The Beach

12

Ethan Marlow

This wasn't as bad as I thought.

Just kidding. It's awful.

It's a big ass party and the music is pulsating into my brain like it's gonna explode any second. My anxiety only grows with every person looks at me by accident. Let alone someone coming at me for pills. Everybody here knows I'm a dealer somehow, I think Len told them.

It's a really big house and it's apart of the rich neighbor. I wasn't sure at first, but then I found out it was Stephanie's house. What I wasn't expecting was that she didn't even register I was there and just jumped in Len's arms. I widened my eyes, but he gave me that "I'll tell you later" look and I just walked away.

It was weird.

I just sit in the corner of one of the couches and watch the others dance like they'll die if they stop. It's basically people jumping or grinding against each other, because it's been two hours and everyone is either drunk or high. It's fucking boring, but my palms are still sweating and my eyes are looking around anxiously.

There's a girl next to me on the couch that I just gave a molly to. By her lazy smile and her trying to get closer to me I can tell she's taken it.

"Has this couch always been so soft?"she squeezes the sofa and her jaw drops.

Well, I've sold all my shit so I think it's time to go now.

I push myself off the couch, feeling the headache getting stronger. Everything is dark, except some flashing colorful lights that won't even let me open my eyes properly. I try to see if Len is somewhere around. He won't care if I'm leaving or not, but I still want to tell him. Or at least we can smoke a joint together or something.

But then my eyes land on some familiar face in the crowd. It's easy to notice him, because he's the only one who isn't dancing.

And he's staring right at me.

I narrow my eyes, trying to recognize this man, but then the realization hits me. Blue suit, expensive watch, hair slicked back, brown eyes.

Robert fucking Williams.

I don't get the chance to react, because he starts walking towards me. I quickly look the other way for the hallway and when I finally find it, I start slowly walking towards it. I make sure I walk calmly and on a zig-zag between the people so he can lose me. My breathing starts picking up with panic as I glance every two steps and he gets closer and closer.

I finally reach the door for the hallway and open it, making sure to close the door behind me. You know these horror games when some creature is following you and you close the doors behind you to save time? Well, this is my horror game.

I shouldn't be near him. I know him and I know he'll take me right to the Russell's. But he gotta catch me first.

A small sigh of relief escapes my mouth when I peak through the door and see somebody started talking to him. It's some girl with a red dress. Not gonna lie, even if I can't see her face, she looks fi-

Not now, Ethan!

I close the door again and quickly start walking towards the exit, my eyes never leaving the door. But then I have to look forward when I collide with someone and take a step back.

"Oh sorry, man."I say and I can't really tell who it is in the red lightning in this hallway, but when he blocks my way I realize.

It's Tom's son. What was it? Nick?

Fuck, and I thought this couldn't get fucking worse.

I should fight him, but the shock washes over me and makes me take another step back. I haven't seen him in so long and now it feels surreal to look at him. He has an angry expression which tells me he probably remembers me too.