Beyond the Rift ✔ (Completed)

Chapter 3: Kill switch

Alexis

I wait patiently for the sky-blue Toyota SUV to pull up in the parking lot of my apartment complex. Jake had borrowed his mom's car like he said he would.

I will finally be eighteen within the next two hours.

After, the weird conversation with mom, I had decided to inaugurate my last year's Christmas present given by her. It is a plain maroon skater dress with sweet off-shoulder design that unveils my collar bones beautifully. Along with that it has bow detail on its shoulders; giving the bearer a sophisticated look. I style it with a pair of burgundy glided heels, Brown leather clutch, black studded earrings. My make-up was minimal except from the mauve lip-stick; mom insisted on applying.

"Correct me if I'm wrong but is that Alexis Abner, the reserved brat who doesn't know how to tie a bandana?" Stepping out of the car Jake approaches me.

I Blush at the comment. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"Yo! Gurl! You look like a sexy kitten!" He gives me a once over; top to bottom while tapping his chin with his fore-finger. "The girls will be jealous and the guys..." He gives me a mischievous look, "Well the guys; let's just say for now, will be spellbound."

"Alright then, why hold back? Let's get rolling!" I kiss him on his right cheek and hop in the front seat.

A sudden excitement surges through me, the feeling is mildly familiar yet mysteriously unsettling. Like experiencing a déjà vu on a whole other level. Suddenly, everything feels vague and charged up like my senses just grew ten times more powerful. For instance, I am abruptly aware of a frog crocking twelve blocks away. I used to experience such fits on rare occasions, but this time something is different. I know I should freak out but I don't feel freaked out. Is that concerning?

"Jake, we're running late." What's up with him? Standing there staring at me in suspicion.

"Coming right up" He slides in the driver's seat next to me. "You are Alexis, right? And Not some shapeshifter?"

"Screw you Jerk!" I mutter.

"Yep. That's her." He starts the engine.

-

Jell-O-shorts is an overnight club for the residence of Papillion. People of almost every age group ranging from teens to young adults to people in their forties attend this club. Of Course, alcohol is only given to ID holders.

We meet Grace; Jake's cousin, Drew and Ashley; our classmates and Caleb along with his friend Josh. Caleb was looking cute in his red turtle-neck and ripped jeans. The moment he saw me his blue eyes widen with awe.

Earlier I felt this weird awareness of being watched. Like someone is staring at me from a distance. I look around the parking area but it is empty, maybe it's just my imagination.

We slip-in among the crowd, a bee line for the bar. Since we couldn't drink alcohol, we order ourselves seven Shirley Temples. I'm ready to move with the music; hands in the air, body moving like an uncoiling rope, eyes on fire. The joy is like a shot of adrenaline to the heart and all at once I'm moving, one with the music, one with every crazy person dancing in this place. All the while feeling enthusiastic. We danced like that for an hour or so before I retreat to the bar for another round of the cocktail.

I chug the cocktail and prepare to join my crew on the dance floor when I painfully get knocked to the right by a jacked figure.

"The hell-." I stop in my tracks when I recognize the face in the flashing lights of the club.

Damion.

"Oh, what do we have here? Hello beautiful." He says in his usual tone, a bit sultry, I think. Is he kidding? He doesn't recognize me? I agree it's dark and I'm not in my usual baggy attire, but you'll have to be short-sighted to forget my face that easily.