8 Teal Blue

You know that moment, when you start to question everything you've ever experienced in your life? The moment that makes you realise you never really had life all figured out.

I had that moment two years ago, when one odd day, the cops showed up at my house to discuss the claim that I'd lit a building on fire. Everything I'd known shattered in front of my eyes, right at that moment. I thought I'd learnt from that time, learnt that I was a bumbling fool in front of the adversaries life could throw at me.

I thought I could handle it if something like that happened again.

But standing there, my head spinning with questions as I looked at him, I realised I'd been fooled again.

*5 hours earlier*

"Are you really not going to go?" Zoe whined for the umpteenth time, trying to match my pace as I sped walk off school grounds, wanting to get away from her.

You see, Zoe had always been a bit of your typical 'bad girl', but that didn't mean she was any less of a romantic. She did insane shit, but the girl really loved love.

It's why she wanted to celebrate her and Fyn's one year anniversary with a huge party where she basically just invited the whole school. The fact that the brat was filthy rich definitely helped her pull off these crazy ideas.

"You'll just ruin the mood by bringing me."

"I don't care what those losers think, Fyn will be really upset if you're not there."

I rolled my eyes, "you know how indifferent your boyfriend is about most things, right?"

"But you're like his sister!"

"Scarlet is coming, she's like his sister too."

Zoe groaned, and I know she was starting to get frustrated. But there's no way I was going to willingly go to a party with probably the whole school there to watch my every move. God forbid I get drunk and do something stupid, giving everyone more ammo to use shooting me down. I'd rather just sit in and have a quiet, perfectly relaxed evening watching the newest episode of 'The Bachelor' and a bag of chips.

Well, that's what I wanted, but somehow I found myself standing in the middle of the woods with Scarlet shoving me towards the scene every chance she got.

"I'll protect you, okay?" she said, humouring my idea that I'd make a fool out of myself, or that someone would be bully me into it. "I can't believe you weren't going to come."

Fyn, Scar and I had been friends since our elementary school days. We watched each other go through puberty, arguably one of the worst periods of your life. We have been through everything together for a really long time, which is why Scar couldn't take the fact that I wanted to skip out on something that was so important to Fyn. I was pretty sure he was only going along with it for Zoe's sake, but I wasn't in the mood to enlighten my sister.

I knew Zo would be over the moon if I showed up anyway. Ruining this for her had been bothering me, so I didn't put up much of a fight. Not that I really could with Scar dragging me around.

But there I was, in the middle of the forest with dozens of kids lining the only clear patch, some stumbling dangerously close to the little creak that ran by its side.

This part of town, a little on the outskirts, had been a party spot for longer than I had been alive. There were already perfectly placed logs of wood for people to sit on at the sides, with space for drinks and an empty centre used as the dance floor.

"Oh my god!" I heard Zo exclaim from behind me.

I turned around, only to be smothered by her boobs and strong perfume as she pulled me into a hug.

"Uhm," I struggled against the girl, wondering why she was suddenly the height of the Eiffel tower, until I noticed her heels.

She was dressed in a fit and flare teal blue dress that almost matched the ocean in her eyes, with a massive pair of six inch white heels. Her hair curled at the ends and she had on flawless, non-cakey makeup.

I'd been her friend for three years now, and I still didn't understand how she did it.

"You look gorgeous," I told her, honest.

"And you look..." she ran her eyes down my outfit, consisting of a pair of jeans shorts and a tucked in black tee, with comparatively smaller two inch black heels. I'd tried to do my hair, but Scarlet ended up straightening it in the end, and put on some minimal make-up for me. I wasn't trying to stand out that night.

"Nice," Zo finally decided.

I rolled my eyes and I saw her laugh. "Gee, thanks."

"You look amazing without even trying, babe," she smiled. "I'm just so excited you're here!"

Scarlet, who had been quiet all this time politely greeted Zoe. Those two weren't the best of friends yet, and I blamed Fyn for not introducing them to each other better. Scar and Zoe were both strong, opinionated and well-liked in their own circles, so I was sure they'd get along great.

"Can I get y'all something to drink?" Zoe asked, her eyes sparkling at the thought of getting me drunk. I was a fun drunk, they said.

"I'll have juice."

"Aw," Zo pouted, but I think she knew where I was coming from and didn't protest. "One juice for Vi and..." she turned to Scarlet.

"Beer is fine."

"Now that's what I'm talking about!"

I flipped her off, and she laughed, walking off to go get our drinks.

I looked around at the huge amount of people gathered there. It was only around 9 pm, so more were expected to show as the night went on. Thankfully, people seemed to be too drunk to notice me, lost in their own worlds.

Contrary to what I thought would happen, Scarlet actually stuck around with me, sitting on one of the logs as Daniel talked her ear off about rock bands from the 80s. Scarlet wasn't even particular about the music she listened to and yet the girl was handling all his intricate details. Had to give her props for being the nicest Dan has probably experienced since the start of school.

It was two hours into the party, and the music was on an all high, with kids crowding the 'dance floor'. It was easy to pin-point Fyn's awkward dancing as Zoe laughed her ass off more than danced next to him. They seemed to be having fun, at least.

"Oh hey!" Scarlet suddenly yelled over the music, "Ian!"

I looked up with a start, seeing him walk towards us at her call.

He was wearing his usual plain shirt and black jeans, but with a nicer pair of black high top sneakers and his hair a bit fluffier. Honestly, makes sense that he didn't even have to try. His face alone is enough to turn heads.

"Hi," I said as he reached us and he smiled at me, throwing in a subtle wink.

Usually I'd find that really cringy, so I was confused when I felt blood rushing up to my cheeks.

Scarlet made random conversation with him, stuff about school and the student council members at the party. She was a bit tipsy, so it was fun watching her navigate her words to make sense. Ian seemed to notice too, with the constant amused smile playing at his lips.

Dan was a lot quieter though, and I wondered if he knew what Ruth knew or if he had another reason for disliking the guy. It was odd that so many people didn't find him as charming and sweet as Scarlet and I seemed to. Then again, these people didn't really know him I guess.

We'd been talking a lot more since that grocery shopping day two weeks ago, and I think we were pretty good friends at this point.

...but I think I wanted to take it a step further.

"I'm gonna get another drink," Scarlet announced, standing up, and my attention was back on them.

Dan got up with her, "let me help you there," he held her by the arm when she stumbled, making sure she didn't fall. "you okay?"

"Hmm, yeah." She looked down at his hand on her forearm, pursing her lips. "But let's go together."

Dan's eyes widened a bit at that, probably excepting her to push him off or something. "Uh...okay."

I stayed back, knowing Scarlet would not appreciate me joining them. She seemed to have taken a liking to Dan, and it confused the fuck out of me, but I wasn't about to interrupt.

That's when I realised I'd been left alone with Ian, and I turned to him. He was already looking at me.

"Walk with me?" he asked, gesturing to the slightly emptier trail that a few, more sober kids were hanging around.

Well, this is my opportunity.

"Sure."