Witching Roses

Fire

The party was huge, but the bonfire in the clearing was even bigger. People were everywhere, scattered across the grass in clusters, talking, laughing, dancing. The air was thick with the smell of woodsmoke and something sweet I couldn't quite place. A massive boom box blasted music, something groovy and rhythmic, giving the whole place this wild vibe. It felt like stepping into another world.

Jasper nudged me as we walked into the clearing, grinning. "Told you this would be good," he said, his voice barely audible over the music.

I glanced around, taking it all in. People swayed and danced near the fire, their faces lit up in the orange glow. Some were sitting on blankets, passing around drinks and food. Others were gathered near a makeshift bar set up with bottles and mismatched glassware. The trees surrounding the clearing seemed to lean in, enclosing us in this secret, glowing haven.

"Yeah, you weren't kidding," I said, feeling both excited and a little out of place. Jasper was in his element, though, already waving to a few people as we made our way toward the fire.

As we got closer, the heat from the flames hit me. It was intense, the fire crackling and roaring, almost alive. There was something about the flickering light and the carefree energy of the party that felt both electric and surreal. I caught sight of a girl in a flowing dress twirling to the music, her hair catching the firelight like it was made of copper. For a moment, everything felt like it had slowed down.

"You want a drink or something?" Jasper asked, snapping me out of it.

"Yeah, sure," I nodded, still half-lost in the scene unfolding around us. This was going to be an interesting night.

Jasper went off to look for alcohol. I stayed put, watching the fire dance to the rhythm of the music. My mind wondering to the kiss with Star, the warmth of it still lingering on my lips like a secret I wanted to hold onto. The way she looked at me, the depth of our connection—it was intoxicating. I could feel the energy in the air, a mixture of excitement and uncertainty, just like the flames licking at the night sky.

As I stood there, watching the flames twist and flicker, my mind kept drifting back to Star. The kiss still lingered like a spark I couldn't shake, a secret warmth just beneath the surface of everything. The intensity of it was overwhelming, the way she looked at me with those eyes, full of mystery and understanding. I tried to focus on the party, but it was hard to shake the pull of what we shared.

I had asked her to come tonight, to take a break from the strange, ancient book she'd been poring over, trying to decipher its hidden language. But she was focused, determined. I couldn't help but feel like I should've stayed back with her, diving deeper into whatever this mystery was. Instead, she'd insisted I come, to keep up appearances. But it still felt weird being here without her.

Jasper returned, handing me a drink in a paper cup. "Some sort of punch," he said with a grin. "No idea what's in it, but everyone seems to be enjoying it."

I took a sip and winced at the sharpness of it, though the sweetness that followed was surprisingly good. Jasper laughed at my reaction.

"Hey Willow, looking groovy" I heard a voice say as a strong arm wrapped around my shoulder. I looked to see a slightly intoxicated Theo, his breath smelling of whisky.

"Not now Theo!" Jasper said dismissing him with his hand "She's not here for your entertainment"

Theo's arm dropped, but he stayed in place, grinning at me like we were old friends. "Oh, come on, Jasp," he slurred, his whiskey-soaked breath lingering in the air. "Just trying to have some fun."

Jasper shot him a look, the kind that cut through the haze of drunken bravado, and Theo finally backed off with a lazy shrug, stumbling away toward a group of people sitting by the fire.