ARIA'S POV
I can't feel my feet anymore, which is slightly concerning because I'm still wearing six-inch heels. But at the same time, my legs are still buzzing with leftover adrenaline from dancing, my fake vampire fangs keep clicking against each other, and my lips taste like cherry vodka and lip gloss.
The party's dying. I can feel it in the air—like the last crackle of static before a radio goes quiet.
The music is still pounding from some Spotify playlist that Josh made, but the crowd is thinning. People shuffle past me in a parade of glitter, blood, fake fur, and polyester capes, all of them yelling half-drunk goodbyes over the music.
I'm leaning against one of the pillars in the TKE living room, trying not to lean so hard that my corset top cuts off my breathing entirely. The bones of the corset dig into my ribs every time I laugh, which is unfortunately often, because Chloe's been narrating a running commentary of every person leaving the house.
"Oh my god, look at her," Chloe says, voice pitched low as if we're secret spies, pointing at a girl stumbling out the door in a cat costume that looks more like roadkill. "Aria. Aria. Tell me that's not tragic."
"Chloe," I gasp, "you're an angel. You're supposed to be nice."
"I am nice. That's why I'm telling her to go home before she gets rabies."
Amber's trying to hold back laughter, but she's losing. She's perched on the edge of the couch, carefully adjusting the straps of her sexy maid costume, the little white apron crinkling as she moves. "Stop. You're gonna make me spill my drink."
Josh breezes past me, nearly knocking into Chloe's white feather wings with his body . He's in his sexy sailor costume — cropped navy-blue sailor shirt that shows off his abs, tiny booty shorts, and perfectly white sailor hat perched on his shiny light brown hair.
"Bitch, I just checked the kitchen—there's literally no alcohol left. We're dry."
Chloe's jaw drops. She's tall and radiant in her all-white Victoria's Secret angel costume, complete with small white wings and high heels. "Shut UP."
"I'm serious. Even the jungle juice is gone. It's a wasteland in there. I'm pretty sure Tre just drank the last of the tequila straight from the bottle."
"I'm going to die," Chloe moans, clutching her chest. "This is the worst Halloween ever."
"Hey." Austin pops into our little circle, towering over all of us in his football uniform costume. His helmet's tucked under his arm, and there's glitter stuck to the sweat on his neck. "Some of the guys are heading to a party down the street. Tyler said it's at Sigma Chi, or maybe Delta—whatever, one of those. They're telling everybody to come."
"Another party?" Amber looks exhausted just thinking about it. "I have class tomorrow, Austin."
"But it's Halloween," Austin protests. "You can't just… go home."
Chloe lifts her plastic cup. "Except we have nothing left to drink here, so… maybe we should?"
Ray materializes next to me like he's appeared out of thin air. He's wearing his sexy gladiator costume — white and gold, the skirt piece barely covering the tops of his thighs, and a gold circlet resting in his dark curls that frame his slightly crooked nose. His tan skin glows under the colored lights.
"Babe," he murmurs, "you look like you're about to collapse."
"I'm fine," I protest.
"You've been dancing for like three hours straight."
"So?"
He tilts his head, giving me that lazy half-smile that always melts my insides. "So, come sit down before you bust an ankle."
I let him steer me toward the couch, my heels clicking on the floor. My black lace stockings and garter belt feel like they might snap if I breathe too hard. "Ugh. I hate being sensible."
Josh flops down next to me. "Oh my god, I'm so tired. Why is it always the same dudes at every party? Like, go away, Chad. Find a hobby."
"I mean… parties are Chad's hobby," I say.
Josh gives me a sharp look. "Don't defend Chad."
Ray plops down on my other side and drapes an arm over my shoulders. He smells faintly of weed and cologne, a combo that's weirdly comforting. "So… we bouncing to that other party or nah?"
Chloe waves her hand, her white angel wings fluttering behind her. "I dunno. I'm so over it."
Austin looks crestfallen. "But it's gonna be lit."
Amber gently pats Austin's knee, giving him a sympathetic look. "Everything's 'lit' to you, Austin."
Austin grins. "Facts."
It's weird how quickly the house empties. One second there's music and laughter and the smell of beer-soaked carpets, and the next, it's echoing silence. The frat guys filter out in twos and threes, yelling promises that the party a few houses down is "where it's at."
We linger in the living room, clustered in a half-circle.
Chloe crosses her arms, adjusting the straps of her angel costume. "I mean, I might go. Maybe. Depends if there's tequila."
Amber rolls her eyes. "We should probably help clean up a little before we leave."
Josh sighs dramatically, adjusting his tiny sailor shorts. "God, why are we like this? We're so nice. Other people trash the place and bounce, but no. We have to stay and be responsible."
Austin nudges Josh. "Because we live here."
Josh points a perfectly manicured finger. "You live here. I'm a guest. I shouldn't even be picking up cups."
"Don't be mean," Chloe says, flicking Josh's arm. "Help."
Ray leans closer, speaking low so only I can hear. "Babe. Let's go upstairs and start cleaning. Before it turns into a group project."
I grin. "Okay. But only because if I stand still too long, my feet will give out."
He takes my hand. His fingers are warm and slightly callused, and my stomach flips.
Josh calls after us as we head for the stairs. "If you guys sneak off to make out and leave us with the trash, I swear to GOD—"
"WE'RE CLEANING!" I yell back over my shoulder.
The upstairs hallway feels eerily quiet after the noise downstairs. The colored lights don't reach this far. It's just regular warm bulbs casting shadows on the wooden floors.
Ray's already pulling open doors, peeking into rooms. "God, it's a disaster up here."
"I warned you about frat houses," I tease. "They're basically biohazards."
Ray pulls a face. "Yeah, well… the things I do for love."
I lean close. "You mean the things you do for this—" I gesture at my vampire costume, wiggling my hips so the black lingerie corset top and frilly mini skirt sway slightly.
He barks a laugh. "Baby, you know damn well I'd help clean the White House if you were wearing that outfit."
I smirk. "Hold that thought. Help me pick up these cups before I impale myself."
We move from room to room. There's confetti, discarded plastic fangs, glitter dust, and random clothing items scattered everywhere. Ray finds a plastic skeleton missing a leg and waves it at me.
"Oh my god, Ray, put it down!" I squeal, laughing. "That's disgusting. Where has that BEEN?"
"Babe, it's just plastic."
"Plastic covered in frat germs!"
He tosses it onto a couch. "I'm gonna have nightmares about frat germs."
We keep working, tossing empty cups into trash bags. Occasionally, Ray stops to vape, exhaling sweet-smelling clouds that linger like fog.
Eventually, we end up in one of the bedrooms. There's glitter all over the bedspread.
Ray leans against the doorframe, arms crossed. "So… how long before Chloe comes up here looking for us?"
"Approximately three minutes," I say. "She's pathologically nosy."
He pushes off the door and closes the distance between us. His hands slide around my waist, fingers brushing the exposed strip of skin between my corset and skirt.
"You look unreal tonight," he murmurs, voice husky.
I pretend to scowl. "Even with sweat running down my back?"
"Especially with sweat running down your back."
"You're gross."
He grins. "You love it."
"Unfortunately."
He kisses me, slow and soft at first. His lips taste faintly like weed and spearmint. My brain goes slightly fuzzy, and I drop the handful of cups I was holding.
Ray pulls back, eyes half-lidded. "We should probably finish cleaning…"
"Ugh. I hate being responsible."
He presses another kiss to my temple. "But you're good at it."
"Don't tell anyone. It'll ruin my image."
Eventually, we finish stuffing trash bags and collecting stray glittery bits from every flat surface. Ray's following me around like a loyal puppy, vape dangling from his lips as he helps me drag two stuffed trash bags toward the stairs.
When we finally head back down, my legs are trembling in my heels.
"Babe, you okay?" Ray murmurs.
"My feet are gonna murder me in my sleep."
"Wanna sit down?"
"Yes please."
We reach the living room again, dropping our trash bags near the door. Austin's trying to vacuum confetti off the couch while Josh and Chloe are arguing about the best way to separate recyclables. Amber's wiping down a sticky table.
Josh throws his arms up when he sees us. "Look who finally decided to grace us with their presence!"
"Ugh, don't start," I say, dropping into the nearest empty spot on the couch. "My feet are screaming. Literally screaming."
Ray sits beside me and casually tosses an arm around my shoulders, leaning close enough that his curly hair tickles my cheek. "I tried to tell you to sit down sooner, babe."
"You say that like you didn't dance with me half the night," I tease.
"I have stamina," Ray says solemnly.
Amber lets out a dramatic gagging sound as she wipes down the coffee table. "Ugh. Please. No one wants to hear about Ray's stamina."
Chloe gasps, clutching the feathery edge of her angel wings. "Amber! Dirty mind!"
Josh looks delighted. "I do want to hear about Ray's stamina. Spill."
Ray shakes his head, grinning. "Nope. Not happening."
I laugh and lean against his chest, feeling the vibration of his quiet chuckle through my corset bones.
Austin powers down the vacuum and glances over. "You guys done upstairs?"
"Mostly," I say. "Except for a crime scene's worth of glitter."
Josh waves his arms. "Babe, that's literally my contribution to the party. Don't talk shit about my glitter."
Amber points her rag at him. "Your glitter is stuck in places it should never be."
Josh cocks his head. "Like where?"
Amber flushes and refuses to answer, which sends Chloe into peals of laughter.
It's almost peaceful, all of us puttering around cleaning. The party echoes faintly outside as people migrate down the street. I can hear bits of music floating in from the open front door.
Tre appears suddenly from the kitchen, shirtless as usual in his pirate costume, the pirate hat perched jauntily on his buzzed head. His skin glistens with a sheen of sweat, and there's a bottle of water in his hand.
"Hey," he says, voice low and warm. "Place is looking better."
Josh practically lights up and rushes over, looping his arm through Tre's. "Baby! Where'd you go?"
"Refilled water. Helped the guys load stuff into cars." Tre glances around. "Anybody going to the next party?"
"Still deciding," Chloe says, flopping into an armchair. "I'm like… ninety percent dead."
Austin looks hopeful. "But you'll come?"
Chloe gives him a tiny smile. "We'll see."
Amber finishes wiping down the coffee table, then sighs and props her hands on her hips. "Okay. This room is good. Who's tackling the kitchen?"
Ray raises his hand halfway. "I'll help."
I blink at him. "Ray. You're voluntarily offering to clean a kitchen?"
"I'm trying to earn Good Boyfriend Points," he deadpans.
Chloe smirks. "He's smart. Good Boyfriend Points are basically sexual currency."
Ray winks at me. "See? She gets it."
I roll my eyes. "I'm going with you. Because you'll just stand there vaping while I scrub stuff."
"I can multitask," Ray protests.
"Babe. No you can't."
Josh cackles. "He really can't. I once asked him to stir mac and cheese while telling me about his day, and the cheese burned."
"It was ONE TIME," Ray protests.
We troop into the kitchen, which looks like a bomb went off. Red Solo cups are everywhere. Sticky puddles of spilled alcohol shimmer on the counters. There's half a loaf of Wonder Bread inexplicably sitting on top of the microwave.
"Oh my god," I groan. "Why is there bread in here?"
Ray shrugs, leaning against the counter and pulling out his vape. "Probably a beer pong dare."
I start tossing cups into a trash bag while Ray tries to wipe counters with a paper towel that immediately shreds into wet confetti.
"Babe," I say, "you're not helping."
"I'm moral support."
"You're stoned moral support."
He pauses, giving me an innocent look. "Not… that stoned."
I raise an eyebrow.
"Okay, maybe a little," he admits.
I chuck a wadded-up paper towel at him. "Focus!"
Tre comes into the kitchen, wrapping his arms around Josh from behind. "Want help?"
Josh sighs. "Only if you swear not to look too sexy while you're doing it."
Tre grins. "No promises."
Josh fans himself. "See? How am I supposed to focus?"
Chloe calls from the doorway, her white wings brushing the doorframe. "Oh my god, you guys. I just found a pair of underwear hanging off the banister."
Ray blinks. "Male or female?"
"Hard to tell. Sequins."
Amber appears behind her, peering in. "Please tell me it's not mine."
Chloe narrows her eyes. "Amber. Do you own sequin underwear?"
Amber hesitates. "… No comment."
Josh claps his hands. "Bitch. Spill."
Amber folds her arms. "I refuse to be judged."
Eventually, between all of us, the kitchen looks moderately less like a health hazard. Ray's still leaning against the counter, grinning at me every time I bend over to pick something up.
"Stop staring at my butt," I hiss.
He just smirks. "Can't. It's too good."
"I'm going to punch you."
He lowers his voice. "That'd just make me harder, babe."
I squeal and slap his arm. "RAY."
Josh's voice rings out. "Please remember I am RIGHT HERE. God."
We drag the bags of trash outside to the cans by the side of the house. The air is crisp, finally cool enough to make my skin prickle where it's exposed above my corset.
I lean against the fence, sighing. "My feet are going to have permanent nerve damage."
Ray pulls me closer, sliding a hand into the space between my corset and skirt. "I'll massage them when we get home."
"Liar. You'll fall asleep the second we sit down."
"Babe, I can multitask."
"No you can't."
Ray laughs and presses his lips to my forehead. "I love you, even if you're mean to me."
I grin. "I'm not mean. I'm honest."
When we go back inside, Chloe is in the living room perched on the arm of the couch, scrolling furiously on her phone.
"I swear to god," she snaps, "people keep posting videos from this party and I look tragic in every single one. Like—who let me make that face?"
Amber peers over her shoulder. "You look fine."
"I look like a surprised pufferfish."
Josh leans in. "Post it anyway. Live your truth."
"No!" Chloe protests. "We have reputations to maintain."
Ray raises his eyebrows. "I didn't know we had reputations."
Chloe waves him off. "You're a stoner gladiator, babe. No one's checking for you."
Ray shrugs. "Fine by me."
Austin emerges from the hallway, carrying a laundry basket full of random debris: crumpled costumes, empty bottles, and about six glow sticks. He sets it down and wipes sweat off his forehead.
"This is literally cardio," he complains.
Chloe pats his arm affectionately. "You're so brave."
Austin beams. "Thanks, babe."
Chloe rolls her eyes but gives him a quick peck on the cheek.
Amber dusts off her hands. "Okay. So who's still thinking about going to the other party?"
Josh raises a hand halfway. "Depends. Are we gonna be the only ones sober?"
Tre shrugs. "I'm fine either way."
Chloe makes a face. "I honestly might just go home and take off these heels."
"I second that," I say. "My feet are dying."
Austin looks around hopefully. "So… maybe just me going?"
Amber gives him a sympathetic look. "You could go. We'd understand."
Josh leans in dramatically. "Don't leave us alone with the glitter."
Austin laughs. "We'll see. I'll text Tyler."
We all collapse into the couches and chairs, letting silence settle for the first time all night. Outside, we can hear faint bass thumping from the other party down the block.
Ray laces his fingers through mine. "So… what do you wanna do, babe?"
"I wanna take off these shoes and my fangs and sleep for six years," I say.
"You'd miss Christmas."
"I'm willing to risk it."
He laughs, leaning forward to kiss me again, and for a minute it's easy to pretend the only problem in the world is sticky floors and sequined underwear.
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The quiet stretches out in the living room for a few seconds, and then Chloe lets out a deep sigh.
"Okay," she says. "New plan. Let's not go to the other party."
Amber raises an eyebrow. "Wait, really? You were the one who wanted to keep going two seconds ago."
"Yeah, but like… think about how good it'll feel to just sit here, shoes off, and watch scary movies." Chloe flicks one of her angel wings back over her shoulder. "I am officially tapped out."
Josh claps dramatically. "Finally! The Queen has spoken."
Ray snorts beside me. "I'm cool with that. We've got weed, right?"
"Yes, babe," I say. "I saw you shove your stash in your gladiator belt."
Ray's eyes widen in mock offense. "Don't reveal my secrets like that."
Tre raises a hand. "I vote movies and chill. But we should get some drinks first."
Austin's face lights up. "YES. I'll chip in. Let's get tequila and… what else?"
"BuzzBalls!" Chloe yells immediately.
"Oh my god," I groan. "Chloe, those are disgusting."
"They're DELICIOUS," Chloe insists. "And you get drunk super fast."
Josh presses a hand to his chest. "As a connoisseur of trashy alcohol, I second BuzzBalls."
Amber scrunches her nose. "I hate them, but fine."
Austin's already fishing in his football uniform for his phone. "I'll Venmo you, Tre. Let's do this."
Ray leans close to me. "Babe, you coming with us?"
"Duh," I say. "I'm not letting you idiots go unsupervised to buy tequila."
Josh wiggles his fingers. "Oooooh, field trip!"
Chloe points at Austin. "Baby, please don't get in the car if you're gonna throw up. I'm not cleaning that."
Austin protests, "I'm not even that drunk!"
Tre jangles his keys. "Come on, before the store closes."
The cool air hits me like a slap when we spill out the front door. The neighborhood is still alive with Halloween chaos: groups of costumed students laughing and shoving each other down the sidewalk, neon lights flashing from other houses. Somewhere far off, a police siren wails.
Tre's car is a big black SUV parked halfway up the block. We all pile in, laughing and shoving each other for space.
"I call shotgun!" Chloe shouts.
"Too late!" Josh yells, diving for the front seat.
Chloe shrieks and yanks on his sailor hat. "BITCH, MOVE!"
Tre sighs from behind the wheel. "Both of you shut up and buckle up."
I wedge myself into the backseat between Ray and Amber. Ray immediately loops an arm around my shoulders.
Austin crams into the third row, muttering, "This is bullshit. I'm like six-two, I don't fit back here."
Josh swivels around in the passenger seat. "Don't worry, babe, you look super cute all folded up."
Austin flips him off.
Chloe twists around from the middle seat. "Okay, who's paying for what? Because I'm not buying all the BuzzBalls myself."
"I'll split it," Amber says, counting on her fingers. "One bottle of tequila, maybe four or five BuzzBalls?"
Josh gasps. "Bitch, that's like one BuzzBall each."
"Exactly," Amber says. "No more. We're not dying tonight."
Tre pulls out into the street, the bass from some far-off party thumping through the windows. I lean my head against Ray's shoulder, feeling my makeup starting to crack at the edges of my face.
Ray taps my thigh lightly. "You good, babe?"
"Yeah. Just… tired."
He presses a kiss into my hair. "We'll chill when we get back."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
The convenience store is bright as a spaceship, buzzing with flickering fluorescent lights. A group of guys in Batman costumes are hanging around outside, smoking and laughing.
Inside, Chloe immediately beelines for the BuzzBall fridge, still wearing her angel wings and high heels like a woman on a mission.
"Oh my god, they have strawberry!" she squeals.
I follow her, rolling my eyes. "I'm getting water. My head is going to explode."
Josh comes trotting up, arms full of green apple and strawberry BuzzBalls. "Aria, help me carry my bounty."
"NO," I say. "I refuse to enable this."
He pouts. "Rude."
Ray wanders over carrying two bottles of decent tequila. "Babe, which one should we get?"
"The cheaper one," I say instantly.
"See, this is why I love you."
Tre appears behind him. "We getting mixers or nah?"
Chloe flaps a hand. "We can just drink BuzzBalls. They're basically mixers."
Amber pinches the bridge of her nose. "I'm surrounded by children."
Josh throws an arm around her. "Welcome to our level, bitch."
The cashier looks slightly alarmed as all seven of us come crashing up to the counter in costumes, arms loaded with bottles and neon balls of booze.
Tre pulls out his wallet. "I'll pay. Y'all can just Venmo me."
Josh coos, "Look at you, daddy pirate."
Tre rolls his eyes but smirks as he swipes his card.
We're piling bags into the back of the SUV when Ray suddenly freezes, his vape halfway to his lips.
"Babe. You okay?" I ask.
"Yeah. I thought I saw someone… nah, never mind." He shrugs it off.
We drive back with Chloe singing along to "Monster Mash" at the top of her lungs while Josh harmonizes in an opera voice.
Back on our street, we see clusters of students stumbling from house to house. The TKE house looks quiet now, lights still glowing faintly through the windows.
We're climbing out of the SUV when I suddenly pause, frowning.
"Hey… did you guys see that?" I say, squinting toward the side of the house.
Tre slams his door. "See what?"
"There was… I dunno. Someone in a black hoodie, standing near the fence."
Ray blinks. "Like… just standing there?"
"Yeah. Just standing there. Watching the house."
Amber hugs the grocery bag closer. "That's creepy."
Chloe waves me off. "Babe. It's Halloween. It's probably some random freshman trying to figure out where the party moved."
Austin nods. "Seriously. People keep wandering into the yard thinking it's still going."
Josh slides closer to me, his sailor hat tilted forward. "Or someone looking for their friend Chad."
I let out a long breath. "Yeah… I guess."
Ray squeezes my hand. "Babe, don't stress. We'll lock the doors."
"Right," I say, shaking it off. "It's probably nothing."
Inside, the house feels weirdly calm after all that noise.
Chloe dumps the BuzzBalls on the coffee table like a pirate with stolen treasure. "Okay! Pajamas, scary movies, and getting high."
Austin plops onto the couch. "God bless America."
Josh spins around, flinging glitter off his sailor shirt. "I'm gonna pick the movie."
Amber immediately points at him. "Nothing with clowns."
Josh gasps. "You act like clowns aren't cinematic genius!"
"JOSH," Amber warns.
Ray stretches his arms over his head. "I brought my weed, babe. You want me to roll one?"
"Yes," I say. "Immediately."
Tre grabs the tequila bottles and starts unscrewing one. "Glasses, anyone?"
Chloe waves her hand. "Just hand me the bottle."
We all collapse into a warm, messy pile on the couches and floor, still half in costume. My feet are finally free of my heels. Ray's rolling a joint on the coffee table while Chloe shakes her BuzzBall like a maraca.
For a moment, everything feels perfect—the laughter, the booze, the leftover glitter dust floating through the air.
Even if, in the back of my mind, I'm still thinking about the shape I saw standing by the fence.
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The opening credits of Scream are flickering across the TV when I remember there are no napkins anywhere in the living room.
"Hold up," I say, pushing myself off the couch. "I'm not trying to spill tequila on my corset. I'll go grab napkins."
"Babe, I'll come with you," Ray offers, starting to get up.
"No, it's fine," I say. "Keep rolling that joint. Priorities."
Ray smirks. "Yes, ma'am."
I wander into the kitchen, my bare feet cool on the tile. There's an odd hush in here, like the house itself is catching its breath. I open two cabinets before remembering the napkins are in the drawer next to the stove.
"Of course," I mutter, rummaging around until I find them.
As I turn back toward the living room, a cold draft brushes over my bare shoulders.
I freeze, frowning.
The back door—the one leading to the yard—is hanging slightly open.
Just a few inches. Enough that I can see the dark outline of the yard and the fence beyond it.
I stand there for a second, staring, feeling the hair rise on the back of my neck.
I try to tell myself it's fine. Maybe Austin left it open. Maybe Tre went out to check the trash cans again.
But it was closed earlier. I'm almost sure of it.
I walk over slowly and press my palm against the door. The night air smells like beer and wet grass. I glance out, half-expecting to see someone standing on the other side of the yard—but there's nothing there except shadows.
"Okay," I whisper to myself. "Chill."
I close the door firmly and flip the lock.
When I come back into the living room, everyone's arguing about whether Drew Barrymore's character should have just hung up the phone.
"LIKE—who stays on the phone with some raspy voice asking creepy questions?" Chloe yells, waving her half-empty BuzzBall. "Girl, BYE."
Josh lifts a finger. "But the killer's voice was kinda sexy though."
Amber groans. "Josh. Therapy."
Austin glances over and sees me standing there. "Hey, babe, where's the napkins?"
"Oh—right," I say, snapping out of it. I toss the napkin pack onto the coffee table. "Hey… did any of you leave the back door open?"
They all look at me blankly.
"No?" Amber says. "Why?"
I hesitate. "I just… found it open a couple inches. Like someone left it cracked."
Tre furrows his brow. "Nah. I didn't go outside after we came back."
Josh holds up a hand. "Same. I'm not messing up my costume with backyard dirt."
Austin shakes his head. "I haven't been out there. Maybe one of the guys came home for the beer funnel and left again?"
"Could be," Chloe says, chewing her lip. "Or someone trying to sneak into the party. People keep wandering in from the street."
Ray's voice is gentle. "Babe, it's probably nothing. You know how many people come in and out of this house."
"Yeah," I say, though my skin still feels tight with unease. "Yeah. You're right."
Ray pats the seat beside him. "Come sit. Stop looking so worried."
I sink back onto the couch, trying to let the noise of the group swallow the weird little chill crawling over my spine.
Chloe raises her BuzzBall. "To locking all the doors and pretending we're safe!"
We all clink drinks and settle in as the movie continues. Ray slides an arm around my shoulders and pulls me close. The scent of his weed and the faint taste of tequila on his lips should be enough to distract me.
But even as Drew Barrymore screams on screen, I keep thinking about that door. And about the shape I saw near the fence.
By the time the credits start rolling on Scream, the living room has transformed into a cozy battlefield of half-empty bottles, empty BuzzBall shells, and the lingering sweet tang of Ray's weed.
I'm curled up against Ray's chest on the couch, my corset digging into my ribs but too tired to care. The glow of the TV flickers across everyone's faces, washing Chloe's angel wings in pale blue light.
Amber rubs her eyes. "Okay… I officially can't keep my eyes open."
Josh makes a noise of disgust. "Ugh, same. Being fabulous is exhausting."
Austin stretches, his football jersey shifting over his broad chest. "I'm crashing." He looks at Chloe. "Babe, you coming?"
Chloe lets out a dramatic sigh and slumps sideways in her chair. "Yeah. My feet are plotting a mutiny." She kicks off her high heels and leaves them on the floor, then drags herself up and loops an arm around Austin's waist. "Night, losers."
Austin grins. "Night. Aria, Ray—if you guys wanna crash here, the couch is all yours."
Ray waves him off. "Nah, man, thanks though. I'll sober up a little and drive Aria and Amber back to the sorority house."
Amber perks up, sleepy but grateful. "Bless you, Ray."
Austin salutes him. "Be safe, bro."
Chloe glances over her shoulder as she and Austin shuffle down the hallway. "Don't let Josh pick another scary movie. Or any movie."
"Rude!" Josh calls after her, clutching his chest.
Once Chloe and Austin disappear, Josh flops dramatically into the center of the couch, knocking my knee with his flat sailor shoes.
Tre stands behind him, looking half-amused, half-impatient. "Babe. Come on. You're gonna fall asleep right here."
Josh rolls his eyes. "Ugh. Fiiiiiiine." He leans forward and plants a quick kiss on my cheek. "Goodnight, bitch."
Amber lifts her hand. "Night, Josh."
Josh waves regally. "Goodnight, bitches. Don't die. Or do, but make it iconic."
Tre sighs but his lips twitch in a grin. "We're leaving. But like… we're not really going to sleep."
Amber snorts. "We know."
Josh wiggles his fingers in a dramatic flourish, blowing a kiss as he follows Tre toward the hallway. "Boning calls!"
Ray raises his vape in salute. "Get it, bro."
Suddenly the house feels much emptier. The music outside has faded away, leaving only the faint hum of traffic.
Ray leans back against the couch cushions and exhales a slow breath. "Well. That was a night."
Amber's resting her head on the arm of the couch, eyes half-closed. "God, I can't wait for bed."
I press my palm to my forehead. "I'm still thinking about that back door being open."
Ray nudges my shoulder. "Babe. Let it go. It's fine."
"I know. I know." I force a shaky laugh. "I'm just being paranoid."
Amber mumbles, "Even if it was someone, they'd have to be insane to wanna deal with all of us."
Ray grins. "Especially you, babe. You'd talk their ears off."
"Rude," I say, swatting at his chest.
Ray shifts forward, running a hand through his messy curls. "I'll drive you guys back. Gimme like twenty minutes. I'll drink some water and vape a little and I'll be good."
Amber yawns. "Deal. I'm not paying for an Uber. I've spent enough tonight."
We sit there in comfortable silence for a moment. The credits finally end, and the TV screen fades to black, reflecting our tired faces like ghosts.
Ray leans over and presses a soft kiss to my hair. "Babe. You sure you're okay?"
"Yeah," I say, leaning into him. "Just… tired."
Amber pushes herself up from the couch. "I'm gonna go pee before we leave. So I don't die."
"Thanks for sharing," I say dryly.
"Anytime."
As Amber disappears down the hallway, Ray looks around the room, a sleepy grin pulling at his lips. "Y'know… if we'd gone to that other party, we'd probably all be puking in someone's front yard right now."
I grin back at him. "Yeah. This was better."
He raises an eyebrow. "Even with the BuzzBalls?"
"Even with the BuzzBalls," I admit.
Ray gives my hip a gentle squeeze. "Babe, I love you."
I lean closer, pressing my lips to his. "I love you too."
And for a few seconds, there's no more weird back doors, no lurking shadows, no leftover party chaos. Just me and Ray and the warm haze of the night.
Amber comes back into the living room, tugging at the hem of her maid costume. "Okay. Let's go before I fall asleep and start drooling on the couch."
Ray gets to his feet, offering me a hand. "Come on, babe. Let's get out of here."
I lace my fingers through his and stand up. My feet scream in protest, but I ignore it.
Amber starts collecting her phone and tiny purse. "Tre and Josh are definitely not sleeping tonight."
"Obviously," I say.
Ray laughs. "Good for them."
We all move toward the door together. Ray flips off the TV. The house sinks into shadows, lit only by the faint glow coming in through the blinds from the street outside.