29

Adeline

The house where we are going to spend the night is on the university campus, so we can take the Metro from Jayden's place. Tyler has joined us after spending a few days in Seattle preparing for the academic year, so we are all dressed up and waiting patiently for the train to take us to our destination. Sitting on a four-seater bench with Holly and Esther, I have a bird's eye view of the boys' section. Tyler and Cameron have dressed up for the occasion, wearing black and gray shirts respectively, paired with dark jeans and trendy sneakers. Jayden, on the other hand, opted for simplicity. And what simplicity it is! A white crew neck t-shirt, raw denim jeans and a pair of navy blue sneakers, all topped off with his timeless Nike cap. I can't help but dart my eyes back and forth between Tyler and Jayden, trying to figure out what made me fall in love with each of them. Tyler is undeniably handsome, with his blond hair and three-day-old beard. A perfect modern-day Ken, his shirt is partially unbuttoned, exposing a few inches of white, smooth skin and hinting at a toned, muscular chest. Next to him is Jayden; a single glance and my heart races. How do I even begin to describe his disheveled hair, dark eyes, tanned skin, muscular arms, chiseled chest, gentle scent, and husky voice? Is comparison even possible? On the one hand there is Ken and on the other... my perfection. Masculine, muscular and sexy. As I lose myself in gazing at my stepbrother for a bit too long, I get an elbow in the chest, bringing me painfully back to reality.

"Do you want a magnifying glass to take a closer look at him?" Holly whispers in my ear.

I roll my eyes, pretending to find her comment inappropriate. Instead, I refrain from looking at the specimen in front of me and contemplate my black glittery sandals. Having found nothing while shopping this afternoon, I settle for Holly's high-waisted black shorts paired with a cropped burgundy lace top. Nothing extravagant, which earned me a few reproaches from the brunette. Compared to her form-fitting black dress and pumps, I feel like I've stolen my sister's clothes. But I feel comfortable, and in my defense, Esther tried just as hard as I did, wearing a pair of shorts and a shirt...except she gave in to wearing high heels. Well, at least I won't be barefoot by the end of the night.

A shrill beep announces the opening of the doors and our stop. We all get up and after a few minutes of walking we arrive at the venue. All the lights are on and dozens of people are gathered in front of the entrance, already quite tipsy. Outside, the bass is playing, to my delight, the melody of a Martin Garrix song. We follow the crowd inside, where it's almost impossible to move freely because of the crowd. Nevertheless, Jayden seems to know the place, because he leads us without a wrong turn to the kitchen, where we meet what I think is one of the party hosts. A tall brunette with short hair, white skin and green eyes. She's absolutely stunning in her black dress that flows around her body, accentuating her endless legs.

"Jayden, you're back!" she exclaims.

A huge smile lights up her face, deepening her green eyes and intensifying her beauty. With confident steps she approaches him and hugs him, planting a kiss on his cheek.

"Hey, Lydia," he replies.

He looks pleased, and the complicity that emanates from their embrace tightens my stomach. A sharp pain spreads through my chest, causing nausea that I suppress. At this moment, the only thing I can think of is to get her to let go of him. Esther, seeing my confusion and probably experiencing it herself, slides her hand into mine and abruptly pulls me out of the room and into the living room.

***

Since the music was not at all to our taste, we decided to take a break in the garden with the girls. The boys were already outside, gathered around a ping-pong table with several cups on it. Wanting to have fun and fit in, we volunteered to play a game of beer pong against Cameron, Tyler and the famous Paul, whom we had met the day before on campus.

"Are you sure you want to drink?" Cameron whispers in my ear as we walk up to him.

"I'm not taking my eyes off my drink tonight," I assure him.

"Be careful, okay?"

"Don't worry about it, okay?"

He just shrugs and lets me join the girls at the table. I know it's his way of telling me he's worried about me and doesn't want anything bad to happen to me again. Nobody wants that, but I admit I don't want to be on edge for the rest of my life, hesitating every time someone offers me a drink. I'm careful now, of course, but it's not worth being watched so closely. I have to trust myself again.

Believe in myself again.

"A team of girls and a team of boys? That's not very balanced," Paul slurs, his voice groggy and his eyes glassy.

"Exactly," Cameron adds, "Separate, girls."

"Why, are you afraid of losing to us?" I tease, wiggling my eyebrows.

"Well, my pretty, you can dream on, I'm a ping pong master," Paul boasts, moving his hips from side to side while tossing the ping pong ball in his hand.

"Then prove it."

"Okay, the losing team has to drink a coffin."

"Deal!"

We then try to throw the ball into a cup, with little success. Tyler is the first to succeed, earning us a shower of jeers and whistles. We finally catch up and put the ball in the right place three times in a row. I don't know how long we've been huddled around this table playing, but we end up tied with only one cup remaining. The tension is palpable and laughter fills the air. As Paul throws the ball for the first time, I scan the garden and realize it's been hours since I last saw Jayden. The last time my eyes feasted on him, Lydia was clinging to his neck... I turn my attention back to the table and jump slightly when my eyes fall on a white t-shirt.

There he is.

He is standing near the guys, a drink in his hand, watching the game, amused.

He's alone.

No girl. No brunette clinging to him. No one. And a wave of relief mixed with a certain euphoria runs through my veins.

"Go for it, Adeline, give it your all, our reputation is in your hands," Holly tells me very seriously, putting the ball in my hand.

Now I have his undivided attention, which is enough to destabilize me.

"Adeline, remember, I'm unbeatable at this game!" Paul gives me a teasing smile. His hand over his heart, he wobbles and barely manages to hold on to the table, causing everyone around us to burst out laughing. My attention immediately reflexively turns to Jayden.

Damn it, no, don't look at that smile, now is not the time to falter.

I raise my arm slightly and fix my eyes on my target. Concentrating, I take several seconds before firing. Hit. Down. The girls' piercing screams pierce my eardrums as they throw themselves at me.

"I think you've been dethroned, man," Jayden laughs at his friend, giving him a mocking pat on the back.

"Coffin time, losers!" Esther adds cheerfully.

Good friends, the boys accompany us to the kitchen where we prepare their loser's drink with whatever we can find. If all the parties are like this, Holly is right, this year is going to be amazing.