A Part of My Memory

Zara

Fortunately, Serena had forgotten to ask Kyle what time he wanted to meet me and what he wanted to do but unfortunately, Ally tracked him down and got the details. We weren't going to a bar like I'd guessed, no, it was much worse. It was a house party.

"I say you shouldn't drink any alcohol at the party," Faizah suggested. "If you black out again, who's to say this Kyle guy will drive you home and carry you to your room? He doesn't seem like the type."

"Okay, but—" I cut myself off as Faizah's words caught up to me. "Wait, did Elliot carry me to my room?"

When Faizah nodded an unexpected sensation swirled within me as I imagined myself in Elliot's arms.

Serena asked eagerly, "Did Reed carry me?"

"He could barely carry himself," Faizah laughed at the memory. "He only supported you as best he could."

"How about Jonah, or was he knocked out?" Ally asked.

"I... well no," Faizah hesitated. "He had to go somewhere, he said it was urgent."

"Oh," Ally said in response. "Well, it's cool, I'll be seeing him again tonight." She looked at me then, "so you won't be alone at the party."

"And I'll see if I can convince Reed to go with me so it won't seem like I'm stalking you," Serena chimed in.

"And I will watch over you children, as usual," Faizah added. "Because y'all do not, for the life of you, know your limits."

"Or, how about we just don't go?" I suggested, and they all shot me a look that told me there was no getting out of this.

****

My breath caught when we pulled up outside the house.

It was almost as striking at the hotel what with the palace exterior, the several stories, and the no doubt pricey chandelier I could see through the several large windows. The perfectly trimmed grass, the massive pool with a mini waterfall leading into another pool, and the fairy-like lights lighting the property. There were several cars parked at the entrance of the house, and even though I wasn't a car person I knew for a fact that the cars here cost a fortune.

I was dressed for the occasion this time. Serena had picked out and forced me to wear a black lace dress, but I still felt out of place.

"Ladies," Kyle greeted my friends when we reached the large glass doors then looked at me. "Zara."

"Kyle."

"Welcome," he made a show of spreading out his arms to present the house.

"Is this your house?" I asked.

Kyle dropped his hands and chuckled, "no, it's a bit too grand for me. It belongs to an old buddy of mine."

"Too grand for you?" I questioned.

"Yeah, don't get me wrong, it's beautiful," he admitted. "But even if I had the money I wouldn't splurge it on a house this big, there's no need."

"That sounds like a good trait to me," Serena coughed behind me.

"Come on in," Kyle welcomed us and as soon as I stepped foot in the mansion, my jaw drooped further.

The tiles were a pearly white, the stairs were overly grand, and the entire place was magnificent. Waiters were walking around with trays of wine and fancy finger foods.

Kyle suddenly brought a hand to my chin and closed my hanging mouth before turning my chin and making me face him. "I like your dress, it suits you," he commented then dropped his hand from my chin and took my hand instead. "You're coming with me." He led me through the crowd and to a set of spiral stairs that led down to what I assumed would be a basement. "From what I've gauged of your character, you're not into fancy, prancy stuff like most girls." At the bottom of the stairs was a single door, and when he opened it my jaw dropped, again.