Ten

Music was pouring out of the speakers as Nelly shouldered her way through the drunk crowd, the floors echoing the beat. People were dancing, screaming, making out in the living room. Some were hiding in dark corners, doing things that should be done in the bedroom. Others were in the kitchen. Everyone was dancing, horse-playing, and jumping.

She and Lucy spent some time in the living room, tossing back shots and watching the boys play ping pong before they slithered their way to the kitchen, hand in hand, through the thick crowd. Bottles of liquor covered the granite top along with two liters of soda, cups, and a bucket of ice in the sink. After getting another drink, they went to the pool house. It was loud and hot outside, and most of the people were wearing swimming trunks and bikinis.