named Clubbin'. The driver stops and we pile out. Biana is the first to enter, as everything was put under her name.

She stands frozen in her spot and her brother bumps into her – the start of a standstill.

I peek behind Sophie's shoulder and see the cause- Wylie.

Linh is the first to process this fact and runs over to envelop Wylie in a hug. He smiles down at her.

"It's so great to see all of you," Wylie's deep voice says sincerely. "I thought it might be you that called, Biana. I hoped anyway. I only know one Biana after all. Nonetheless, this is a pleasant surprise."

He ushers us further inside. Its one large room with a massive hanging disco light and a bar built into the wall. At the back wall there's a stage surrounded by colorful lights.

Wylie approaches a light with many switches and adjusts the lighting. "This is for party mode," he explains to us.

"Biana," he beckons Biana to follow him to the corner of the room.

I watch as Wylie presses a button, and a rainfall of balloons showers the room. "Happy birthday," a skinny and tall boy with iconic strawberry blonde hair walks on stage.

My eyes are surely deceiving me.

"Dex?" Biana's sweet voice rings in my ears.

The boy on stage smiles in confirmation and Biana runs on stage to hug him. I feel a twinge of jealousy and grit my teeth.

I join the others on stage as we all take turns greeting Dex. Well, all except Wylie who watches my sister with a soft smile on his face.

"So, you two work together?" Linh asks.

"Yep," Dex replies, "we call ourselves Windex."

"You mean the chemical I use to clean the tables?" I ask with a raised brow.

Everyone laughs.

"Maybe call yourselves Dylie." Sophie suggests.

"I like that." Wylie says.

"Same," Dex agrees, "now let's get this party started."

Dex starts his machine up and looks like he is in his zone as he messes around.

*Biana*

"Want to dance?' I ask Tam as I grab hold of his forearm.

I don't give him a chance to respond as I pull him into the center of the dance floor where our friends are already moving to the music.

Out of the corer of my eye I see Keefe making Sophie laugh as he demonstrates the chicken dance.

"So, you ask me to dance but you don't even dance?" Tam comments

"Sorry," I tell him sheepishly.

Suddenly, the atmosphere changes as the song moves from fast paced to slow and melodious.

I look up to see Linh stepping away from Dex. She must have been the one who caused this.

I look up at Tam to see how he reacted to the shift. He shrugs then pulls me closer to him. I'm shocked as he snakes his arms around me. I tell myself to remember to breathe. I lift my arms from my sides and clasp them around his neck. It isn't long before our bodies find the rhythm.

I'm so wrapped in the moment, like Tam's present that sits in my dress pocket. I then become aware of the box rubbing against my thigh as we sway to the music.

The song ends too quickly, and Tam releases me. Only then do I realize how warm I felt in his embrace.

"I have something for you," I tell Tam as I motion for him to follow me to a corner of the large room.

I dramatically pull a small black box from my pocket and hand it to Tam. "For you," I tell him, thought it is obvious.

He opens it and his eyes smile along with his face. Not something that happens often with Tam.

He puts the necklace over his head, and I cant help but think it suits him. I hope he always wears it. The black string blends in with his black fitted tee shirt but the black stone is still obvious as it catches the colorful lights and makes it its own.

"Thank you," Tam says, and I tear my gaze from the necklace to meet his eyes. My breathing becomes heavier as I realize how close my face is to his.

I want to kiss him.

I clear my throat and tell him, "you're welcome. I hope you like it."

He doesn't respond instead planting a soft kiss on my cheek. Like a whisper. Or a shadow. Like Tam's shadow.

I feel the heat from my chest rise up and find a place on my cheeks.