Chapter 1 The Party

Elena's POV

The tray is balanced on my palm as I move between tables with the ease of someone who has done this a million times already. The smell of roasted coffee beans clings to my hair and apron, and my old white sneakers squeak almost inaudibly on the café's polished floor.

It is Friday evening, and the jitters of the approaching weekend can already be felt, tingling in the air.

"Here you go," I mutter, stopping by the table closest to the door. "On caramel latte, extra foam."

The young girl with glasses on gives me a smile without looking up from her laptop. Probably an assignment that needs to be sent in before the end of the day.

I straighten, rubbing the back of my neck as I move to the next table. My eyes search the clock hanging above the door at intervals, waiting for my shift to be over.

Everyone who walks in here will think I actually enjoy my job, but it is suffocating, and I can really do without it. Still, money has to be made.

"Elena!" A voice I know too well chirps from the booth in one corner.

I turn around to see my best friend, Elizabeth, leaning into the seat, legs crossed and eyes reflecting the wide grin on her face. She is dressed in a black sequined tube top, with gloss that can be seen from miles away.

"Ready for a Friday party?"

"What are you doing here?" I whisper harshly, rushing over to her, still with the tray in my hands.

She taps her perfectly manicured nails on the table. "Rescuing you from this prison. You are coming out with me tonight. No excuses."

"I'm working, Elizabeth." My eyes dart around, hoping the manager doesn't come out now.

"You are off in twenty minutes," she replies like she already knows how this is going to play out. "And don't pretend like you've got something better to do, unless Netflix suddenly started paying you to rewatch all the sappy comic dramas you like."

I roll my eyes. "First of all, FRIENDS isn't sappy, and second, it is way better than dancing away in some club with all that sweat and music."

Even though my voice gives disdain, my best friend isn't totally wrong. My life outside the café is non-existent. The closest thing I have to excitement is being indoors all day long.

"Are you going with me or not?" She questions, her eyes daring me to say otherwise.

"What is the occasion?"

"Party at Jaden's place. You remember Jaden, right?"

"Your crush?"

"Don't tell him that!" she snaps. Now, it is her turn to look around as if Jaden will suddenly materialize out of thin air. "But yeah. Him. And everyone is going. There's going to be music, dancing, drinks..."

Elizabeth leans forward, her eyes shining with mischief. "Trust me when I say that this is right for you."

"I don't know about that," I sigh, tray still in hand. I am not a fan of parties. I hate the noise, the crowds, the fake smiles. But with the way Elizabeth is regarding me intently, I doubt I have much of an option.

Maybe she is right.

Maybe I do need to breathe for once.

"Fine," I mutter, surprising myself. "But I can't stay long, Elizabeth. You know I have to be back here tomorrow morning."

She raises her hands in mock surrender. "One drink and I will personally take you home."

"You'd better do."

***

By the time my shift ends, I have convinced myself that this party isn't as bad as my brain is making it up to me. When I get home, I shower in record time and pull on a simple black dress that has been sitting in the back of my closet for a long time.

I planned to wear it to a cute little date, but going out is no longer my thing since I started working at the café. I can only be grateful if I end up going to the park or the pool.

When I step out of my room, Elizabeth angles her head.

"Are you seriously wearing that to Jaden's party?"

I stop and look down at myself. "What is wrong with my dress?"

"Everything," she mutters. "But we can narrow it down a notch if that is what you like. It is drab, boring, and nothing is on display."

"I am not going to this party to get any part of my body on the internet."

Elizabeth gives me a look that says she isn't going to handle this one. She loops her arm through mine.

"You clean up nice, Elena. You look good."

"Thank you, Elizabeth, you always look good.

We head towards our Uber waiting outside. Elizabeth has a car, but she has no plans of driving tonight, especially since she has a lot of things planned.

The ride is filled with my best friend trying to tell me about all the things and people I should be wary of, and in no time, we arrive at the building.

The first words that escape my lips are "Wow!" The building is made with stone walls, and there is a huge private pool in the center of the building.

"I'm still regretting this," I murmur to Elizabeth as she pulls me into the building with her.

"You won't," she replies, even though my heart says different.

"Hey, guys!" She calls as soon as she enters the living area. "Meet Elena." That is how Elizabeth is, always the sharp one

And then, turns to look at me. "And Elena, meet some of my friends. You will have fun with them tonight, just in case I am not there with you."

I stop her. "What do you mean when you are not here with me?"

"Don't think too much about it." She ruffles my hair and sits in my corner. "So, can we join you in the game?"

"What game?" I whisper to her, leaning into her ears.

"Truth or Dare."

My breath hitches. "I can't play the game."

The guy seated beside me nudges me gently. I turn to look into one of the purest and most unique eyes. For some reason, I try scooting away, closer to Elizabeth. His eyes darken as he takes in my little attempt.

"I don't bite," he whispers.