“Edie, I don’t want to go anywhere. I don’t have the mood! Don’t you understand?” Alexis replied to Elodie through the home telephone.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWCUNuWMB2
“Please, just go. You have to meet friends. You can’t keep yourself in the cave! Please! I’ll go too.” She begged.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVYqkRWTXr
“But you have to help your father.”copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcuSquvd1n
“I change my mind. Party or work? What do you think I will do?”copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡzojcj7HgTj
It was difficult to win her stubbornness so Alexis agreed to go to the party at Wade Miller’s house. Friends and alcohol, which one will fix my broken mind better? copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyfgYz7Vs5
After catching Davy with June, her ex-boyfriend kept calling her every hour. He visited the house on the next day after the incident. In consequence, Alexis officially ended their relationship and she did not forget to accept his apology for the complete closure. There was such a lot of love for him left in her heart but also unreliability and bad trauma. In spite of what she had done, Davy kept appearing in her dream; it was a pity that she yearned for the dream where she forgot the reality where there was no Alexis and Davy anymore. Often, she dreamed of their last prom, the kiss, and the intimacy at that night. She concluded to herself that it was the haunting regret of her guilty pleasure as she had committed something her parents disagreed with.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡnshRlHmRUo
What made Alexis felt worse was June’s silence. She did neither call nor visit; neither apologize nor make more confession. From that day, the June she knew dove into the black hole, sinking into the deepest of the universe, forever gone. The only thing left between them was the question inside Alexis’s head asking herself, “Why?” June valued their long-term friendship no different from a price of shit.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuMyG5Fnmz
“Where’re you going?” asked her mother. It was Friday’s evening, her parents stayed at home.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡGE7VV6v31Y
“Wade’s party, I may come back before ten.”copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8prqgM8CD3
Her mother nodded meaning giving approval. “It’s good to see you go out, meet friends. Have fun, honey!”copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SxNqdT6Bf
“Why don’t take Jesse with you?” Her father suggested, pausing his reading for a while with eyes narrowing through the glasses. Alexis chuckled when her mother hit his arm lightly. “Oh come on. How many times she visits the Miller’s place. Go, Alex. Don’t listen to the old man.” She ended the conservation with her merry laughter.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiUMePSJSU
“Okay, I’ll be back.” Alexis waved her hand and exited.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1j8rAVzdz
“Did she bring my cell phone?” Caleb still worried.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡCer92SnVYZ
**********55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQprx4BTQAY
copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDh5qvVjfN
The light of sunset painted the thick cloud on the sky orange. The chilling breeze passed through. She rode past the oriental spa which its front door overlaid by advertising posters. Previously, the poster of John Lloyd’s old teen movie attracted everyone’s attention but now it had gone nowhere, perhaps, in the junk. His name vanished as Jesse had assumed.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWOy5f81Pm
Thinking about the star friend helped extinguish the fire of fury towards Davy and June for a while, but it came with the fearfulness from the recognition that a friend was missing, perhaps forever. The worse was John’s identity was removed by the authority. Jesse’s assumption peculiarly sounded reasonable and she started to believe him that her superstar friend was arrested and taken to the rehabilitation program that no one had ever returned. In the past three days, Alexis could not search ‘John Lloyd’ name on any search engine. His own website and the fan club website had been shut down. When people talked about his missing, they whispered, dared not to speak out loud because they were scared to be heard. And in the end, they would simply conclude that he might be dead. Alexis concerned on his family more than anything else because when she imagined if someone in her family encountered the fate that John was facing, how she could manage her mind and her feeling when the loved one was completely gone. And to think of them was illegal and frightened to do.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡArA2BCUZyT
Wade’s mansion stood elegantly among the other mansions in the north, far from the heart of the town. His house was grandeur like June’s mansion which was situated four blocks away. (Sighing, she could not stop thinking of them.) It was the pool party but Alexis did not wear or bring bikini because she aimed at watching people having fun rather than joining with them. What she determined to do was to drink and drink and be drunk.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKxhPXNLg2
“Hey, Alex!”copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuZm25Cb6r
The mansion owner greeted the guest. Wade Miller was sparkling in his bare chest and khaki swimming shorts, waving his hand energetically towards her. There were a lot of guests more than she had thought. At least she saw the whole cheerleading team without the captain who was Elodie. Well, no school anymore, they were waiting for the new life in college. No one needed to stay home for study.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHT8JvLEvk
“Where’s Edie?”copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡxu44LU2yFi
“Oh, Edie can’t come. She phoned me just a few minutes, saying that she has to help her father manage the stock.”copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeNABQFd1M
“What?” Alexis felt like being betrayed. She was quite upset because Elodie confirmed that she would come and who would take her home if she was drunk? A trick? Seriously?copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡFztzId5tRA
Wade clapped on her shoulders. “Nah, don’t worry. Everyone knows you. We’re all friends. Come on. It’s time to recover.” he said and pushed the girl inside the party.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡOp4TuPNwot
“What? Recover? You know?” Alexis could not hide her amazement when he knew about the break-up, due to the fact that she told no one except her family.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZHDzitfwv
Oh…Edie, how can I forget this one?copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1c5uMNHRhz
“I didn’t invite both of them, don’t worry.” He told her.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5YwYtlM0K
“It’s okay. I don’t mind.” Alexis replied at once. Guilty she was; Davy was his friend.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPJXtjgWyN
The boy gave her the wicked smile. “Actually, I did, but they don’t come. It’s not strange for June but Dave thought about coming. When he knows people talking about it. He felt sick for a sudden.”copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡsA0x5MkMEC
Wade possessed a very unique charming smile. If Davy could not make the victory score during the last match, this boy might win the prom crown. Wade Miller was the soccer team captain and one of the candidates to win the government’s scholarship. He shared some similar appearances with Davy, such as the perfect height, blond hair, hot body, and whatever charms hot guys should own. But he was no shyness. He spoke loud and clear and loved to socialize while Davy preferred the private space. The house parties had been frequently organized in his place.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5HlBGOXsO
“You…are…”copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIEsG7LX4k
“Go go go go!” He made haste.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwUK40xpNb
As she walked inside, the soccer team cheered at her, “That’s the spirit! Alex. It’s gonna be okay. We will re-educate him! We’ll bring your Davy back!”copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19gJuSpiQS
She knew they tried to cheer her up but it was really embarrassing when they used the word ‘your Davy’, the same way Bryce and Jesse frequently did.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yBL0hSMeW
At the same time, Alexis understood why Davy dared not to come when she met the others, especially her girlfriends. Possibly, Elodie announced their break-up to everybody’s in the town. When she met some of her basketball team, they said, “He’s a jerk, Alex. You find the better one.” And the whole cheerleading team which all members were Elodie’s minions shouted, “Don’t care the bitch June! If we meet her, we burn her alive.”copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Zt1Kx1hWO
Women’s rage was very scary and when they teamed up, the fire of fury went wild.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXYJGsC6Ls
Alexis knew that June’s popularity mixed with positive and negative reputations. June had the character of the women who girls loved her dresses but hated her. She rarely went to the other’s parties except her owns and had no other friend except Alexis. Boys dreamed of her but she did not regard them as friends but her big fans. Hearing people talked bad to June made Alexis feel more guilty. June’s words lingered in her mind that Alexis left her friend to go out with Elodie. Of course, Alexis had heard what they talked about June. Instead of fighting against them, she ignored it. Just thought it was the best not to deal with them when she knew who June really was. And the others were also her friends. But June might not think so, especially when Alexis hanged out with the girl who was the head of these gossipers. June expected her best friend to be her guardian. It was not Alexis’s intention to make June feel abandoned, though she had unconsciously betrayed June by her silence. copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡYS1AD1RvN6
I did or not, intention or not, June had no right to sleep with him. The girl argued with herself.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡsU6VVQsX7p
Alexis shook that thought away. It was the old story. Perhaps it was their last year in high school and people have to separate from each other in order to follow their dreams. Many had to continue their study far away. The only friend like Alexis might be unnecessary to care when June could make the new squad at college.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAmKk3dW9Y
During the first hour, people came to ask about the incident. Some were rudely curious and needed every single detail for further gossip. Some did care and comfort. Alexis had no time to enjoy the drinks until Wade dragged her to the pool. Of course, she refused but he forced so she kicked his butt and the party host fell into the water. copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8RqIusA0g
People laughed out loud. Wade got up and glared at her furiously. Lucky enough, Wade’s friends stole the attention by jumping from the roof into the pool and people began to try jumping from the roof too. copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsaNo6EQ3L
“I’m sorry. You forced me!”copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQmCAGGODQ
Wade nodded and shook the water out of his head towards her. The furious glare disappeared. The boy sighed. “Edie and I want you to have fun. We—we want to see the old Alex who smiles and laughs and...crazy…whatever.”copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3YDuH8Wi8
His breath smelled like alcohol and perhaps pot. He might be a tough guy but not the brainless type. The alcohol inside his head might stimulate him to reveal everything.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0BnNZtsPx
“Well, Dave screws it up. He’s my friend but he can’t blame me for what I’m going to do. I want you to be happy with the new person. And that person should be me.” copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5nAIYhoMV
Alexis understood what her friend was thinking now. The trick had been uncovered. Elodie wanted to link up to her and Wade together. It was like hearing her friend’s thinking, “Hot guy and the team captain, Davy should learn that he lose the best thing he had!” Alexis knew Wade liked her before she and Davy had been in the relationship. Most of the students grew up together since kindergarten. The society in San Bosa was too small. If you spread one secret to a friend, the other people might hear it too.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyYdctVlqd
But you don’t understand, Edie. You can’t mend a broken heart with a new boy. I thought you knew it profoundly.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDd4014ttU
His face was red and he was totally drunk. Alexis pretended she heard nothing about it. So she turned her back to him.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HZohImz68
“Hey! Where’re you going?”copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡulHtyUWtfm
“Restroom, stay here, I can go alone,” she shouted back.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIZUN0WRuq
Walking inside the house, she accidentally bumped into some couples. These lovers were exchanging their tongues in everywhere she went. Some guests sneaked out from the party to have the intimate activity at the kitchen, restrooms, balcony, under the stairways, behind every counter they found, etc. Alexis had to walk out of one of the restrooms at once since there was another couple reserved the space for their own.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡMv7MTpufYB
Your parents must imprison themselves in their chambers for sure, Wade, she thought when she found no sign of his parents and it might be because the mansion was so large for them to escape the chaos when his son organized the party.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡotW5WuZSYe
Alexis preferred to give her time alone in the backyard. The music beat the house as if they were in the mini-concert. However, the girl was able to find the time for reminiscence among lovers and loud noises when she had her time with herself. No, she was far from an introvert and loved partying, dancing, and being wild like other people did. But that was before her heart broke. Here, at Wade’s backyard, last two months ago, she and Davy, like other couples, sought a quiet place. It was because of those eyes, the pair of hazels locked her gaze and she felt his lips on her lips, the warmth of his breath, the touch of his soft hands, and the scent of his cologne. Alexis could not make her mind stop thinking of that moment. Every time she thought of him, the radiant face of June popped up and her heart began to twist and it was the pain that continued torturing inside. She hated how it was impossible to forget. The kiss and the loss, every moment between them was crystal clear like the day she had experienced them.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFXfzLfwDJ
Is it was wrong to dream of the love like her parents had for each other?copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpe4b7tFns
You still love them. The voice inside her head reminded the unwanted words. Yes, it’s true, she answered to herself. copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLVdQSHQLF
And someone bumped into her. copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50l2gVOvrr
“Oh, I’m sorry.” A croaky voice woke her up from the past memory. A boy with red hair in a plain t-shirt and old pale blue jeans tried to balance himself. Two hands held glasses of beer. “It’s dark, I—I...”copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoQus2CWIZ
“Oh, it’s okay. I don’t mind. Not hurt, really.” She said, wiping the tears from her face.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZLkcCdUsY
He seemed to be considerate in those tears.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxZVAfQoLi
“It’s alright. Not your work, don’t worry.” She said and was about to move out of the temporary shelter. “You’re alright?” He asked but not met her eyes. It was his normal habit, a little shy lad.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1GHv8J74r
“Yeah, why you come alone? Where’s Christina?” She asked Oslo, a classmate in the mathematics class and one of the candidates.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7trTODv2xY
“Well, we came together but her crush was talking with her now so I…” They exchanged the knowing smile to each other. He was a little bit taller than the girl, might be an inch, not a tall boy. His eyes were light brown and his face was full of freckles.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07w027gTv1
“I heard you got admitted to Delphi, congratulations,” he said.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡbm3R3y0MG4
He was the only one who had no interest in asking about her relationship with Davy and June and did not mention anything about it.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOyFHnjdpQ
“Thanks. And you?”copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpXIq0PGUl
“Eastland, Environmental Science.”copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5HLWKkXx1
“That’s cool.” She looked around. People were chasing their dream. Again, Davy’s face flashed into her mind. Alexis remembered he had thought about studying science or business but had been introduced to one of the professional soccer clubs after the final match and he agreed. Thinking of him also reminded her of the memory when Alexis saw herself and June sat in the stadium cheering for him on the victory day. After the match, Alexis ran to him and they kissed to celebrate the victory, just like in the movie.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MPAsxXLLn
Damn me! Stop thinking about them!copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWMzFdAuTu
The music turned dead but the cheering crowd continued. There must be someone took the ‘Dare’ and performed something crazy outside.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBAxnxiHuP
“Tomorrow, I think I’ll see your name,” he kindly mentioned. Alexis shook her head to remain humble but also felt glad that he kept talking about this. After the conservation with Jesse, her confidence decreased to the lowest. Now, Oslo helped to refill it. “The interview was really bad. They had no interest in me,” he told her.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvCy6454QQ
“Hmm, I’m not sure too.” Alexis avoided telling the truth so she would not discourage him. Perhaps, she still had the chance. Perhaps, Jesse was wrong. She might win. They like me. They really admire me.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrNe1srCXk
“Well, I come alone too, why don’t you stay with me. Let’s see what happens outside.” Alexis did not want to stay with her basketball team because they would talk about Davy and June again. She preferred talking with Oslo because he had no interest in it. This made her feel more comfortable. Alexis knew her friends cared for her but she needed not like to spread any more words about them.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MWHkkeC1I
“Okay! Oh, want a beer?” He offered her one of his drink.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKe4ik9opZ
“You kept two glasses with yourself?”copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQr24svv5s
“For Christina until I saw her chatting with…”copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcfNTz78b9
“I see.” Alexis took it.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDT5IbpRzO
They returned to the pool area. People were cheering Peter Leyton walking on water. Wade was sitting on the lifeguard chair recording his friend with the video recorder. It was clear that there were glass sheets under the water.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOFhRJKmfP
“It looks like he really walks on it,” someone said.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡP515TVE13Q
“Right? Tomorrow people gonna be surprised,” Wade predicted. His face turned completely red.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUu3Zcfp3O
The glass sheet is really invisible to the eyes. You guys are already drunk.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTDTbuCVRS
Alexis and Oslo were not really interesting in the stupid trick. The girl looked up at the black sky. At that moment, she became aware that her real mood totally failed to fit in the party. Her head fused with the thought of Davy and June. She did not belong here when these two had never gone from her mind. It was hard to pretend. She needed time to calm her thought.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGYMLRIqSM
“I think I have to go. Sorry Oslo. I just change my mind,” she gave her excuse.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3GM6GYl52
“I know. I’ll take your home.” His eyes demonstrated how he really understood her. It revealed that no one missed the news. copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡajWNd7hP29
“That’s sweet of you but I take my bike. Thanks and goodbye. Very excited to hear the announcement tomorrow, let's keep our fingers crossed.”copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMPGzBxh2q
“Alex, you don’t look excited. I’m about to go too. It’s alright, I ride with you. Christina doesn’t want me anymore.” He jerked his head to his girlfriend’s spot so Alexis could see she was laughing with her crush. A few seconds that she could catch the glimpse of his broken heart. Those brown eyes revealed what he was thinking about his best friend.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ktK6Aq5Ww
They had the same problem, lovesick.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76Q3U3acTc
They were going to move away from the crowded place. Suddenly, the party was crashed when the siren thundered at the Miller’s mansion. Wade called his servants to clean off all alcohols and illegal drugs. Oslo and Alexis raced to the door but it was too late, the police enclosed Wade’s mansion in a flash of lightning.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBZbhzMPRP
“This is bad. Mom will kill me. I told her to return home by ten,” Oslo murmured. Alexis heard Wade cursed to whom informed the cops.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVaJGgj7lf
“Same. Damn, I have to listen to my dad’s and my brother’s lecturing me all day.”copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtmtwgxHsq
Alexis thought she would go home late certainly and her father or Jesse had to pick her up at the police station, owing to the fact that she had to take time on drug testing. The girl searched for her father’s cellphone but found out that she forgot to bring it.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡTN1TYjsL8j
The cops announced through the megaphone, “You’re all under arrest. Come with us to the police station. Don’t resist!”copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡBofL7V2q2o
Alexis saw Wade rushed to them. Although his face was still red, the consciousness still remained with him. “Sir, I can explain. We have parents here. Please see my father.”copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFR39njG4L
It was the first time she saw that his parent was really home. His father, like the older version of Wade, blonde, tall, and handsome, ran into the Police in his pajamas, trying to negotiate.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Yz9SxskjA
“No excuse sir, all of them must come with us. The party is over. We have the special warrant.” The emotionless officer in navy blue uniform declared his right to detain all teens in here. “Under the act 2966, sir.”copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUYTG5PIwR
“What?!” Mr. Miller was out of words. “Are you kidding me?”copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dxXgHlznq
All of them covered their mouths, having no idea why the officers used this law to arrest them.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvoUEgs6BL
“My ears’ must be wrong. I heard they said the act 2966?” Oslo asked.copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgGF9mLZ4i
She nodded in conformation. “Your ears are fine.”copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡQawn8M4tms
It was summer but the nightly wind turned cold. This was not about drug test anymore.55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8q9EOhrTLO
copyright protection51ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIXiCBz5Ib
