Chapter 55 Beat Of The Song
“I’m so happy to be going to a real party,” Beth says from the backseat, looking in the handheld mirror to apply her mascara.
“I’m just glad that you guys could come with me. I haven’t been to one in a while. It’s not fun coming with the guys.” Cassie explains from the driver's seat.
She invited us to a house party that someone from her school is throwing. Of course, Beth was thrilled to go from the second she heard the words house party. I, on the other hand, was a little more apprehensive. I didn’t take much convincing. And Beth used the whole I owe her card for everything she’s done to help me this summer. Which is true, I’ll owe her for a lifetime, so if a house party is what she asks for, I will gladly go to it.
“Well, now you don’t have to worry, we can find you and me a boyfriend.”
“Poor Bethy has been desperate for a boyfriend since I met Alec,” I explain to Cassie.
She laughs.
“I’m glad my pain is funny.” She kicks her seat softly, making her jolt forward with a laugh.
“Hey, I’m the driver you want to actually make it to the party, don’t you?” She feigns anger.
Beth puts her hands up in mock surrender. “Does this party have alcohol involved?”
“Yes, there will be plenty of alcohol available.”
Beth cheers this time, attacking my seat, shaking it roughly with her hands. “You'd better be ready to drink; Cassie is the only sober one tonight, so no excuses.”
I would love to make excuses, but I know she won’t let this go. And honestly, I have no reason not to drink.
“Have you ever drunk before?” I ask her.
“Yeah, of course I’ve been to plenty of parties, have you?” She looks at me like she’s concerned to hear my answer.
“I mean a little but not a lot, no.”
She leans back into the back seat, looking shocked at me. “What about you?”
“Yes, I’ve drunk before and gone to these parties.”
“Anna, what the heck is wrong with you? Are you a buzzkill, or are your parents super strict?” She turns her attention back to me.
“I moved around a lot remember, some of the towns we lived in didn’t have such a thing as house parties.”
“Wow, you have a lot of catching up to do. Tonight is about to be even more fun. Are you sure you can’t ask someone else to pick us up?” She asks Cassie.
“Not really, the guys are busy with their own stuff tonight. Even if they could, it’s best I don’t drink anyway, alcohol doesn’t always affect me in a great way.”
Beth grimaces, “Oh, are you a sad or mean drunk?”
“Just not a good drunk at all.” Cassie tries to shut down the topic.
I wonder if it has something to do with being a werewolf. I’ll have to remember and ask her next time we’re alone.
“What’s your type?” I ask Beth trying to change the topic from Cassie.
“Ummm, it kinda just depends, but I like an athletic guy. Honestly, sometimes a meathead type of guy.”
“That makes sense, honestly.” Cassie says.
“Yeah, that really fits you.”
She looks offended before laughing. “Yup, you guys get me.”
We aren’t on the main road much longer when she turns down a gravel road lined with houses separated by large plots of land. We’re out in the countryside.
“Wow.” Beth steals the words from my mouth about the size of the house.
It’s practically a mansion at the end of the road. I know it’s the house hosting the party with the number of vehicles in the driveway and on the road. Groups of people are entering the house, and I can hear the music from the end of the driveway.
“Is the whole town here?” I ask sarcastically.
“Probably most of them, this is a big party they put on every summer.”
I can see that as we get into the house. It’s as big inside as it looks outside. The music is loud, accompanied by the smell of alcohol.
Cassie grabs my hand, making me grab Beth’s as we filter through the crowd to the kitchen of the house. I can definitely see how this could be the whole town, and then some. This house is full of people. Beth gets us both drinks, pouring them far too heavily, so it’s not a shock that I start to feel tipsy so quickly.
We end up in the living room, where a crowd of people has made the dance floor. Beth and Cassie start dancing to the music like they're not concerned about who might be watching. I hesitate for a second before I follow their lead, letting go of the anxiety dancing with them. In hindsight, the alcohol probably played a big factor in that.
We dance together, our hands in the air, jumping up and down, our hips swaying. I don’t know how long we’ve been dancing, but I’ve long finished my drink, feeling very tipsy from Beth’s mixed drink.
“I need more alcohol.” She yells over the music.
We follow her to the kitchen. I almost step on a few people, but make it out of the crowd. My heart is beating faster than the music; my head is spinning slightly, so I lean against the counter, trying to steady myself.
“Are you okay?” Beth asks, laughing at me.
“I’m great.” My smile feels awkward on my face.
Beth hands me another drink, but before I can grab it, Cassie snatches it.
“I think she’s had enough. She’s never drunk like this, remember?” She tells Beth.
I whine, not liking her parents' attitude. “I can handle more.” I grab the drink from her hand, throwing it down my throat, trying to chug it as quickly as possible.
Beth’s laugh rings over the music. Cassie looks stressed, but I don’t care what else she has to say.
I take them back to the dance floor. The last thing I remember is jumping to the beat of the song.