The Album of Perfect Moments

Especially with you

I had time to change out of my uniform and eat something before leaving and going to his place. The mouth of the wolf. His territory. A mistake. Whatever you want to call it, everything worked.

Whatever. I couldn't let him corner me like that afternoon in detention again. I just had to remember who he was, and I would be safe.

The giant doors opened when I texted him a message saying I arrived. It was an old house of disproportionate dimensions and luxury. The two extensive and colorful gardens gave a magical touch to the property. Everything looked the same.

I shook my head as I got out of the car and headed for the front door, which was open. The music wasn't that loud, so I didn't notice it until I was about to enter the house. I was impressed by how many people were dancing in the middle of the principal living room, by how many people were just there, existing. I bit the inside of my cheek. We were supposed to do a long and exhausting history project. A party was not a suitable environment to do it.

"Siena Grant?"

I immediately turned, looking for the source of the voice, and found Zackary Hewland, who was making his way through a group of students and waving at me. I tried to smile at him. I guessed I didn't make a good job convincing him I was happy when he tilted his head and pursed his lips.

"Hey," I said, making things even more awkward, considering how loud the music was and how silent everything was between us.

He glanced at me, maybe still trying to decide what to do with me. "Don't get me wrong, Siena..."

"When you start phrases like that, it's difficult not to."

"Smart girl," he replied. At least he was kind of smiling now. "But what are you doing here? I mean, you're not the type of girl to hang out with people like us."

"Oh, thank heavens," I looked up to the ceiling, fixing my eyes accidentally on the big chandelier and some toilet paper hanging from it. I did my best to ignore that and continued the conversation. "Finally, someone who knows they are not cherubs accepts it."

Zack laughed and walked us to the kitchen. Not many people hang out around there as they did in the rest of the house, where you found people even in the least suspected corners. How had Alieth got so many people in less than an hour? I concluded that only he could do something like that.

"Do you want something to drink?" Zack offered when he saw I was still with my arms crossed over my chest, thinking and inspecting the place.

"I just want to know where Alieth is, thanks."

I gave him a kind smile. A real one, this time. Maybe I should have started there.

"Okay, I'll guide you," he said, and took my hand, so I wouldn't get lost as we made our way around the first floor, up the stairs, and through a few more crowded rooms. He didn't need to guide me, but I let him. In the end, he took me to a games room. A pool table over one corner. Two impossibly large, 4K TVs on two walls. Shelves full of music filled another wall. And, of course, a small and elegant bar in the last corner.

And there was my walking nightmare. Alieth was sitting on a sofa, almost facing one of the TVs that reproduced YouTube pop songs and video clips. Most of his attention was focused on flirting with a girl our age, though. A bitter pang passed through my throat when I realized he wore the same smile and attitude he had used with me earlier in detention.

I walked in with a determined step and headed toward them. Alieth was going to listen to everything I had to say. He couldn't waste my time in such an irresponsible way. Zackary held my arm just as Declan appeared in front of me, avoiding a collision.