Hollow

seven.

EDITED - If you find any mistakes, that's what comments are for.

*

"Took me long enough to get you out of the house. Everyone will be happy to see you." Emilia didn't seem to take notice of Willow's uneasy smile.

The house had a seventies suburbia style and matched all the other outdated cookie cutter houses on the street. As they approached the door, Willow always took notice to the name above the front door written in bold chicken scratch: THE SHOCKMENS. A mundane family despite their electric name. She noted the familiar smell even before the ugly yellow door was open. The Shockmen gatherings always brought a certain flair, almost as if they were much like the exterior of their house, from the seventies.

As the door opened, white smoke snuck out through the cracks. Willow automatically started to cough.

"Willow! Emilia!" The tall brunette yelled in enthusiasm before ushering them in.

"Teegan, thanks for the invite." Emilia smiled at Teegan before disappearing into the other room.

"I didn't know you were coming." Teegan instantly brought Willow in for a hug, much to her surprise.

She had forgotten how friendly the tall brunette in front of her could be.

"I didn't either." Her voice sounded like she inhaled two full cigarettes already and it's only been two minutes.

"Well, it's great. Eric's in the den. Make yourself at home. My mom ran off again with her yoga instructor and my dad's shitfaced at the bar so no one's gonna be home tonight."

"Nice." Is all Willow could say before Teegan was bouncing away.

She had also forgotten Teegan's habit of unexpected oversharing. Emilia had introduced Willow to Teegan at a party like this five years ago. The three of them use to be inseparable before Luca shattered everything good in her life. Now it was like they were strangers. Once in a blue moon, Emilia would sink her acrylic nails in and drag Willow along, just like old times.

As she ventured into the long, crowded hallway the cloud of smoke dispersed and Willow could finally breathe. There was a small gathering of people, some looking bored and slouched over on the couch and others were sitting on the floor and animatedly talking to one another. Before Willow even had the chance to look around further she was being approached by a familiar face.

"Willow!" His voice was practically melodic monotone, completely contradicting his enthusiastic body language.

"Hey, Eric." She gave him a tight-lipped smile before being dragged into an uncomfortable hug.

His hands gripped her lower than necessary, borderline groping, much to Willow's displeasure. The hug only lasted for a quick minute but it had felt like the longest embrace of Willow's life.

"It's been awhile."

Eric's attention was devoted to her like a predator watching his prey. Her eyes instantly shift from the awkward stare of his intrusive bloodshot eyes.

"Yeah." One worded replies were the only thing she could compute under his intense supervision.

Eric was Teegan's older brother and even worse, Luca's best friend. For a stoner, Eric Shockmen was anything but mellow. He had the characteristics of a charismatic sociopath if Willow was being honest. No amount of weed could diminish his high-strung nature; his unsettling demeanor wired into his personality. He didn't look the least bit crazy though. He easily pulled off an athletic build, leading Willow to believe he was possibly on steroids as well.