Page 41 of Claimed by the Fallen
“Because he’s Zeke’s brother,” I tell her, “and that’sweird.”
Annie releases an exasperated breath. “How, in the world, is that weird? You had a crush on Zeke, but you never dated him. His brother is fairgame.”
I shake my head and walk to my room. I can’t disagree with Annie more. Now that I know Zeke and Adrian are brothers, there is no way I can even think of dating Adrian without thinking of Zeke, or vice versa. It would be tooweird.
And, let’s not forget, there is the fact both Adrian and Zeke are angels. I mean, I freaking saw them slay demons like it was nothing. Neither of them is the kind of guy my parents would want me to bring home, that’s forsure.
“I’m not interested in either of them.” I enter my bedroom. “We’re about to go to college. I don’t need to start a relationship with anyone. I need to branch out and meet people without bringing along any baggage from ValleyLake.”
I know Annie can’t argue against that logic. She’s the one who’d recently called me out on my introvert behavior. There is no way she’d want me to do anything which might impede my social life incollege.
“When you’re right, you’re right,” I hear her say through the phone. Then, she changes topic, “Speaking of cracking up your shy cocoon and emerging like a stunning butterfly, how about you come with me to Freddy’s partytonight?”
I groan. I’d totally forgotten about the party Preston hadmentioned.
“I don’t know,” I say. “I wasn’t reallyinvited.”
“Yes, you were,” Annie corrects me. “I saw your social media profile on the party’s event page. You never check your account. The page lists you as ‘invited but noresponse’.”
“Oh.” I never considered the invitation had gone out online. Annie is right, I rarely log into my social media accounts. I tend to spend my free time doing other things like kickboxing, watching streaming TV, or reading. “I still don’t know. I’m not really friends with ourclassmates.”
“Puh-lease.” I imagine Annie rolling her eyes. “Everyone’s known each other since elementary school. Come on. It’ll be fun. We can practice breaking you out of your shell in a low-risk environment. What do yousay?”
I want to say that the party will not be a low-risk environment. I may have known a lot of my classmates from childhood, but that doesn’t automatically qualify us as friends. Joey and Annie are, honestly, the only people I give that titleto.
That being said, I know Annie well enough to know she isn’t going to let me get out of this easily. I sigh. “Alright.”
Annie gasps, “What?! Really? I expected you to fight memore.”
She’s laughing, and I chuckle as well. “Call it my newfound eighteen-year-old wisdom, but I know there’s really no point in arguing withyou.”
Not to mention, I realize I may benefit from the distraction of a party. With the incredulous truths forced upon me recently, I could use a normal, teenageexperience.
At least, I think I can. I’ll have to wait until the party to know forsure.
Sixteen
Freddy Hutchins’lakeside home has transformed into a frat-house. Red plastic cups cover nearly every surface of the home, and electronic dance music blasts from his home’s surround sound speakers. All of the end tables are pushed against the living room walls, making room for a makeshift dance floor. Mr. and Mrs. Hutchins have left town to celebrate their anniversary, and their beloved son is takingadvantage.
I pull my arms in and wind my way through the swaying crowd, cringing as sweaty bodies touch me. It’s almost like I’m back at the Young and Heart concert. My former classmates seem too busy enjoying the effects of alcohol to be bothered by the humid, uncomfortable atmosphere. I finally reach the kitchen and sigh,relieved.
Fancy light fixtures glow softly on the chips and dip spread out on the kitchen counters. I take a chip and pop it in my mouth as I search for my friend. Annie and I had arrived over an hour ago, but I’d since lost her to the sea of our graduating class. She’d disappeared to get water, but that was ten minutes ago. Now, I can’t see heranywhere.
I turn around to continue my search when a tall form intercepts me. “Hey,Veronica.”
Tilting my head, I look up, surprised to see who is in front of me. “Hi,Preston.”
His dimples show as he smiles. “I’m glad you came! Are you havingfun?”
“Yeah, definitely,” I lie. I’ve barely spoken two words to anyone at the party. No one is blatantly unfriendly, but they’re obviously preoccupied with hanging out with their ownfriends.
“Great!” Preston lifts his hand, holding a cup of punch. “Want something todrink?”
I shrug, surprised by his attention. “Sure.”
He spins around and walks towards the glass bowl on the kitchenisland.
Silently, I pray for Annie to return. I don’t know where she ran off to, but I want her back with me. The party isn’t my scene, and I feel like a freak on display for all of our classmates to sneer at. I need Annie to tell me I’m being dramatic and put me atease.
