Green-Eyed | Violentine

Part Sixteen | The Green-Eyed Monster

"Is it a dumb idea to have a house party when we have to drive six hours to the beach tomorrow," questions Clementine as she walks towards Louis's grand house. Even from this distance, she can hear the music grow and see the lights illuminating the dark sky.

"Probably," says Violet with a smile. Their hands are connected between their bodies, in their free hand, they both hold weekend bags for the upcoming trip. They walk in perfect sync with each other, "but, we're young adults who don't think any decisions through so I'm not too surprised."

Clementine smiles and tries to calm the nerves that are building in her stomach, she hopes that Minerva is a no show tonight and her words earlier this week were just empty threats.

They approach the gates and Violet breaks their connection to key in the pin to open the door. It's only 8:02 pm but the noises emitting from inside the house suggests that the party has been underway for some time.

Clementine closes the gate behind her and then returns to Violet' side. As they make their way around the back of the house, Clementine scans the front driveway, looking at the number of cars parked there. A blue hatchback is parked neatly between Marlon's pickup and the grey Honda that belongs to Aasim. Clementine lingers on the blue car, it's the same one that Sophie and Minerva share. Clementine hopes that Sophie has left her older sister at home.

In a matter of seconds, she'll know for sure.

The laughter begins to grow in volume as the two girls emerge in the back garden. The majority of people are huddled around the pool. Clementine frantically scans the people at the party. Brody, Marlon, Louis, Mitch, Sophie, Aasim and Ruby. No Minerva, at least not out here. Clementine exhales and Violet to seems to physically relax beside her. "Thank god," Clementine whispers beneath her breath.

"Hey!" shouts Louis as he notices the presence of Violet and Clementine. He pulls himself from the deck chair and makes his way to the two girls, stopping only to pick up two shots from a tray resting on the outside bar.

"These are for you," he says with a smile, handing Clementine and Violet a shot glass each. Clementine inspects the clear liquid sloshing around at the bottom of her glass, she gives it a sniff and winces when the strong smell of vodka hits her.

"Where's your shot Lou?" says Violet as she holds the shot up to her face, examining it in the same way Clementine did.

"I'm on beers tonight, and I'll probably only have one or two," he says lifting his half-empty beer bottle to his lips as he takes a drink, "we've got an early start tomorrow and I'm driving most of the way."

"I guess that's a good enough reason for getting out of taking a shot," says Clementine with a smirk as she clinks glasses with Violet.

Both girls tilt their heads back and grimace as the liquor hits their throats. Violet coughs and winces, "Jesus Christ, that was strong" she exclaims, "think I need to start having chasers with shots."

Louis raises his eyebrow as he attentively grasps one of Violet's hands, "gosh you are getting old Vi," he says with a smirk.

"Shut up Lou," says Violet playfully, she coughs once again and looks to Clementine, "seriously though I need to get a drink of water so I'll be back in a bit."

Clementine nods and Violet gives her a kiss on the cheek. Violet takes Clementine's rucksack and shrugs it over her shoulder beside her own bag as she makes her way into the house, greeting friends on her way. Once she was inside Clementine turns back to Louis, "so," she says as she glances behind the boy, once more looking frantically at the people laughing, drinking, and smoking by the poolside. "Minerva's not here?"