Page 6 of Hush Little Martyr, Don't You Scream
“Wow,” Lizette mumbled, unable to contain her excitement. “This place is insane.”
I nodded my agreement, staring at the building before me with trepidation.
I was half tempted to bolt the other way, jump into my car, and go back home where I knew I’d be safe. Unfortunately, I knew Lizzie wouldn’t let me get away with it.
Luckily, I came prepared—even if it wasn’t much.
Lizette grabbed me by the crook of the elbow and steered me toward the house against my will. Nervous energy danced down my spine as we approached, the ominous feeling only seeming to amplify.
Just as she went to knock on the door—as if anyone would actually hear it—the door swung open, startling us both. Two drunk girls stumbled outside, laughter echoing around them.
“You don’t have a curfew, do you?” Lizzie asked, shoving me through the door.
I shook her off, annoyance trickling through my veins. “Yeah. My parents want me home by midnight,” I lied.
When my mom found out I’d beeninvitedto a party, she was ecstatic. She told me to have fun and not get pregnant. Those were her only rules. Most kids my age probably would have been thrilled if they had parents like that. But for me … I craved structure. I wanted it to feel like my parents actually loved me and wanted the best for me.
There were probably so many kids here who either lied about where they were going or snuck out for a night of fun.
“I’m going to get us some drinks. Want anything?” Lizzie asked, eyeing the kitchen where a few jocks were hanging about.
“No thanks.”
It wasn’t that I had a problem with alcohol. I just didn’t trust these people enough to let my guard down around them, and alcohol only weakened the mind. I needed to stay alert at all times.
“Come on, Ember.” She pouted. “It’s a party.”
I ground my teeth together in frustration. “No. I agreed to come with you, but I draw the line at drinking.”
She put her hands up in defense, her eyebrows rising. “Noted.”
I waited until she was gone to scope the place out more. I loved my best friend, but the girl had no awareness whatsoever. Shewanted to fit in so badly that she allowed it to cloud any sense of rationality.
Juliett was in the dining room with a drink of her own in hand, her boyfriend’s arm wrapped around her shoulders. He’d been coming onto me behind her back, and I sensed she knew about it. It would make sense why she hated me so much. He was attractive, but he was also a piece of shit. In fact, he reminded me a lot of my father.
That thought sent a tremor of disgust rocking through me.
Maybe they were perfect for each other.
Around the table were a few more cheerleaders and football players. They had set the area up for beer pong and were in the process of playing.
I felt just out of place here as I did at school.
Suddenly, the urge to drown myself in something strong penetrated my mind. I wouldn’t actually do it, even if it sounded appealing. Anything could go wrong, and I wanted to be prepared for anything.
Moving away from the door, my eyes roamed around the room. The floors were all tiled, and appeared to be freshly polished, too. At least it would make cleaning up vomit, and spilled drinks easier. Then again, they probably had a maid for that kind of shit.
Pretentious fucks.
Near the den, a bunch of people were surrounding the coffee table. It looked like they were playing some kind of drinking game that required a lot of making out. The room was so thick with hormones, I could practically taste the lust rolling off the partygoers taking up the building around me.
“Ember, right?” a deep voice asked from behind me, the heat of his body searing through my flesh. He was much closer than I would have liked and I had half a mind to tell him as much.
Whirling around, the hair on the back of my neck stood on end when I realized who it was. Felix Oscura, the host of said party.
He was much more attractive up close. He had dark brown hair, tan skin, and hazel eyes. It also didn’t help that his shirt was clinging to him like a second skin, revealing the contours of his abdomen and muscles.
He’s friends with Russel.
