Keb's POV
As our group passes through the thick doors to the conference room, I scan the area. All the tables have been removed, making it seem pretty roomy for a conference place. Guests are everywhere, chatting among themselves, dancing, giggling and punching each other playfully. I recognize a few faces of our classmates, and some of Declan's other friends. We don't know many of them too well, but everyone seems to be in a good mood, so we split up and start mingling. Jenna goes up to a short blonde guy- Kierran, I think. Declan's brother. Cat and May go off in another direction, sticking together. I scan the crowd for the birthday boy, and soon spot him talking to a pretty girl slightly taller than him. I think her name's... Sarah? Sophie? No- Sonia! Right. She looks concerned, and Declan's face is completely expressionless. Weird. I make my way over to them. "Hey guys!" I say cheerily. "Oh hey! Um... Keb, right?" says Sonia, mirroring my smile. "Yup" I answer. Declan mutters something inaudible under his breath. "Hey buddy." I nudge his arm. "Happy Birthday" "Don't bother with him" Sonia says, the cheeriness in her voice dropping. "Why? Did you two get in a fight? Guys-" I start, only to get cut off by her. "No, I think someone just woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning." Declan mutters something else before storming away, bumping into Jenna as she approaches us. "Geez, what's his deal?" she says. Sonia and I shrug at the same time and decide to give him some space. I talk to her for a while as we discuss why Declan could be behaving that way- he's usually really nice to everyone, unless he gets angry. We eventually dismiss it and start talking about old cartoon network shows. The rest of the party goes by in a flash of music, color and laughter. We all somehow forget about Declan's random temper change and carry on. Eventually, a couple of the hotel workers clad in the same crisp white uniform carry a large table into the center of the room and set it down. It's time to wish Mr. Snappypants a happy birthday. When he shows up- no one had seen him since the beginning of the party- the thick crowd parts so he can pass. He seems angry, I can tell from his gait, though his face is still expressionless. The ones of us gathered around the table watch silently as he stands in front of the cake. Without even noticing it, he grabs the sharp silver knife next to it. Before anyone can react, he throws it across the table with strength and precision that isn't human. The teens standing around the table can do nothing but watch as the knife flies across the table, in fast foward and slow motion at the same time- and stabs someone in the stomach. My eyes widen as I realize that someone is one of my- our- best friends. Jenna's expression is one of pure shock as she drops to the ground, the piece of silverware causing her to start bleeding.
