Twisted Fate

Chapter 46

Astrid

"Aww, did you come to party with the kiddies too?" Nicole teases.

"I have spent half of the day training these little shits at the high school. I cannot comprehend another spell or potion to save my life," Nicolas says, taking a big gulp of my drink. He slams the empty cup down and holds a finger up. He comes back with two filled cups and another round of shots.

Nicole grins, her cheeks and neck flushed a deep cheery red, and I know she'll be far gone after a few more drinks. We really shouldn't be drinking, but my stress says otherwise. I don't want to think anymore. I want to have fun and relax.

"Ladies," Nicolas raises his shot glass, and I reach for my own. "To Astrid, for bringing us together at this moment."

I raise my glass a little higher in agreement. "To being cursed and having some psycho bitch out for my head."

We turn to Nicole, but she's already downed the liquid and laughing, "Cheers!" she hollers and claps her hands. Nicolas and I clink glasses and shoot them back. The burning sensation goes down my throat, and I already feel some tension lift off my shoulders.

Everything is a blur after that. The three of us dance and sing with our new witch friends, and it doesn't surprise me that Nicole has become the life of the party. A warlock challenges her to a keg stand, and she happily accepts. Nicole raises her hands in the air and howls when she completes the challenge. Minutes later, she collapses onto Myra's couch and falls asleep, entirely stone-deaf to the rowdiness.

Somehow Nicolas drags me to the living room and convinces me to be his partner for karaoke. We sing a sloppy, drunken version of the spice girls, and it is terrible. Nicolas is butchering the lyrics, and I'm not doing any better with my clumsy dance moves. But no one judges us. Instead, everyone is cheering us on and signing the lyrics.

I look out at all the smiling faces staring back at me and think...wow, this is happening. I'm partying with witches and warlocks who've been my friends for less than a couple of hours, and it's one of the best nights I've had in a long time. Sure, my family and friends throw some wild parties, but these people have a specific energy that is warm and welcoming. I feel like I've known them my whole life.

Nicolas takes my hand and spins me. I throw my head back and laugh when he sings, "If you wanna be my lover," and then dips me. Looking upward with my hair falling freely, I spot a couple kissing in the corner, and my heart tugs. Nicolas pulls me up, and the dizziness and emotions hit me at once.

I miss Arlo.

He should be here with me.

What is taking him so long?

"You alright?" Nicolas steadies me with his arm as I almost lose balance.

"Yeah," I smile, pretending. Nicolas hesitates for a second before he goes back to his lousy singing. I join him, pushing my feelings aside. I wouldn't want to show my new friends this side of drunk Astrid. Red-faced, crying hysterically, drunk Astrid.

At the song's ending, Myra and Carson finally show their faces. I'm not stupid. They've been gone since we've arrived at the party and that could only mean one thing. But something seems odd.

I give Carson a pointed look, but he crosses his arms and smiles mirthlessly. I find Myra, her eyes sad and glossy as she flirts with another boy. Oh, no. Even if I sing and make silly gestures, Carson remains in his spot solemn faced. He certainly doesn't have the I just scored the girl smile. Something is wrong.

I hand the microphone off to some girl and shuffle my way through the sea of bodies. "Hey."

"Hey," Carson says, and I swear it's the most serious I've heard his tone. He's usually full of jokes and laughter, but he says nothing more as I stand in front of him.