YELLOW

PART 4

We arrived at the masked party, a lively gathering filled with excitement and anticipation. Accompanying me were Elora, Ginny, Ri, Brando, Silas, Zane, Kyle, and a host of unfamiliar faces.

My friends had chosen to embrace their inner superheroes with Marvel-themed costumes—Spider-Man, the Hulk, Iron Man—while the girls predominantly donned witch costumes or took inspiration from Cleopatra. However, Elora stood out in a stunning portrayal of Elizabeth Bennet, while I took on the role of Mr. Darcy for the evening.

Being a devoted admirer of Jane Austen likely influenced my choice, as I've always felt a deep connection to her works. Elora and I share many interests, and it's wonderful to bond over our mutual appreciation for literature and the art of storytelling.

After helping Elora out of the car and handing the keys to the valet, I guided her inside the venue. She held onto my elbow as I navigated through the bustling crowd, my face obscured by a black mask. The music reverberated so loudly that it felt as if my eardrums might burst, but I soon acclimated to the energetic atmosphere.

Elora's face lit up when she spotted our friends, and she eagerly dashed over to Ginny. Ginny, our mutual best friend, often served as a peacemaker during our occasional disagreements, though she never seemed particularly enthusiastic about that role. Nonetheless, her presence always provided a comforting bridge between us.

"Ladies, ladies, ladies! Look who's here—Marcus Baker!" Ginny exclaimed playfully, placing a fist in front of her mouth to amplify her voice. I rolled my eyes in mock annoyance as I felt her hand playfully thump my shoulder.

"You can never be serious, can you?" I replied, biting my lower lip to suppress a smile.

"Me, serious? With you? If you were the serious type, you wouldn't be hanging out with us!" she shot back, flashing a grin before rejoining Elora. The two of them began to bounce around, animatedly gossiping about everything and anything.

I lingered for a moment, enjoying the lively atmosphere, before heading over to join the guys in a few conversations. I helped myself to a drink or two from the trays the waiters were graciously offering as they wove through the crowd.

Turning to Ri, I flashed a smile. "Nice party, Ri," I said, aware that it might sound a bit cliché, but our dynamic was always a bit strange; we could come off as close friends, yet we often felt like cats and dogs.

"Glad you like it!" she replied, her smile radiant before she melted back into the throng of partygoers, leaving me to soak in the vibrant energy of the night.

I felt my hands being pulled, and before I knew it, I was dragged into the heart of the dance floor.

"Come on, Marcus, don't be a block of wood! Move those hips!" Elora exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious as we stood amidst the pulsating crowd. I glanced around, taking in the sight of our friends already tipsy and lost in the rhythm, laughing and dancing with abandon. The song "Save Your Tears" played in the background, adding to the electric energy of the night.

Without a moment's hesitation, I began to sway to the music, trying to mimic the moves I saw around me, even though I had no real idea what I was doing. Dancing and I were two worlds apart, but in that moment, I let go of my self-consciousness.

As the music enveloped us, I felt Elora's hands wrap around my neck, pulling me closer. Her lips brushed against mine, sending a wave of warmth through me. I instinctively placed my hips against hers, holding her tighter as we lost ourselves in the rhythm of the night. The world around us faded, and for that moment, it felt like we were the only two people in the room, caught up in a whirlwind of music and connection.