Down The Hall

Chapter Eight

This night was already scarier than all my rest. It might have been because of the pitch-black ocean to the left of me or maybe the fear of being caught sneaking out. Being this reckless wasn't normal for me. I followed everything my dad said, obeyed his orders, and tried not to make him mad. But if he found out what I was doing, I think he would whoop me like he used to when I was younger. Hell, maybe I deserve it.

Sarah gave me the details of the party, and I determined that it wouldn't take long to walk from here to there. Yet, another one of the perks of living on a beach where it is more common to have beach parties than in-town ones.

What was supposed to be a 20-minute walk only turned out to be about 15 because of the speed I picked up while getting scared by my imagination. I saw a fire in the distance and heard pop music blaring out through speakers. The closer I got, the more I could feel the sand dance under my feet with the jump of the teens and the beat of the music.

I pushed my way through the crowds of people to the center of the party. Sarah said to meet her around the fire pit where she will be, and I quote, "warming my cheeks for later." Which cheeks she was talking about was a mystery to me, but it was better I didn't ask.

"LUCY!" I spun around when I heard Jada slur my name. She was bobbing her head with the music with her arm around Tyler. This was a new look I'd seen from her.

"How many has she had?" I questioned Tyler.

"Only like 2. She's very lightweight." He looked at her and pinched her cheek. She let out a groan before hitting him in the chest and stumbling over to me.

"He said I can't have anymore." Her face scrunched up when she looked in his direction. I held both of her arms seeing if she could handle another one. By the way, her eyelids were unevenly closing and her mouth hung after every sentence I agreed with Tyler.

"No, did he?" I asked pouting. Jada shook her head up and down like a hurt puppy.

Tyler's eyes got big as he mouthed the word, please. I understood what he meant, so I took it more seriously.

"You should go beat him up for it then. At his car, which he's going to now," I jerked my head up the beach and Tyler took that as his cue to go. A low growl came out of Jada as she followed him slowly trying to get her revenge.

Rubbing my hands together and blowing on them with my breath I made my way closer to the fire. It was a bit chilly due to the limited clothing choice I decided to go with. Jean shorts and a striped cropped long sleeve. Not my smartest decision but coming out here wasn't my smartest decision either. I wasn't used to this extra chilly wind that was brought by the ocean.

Many teens were by the fire warming up, some were playing volleyball, and others were in a circle passing around vapes. I looked around for Sarah when I noticed a guy staring at me from across the fire pit. He wasn't anyone I've seen around school or the neighborhood. His dark skin glowed in the light of the fire like it was golden hour. He started to walk towards me rubbing the back of his neck with his hand.

"Creepy, staring at me from afar you know," I said taking a step back. Now that he was in front of me he had to be a couple of feet taller not towering tall but enough for any girl to like.

"I know. You think I came over here for nothing," he grinned.

"I don't know."

It was obvious that I didn't know what to say in response. I wasn't used to talking to someone out of the blue, especially a guy. Dramatically looking around, I wished Sarah would just find me to take me away from this conversation.

"You here with someone?"

"No, I'm alone. But I am looking for someone. Sarah, you know her?" I refocused my attention to him.