[1] EXPOSED

1.4 - Masked

1. 4  Masked                                                                  

I had overheard rumors of Allie having a big house, but I never imagined it to be this three story gargantuan beachfront property that stood directly in front of me. Doused in canary yellow siding, this beauty was accented with bright white shutters and tall two story windows. Even the door was a clean, flawless shade of white that gave this home dignity and respect. I could only imagine what the interior of this thing looked like.

“Damn…” Jake nodded up and down. I couldn’t tell if he was scanning the house from support beams to the roof or if he was giving it a badge of approval. Either way, the first few of us that were helping set up were all doing the same thing.

“Wow, this place is beautiful.” I laughed almost in shock. He did too, and he grabbed my hand as we walked up to the front door to find Allie.

I was about to press the silver lined doorknob, but Allie must have seen us through the glass piece in the door. “Hey, guys!” she raised her eyebrows and grinned brightly. We were one of the first people there. “Come on inside, I’m just decorating and baking food.”

“Ooh, baking food?” Jake perked his ears up, “What kind of food?”

“Oh! Just red velvet cupcakes.” Allie laughed, “My mom isn’t supposed to be home until way late, but even then she doesn’t care much if I throw parties on the weekends.”

“Red velvet cake sounds amazing. Do you need help?” I felt like I should offer since she was basically doing everything herself. She flipped her wavy blonde hair behind her ear and took a minute to answer.

“Sure.” she squinted, “I just need to get the shots ready.”

I looked at Jake, who shrugged, and then grabbed some string lights and started hanging them up around the living room. It was a rather large room with a staircase and a balcony indoors so you could look over the ledge and watch everyone downstairs. After about an hour of helping Allie set up, other people began knocking on the door.

I stood by myself while Jake went to the restroom. From a distance, I watched Matt, who headed over to Allie, who was turning up the music. “Hey, Allie, your house is amazing.” he complimented, trying to win her attention.

“Hah, thanks…” she blinked her eyelashes at him and stepped away from the stereo for a second. “Glad to see you could make it.”

“Me too,” he laughed, and then gave her a wink. Matt was so funny sometimes because he thought he was good with girls, but he was just as awkward as everyone else. Awkward moments reminded me that I needed to call my mom and tell her I was working on a project with Allie. I didn’t want her to come home and have me missing with no explanation. After shooting a quick text, my mood slowly changed from upbeat and outgoing to somber and unsocial.

I remember standing in the corner against the stairs by myself. Other people were mingling and eating snacks, some were talking and smoking on the back porch. I was starting to get flashbacks of Andrews High School… the scenes were going through my head over and over again.

Phoenix and I were laughing over a couple of shots after just coming inside from talking on the porch with our friends. I knew I was a little drunk, but I didn’t know I was near blackout. I definitely planned on making out with him that night and all that was going through my head was getting closer with him. I remember him dragging me near the wall and wanting to go to the room. I remember wondering if it was a good idea. I remember not being able to think for myself.