¤Chapter Thirty-five¤

"Can you guys believe we're more than halfway through the school year already?" Amy gushed, stepping out of my closet in a pair of shorts and a long sleeved top.

 The celebratory bonfire fire will take place on a beach so it's bound to get windy. That's why she decided to compromise; short pants and long shirt. I still don't know why I've agreed to go but only one third of the school was invited so at least there will be less incidents. Or none at all.

"Six months down, four to go, yay." My lack of enthusiasm resulted in a stern look from Sam that said, you're going even if we have to drag you there.

The girls seem to worry about me less now that I'm with Owen but they're still hesitant to go to certain events without me. They want me to feel included —even when I don't want to be. Apparently after my relationship became official, Derek Smith decided I must not be that bad of a person and asked Angie to be his date for this event. I forced her to go ahead of us because it's obvious she has a crush on him. Plus, her going with Derek means there's one less person to nag me before we arrive.

"I kind of agree with Madi a little bit," Amy admitted. "I mean, why didn't Brittney do this a couple months earlier after we took our midterms —why now when we should be prepping for finals?"

"I don't think she cares much about timelines," Sam shrugged, applying mascara to her lashes. "Her last party was before exams as well"

"Maybe she's trying to cheer us up?" Amy suggested, earning a unanimous snort from me and Sam. The only person she cares to 'cheer up' is herself. People mostly go to her parties for the free booze. 

"It doesn't matter now, let's just get this over with" I got up from my bed and glanced in the mirror.

 I had on a pair of faux leather leggings, sleeveless crop top paired with a biker jacket, and my favorite combat boots. Everything was black —although the boots had some silver accents that matched my jacket. With Sam's help my hair was up in a smooth ponytail. She let my red streaks hang in the front and curled them along with the ponytail. It looked like I was going to a rock concert, not a camp fire where a bunch of teens plan on drinking, dancing, and playing party games.

Unlike Amy, Sam wore a form fitting red dress. It actuated her curves and worked with her makeup to bring attention to her grey eyes and strawberry blond hair. They grabbed their purses and I picked up my phone and keys before heading downstairs. My parents were in front of the couch watching TV —truly a rare sight.

"You girls ready for the party?" Dad asked when we made it to the front door.

"Yes, sir" Sam saluted then added, "Don't worry we'll look after Madi"

"Thank you ladies" Mom smiled sweetly at them before acknowledging me. "Curfew's midnight tonight, okay?"

I nodded. "Trust me, I won't be staying out that late"

They chuckled and kissed my cheek in goodbye. I wanted to comment on them being home but my friends dragged me out the door before I could even form the words. This morning we had breakfast together as per usual then I left for school. When I got home, they were at work. Normally I wouldn't really see them until breakfast the next day. Maybe it's just one of those lucky days?

I watched Sam and Amy drive off together then paused for a moment as a thought crossed my mind. Could my parents be the ones in Jace's hint? He never specified that it was just one couple, there could be a dozen of them for all I know.

 I shook my head, Owen's parents are way more suspicious. And what about Brittney? I barely saw her parents when we were friends for years. I can't think about this tonight. It's not important right now and I can't let myself get distracted. An image of what happened the last time I went to a party flashed within my memory and my hands balled into tight fists.

I swear if I see STD Brendon tonight...

After donning my helmet, I climbed on the sleek black motorcycle and checked that everything was running correctly before moving the kickstand and riding off into the night. A strange feeling has been looming over me ever since I spoke to Jace a few weeks ago and I can't seem to put a finger on what it is exactly. Everything almost feels too good to be true. My life has never ran this smoothly before. 

Maybe it's just who I am but I keep waiting for something to happen that will ruin everything. The past two days have been nothing but smiles and laughter for me; a part of me longs for it to remain that way forever but another part still doesn't want to get too attached. No bonds equals no feelings and a lack of feelings leads to less pain. That's a rule I created for myself but recently, I broke it. I don't want to be an empty vessel, I want to feel things. I want to live.

I arrived at the public beach seven p.m. sharp. Although I couldn't find the girl's cars I did see Owen's truck —okay, I wasn't actually looking for their cars. Night was the only time Brittney could throw a beach party without too much interference from random adults. 

She even managed to find a nice spot by some tall trees, it seemed like half the beach was a mini forest. The plants worked with the darkness to shield the crowd of people by the shore. As I trudged through the rough sand towards the glowing fire light, the sudden sound of shuffling feet made me halt. I looked behind me.

Nothing.

The only thing I saw was the murky water rocking to and fro on the shoreline. There were rows of trees and shrubs lined to my right where someone could have easily hid but why would someone feel the need to hide? I just wanted to see who else was coming. Either they realized who I am and got scared or it's just my imagination and there's nobody there. 

I blocked out all the noise from the party behind me and focused on my surroundings. The air was chilly but fresh. If the person behind me was smoking I would have smelt it. The sand has footprints everywhere so I can't go off that alone. The splashing of the water and the rustling of the trees could have caused the sound I heard but maybe I should—

"Madi!" A familiar voice yelled and I turned to see Angie running towards me with a big smile on her face. She was wearing a long sundress that flowed as she dragged Derek along behind her.

"I'm glad you took my advice and came earlier" I tiled my head toward the guy she was clinging to. Her cheeks flushed.

"Yeah this is Derek, my date." She introduced her shy classmate to me. "Derek, this is my best friend Madi —she only bites if you show fear." Derek's eyes widened but he stretched a trembling hand out to shake mine. I wanted to mess with him a little but that can wait for now.

"Nice to meet you Derek" I attempted to smile but it might've looked like an animal baring its fangs because he took a reflexive step back.

He nodded briskly and walked ahead of me and Angie as we strolled towards the fire. I paused and stole one last glance behind me. This time I only saw shadows casted by the full moon. I'm being way too paranoid tonight. I met the other girls and we chatted for a while before a hand slipped around my waist and the tension instantly left my body. Owen.

"I'm glad you could make it, baby" He whispered in my ear and I turned in his arms, smiling.

"Do we have to say that in public too?" I scowled, looking up at him. He looked ethereal even in the shadows. 

"What? Baby?" His nose brushed against mine lightly. "Oh yeah, we say that everywhere"

I stepped back half an inch. His scent mixed with the salty aroma of the ocean does strange things to me and I don't want everyone here to see that. On the bright side, I know I'd like to go to the beach with him again —just the two of us. "What if I don't want to?"

He grinned. "Then I'll say it enough for the both of us"

"Were you always this cheesy?" I scrunched my nose, feigning disgust. 

He regained the inch that he lost from me and grabbed my chin, tilting it so I can see the beauty of his eyes reflected in the fire's orange glow. "Not to this extent —I just like seeing you squirm"

"And you haven't had enough of that yet?" I wrapped my arms around his neck, creating an imaginary bubble around both of us. 

His eyes darkened, sending images of our passionate moments together in my head. "Never."

"Okay!" Brittney clapped, her screechy voice pulling us out of our own universe. "Sit around the fire if you want to play some games"

Owen frowned. "I supervise the games. Sit with me?"

I looked at the logs where my friends were already gathered excitedly. "I don't know"

"You don't have to play" He grabbed my hands in his. Warmth the fire could never produce rushed through my body and I agreed to sit reluctantly.

I knew it was a bad idea once I sat down because Brittney's eyes locked onto mine as she said, "Tonight's game was suggested by an alumnus, it's their favorite—" Everyone looked around curiously. "Truth or dare."

The uncanny twists of her sinister features indicated her threat of making my life miserable has finally reached it's peak. What is she planning? I narrowed my eyes. My mind briefly wandered back to my memories of the last six months. Are there signs, clues that I overlooked? I kept my eyes on Brittney and she winked at me knowingly.

My heart sank.

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A/N: Here's the part where you turn into detectives and start guessing/coming up with theories (if you haven't already)