Life of the Party // GD

seven

I know I've gotten to Grayson's house when I see the throngs of teenagers inside and spilling out around it. It's in the upper-class part of the suburbs, the type of house that two neuroscientists would buy to start a family so that their kids can have a "normal life". I want to be disgusted by its grandeur but I can't hold back my awe.

It's the type of place someone like me would kill to have.

I park my jeep on a side street nearby and hold my jacket close as I make my way to the party. Thank god I can walk in heels, otherwise these red pumps would be a nightmare. I couldn't resist - they're embellished with lace, matching my ensemble perfectly.

The door's open and I invite myself in, letting my jaw drop. People with substances of many kinds obviously coursing through their energy-filled bodies fill this smaller first floor; they even crowd what I can make out of the downstairs and the main floor on the next level. 

Wait - what the fuck am I doing here?

No, no time for thinking now. Just doing. Do what you came to do, and get the fuck out before he realizes what hit him.

As my heel hits the first step of Grayson's magnificent glass and silver staircase, a slower song than the one before starts to play. It has a much darker vibe, and I instantly recognize it - it's Sacrifice by Black Atlass, and funnily enough it was the next song on my playlist.

The bass rises and flows and I take one step, then another, my feet clanging gently on the translucent stairs as I try to steady my shaking. It feels as if everything is in slow motion, as if everything in the air has taken on a new quality - as if everything, either simply today or in my whole life, has led up to this moment.

And right on cue with the song, right as the world is shifting at its slowest, I see him and our eyes meet.

The world around us stops, and the song keeps playing, yet we remain still, locked in each other's presence.

Grayson's eyes widen at the sight of me and I bite my lip, which seems to send him into a state of shock. Regaining his composure he steps toward me, though I remain relatively still, shifting away from the staircase. He is at my beck and call and I refuse to let it ever be the other way around. 

After all, this is a game.

And I'm playing to win.

................

GRAYSON'S POV

The noise usually doesn't bother me. I revel in it, I can't stand being stuck alone with my own silence, but this time it's getting to my head, and not because I want to be by myself.

I've known her for her loud fucking mouth for long enough already, but I want to know her silence - and I want to be the reason she uses her mouth in a different way for once.

"Hey bro, sorry I gotta leave you behind," Ethan's hand hitting my back causes me to tense up. "You know my girl, though," He smirks.

Her arms snake around his waist from behind and I can't help but smile. Brothers are brothers, and as much as I wish he'd stay, I can't say anything.

"Well, you know the top floor is off limits for parties, but the guest bedroom is all yours," I grin. Ethan smiles down at his girlfriend Lara before leading her off down a dark hallway to where I know they'll both have the night of a lifetime.

Fucking lovers.

A buzz warms me as I lean against the railing that overlooks the first floor, sipping my drink. This floor, being the main one of the house, is much more crowded than the others, and yet there's gotta be at least seventy people on the first. 

A different song plays out over the speakers, drowning out my previous thoughts. It's a newer one for me, one I think I've only heard once before, and it only amplifies the effects I'm feeling from the alcohol.

It's not so much that I can't think straight, but just enough to accentuate the experience.

And right as the music fills me, pours over my skin to my lungs through my very soul, I see her.

Lucia. She came.

And I can tell she's reconsidered her earlier stance.

Lucia meets my eyes and I'm frozen. Her short black skirt hugs her figure tightly, contrasting with the oversized jean jacket wrapped around her chest. A single red strap peeks out from underneath, matching her heels, and I can't help but be mesmerized by the sight of her.

She bites her bottom lip while keeping her gaze on me steady, and the tiny gesture could be enough to send me over the edge right here and now.

No, Grayson. No falling back now.

I snap out of it, using my amplified confidence to my advantage as I step towards her place atop the stairs. She shifts over closer to the railing, blatantly staring at my chest, and I can't help but be a bit confused. Is this really the same girl that's been turning me down so harshly for so long?

"You came," I manage to push out.

Snap out of it.

I look down at her, using a stare that I know for sure could cut through diamonds. But she doesn't seem to be fazed.

"I told you you'd be here," I continue coolly. "But what finally changed your mind?"

"Well," Lucia begins, reaching a hand up to trace my jaw gently. Her other hand floats up to the base of my neck and I let out a quiet breath I didn't know I was holding.

"I realized something," her voice is raspy and soft as she pulls me closer, forcing me to push her against the railing. My hands fly up to her waist before I can think about it, but thankfully it doesn't bother her.

"And what might that be?" My gaze falls to her lips, her long brown hair tangled between my fingers as I begin to explore, testing this girl's limits. So far, she hasn't stopped me.

"I realized that you were right," she continues, "that I need to have a little more fun. And I was hoping," now she's staring right at my lips, intently, "that you could help me out with that. Maybe even for a while."

"Good thinking. But why me?"

Lucia regains eye contact with me and I know I've done my job right.

"I just-" her breath hitches. "I just need someone to love - and to love me. And honestly, you've been far from comforting but I can't help but be drawn to you."

I smile.

"I'm totally falling for you, Grayson. Maybe this tough love is just what I need, maybe -" her eyes travel back to my lips before she speaks again, "maybe it's what's meant for me."

Success. This girl is fucking mine. I knew she wasn't different, I knew despite those fucking feelings that she's nothing but another one of those same old bitches to string along.

"That-" I whisper, dipping my head to meet hers, "-is what I like to hear."

Our lips meet and I forget everything but her and that song, its lyrics of the moment reverberating right through my being:

"...we could call it love, or we could call it nothing, but you've got what I want, so baby, give me something..."

Lucia parts her lips, putting more aggression into the kiss than I expected. I feel her body push up against mine and her hands move to my chest as I hold her harder against the railing.

You wanna play rough? I can play rough.

A small moan escapes her lips and I smile, only kissing her harder and shifting my hands to the base of her neck before pulling away.

"Let's move this somewhere else, okay?"

She nods and I lead her up a more secluded set of stairs, to the top floor where no one can bother us.

I'm determined to finish the quest I started only two weeks ago. She will be mine, another proud notch in my belt.

After all, this is a game.

And I refuse to lose.