The Girl That Got Away

Skinny Dipping

Daniel drove his sleek sports car deep into the woods, the familiar roads of the small town fading behind us. I had a feeling this was going to be one of those high school parties that would be talked about for weeks. It was a little nerve-wracking, but I couldn’t help but feel excited, too. I mean, who wouldn’t want to show up at a party in a car like this?

I glanced over at him, trying to keep my cool. His hand, casually resting on my thigh, was just another reminder that this wasn’t your typical ride. But it was comfortable, in a way. I tried not to overthink it—after all, we were friends.

Eventually, he pulled into a clearing where a few other cars were already parked. Some of them looked just as fancy, but honestly, they didn’t compare to Daniel’s ride. He put the car in park, threw open the door, and with a grin, came around to open mine. His hand wrapped around mine as he helped me out, and we walked toward the gathering.

The party was in full swing by the lake, and I could hear the music before I even saw the bonfire. A few people waved as we got closer, and I recognized some of the faces from school. There was a comfortable buzz in the air—laughter, chatter, and the crackling of the fire.

“This is going to be fun,” Daniel said with a playful grin, leading me toward the group. “I told you it wouldn’t be boring.”

We approached the circle of people, and immediately, someone shouted, “Daniel’s here!” A few others cheered, and someone tossed him a drink. It felt like stepping into a scene from one of those classic high school movies—the kind where everyone knows everyone and the night just stretches out ahead of you.

A girl with bright red hair stepped forward and gave me a quick hug. “Hey, welcome! I'm glad you could make it.”

I smiled, feeling instantly more at ease. The nervousness from the car ride was melting away, replaced by the fun energy of the party. The firelight danced on everyone’s faces, and for the first time, I realized how much I’d been looking forward to this—no stress, no expectations, just a chance to hang out with friends and let loose.

“So, what’s the plan?” I asked, glancing around.

“Just enjoy the night,” Daniel said, his arm casually slinging over my shoulder. “Trust me, you won’t regret it.”

We had a few drinks, and I got to meet some of Daniel's friends. The energy was easygoing, and I settled on a log while Daniel sat on the ground between my legs, letting me mess with his hair as we relaxed. By this point, the drinks had taken hold, and the buzz was just right.

"Yo, Tristan!" someone called out.

I followed the shout to see a blonde guy and a couple of his friends walking down the hill toward the lake. He was smiling—really smiling, like he knew something I didn’t. My thoughts stumbled for a second. Wait, no. Good god, I’m so drunk. And... I'm still mad at him.

He sat down on the opposite side of the fire, and for a brief moment, our eyes locked. His expression shifted, a flicker of concern crossing his face, like he hadn't expected to see me here at all. It threw me off for a second, but I quickly shrugged it off. What was his deal, anyway?

The night dragged on, and eventually, only about twelve of us were left. A couple of people had drunk enough to pass out, while the rest of us hung around the fire, swapping funny stories and laughing at each other's mishaps.

"Ooo, I have an idea! Truth or dare?" the redhead from earlier suggested, her voice more upbeat than I expected given how much we’d all been drinking.

"That sounds like fun," Daniel chimed in from beside me, his arm casually slung around my shoulders.

Tristan, who had been mostly quiet and giving me the cold shoulder all night, had that same look on his face again—the one like something was off. He didn't seem to care about the game at all.