Just One Sip

Chapter 9

I looked down at the stairs, decorated with red silk carpets, the floor sprinkled with glitter. I had to admit, they did a pretty good job decorating the place. The dance was held at the school gym. They pushed the bleachers to the side so we had more space and had decorations that covered the room, barely showing the dingy walls of the gym. The lights were dim, but the smoke machine helped with setting the mood along with the colorful lasers that shot light across the gym. We had speakers all over the room blasting music that kept the students dancing like it was the last night of their lives. On the right side of the gym there were snack corners and game booths where all the kids without partners spent most of their time with their friends during the dance. That's what I did last year and I probably would have done it again this year had Kaden not asked me.

As I looked around the room I realized that so many of the girls had overdressed for the dance. Dresses that were too long to even walk in without lifting it up, dresses that were too short to even call a dress, heels that should be impossible to even walk in, and of course make up plastered all over their faces to look "prettier" on that special night.

Kaden was next to me, holding my hand. We walked down the stairs, onto the dance floor. During the dance I didn't talk much to anyone. Em came along, dressed in a fancy white gown she could easily move in while still complimenting her figure. Sylvia hung around for a bit but left later on. I was too engaged in all the thumping music that I didn't notice her go.

But, I wasn't having much fun as I wished. The image of Aunt Cassy a few days ago and what she had said still lingered in my mind, not allowing me to have fun. I told Kaden and Em that I would be back and headed off to the punch stand. I sighed, took a glass cup and poured myself some punch with the ladle.

"You okay?"

I looked up to see Kaden looking down at me with his soft hazel eyes. I felt guilty about not enjoying this night as much as I should have when Kaden was here trying to cheer me up. I faked a grin and nodded. "Yeah, sure. Why?"

"You look down. Did something happen?"

I shook my head not meeting his eyes.

"Hey look at me." He said almost in a whisper.

I still refused to meet his eyes.

"Leah." He cupped my chin making me look up into his brilliant kind eyes. "I know we haven't exactly had the chance to get to know each other that much... but I'd like to. If there's something going on I just want you to know you can trust me. I know that sounds stupid after only just talking the past few days, but tonight's a night enjoying, not thinking or worrying." He gave me a small smile and I knew that what he said was true. I shouldn't be worrying about what Aunt Cassie told me on a night like this. I need to let loose and enjoy myself. Just like he said.

I smiled back at him. "You're right. Sorry about downing the mood. I just... have a lot on my mind."

"Well why don't we get a drink before heading back to the dance floor hm?" He picked two red plastic cups for the stack and filled them with punch and handed me one. He raised his cup and said, "Let's make a toast. To a great-"

"Hey, Leah."

I turned around to see Sylvia, looking at me. She was by herself, her hands held behind her back and twitching as if she were fiddling with something in her hands. She looked left and right quickly and looked back at me. Her voice was different. It wasn't the sickly sweet voice she was using at the shopping mall. It also wasn't the bitchy one she used to use at school. Something told me that she was... nervous.

"Oh, hey." I said quickly.

Sylvia shot a look at Kaden behind me, as if she didn't want him to be there. Was she mad about me and Kaden going to the dance together?

"Leah, can you come with me for a moment?" she said, her voice cracking.

I frowned. Something was off... Really off. "Sure, why?"

"It's a secret." she said quickly. She gestured me to follow her and quickly walked away. I gave Kaden an apologetic look, hugged him and tagged along. Sylvia quickly weaved through people, ignoring everyone who acknowledged her.

"Where are we going?" I asked loudly over the loud music.

Sylvia looked back at me but ignored me completely. I was so close to just ignoring her and stomping off. I mean what the hell? She can't just ask me to come with her and tell me where we were going. I huffed, and continued to follow her to god knows where. Soon she stopped in front of a single door behind the red curtains.

"I didn't know they had a door back here." I muttered.

Again, she didn't say anything. She knocked on the door several times and pushed it open to reveal a balcony. She stepped in through the door. I followed behind. If I knew we had a door leading to a balcony, I should have known. The door closed behind me and the sound of the lock clicking shut caught my attention. I swiftly turned around and tried opening the door.

"Sylvia, I think the door is locked. How do we get out?" I asked a little panicked.

Sylvia walked out to the edge of the balcony and leaned over, looking at the dark landscape.

Sylvia sighed wistfully. "No need." she whispered as if she were lost in thought.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Sylvia seemed.... different today. I lot different then she was yesterday.

"Hey, are you okay?" I asked, a little worried.

Sylvia didn't turn back.

"I did it. You can come out now." Sylvia said out loud. At first I was confused and then I realized... She wasn't talking to me.

"Sylv-"

Someone was behind me. I swore he wasn't there before. Before I could do anything, the figure tossed thick rope around my head and gagged me. I faltered and slammed against the figure. The rope tightened, making me choke. The figure behind me knocked me off of my feet and tied my hands behind my back.

I felt a warm breath behind my ear.

"Gotcha."

The ropes around my wrist tightened. My head was still spinning from being slammed on to the floor. Dazed, I looked up at Sylvia, her rosy pink dress looked dull and lifeless in the misty weather.

"Syl-va. Wha-?" I croaked through the gag, trying to process what had happened.

Sylvia didn't turn back. She kept on staring over the balcony, at the starless night. I heard the door open and someone walked out. The door slammed shut behind me and the person walked into view. No, there were two people. One was a tall slender figure, dressed in black. He walked toward Sylvia, slowly, and dropped something on the floor next to me. I blinked my blurriness away.

It was Kaden.