17
MELODY TRYNISKI
-Past-

Sebastián's summer house
June 28, 2018
8:30 p.m.

SEBBY'S SUMMER HOUSE IS packed by the time we arrive.

It's a short distance away, but the house is visible on the end of this curvy path. Some cars loiter around it, parked at aimless angles that prevent other people from parking. Not that any of us do that anyways, we just leave our cars behind and walk through these woods to get to his house. From this distance, I'm able to see a group of idiot drunks hanging out on the front porch, already puking their guts out on the grass and tripping on their own steps. It's truly pathetic.

The party blasts inside with streams of green and purple lights, their constant flicker flashing on the dark green of these woods. The muffled sound of the music shakes its wooden structure and the ground that surrounds it, making my body sway with each step I take. I already feel tipsy as I step on small twigs and branches, but that's the effect of Sebby's parties. They can make me feel drunk without tasting a drop of booze, and he gets me high without smoking a blunt.

"Man, why do we gotta do these parties so far away?" Logan whines, loosening his hold on my hand. "This is some horror movie shit."

Alexa, who's been awfully quiet during our walk, quirks an eyebrow at him. "It's tradition."

"We ain't little kids anymore," Logan says, interlacing his fingers with mine once again. Their voices lower and lower as they continue to talk in front of me, until they become background noise.

The full moon is like a silver lantern on an otherwise empty sky, its reflection shimmering on the flowing waves of the calm riverbank. I tilt my head up at the moon as I walk ahead and it follows after me, some trees and dry branches hiding it from my view. My gaze then settles on its reflection again, where the riverbank gives it a more broken appearance -
pieces that float and twist on the water to form abnormal shapes. He says my eyes are like two full moons, icy and gray and mysterious. Dangerously innocent, he always says, you're dangerously innocent.

I like to think that I am.

Trees and bushes pass by in blurry shades of dark green, covering the riverbank that's far behind Sebby's house. I may not see it anymore, but the crashing of water against rocks is loud in the air, a distinct splash that brings me back to my childhood. My body feels as though it's floating on water, where there's only me and the heavy sound of my breath. Everything else is muffled.

As we approach the house, the thing getting bigger and monstrous by the second, I shiver. Sebby's place is right in the middle of a circle of trees, lonesome as it stands tall close to the riverbank. When we step inside this circle, I crane my neck up to look at the round shape made by the heads of the trees and notice the moon hanging right in the middle, showering this obscure part with streams of silver. Now the grass reflects streams of green and purple and silver.

This place has always been our haven, secluded from the rest of the world like a pretty little secret we've had to hide. It used to be perfect, but now I'm not so sure. Everywhere I look there's darkness and there's something about this darkness that makes me uneasy. I can't see what's beyond it or who's hiding in the shadows, but I feel something here. A rumbling begins in my stomach.

The wind whistles in this desolation, ruffling the trees' leaves against one another to produce a scrunching sound. It seems to have a voice of its own, a voice that knows what I'm about to do. I squeeze Logan's hand as tight as I can, my eyes traveling around in desperation.

"Babe, I was joking with all that horror movie shit," he says, smiling brightly. I often forget about the beauty of his smile.

"I know," I say, my voice small.

My gaze shifts to Alexa, who's already looking back at me with concern in her eyes. I shouldn't have told her about him or what I plan to do with him, it'll only get me in more trouble. But I needed to say something, didn't I? My disappearance will cause a lot of unnecessary worry and attention. Maybe I shouldn't-

Everything's going to be okay. It'll just be two months.

His voice flows in my mind, a beautiful tune that's composed and rough. It's all I need to clear my doubts, the reminder that I'll be his for an entire summer. He will change my world with U, just like he promised he would.

Logan leads me inside the house, his warm hand pulling my own with a passive force. Those hands can cause bliss and destruction at the same time, and although it doesn't make me love him in the slightest, it makes me want him even more. The riverbank glints one more time at me before I enter the house.

I'll see it again at eleven o' clock and it'll turn into a witness to my little mischievous act.

As soon as we enter the house, the muffled music gains a new intensity. It's as if I've passed the eerie aspect of these woods to enter this new, exhilarating scenario. Each beat vibrates in my chest, assimilating the natural beating of my heart. Boom, boom, boom, I feel like one with the music.

We fight our way through crowds of dancing people, the green and purple lights guiding our way to the center of the house. Their constant flicker is like a camera's flash, capturing everyone's secrets in the dark. There's too much testosterone and adrenaline running in this tight place, with all these bodies pressed up against one another in what resembles fucking with their clothes on. The smell of booze and sweat and sex lingers in the air, a bittersweet scent that defines a fucking well-done party.

A chubby guy dances in a nearby table, his shaggy hair drenched in sweat. As he takes another sip of his beer, he rubs his stomach until it's visible underneath the green polo shirt.

Another drunk idiot.

Some people make out in dark corners, others cheer as they play beer games. Then there's the hormonal ones, the ones who are climbing the stairs to get freaky in the bedrooms.

Boom, boom, boom, the music is loud in my chest. I take my hand away from Logan's one and begin to dance with the rest of the crowd. My hips sway from side to side in rhythm with the music, and I do a little twirl just because I feel like doing so. My whole body sways as I walk back to Logan, the green and purple lights reflecting the deep frown on his face. God, he's such a fucking bore.

I don't need him.

"Babe," I shout in his ear, stretching the word a little longer so it has more effect. "Go grab us some drinks."

"The kitchen is so far away, babe. Plus, this place is packed."

I resist the urge to roll my eyes and instead pout my lips. "Please."

"Aight." He sighs. "Vodka and?"

My gaze shifts to Alexa, who's standing awkwardly in the middle of the dance floor. "A beer."

"Aight. Be right back."

I dance my way to Alexa, different bodies pressing against mine in equal rhythm. She's looking straight at something, her teeth sinking deeper into the flesh of her pink, glossy lips. My gaze follows hers until it stops on Christopher, who's dancing with some random girl not far away. The girl is giving her back to him, moving her butt on his crotch in what she thinks is a decent twerk. A laugh gets stuck in my throat as I look at the girl's struggled moves, while Christopher seems uninterested as he looks around the room.

She's pretty, in that trashy kind of way. Her brown hair flows down to her butt in strings of cheap extensions and her makeup is all pasty looking with her sweat. The golden dress that adorns her body is tight against her pear-like form, folding up from behind to show that she's wearing a thong and small enough so her breasts look like they're about to pop out. Seriously, who wears a dress like that to a casual party? On top of that, she's wearing high stilettos, too high to go down to the riverbank. That's the whole fucking point of this party.

This girl is a hot mess. If Alexa thinks this girl is competition, then she doesn't know how stunning she is.

I put a hand on Alexa's shoulder and come close to her ear. "You should dance with him."

Her eyes widen as she looks at me, as if she's just noticing my presence. "I don't like him like that," she shouts, shifting her gaze to him.

I roll my eyes. "You're practically begging him to fuck you senseless with your eyes."

"I'm not," she says, blushing.

"You're undressing him with your eyes." I smirk. "Just go there and grind against his fucking dick. Go show that girl how to twerk. Like this."

I clutch a random guy's shirt and pull him to me. Giving him my back, I begin to sway my hips sensually before shaking my ass. He goes along with it and grabs me by my hips, pulling me closer to his crotch. Laughter erupts from my stomach as I bend to twerk against him, going faster when the beat picks up momentum and slowing down when it lowers.

"Stop, I'm not doing that," she shouts and laughs.

The guy gets too excited as we continue to dance, so I let go of him without a second glance.

Alexa sighs. At least, I see her sigh, can't really listen to it with this loud music. "I can't do that. Nari is his girlfriend."

As if she cares.

"So?" I arch an eyebrow. "Nari's a whore. She fucks everything that moves."

Alexa furrows her eyebrows and purses her lips, a sign that she's judging my words in her mind.

"What? A good pair of legs and a nice ass, and that's her type," I shout, snorting a laugh. "The word whore isn't negative to me. It just describes girls who like to fuck a lot. I'm a whore and there's nothing wrong with that."

"Mel, she's our friend."

"No the fuck she's not," I say, rolling my eyes. "She's our friend Christopher's girlfriend. There's a difference."

She turns her attention back to Christopher and his hot mess. "Whatever. He has a girlfriend, I can't just - I don't even like him like that."

"Sure. Whatever you say."

Alexa begins to look around the place, actually believing that she's capable of finding someone in this crowded living room. "I'll just find some other guy to grind against. James, maybe, if I can find him."

"So you can give him blue balls? I don't think so, honey," I say, shaking my head in disapproval.

She laughs, a loud and melodic sound that's heard above the pounding music. "Are you serious?"

If she's not doing something about this Christopher problem, I will. My girl is not staying horny tonight, especially if it's because of Nari or this trashy girl.

"You know me, protecting one ball at a time." I wink back at her as I walk ahead, a smirk gracing my innocent face; my dangerously innocent face.

She pulls me back. "What are you doing?"

"Oh, nothing. Just gonna have a little chit-chat with Chris while I grind against him...you know, since you won't," I say in my most sugary voice, batting my eyelashes innocently.

Alexa blinks several times, trying to understand what just came out of my mouth. Good. I need her to feel something, the tiniest spark of jealousy to give her enough courage to go up to him. A smirk tugs easily on my lips and I approach Christopher with careful steps. The girl is still struggling to move her ass seductively. If I thought that from a distance it seemed funny, up close it's just an embarrassment.

Why is she moving her back so much?

"Excuse me," I shout, bumping my hip against her side to stand in front of Christopher.

"Melody," he says, a crooked grin growing on his face. His eyes wander around some more, probably looking for Alexa since I'm here. "It's okay. She's a friend. Go save us a spot in the beer pong table."

I look over my shoulder just in time to see her frowning, her mouth hanging wide open. My head tilts to the side, a prominent pout appearing on my lips. She glares at me or, rather, she glares at my dangerously innocent face. I stifle a laugh.

"I'll be there in a bit." He assures, throwing a wink her way for added affection. A nice trick, but it only works with amateurs.

Finally, after what seems like forever, the girl softens to his simple request. I can't blame her for not wanting to leave his side, a girl needs to have some action tonight. God knows we all do. She places a hand on the back of his neck and lowers him to her level, planting a sloppy kiss on his small lips. She stomps off with a satisfied grin on her face, arching an eyebrow at me and moving her extensions back, rather sassily.

As if I'm interested in Christopher at all.

"You must be so relieved. Glad I saved you from her awful twerking," I say, placing a hand on the back of his neck. With the other, I pass my thumb on his lips, rubbing away all that slimy gloss. "I have a proposition for you."

He rolls his eyes, his grin never faltering. "Course you do."

"Everyone gushes about how good you are in bed, show my girl what it's like to have a good time."

He quirks an eyebrow, blue eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Your girl?"

"Alexa." I grin, nodding my head in her direction. "She has the hots for you."

"She does?" An innocent grin appears on his face, almost making him look angelic. Almost. When his gaze lands on her, a sad longing reflects in his eyes. The smile tightens on his face, appearing forced and elastic, fake.

He so wants her.

"Careful now, wouldn't want you to drool." I grab his chin, turning his head back to me.

His eyes harden for a moment, reflecting what he can't say with words. It wasn't my intention to provoke those feelings from him, but I'd lie if I say that I'm not enjoying his momentary shame. Only a shitty person would think like that, but I'm done denying who I am. I'm a shitty person, so what?

"Your secret is safe with me," I say, smirking.

He places his hands on my swaying hips and huffs out a breath. "What do you want?"

Some people bump against my back, spilling their drinks close to my heels and laughing afterwards. I laugh with them and do a little twirl on the bubbly liquid, feeling the music vibrating in my body.

"Give her the time of day," I shout, pulling him closer. "Look at her, she's a babe."

He sighs, but does as I say. "I can't."

"The girl looks sexy as fuck." I look at her, standing awkwardly in the middle of the dance floor as she looks at us. Her dark skin shines under these purple and green lights, the blue of her makeup enhancing her beautiful features. "Fuck, she is sexy and, for some reason, she only wants you."

"You're lying."

"Am I?" I quirk an eyebrow, coming closer to his ear. "I'll let you in on a little secret: she's a virgin. Tender, tight, innocent."

He bites his bottom lip as he looks at her, his body trembling under my touch. "She's too good for me." His Adam's apple comes into view for a split second when he gulps, his fingers tapping nervously on my hips.

"Wait," I say, snorting. "Don't tell me you're in love with her or something."

He glares at me, long and hard, but stays quiet. Oh fuck. No-strings-attached, polygamous Christopher is falling for Alexa. How ironic. If this wasn't a tragedy, I would laugh. Well, I can allow myself to enjoy it just a little.

"Don't get me wrong. You're not boyfriend material at all, but she thinks you are." He shakes his head and tries to hide his tiny grin. "Look, she only wants to fuck you and won't give her precious virginity to anyone."

"What about that Jake guy?" he shouts, apparently not noticing the undertone of jealousy in his voice.

"Please, she only gets to second base with him," I say, rolling my eyes. "Just fuck her so we can all move on. Take her to fucking heaven if you have to, make her cum at least three times."

"You don't have to treat her like a piece of meat," he grumbles, lips tightening into a straight line. "I know what I want."

"Then go get her."

Christopher's eyes close for a moment and it seems he's in some kind of meditation process, but I know he's just controlling his anger. That's one of those exercises he needs to practice, as ordered by his psychiatrist. Poor little Chris, practicing pathetic tactics to hide his dark side. No one can erase that from him.

"I can't do that to her. Virginity may be a stupid concept for us, but it matters to her."

Translation: he wants to fuck her, he just doesn't want her to fall in love...despite the fact that he's already falling. That's cute, he thinks he's protecting her.

"Boo, you're such a bore. For all your charm and sexual aura, you seem like a chump."

Just like Logan.

The music changes from a generic, electronic song to a fast-paced rap beat. I twirl around and give my back to Christopher, swaying my body to the beat of the music and bending my back to twerk against him. With each beat that drops, I move my butt cheeks. I can feel them shake underneath my jeans, but Christopher's dick is a no-show. My back straightens against his chest, my arms flinging back so they can rest around his neck. He moves a little in rhythm with me, not even trying to dance properly. If he's pulling more energy than with that trashy girl, he's surely not showing it.

My gaze lingers on Alexa, who's glaring at me with balled fists on either side of her body. Good. Now she needs to come over he-

Christopher grabs me by my wrist and pulls me around harshly to look at him. "Going somewhere?"

A devilish smirk tugs on his lips, his gaze settled on the bracelet that encircles my wrist. There's a wooden cross dangling from the thin string, the symbol of my loyalty.

"You know," I say, eyes widening. "That's where you were last summer, isn't it?"

He arches an eyebrow, as if I've asked the stupidest thing in the world. "I don't need to be there to know about it."

I tilt my head to the side, examining the shifting of his eyes. "You're lying," I say, smiling.

"Am I?" He mocks me, showing me his true, dark self. He's exactly like us. "Two months is a heck of a long time, though. It's not worth it."

I laugh. "Are you gonna snitch on me? Is that why you're here and not there?" His frown deepens, making me beam. "Is it because you're crazy?"

It's his turn to laugh now. Not the reaction I was expecting. "No, no, no," he coos, shaking his head. "You're so naïve, it's funny. I realized that it was a bad place - evil, really. Levittown is evil enough, imagine how that place is like?"

"What are you saying?"

He twirls me around again and comes close to my ear. "It's not worth it."

It sounds like a warning more than anything else. A shiver runs down my spine, cold against the warmness of my skin. For the second time tonight, fear settles in my chest. Fuck, I need something stronger than vodka. Where's Logan with those drinks?

"What do you mean?" I say, trying my best not to seem affected by his words.

He twirls me toward Alexa and lets go of my hand. "You'll see."

•Word count: 3,454•

This chapter is one of my favorites! I love everything about it, from the writing to the different events that it explores. I'm so proud of myself.

My boyfriend read it and told me he loved my imagery and descriptions. Do you agree with him or am I just whipped? I think I'm whipped!

Anyways, talk to me about EVERYTHING. Go off here about Melody's conversation with Christopher. I'm so excited for your reactions. A lot of these glimpses into the past - to that night, really - reveal so much without saying anything. Look closely 🔍👀

Side Note: I'm going to be MIA for the next two weeks because college. Enough said, I'm suffering. I already have pre-written chapters and the outline for this book is almost done, but I have to edit and that takes a lot of my time.

Feel free to correct any grammatical errors, but be kind about it. Tell me what you think of this chapter.

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