“How about we do one instead?” he suggests, reaching for two cups. “And then we can do another with Clover later.”
“Sure.” I watch as he pours vodka into two glasses, then hands me one.
We clink our glasses, giggle, then down the drinks. I’m numb enough that I barely feel the burn. Ellis’ eyes are glazed over, too, and are super focused on me.
“You have some vodka on your lip,” he whispers, reaching out and placing a hand on my cheek.
I think he’s going to wipe it away, but instead he leans in and presses his lips to mine. My eyelids lower as he sucks my bottom lip into his mouth, then kisses me briefly before leaning away.
“I’ve been wanting to do that for a while,” he says softly while skimming his fingertips along my cheekbone.
I smile, probably looking like a total idiot. But Ellis just kissed me. Ellis. Sweet Ellis. Gorgeous Ellis.
He smiles too, then we start making our way around the party, chatting with people, and occasionally he kisses me again. The night sky is a blur of starlight, and blurry rays pierce down from the moon. For a while, everything is perfect. But the longer the night goes on without me seeing Clover, the more my worry stirs.
Girls go missing in Star Meadows, and then the next day they’re found dead. Or just never found at all.
I could’ve been one of those girls that day in the woods had I not found my way out of the trees.
I’m not the only one who escaped, either.
Camilla is at the party right now and every so often we cross paths. Usually, she speaks to me for a minute or two, but tonight, she’s been avoiding me.
Every time her eyes find mine, I start to wave, but she looks away. If we get near each other, she stumbles in the other direction. I feel like we’re in a dance where I know none of the steps. It’s starting to unnerve me.
“Are you okay?” Ellis asks, drawing me back to reality.
I blink at him. “Huh?”
“You’ve been dazing off.” He gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m getting worried about you.”
“I’m fine.” My brain is so flooded with alcohol that I’m unsure if that’s a lie or not. “I think I just need some water. And then I’m going to go to the bathroom.” I wiggle my hand from his grip. “I’ll be right back.”
I walk toward the restrooms located near the park's gate.
“I’ll walk with you.” Ellis jogs after me, his footsteps lethargic.
“You don’t have to,” I insist, but he continues to follow me.
Once he reaches me, he threads our fingers together. The gravel crunches under our shoes as we hike across the parking area toward the restrooms. The noise of the party dwindles the farther away we get, and I find it easier to breathe then.
“So, about that kiss,” Ellis starts to say, but then trips over his own feet.
I grip onto his hand, and he manages to regain his balance.
I laugh. “Dude, tripping over your own feet is more my thing, not yours,” I tease.
He chuckles. “Yeah, I’m a little drunk.” He stares at me. “And a little distracted.”
My head tilts to the side as I steady him. “With what?”
“I…” He hesitates. “I want to kiss you again. Is that okay? I feel like I should’ve asked when I did it the first time. I just got distracted.”
I stupidly nod, then, realizing he probably can’t see me through the darkness, add, “You can kiss me again.”
A moment later, his lips find mine in the darkness. I startle, and he pulls back slightly.
“Do you want me to stop?” he checks.
