Oh no. No, no, no…
I didn't dare to breathe as I watched the bottle teeter around, until it finally stopped on Jason. I let out a steady sigh of relief, but that halted when I realised what had just happened. My eyes widened, and I looked over to Valarie, wondering whether she was actually going to do it or not. Did she even know who she'd be kissing, or was she that out of it?
"Pucker up, princess,” Chrissy mused, her eyes narrowing at her. I could have sworn they seemed to swirl, looking almost like obscured jewels in the golden lighting. Valarie seemed hesitant, eyeing Jason uncertainly. I frowned. Didn't she have a thing for him?
Unless she'd been telling the truth when she said they were just friends. My heart began to pound, and I wondered if I should say something, maybe even get up to leave, giving her an opportunity to come with me…
"Let's play truth or dare,” Valarie blurted out suddenly, casually brushing off the kiss. Chrissy scowled, and a few of the other players rolled their eyes.
"You didn't finish your turn."
Valarie frowned at her.
"Then make me do a dare instead,” she insisted firmly.
My mouth fell open. I hadn't seen this side of Valarie since that one time she'd been craving a chicken wrap from the cafeteria, and she'd had to practically wrestle a girl to get the last one.
Chrissy smiled in a strange, unsettling way.
"Oh?” she mused, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. "Well… if you insist."
She got to her feet and motioned for everyone to follow her. My chest constricted as I got up and followed them, terrified of what Chrissy might make Valarie do… and the complications that would follow if she refused.
Chrissy led us over to Adam Bauer's hot tub, where he was still wooing the ladies.
"Oh, Adam!” she sang out, instantly capturing his attention. He smiled at us.
"Hey, what's up, ladies?"
My stomach turned, knots forming, as I watched the exchange unfolding. Chrissy tugged on Valarie's hand and, giving her a mischievous smile, said, "Valarie here is loving your party. In fact, she's having such a great time, she wanted to thank you personally by giving you a little lap dance."
My jaw dropped. I even felt Jason tense beside me, his eyes wide. We exchanged a brief glance of horror.
"What do you say, Val?” Chrissy asked lightly. "You up for it?"
Valarie's face had gone pale. I wanted to grab her and take her somewhere safe. But I also didn’t want to embarrass her in front of all these people. In fact, the crowd was growing as murmurs began to spread. A girl with dark red hair stepped in and patted Valarie's back encouragingly, cheering her on, and Valarie stumbled a little, her eyes glazing over. Chrissy's challenge had suddenly attracted a lot of attention.
"Valarie,” I said carefully, hoping my voice would help her find reason. Perhaps she'd be the better person, stand her ground, and walk away. Even if that alternative was embarrassing, it was going to be embarrassing either way.
To my horror, she looked down at her shirt… and slowly peeled it off. My heart lurched.
"Wait!” I said, stepping forward. Chrissy's cool expression focused on me. I clenched my teeth.
"This is stupid—don't make her do something like that!"
"She wanted the dare.” Chrissy shrugged, seeming amused by the entire situation. I marched up to her and lowered my voice angrily.
"What's your problem? You've had her stuck to your side this entire night!"
Chrissy's smile grew bigger.
"Oh? Is it getting to you?” she asked. Something changed in her eyes, a dark gleam replacing her playful gaze. "Did you want her all to yourself? You can have her… but I'll only trade for something just as valuable."
"What are you talking about?” I snapped, my anger rising. Valarie wasn't her property! She couldn't just claim her!
"You have something of mine, Lucy Maisfer,” she said, her tone dropping so low I had to strain to hear it. A shiver ran down my spine, and it took everything in me not to back away from her sight. "Rumour has it that you found an orb the other night… a glowing orb."
My heart rate spiked. It couldn't be… she couldn't possibly be referring to that strange light that had knocked me out, right? And what made her think that I had it?
"If you hand over that orb, I'll give you back your precious friend. All safe and sound, with her good reputation intact."
I shook my head, unable to stand her tone.
"Screw you. We're leaving!” I insisted, turning to grab Valarie. In the time I'd been talking, however, she'd stripped down to her underwear. My jaw dropped.
"Valarie!” I snapped, moving fast to cover her up. But she pushed me away idly, and turned to step down into the steamy water. Adam seemed as shocked as the rest of us, his eyes wide.
"Damn it, Valarie, what are you doing?” I grabbed her arm, but it was no use. To my horror, she waded into the water and went to straddle Adam's lap. I could only gawk at her, like everyone else. Why was she doing this? Was she really that desperate not to kiss Jason? Or was this about something else? About regaining her reputation that had dwindled since that tragic night?
I'd been so focused on Valarie, I didn't realise that Chrissy had pulled out her phone and started filming. Horror washed over me at the sight. The way Valarie was swaying her hips and tilting her head… it was too much. This was too much. I made myself move, to step in between the camera and Valarie—
But as soon as I'd started moving, Valarie ended the dance, turning and swaying her hips as she strode out of the water once more.
Chrissy dangled the phone in front of me, a coy smile plastered on her lips.
"So, what will it be?” she asked innocently. "Shall I send this out to everyone I know? I'm pretty popular in this town—I do wonder how teachers and parents would react if they saw this. Just imagine if it went viral!"
I clenched my fists, fuming. She continued, smirking, "Would you risk Valarie's reputation just to keep a shiny, glowing orb? After all, the last thing she needs right now is to be humiliated everywhere, what with all that grief up in her head, right?"
"You're a monster,” I spat, unable to believe what I was hearing. I'd been right to be wary of her. "I don't have what you're after. If I did, I'd give it to you. Now, delete that video!"
Chrissy frowned. "But if you don't have it, who does?"
I threw my hands up despairingly. "I don't know!"
She pursed her lips, her brown eyes like slits. "Well, I guess you'll have to find it, won't you?” she said, tucking the phone into her bag. I gawked at her.
"What?” I snapped. She smirked at me.
"Find the orb, and bring it back to me. Do that, and then I'll delete this video. I'll give you until… let's say Monday morning. Sound fair?"
All I could do was gawk at her in disbelief. She was giving me two days to locate some stupid glowing orb and bring it back, or risk sending my best friend's reputation up in smoke? What the hell was so important about this orb, anyway?
But I couldn't say no. If that video did go out, it could land Valarie in a lot of trouble, from her parents, future employers… especially the school. I remembered that girl who'd gotten suspended, and I knew that Chrissy would do it. She would never hesitate.
I doubted people around us would back me up if I tried to get the truth out. Most of them weren't even paying attention anymore—they'd gone back to partying, like nothing had even happened. Half of them probably wouldn't even remember it tomorrow.
"Fine,” I said through gritted teeth. "I'll do it."
Chrissy beamed at me, clearly pleased.
"Wonderful!” she exclaimed, twirling a strand of her hair. "Oh, and one more thing—if you go to anybody about this, whether it be a parent or another authority figure, well, I have a few letters sitting at home addressed to Cambridge. That is your top university choice, right?"
It felt like every muscle in my body was slowly going numb as my world crumbled around me. Cambri
dge wasn't just a university my mother and even my grandmother had attended. No, it had been a huge part of their life and their success, so it was now kind of a tradition, or expectation, if you will, that Kyra and I also go there. My mum would be devastated if I couldn't get in.
"They're all letters from teachers and community members—or at least, that's what they'll think—that will advise them to reconsider your admission. So if you cross me, I will cross you and Valarie. Understand?"
I forced a nod, even though my body felt stiff with tension. I'd never hated anyone as much as I hated Chrissy in that moment.
"Great! Well, I'll see you Monday morning, Lucy. And”—She wagged a finger tauntingly—"don't be late."
With that, she turned and glided through the crowd back towards the house, leaving me at a complete standstill by the hot tub. I slowly turned back to Valarie, who had put her clothes back on. They were a little sodden from all the water clinging to her, but she still seemed too out of it to really notice. In fact, her eyes seemed duller than usual.
My heart ached for what she'd just gone through. She'd come here to have a good time, and instead this had happened.
The people around us had completely lost interest by now, and they walked off, leaving just Jason, Valarie, and I standing there. Jason wore a hard expression, and I didn't know what to make of him. He hadn't even tried to help!
Valarie's face fell, as if she were coming out of a daze. I figured the alcohol was finally wearing off, though it did seem a little quick and sudden. Then again, what did I know? I didn't even drink!
Her eyes grew wide with horror. She looked down at her clothes, and…
"What…” she breathed, as if she'd just realised what she'd done. "Did I really just…?"
Her face paled and tears pooled in her eyes. She swallowed hard and tore off across the sprawling gardens. I wrenched myself from where I stood, chasing after her, and heard Jason's heavy footsteps behind me.
"Valarie!” I called desperately, but she didn't stop until she'd raced to the very back of the sprawling gardens and darted behind a locked shed near a cluster of trees. By now, she was bawling.
"What the hell have I done?” she sobbed, and I rushed over to embrace her. "I-I-It was like I couldn't even think straight! I just… I don't understand what came over me—"
"Don’t worry,” I said soothingly, trying to keep my own nerves out of my voice. "We're going to fix this. I promise!"
But she shook her head. "Everybody already thinks I'm a worthless, good for nothing…” Her sobbing interrupted her speech. "If that video gets out, it will only make things worse!"
I glared at her, placing my firm hand on her shoulders.
"You are not worthless, Val,” I said sternly. "Nobody blames you for what happened that night. They know it was just an accident."
Valarie's expression dulled as every emotion she'd bottled up over the past few months spilled over the edges.
"I know what they say about me,” she insisted quietly. "They say that I killed him. My own father."
My heart ached as she said those words. It wasn't true. It had all been a terrible accident!
A few months ago, Valarie had been learning to drive with her dad, in his old pickup truck. It was a bit of a dodgy car to begin with, but it was the only car in their family. Anyway, Valarie had only had a few lessons, and she was still pretty new at it. The brakes had failed, and she'd panicked…
She'd wrapped them both around a tree. Valarie survived, obviously. But her dad…
"They must think I'm reckless to even get in a car like that, with the limited experience I had,” she continued, her voice thin and crackly, as tears continued to stream down her cheeks. "I should never have begged to go for that lesson…"
"It wasn't your fault,” I insisted firmly. Beside me, Jason stood watching the two of us. He didn't say anything—I don't think he knew what to say.
"If that video circulates,” Valarie said, steering me away from the subject, "people are going to think I'm completely derailed. Who's going to take me seriously in the fashion world—let alone the business world—if something as degrading as that gets out?"
"It's not going to get out,” I promised. "I'll find a way to stop her—I don't know what this stupid orb thing she wants is, but if I can't find it, I'll break into her damn house and destroy every copy of that video myself!"
"You won't be able to get in,” Jason said quietly, speaking up for the first time. I reeled around to him and was surprised to find him wearing a guarded expression.
"How do you know?” I pressed. He shrugged.
"I just do. Their house may look ancient, but it's got tighter security than a prison. Chrissy isn't dumb enough to blackmail people and not protect all the dirt she collects on them."
I pulled my lips into a thin line, wondering how he knew that. But I didn't linger on that thought. I had more pressing matters at hand. If I couldn't break in, I'd have to find that orb. How the hell was I supposed to do that?
I decided to deal with that later. Right now, my best friend was a snivelling mess, and I needed to get her home.
"Val, do you want to stay at my place tonight?” I asked gently. "We can come up with a plan in the morning, okay?"
She sniffed, wiping away her tears on her arms, and nodded.
"Please,” she whispered, her voice hoarse. Jason cleared his throat.
"Do you ladies need a lift?"
I narrowed my eyes at him.
"Haven't you been drinking?” I pressed, incredulous that he'd even suggest such a thing after everything Valarie had just said.
"I wasn't referring to myself,” he replied shortly, frowning at me. "I know someone who can take you home. He's a friend."
"Who?” Valarie asked quietly. At this point, she looked ready to take the first offer that came along—her eyes were red and puffy, and her mascara was running everywhere. Not to mention all the tiny goose bumps running along her skin from her wet clothes. She must have been freezing!
"His name is Andrew Kingston."
I pursed my lips, thinking. I remembered what my mum had said about not getting into a car with anybody, and I considered the idea of calling her instead. But it was already so late at night, and she always got annoyed when she lost her precious hours of sleep; she had a pretty intense routine to maintain her work-life balance.
I mentally weighed our options. It was one thing to get into a car with a complete stranger, and another to get into a car with someone intoxicated. But unless we wanted to walk home in the cold, it seemed like our only choice. One look at Valarie was all it took for me to know I couldn't subject her to that.
I gave in. "Okay."
Four
Ten minutes later, a sleek black car pulled up outside Adam's house, and the three of us pushed off the front steps where we'd been waiting. Jason strode over and opened the door of the driver's seat, while Valarie and I hung back a little. A tall man stepped out of the car. He was wearing a worn brown trench coat.
My eyes widened.
He seemed so mature… probably way older than me, but he was still extremely handsome. His sculpted cheekbones were perfection, his blond hair gelled back, his eyes a vivid golden colour.
He nodded toward us with a single, flawless, graceful movement, and I found myself unable to tear my eyes from him. He was so perfect, it was almost inhuman.
"This is Lucy and Valarie,” Jason introduced, gesturing to us.
"It's a pleasure,” he replied, his voice silky. He offered both of us a small smile and stepped aside to let us climb in the back seat.
Nervous energy bounced around inside of me, but it wasn't because I was in a stranger's car. It was because I was in the perfect stranger's car.
Once the four of us were seated and buckled up, he proceeded to pull away from Adam's house and onto the dark roads of Lorelei.
"Rough party?” Andrew offered, glancing at us in the rear-view mirror. His gaze flickered to Valarie, noting her sodden
clothes.
"Something like that,” Jason muttered quickly from the passenger seat, and Andrew seemed to take the hint. He reached over and turned on the radio, letting music drift into the car to fill the silence.
Valarie had finally calmed down beside me. Sometimes, she got a little antsy in cars—a side effect of her accident. She still looked like a mess, but her expression had returned to that dull, dreary gaze I'd gotten accustomed to.
"Are you okay?” I asked her gently, and she nodded slowly.
"I'm fine,” she replied bluntly without looking at me, and I inhaled deeply at the response.
I'd already promised her a thousand times while we were waiting that I would fix this. I had to fight the urge to keep saying it—like maybe if I said it enough, she would stop worrying about it. But there was no guarantee that I could handle this… I mean, I didn't even know what it was I was handling.
In an attempt to distract myself, I focused my attention on Andrew.
"So… what do you do, Andrew?” I asked. He offered me a smile in the mirror.
"I work at the observatory. My grandfather left it to me when he died, so I sort of run it."
My eyes widened. "Oh! That sounds interesting,” I replied, leaning forward in my seat. "What kind of stuff do you do there?"
"Mostly research,” he replied. "We track stars and constellations, and sometimes, when they happen, meteors too."
"You must find it all rather fascinating,” I offered, and he nodded.
"You could say that."
A few moments later, we pulled up outside my house. I was relieved that we hadn't had to walk.
"Thank you so much, Andrew,” I said as Valarie and I filed out of the car.
"Not a problem,” he replied smoothly. "You ladies have yourselves a good rest of your night."
His manners sent me swooning, and it was a struggle to keep myself collected. Andrew pulled off from the curb, and I led Valarie up to my front door. She'd sobered up quite a bit, but she still had a little stagger in her step. I guided her inside and up the dark staircase to my room, wincing as her heels clacked on the marble tiles and her elbow brushed the walls. My mum was never a pretty sight when she had her beauty sleep disturbed, and I prayed she was sleeping through all the noise.
Lanterns In The Sky Page 4
