𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 || 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭

𝟏𝟔: 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫

  The music was at top volume, blasting party songs into the ears of everyone there. Flashing lights of red and purple cast strips of color across stranger's faces, and Sophia picked her way across the floor that was littered with trash, shoes, and red solo cups.

The main crowd seemed to be teens and young adults, some holding more of the red solo cups and others recording and snapping photos on their phones.

It was sensory overload times a hundred.

"McKenna just messaged saying she's here!" Aryan shouted above the music. "C'mon Sophia, you have to meet her!" He grabbed her hand, pulling her into the crowd.

Anxiety flashed across Walker's face. "Stay together!" Aryan shot him a thumbs up and they struggled across to the other side of the room.

His unicorn horn bobbed in front of her as they broke out of the crowd and stepped outside onto a balcony, which was noticeably less crowded.

Aryan waved at a blonde girl with her back to them. "Hey! McKenna!"

She turned around, a pearly white smile lighting up her face as she saw her best friend. She ran over, the girl she was talking with trailing behind her.

"Aryan! I can't believe you guys flew out here, how've you been, dummy?" She pulled him into a tight hug, spinning them around.

"Leah planned it last minute!" He pushed her away jokingly, then gestured to Sophia. "This is Sophia Foster. Walker's neighbor, Silena Beauregard, pro baker, the list goes on."

McKenna threw her arms around Sophia, who gave a weak "hello" as all the air was squeezed out of her. The blonde stepped back, and the girl who was standing behind her came into view.

"Hey! I'm Momona, but you can totally just call me Momo."

She waved, seeming more chill than McKenna, who acted like she had just chugged three coffees.

"It's really nice to meet you!" Sophia waved back, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. McKenna was dressed as Britney Spears, and Momo pulled off a very convincing Wednesday Addams.

She stood there for a few minutes as the other three caught up with each other, nervously fidgeting with her skirt. After a while she walked over to the railing, leaning on it as the New York City skyline loomed in front of her.

"This spot taken?" A masculine voice floated in through her right ear, the owner leaning back against the railing and propping himself up by his elbows.

"Oh um, no. I guess not." She was taken aback, but pushed it aside, not wanting to risk looking stupid at her first party.

"What's your name?" He asked, his words slurring together slightly. He had dark brown shaggy hair and green eyes. They reminded her of a snake's.

"Sophia." She put on a smile, hoping it projected confidence. "What's yours?"

"Archer. Damn, nice costume." His eyes took their time scanning her body, and she felt her stomach twist.

"Thanks, yours too."

His hands rose to flick up the collar of his black shirt, muscles visible beneath the short sleeves. She couldn't tell what he was exactly, to be honest it looked like he dressed to blend in with the darkness. In all black.

"I'm not big on tacky costumes." He shrugged. "Just threw something on." He rolled over, leaning on his forearms now as his eyes zeroed in on hers. "Want a drink?" His speech was still slightly slurred.

She shook her head. "Oh, I don't drink." He laughed, a low haughty sound. She couldn't help but notice his eye traveling her body again.

"It's non-alcoholic. Don't worry. I'm not some shitty guy who'd get you drunk." His words were silky smooth. She gulped.

"Oh okay then. Sure." If this guy ended up being bad news she figured she could just lose him in the crowd, but she ached to do something on her own terms. This was her being independent, making her own decisions.

He put his hand on her back, guiding her back inside before she could say bye to the others. She couldn't help but think that it didn't feel the same as when Walker did it, which provided comfort and warmth. Archer's hand was rigid. And commanding.

They wove through the mess of people and towards what she thought was the kitchen, where teens were sitting up on the counter and slumped against the cabinets.

"Hey, Josh!" Archer yelled. "Drink for the lady."
Whoever Josh was filled a cup and passed it to her, the red plastic bending between her fingers.

"It's just fruit punch." Archer mumbled, his hand still resting on her back. She didn't like the way he was looking at her.

"Thanks." She took a tentative sip, feeling a bit better when she didn't taste any alcohol in her mouth. Just fruit punch.

"Come 'ere." He pulled her over to a couch, shoving them both between people who were already there. She sat rigid and stiff, unlike him, who leaned back, draping his arm behind her.

She sipped the drink.

"What do you do?" His gaze was locked on her from his slouched position as he took a large drink from his own cup. "Y'know. To make cash."

"I act."

His eyes narrowed. "Is that so?"

She nodded. "Mhm. I'm pretty new to it...but yeah." Her hands fidgeted with the edge of the cup, and she set it in between her legs. The more he looked at her, the more she itched pull the edge of her skirt down, or hug her arms across her chest.

He nodded, drinking in her appearance. His eyes were half closed, and he was definitely drunk. How did she not notice before?

"Well, any of your little actor friends come here with you?" He leaned forwards, making her scoot back. She gulped, feeling her heart rate quicken.

"Yes actually. They're here...somewhere." She scooted back more, just a little bit. The second she did so she wished she hadn't, and she saw his snake-like eyes clock her movement.

"What's wrong?" She could barely hear his words above the music. His hand was resting on her knee now.

Sophia looked away, setting the drink down by her feet. "Oh nothing. I'm just gonna go find my friends now." Her voice shook, and her mouth was dry despite the drink.

She stood and watched him attempt to do so beside her, but he stumbled and knocked over a girl behind him. Now that she thought about it, she did feel a bit light headed. Maybe she didn't eat enough before coming here.

His hand reached toward her as he succeeded in standing up. "What the hell babe? Come sit with me a few more minutes." He swayed on the spot, but his intimidating aura was strong. "You'll feel better."

She shook her head, willing her feet to move as she walked away. "I actually don't feel so good. Sorry, I'm just gonna..." she stumbled as she pushed back into the crowd. "...I'm just gonna go this way."

Why were her words slurring? And her legs didn't want to do their job anymore, so she wobbled and weaved as she failed to get back to Aryan.

"Charlie? Dior?" Her voice wouldn't move above a polite yell, and she touched her throat. Why did she feel so tired all of a sudden?

The lights were too bright. They needed to turn the stupid music down. Sweaty arms were rubbing against her, and she felt as if she was lost in a sea of limbs and the smell of alcohol. Sweat coated her own forehead.

What was in that drink?

"Leah?" Panic ripped through her voice as she called for her friend, her words no more than a whisper. "Ar...aryan...anyone?"

The noises around her were muffled, and the lights all spiraled together. It was kind of pretty. She stumbled into a stranger, who shoved her off and into someone else who did the same thing.

Only one name was running through her mind now. A last resort.

Walker? Walker? Walker?

Her mouth moved without forming the words.

"I need...I need..." Walker. Walker. Walker. The world swung in and out of sharp focus as she swooned towards the ground.

And then someone caught her.