Chapter 28: Chapter twenty eight

Arielle

The party was already in full swing by the time I arrived. It was a good thing because no one seem to notice me slipping in. They were too drunk to care.

The few people who do only gasped at my appearance, my current reputation as the sick girl in school seemingly irrelevant.

I wanted to make a statement and I made sure my outfit screams it. Arielle McAlister was back.

My shimmery black dress clung onto my body like a second skin. It stopped mid-thigh, highlighting my long legs as I walked into the party. My makeup served as the extra armor I needed.

Heads turned towards me as I walked in and I basked in the moment. I missed this.

“May I say, you look absolutely stunning, Miss.” I heard someone whispered into my ear.

“Dan,” I whirled towards him, a smile tugging at the corner of my lips. “I'm so sorry I'm late.”

“I wanna say it's fine but it's really not. I've been here for an hour and half. I was bored to tears.

I chuckled

“Don't worry, I'll make it up to you.”

“You better.” He poked my cheek.

I frowned slightly but he merely shrugged.

“Let's get drinks and then dance.” I said, hooking my arms with his.

“No dancing. You know I have two left feet.” He groaned.

“You do not.”

Dan was a graceful dancer. Once, in middle school, he'd asked a girl to the school dance and accidentally spilled juice all over her. The incident prompt him to learn the skill so ‘he’ll never embarrass himself like that again’, his words.

“Fine.” He rolled his eyes. “I just don't find the act of rubbing my body with a bunch of sweaty teenagers appealing.”

I removed my arms from his and crossed them over my chest.

“Those sweaty teenagers are your classmates. And you're not rubbing your body with theirs. You can dance without anyone touching you.”

“Really?” He turned his face to the side.

I followed his line of sight and saw the dance floor brimming with our classmates, some shoving themselves to get more space.

I rolled my eyes. What a horrible timing.

“Okay fine, no dancing. But let's get drinks at least.”

I dragged him towards the bar before he could protest.

We placed our order and fell into a conversation before our drinks arrived.

Both of us got non alcoholic drinks, me because of my condition, and Dan because he vowed never to touch it after the party in junior year.

It was the last party I hosted before I fell sick. Dan had participated in a drinking game and got really drunk. He never told me what he happened that made him swear off alcohol.

“Why did you come late anyway? It's not like you're a very punctual person but you're never late to a party. I mean, a whole hour passed before you came.” He clicked his tongue and shook his head.

“Asshole,” I chuckled and hit him slightly in the shoulder. He let out a fake wince.

“Mum didn't want to let me out of the house.” I said the first lie that came to my head.

I took a long sip from my drink, an attempt to hide my nerves. A huge pit formed in my stomach. I didn't enjoy lying to my best friend.

Dan drew a long sigh, the sound audible even over the blaring music.

“I knew that was going to happen, that's why I wanted to come pick you up so I can help talk her into letting you go. I don't know why you refused.”

I pretended not to hear what he said, hoping he'd let it go. I didn't know what lie to tell him if he persisted.

“Rie?”

“Uh!” I turned to face him. Well, it seems he isn't letting it go.

“Why didn't you let me come pick you up?”

I should have known something like this would happen and prepare beforehand. Dan pays attention to every little detail.

My mind wandered about for the perfect lie but I couldn't come up with anything. I knew from the look in his eyes that he already suspected something was wrong.

I took a sip from my drink and coughed repeatedly, hoping it would provide some sort of distraction.

“Man, this drink is so strong.” I said between coughs.

“You mean, the lime water?” He arched an eyebrow and in that moment, I knew he'd caught up with my lie.

I opened my mouth to provide another lie but just kept sputtering rubbish. I caught sight of a honey coloured hair in my peripheral view. I'd never been so happy to see my cousin before.

“Uh oh! Natalie Alert. Gotta go.” I jumped out of my stool before he could stop me.

I made sure to be in the middle of the crowd before I turned. Natalie had reached Dan. Judging from the tightness of his face, he wasn't thrilled by whatever she was discussing.

I suddenly felt bad for ditching him. But I couldn't answer his questions either. Maybe this party was a mistake after all.

I made my way out the crowd to the other side of the mansion. It was quieter here and had less people.

I brought out my phone to text Drayton. For some reasons, I needed his antagonizing now more than ever. I didn't like the guilt sprawling across my chest.

“Arielle,” I heard someone called.

I whirled towards the direction of the voice and frowned slightly when I beheld who stepped out of the dark.

“Jack?”

I wasn't surprised to see him there. Even if he wasn't in my class, he was in our grade. He would have surely gotten an invitation.

I couldn't believe he was talking to me after months of silence. Granted, I had done something wrong by accusing him of cheating with Laura when she was just his cousin, but if he hadn't ghosted me all this while, I wouldn't have jumped into such conclusions.

“Can I talk to you for a second? Over there?” He pointed to a slightly opened door a few meters away.

I wanted to refuse him, but since I was going to leave the party anyway, I decided not to.

“Sure.” I nodded and strode after him.

The door led to an indoor pool. There were only a few people here who seem to have bailed on the party as well, for different reasons of course. I could see a couple making out not far from where we stood. They didn't seem to have noticed us.

“Why do you want to talk to me?” I asked.

We stood by the edge of the pool. My body tingled in anticipation of taking a dip, but I couldn't risk it. I didn't bring a spare clothes aside the coat.

He sighed, an expression similar to remorse clouded his face.

“I wanted to apologize to you. I'm so sorry Arielle, for everything. I couldn't stop thinking about–” he stopped abruptly and frowned at something behind me.

Before I could turn to see what caught his attention, I felt someone grab my shoulder and shoved me hard.

The last thing I remember was free falling into nothing and then– Splash!