Nyctophilia

T W O

The first floor of the Mansion boomed with loud music.  Scattered around the place were dancing bodies, chatting people and groups deeply indulged in a game of beer bong. The multi-coloured lights flashed continuously, creating a dizzying effect.

In a secluded corner was the host of the event, also the owner of the house.

Jonathan Brooks sat on the dark leather sofa with one arm thrown over the back while the other hand toyed with a bottle of water he'd found strewn on the floor.

His dark hair was slicked back, a few strands falling over his darker eyes as they lazily watched a game of beer pong in the distance. He could barely see the table, yet his eyes couldn't stray away from the beautiful ravenett in the corner, leaning on the wall and watching the game as well. She was dressed in a dark button up, with even darker skinny jeans and high heels. As if sensing his gaze, her eyes flicked to where he was sitting and he held his breath, until she looked away.

Jonathan didn't know her or who she came with, but when she walked away from the game and out into the attached balcony, he felt an urge to follow her. But he remained seated, he was a total idiot, he knew that. If the most of the times he got in trouble was something to go by. No matter how much intimidating he looked, he was actually the epitome of clumsiness.

So, he put down the water bottle and replaced it with multiple shots of vodka. The burning taste in his throat was welcomed and soon enough, he was under the haze of alcohol.

Even tipsy, Jonathan found himself sneaking glances at the entrance of the vast balcony.

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Among the same group, a certain redhead was leaning against her boyfriend, hazy eyes trying to searching. Her brows furrowed in confusion when she could 't spot her best friend among the crowd. She blinked multiple times and focused on every person in dark attire but the people just wouldn't stay still. Frustrated, she whined.

"What's wrong, baby?" A smooth voice had her looking up.

"Mmm... no. There are.. s-so many people..where's Annie?" Emily asked, her throat felt closed up like she just woke up. Did she just fall sleep here? Maybe. She shook her head. It must be the alcohol.

"No. Haven't seen her." Jagger said as he scanned the crowd, a concentrated frown on his face. Emily smiled at his cute expression. It meant that he was thinking or remembering something.

Jagger tilted his head and asked the others, "Can anyone go check on Skyler? Her mother here is getting worried." He laughed when Emily pouted at him.

"I'll go." Leah, Jagger's cousin offered, "I have to get some water anyway." She said,  the creases of her shirt before she stood up and made her way to the kitchen.

Emily frowned as she watched Leah go before she made to get up, swatting away her boyfriend's protests. "I'll be back in a minute. I'm feeling parched." She croaked for an added effect, which worked. She pecked the sully Jagger on his cheek before she walked toward the kitchen, stumbling a bit.

Once there, Emily looked around the kitchen. They were the only ones in there. 'Good' Emily thought before she picked up a water bottle from one of the stacks. Leah kept her distance and made to go out before Emily called out to her. Surprised, Leah halted and raised a questioning brow.

Emily gestured her to wait before drinking the water to clear up the haze of alcohol. The cool water flooded relief to her senses, giving her time to thoroughly think through her words as she arranged her thoughts.

She looked up and met Leah's questioning gaze equally.

"How do you know where Annie is?" Emily questioned seriously.

Leah seemed caught off guard for a second before she narrowed her eyes, "I just have an idea of where she is. I'm not sure, though." She shrugged casually, but her now irritated stare said otherwise.

"And where would that be?" Emily asked,

Leah snorted indignantly, "Well, why are you asking me? Shouldn't you know her whereabouts? You know, being her BFF and all." She mocked, cocking her hip and putting her fist on it.

"You don't know half the time what Sky's thinking," Leah added icily. "You've no idea what's going on in her head because even though you're her closest friend, you don't notice it, do you? You only see what she wants you to see because Sky knows that it will only make you guilty if she discussed her bigger problems with you because--"

"If you're saying I'm not aware of her feelings towards me then you're in for a surprise." Emily interrupted sharply.

She couldn't stand Leah one bit. Sure, she was a nice enough girl but she had this stupid problem where she was always way too possessive with everyone and everything she loved or took a liking to.

Unfortunately, Annie was one of them.

Leah had came up to Emily once, and told her feelings about Skyler and for Emily to stay away from her. Leah soon enough realized that it was Emily whom Skyler really liked. It irked Leah and she blamed it on Emily because Emily couldn't like her back the same way. She wasn't into girls.

"Well, that's great. Now, I'd love to stay and have a wonderful chitty chat but I've got to go check on someone important." Leah said wittily as she whizzed past Emily who gritted her teeth.

Yeah, Emily did love Skyler. It was just a different love. To Emily, Skyler was like a sister she never had being an only girl. She had an older brother who had moved to NYC to support his own business. Emily wasn't too close with her brother. She still felt lonely, wondering why she couldn't befriend anyone. She blamed her anxiety back then.

It was like that until Skyler came along in highschool. She was like a shadow for the first two years. It was after Spring Break in junior year that she emerged from the shadows. Participating in nearly every activity from complex math quizzes and science projects to athletes and PE, dodging any activity that included talking more than five minutes. Skyler Gray slowly became popular. With teachers praising her and telling their students to be like her. It also earned Skyler a little hate from.the delinquints, yet never paid it any attention.

Most girls wanted to be her friends but it proved as quite a challenge since Skyler hardly ever talked. She still doesn't. Yet, Emily had still wished to be her friend. To earn her trust. To know why doesn't she talk much. Smile much. Or even laugh at all. They were nearly the same age, yet still so different.

It was a mere coincidence that Emily and Skyler met that one day. At the bus stop, in the rain, Emily and Skyler were standing alone, sharing an umbrella. Emily smiled at the memory.

Skyler had been reluctant but Emily insisted on sharing her dark grey umbrella. Skyler had gave in and their friendship blossomed as they stood in the rain, with Emily chanting 'Skyler Umbrella Gray'.