Chapter 4 Enchanted Encounter

"You're going to that party." Ava sighed and tossed her bag onto her kitchen table. "Mia, this isn't just a casual Halloween get-together with a few close friends. It's a massive gathering at some fancy house, where everyone is dressed in provocative animal costumes, grinding on guys they wouldn't even acknowledge otherwise." Mia chuckled on the other end of the phone. "You know how to paint a vivid picture with your words." "Whatever.

I'll just stay home and hand out candy to trick-or-treaters." "Come on, do you expect me to believe you bought candy for those kids?" Ava bit her lip and started rummaging through her kitchen cabinets. "I could always give them apples." "And get our house egged? No way!" Ava groaned and slammed the cabinet doors shut. "I don't care. I'm not going to that party." Mia sighed. "You need to make new friends since I'm not around anymore. Just go, stand in a corner, and observe. Grab a juice, listen to some house music." Ava rubbed her face in annoyance. "What a persuasive argument."

"Just go. It's tough for me to know that my little sister is at home alone, without any friends. It weighs on me, and I feel terrible for leaving you behind. It would mean a lot to me and put my mind at ease if you just went, even if it's just for an hour."

Ava felt herself giving in to her sister's desperate plea. She let out a defeated sigh, and her sister's face lit up with victory. She knew exactly how to tug at Ava's heartstrings. "What am I supposed to go as, though?" Ava mumbled as she collapsed onto the couch. "I can't solve all your problems for you, kid," Mia said calmly.

"Hey! This was your idea, and I'm only going because you asked me to. Don't expect me to do any of the work," Ava snapped with a pout.

"Well, when does the party start?" Ava glanced at her watch. "It's in about an hour."

Mia expressed her disapproval with a sound. "Way to wait until the last minute. Okay, I have a red hooded cape in my closet. Just put on a white dress and go as Little Red Riding Hood."

Ava raised an eyebrow skeptically as she entered her sister's room and peeked into her closet. "Why do you have a red cape?"

Mia grinned mischievously. "Long story. Just go have fun and meet that cute boy I've been telling you about."

"Oh, you mean the cute, funny, normal, non-horny, non-creepy, sweet, good-looking guy that I'm magically supposed to stumble upon?" Ava replied sarcastically.

"Yup!" Mia said cheerfully.

"Did I mention that he doesn't exist?" Ava retorted.

Mia tsked and started gathering her things. "Look, I don't have time to deal with your pessimism. I have to go to a work dinner. Have fun, and call me tomorrow to tell me all about it."

Ava suppressed a smile. She could easily pretend she went to the party and talk about how much fun she had and how wasted she got-

"Oh, and I need photographic proof, or I won't believe it. Love you! Bye!"

Ava returned the sentiment halfheartedly before grabbing the red cape. She knew she didn't own anything white, let alone a white dress. The best option she had was probably a white T-shirt, but she knew Mia wouldn't approve. Determined to find a suitable outfit, she rummaged through her sister's closet until she discovered a simple, plain white skater dress. Surprisingly, her sister owned something so laid-back, and the lack of blinding colors pleased Ava.

Grumbling, she walked back to her room and tossed the clothes on her bed. She had no idea why she was going along with this charade, and honestly, she wasn't sure if she was up for it. She knew that even in a drunken haze, people would still stare and gossip about her.

She knew that tomorrow rumors would spread about her engaging in sexual activities in a bedroom, or finally getting together with Daniel, or even assaulting some girl for talking nonsense. None of it, however, would hold any truth. The rational part of her brain urged her to stay home and maintain a low profile, but she couldn't help feeling infuriated. Why should she confine herself at home just because some people could not mind their own business? She deserved to have her fun. To hell with everyone else.

Perhaps one day, she would simply run away, leaving behind all the toxic individuals and seeking a brighter future in a different country, just like her sister did. Nothing was tying her down to this town. She had nothing that made her want to stay. Or maybe she would stumble upon something that would make her never want to leave, something that would make enduring all the gossip and criticism worthwhile. She lifted the dress and stared at it for a moment before proceeding to get dressed.

"I hope this isn't a mistake," she whispered to herself, a hint of uncertainty lingering in her voice.

Ava entered the grand mansion, her face mostly concealed by a red hood. The walls reverberated with booming bass music, and vibrant strobe lights bathed the room, illuminating the scantily clad figures within.

Despite the dance floor dominating most of the space, Ava managed to keep a low profile as she made her way to the kitchen. Her gaze fixated on a large cooler, and she headed straight for it. Scanning the assortment of drinks, she reached down and grabbed a bottle of beer.

"Hey there, Little Red, wanna ride my wood?" a voice called out. Ava's body tensed, and she swiftly turned around, clutching the frosty bottle in her hand. Standing behind her was Daniel, wearing nothing but a pair of trunks with the word "LIFEGUARD" emblazoned on them.

"Fuck off," Ava hissed, attempting to maneuver around him. "Awww, come on, you didn't dress up just to see Michelle, did you?" he taunted, leaning over her and making a grab for her butt. "I know you want me." Before he could make contact, Ava grabbed his wrist and swiftly kicked at his calf, causing him to stumble and fall onto his back.

"Touch me again, and I'll suff*ocate you with your ego," she snapped. "I'll get you, Ava, just watch," he retorted with an embarrassed smirk as people began to take notice of him on the ground. "Whatever," she muttered dismissively before striding straight toward the dance floor, seamlessly blending into the moving crowd until she found a small secluded space away from the throng of bodies.

She quickly snapped a photo to send to her sister before settling in. Regret already gnawed at her for coming to this event, and truthfully, the sight of Daniel's face made her feel like jumping off a building. Leaning against the wall, she nursed her beer, observing the energetic dancers. Amidst the crowd, she spotted Michelle, dressed as a Playboy bunny, grinning at some freshman.

Ava winced and averted her gaze. At that moment, the front door swung open, revealing a small group of boys entering the room. Their arrival caused a group of girls who were dancing nearby to halt and turn their attention towards them.

The boys seemed oblivious to the girls flocking to their side as they maneuvered through the crowd. Hearts fluttered and lips drooled in their presence.

Unable to see their faces clearly, Ava sensed that the boys were oblivious to the girls' admiration. The loud music and assertive girls made Damien wince. Humans disgusted him. He couldn't fathom why he and his leader allowed Aiden to persuade them to attend this party. The noise and chaotic movements were overwhelming.

While the other boys eagerly anticipated the night, Damien sought an escape route. Being in the presence of even one human was unbearable for him, so how could he endure a crowd of a hundred? The mere thought tempted him to set the place ablaze. Observing the scene before him, he witnessed gyr*ating bodies, deafening music, low-quality alcoholic beverages, and feeble attempts to make rodent costumes appear provocative. In his eyes, humans were the epitome of foo*lishness, despite him being half-human himself.

The group pressed on, delving deeper into the crowd, disregarding the lustful gazes and relishing the energetic atmosphere. Suddenly, something struck Damien. The impact was so intense that he almost stumbled backward.

Amidst the smell of alcohol and perspiration, a captivating scent assailed his senses-a sweet, overpowering fragrance akin to raspberries. His eyes darted around the room, searching for the source, while Aiden and Ethan departed to fetch drinks.

Those two boys unknowingly had a small group of girls following them around. The other guys hit the dance floor, attracting their own set of fans as well.

Damien couldn't comprehend how people could idolize someone so fervently. Why would they waste their time chasing after someone who had no interest in them? He found it pathetic.

A gust of air from the open door suddenly carried a strong scent towards Damien, overwhelming his senses.

"Is someone handing out fresh raspberries at this party?" he wondered aloud.

Curiosity piqued, he embarked on a personal quest to follow the enticing aroma, leading him away from the bustling crowd and towards a more secluded area of the house. And there he spotted her, a mysterious girl with her face concealed by a hood, silently observing the crowd from against the wall.

Little Red Riding Hood. How ironic.

An inexplicable force seemed to draw him towards her. He felt compelled to get closer. Perhaps she had eaten raspberries, and he could detect the scent on her. Maybe she would reveal where he could find more. Yet, he failed to realize that he had detected her scent amidst the presence of a hundred other people.

Just as he was about to approach her, someone grabbed his arm, and an overwhelming urge to rip that arm off and cast it aside surged within him. He glared at the girl restraining him.

"You're new. I've never seen you around. Want to dance?" she asked, dressed rather unconvincingly as a rabbit. Damien smirked at her attempt.

Leaning down, he whispered in her ear, lips grazing it, "You're trying too hard. Everyone can tell."

Michelle stared at him in shock as he effortlessly freed his arm from her grasp and headed toward the girl with the raspberries.

As he drew closer, an unusual sensation flickered in his stomach. It was a burning feeling, and his head began to spin. He couldn't understand how this was happening when he had barely consumed any alcohol. He already felt intoxicated.

He could feel an electric current pulsating through his veins as if fireflies were dancing within him. It left him feeling like a stranger in his skin.

Unbeknownst to him, Damien had closed in on her, finding himself standing right next to her, his gaze fixated on her partially covered face. Confusion engulfed him as he questioned himself, "What the hell is going on with me? Get it together, Damien."

Suddenly, a burning sensation erupted in Ava's stomach, catching her off guard. It felt like sparks were sizzling up and down her body, causing her discomfort. She looked around, searching for the source of this strange sensation. It must have had a reason, slowly simmering beneath the surface. It was instinctual, yet she couldn't decipher its meaning.

Ava's body reacted with tiny fizzling pops, her heart racing and her muscles twitching in anticipation. She turned and her head spun dizzily, only to be met with a pair of captivating purple eyes. The air around her seemed to ignite as she locked gazes with the enigmatic, tanned stranger. Words escaped both of them, their silence filled with unspoken intensity.

Blinking at his purple eyes, Ava struggled to find her voice, desperate to utter something, anything, but the right words eluded her.

As the sensations overwhelmed her, Ava's breathing grew heavier, and she leaned her head back against the wall for support, unable to keep her body upright.

The effects of the beer were taking a toll on her, as she suddenly felt a sense of exhilaration as if she were flying.

He detached himself from the wall, stepping forward until there was hardly an inch of space between them. An inexplicable urge prompted him to draw closer, seeking to understand the bewildering sensations coursing through him. His mind slipped into autopilot mode, and his body acted independently.

"Wha--" Her words were interrupted by an audible gasp as two warm hands trailed up her neck. The moment his touch grazed her skin, her mind seemed to explode.