Lethal Friends

The Bonefire (I)

I took a deep breath, my cheek still pressed flat against Logan's back. The wind brought a soothing smell of salt and smoke, but I was thoroughly confused. The salt, I understood, it normally meant the ocean, and this was California- we probably were going to the beach. But at 3:30 am? And what was that other smell- the one that was like wood and sparks.

I lifted my face up off Logan and he stirred in response shifting a little in the seat. A light mist had started and as I raised my face to meet the wind; it brushed across me and I smiled. I had always thought the mist to be pretty cool. Then I started to hear a whoosh and a crash. I knew that wasn't the bike. I looked out over the street we were driving down and I saw, just as I thought, the ocean and deep dark blue water curling in on itself countless times. The waves crashed up on to the shore and I stared transfixed for a while. I looked along the way, up and down the sandy beach and saw further along a small crowd of people. They were still so far away I could only make them out because there was quite a few of them. In the midst of them was an orange, yellow, and red twisting flame and I finally understood. It was a bonfire. A bonfire on the beach. But all those other people...

"Have you figured it out yet?" Logan asked yelling over the wind.

I didn't respond, only waited for him to slow down and turn into the parking lot and park. It was oddly a disappointing quiet that followed, I liked the presence and purr of the motorcycle. Was that weird?

I slide off the back tugging the helmet off my head and shaking out my crazy hair. I looked up and saw Logan staring. As soon as he saw that I had seen him he shook his head and turned the other way, scratching the back of his neck.

"Logan," I whispered, because saying anything at a normal volume seemed wrong. A loud laugh cut me off as I opened my mouth again and we both turned our heads to stare at the small crowd of people.

I could just point out a few faces I knew- Autumn, Adrian, and Ryker. Other than that most people's faces were shrouded in the dark, not close enough to the fire to be seen.

Logan turned to look at me again.

"It's Autumn's birthday party, London." He said. I was surprised he gave me a straight answer for once.

"At 3:30 am?" I asked incredulously.

"Well that was the exact time she was born at and she's turning eighteen, so we all thought we should make it a memorable birthday."

Wow who knew Logan could be so sweet? Well maybe he was, just maybe not to me.

"Oh, cool." I said not sure what else to say. I was glad that Logan brought me, I was friends with Autumn. The swim team had kinda made that happen- and Logan had pushed me too. Now that I looked again I could see several other faces I recognized from the swim team. I relaxed a little more.

"Alright, ready?" Logan asked. When I didn't respond for a few moments he rolled his eyes.

"You're not scared are you? There's lots of people hanging around, you're safe. And I won't pull anymore pranks on you for the night- I already got two hits in a row. And I promised remember?" He reassured me. I nodded slowly and he walked over, grabbing my hand to lead me over to the others.

"LONDON!!!" Autumn shouted and rushed over- a drink slopping out of the red solo cup she held in her hand.

"So Logan gots you to cooomme, did he? We all knew he could do- do it. He's too obsessed with you to not bring you affterall- Hey?" She slurred in her half drunken state. She slipped and held onto me heavily. Holy crap did she smell strongly of liquor.

"Whoops," she giggled, "I think I may have said moore than I should've," she covered her mouth spilling her drink and giggled some more. A few people stared at us but the general murmur of people never stopped thankfully. I think they were just surprised to see a new face, one that came with Logan.

I looked over my shoulder and gave Logan an odd look. What had she meant Logan was too obsessed with me not to bring me?

Logan looked weirded out and shrugged.

"She's drunk, London," Logan said running a hand through his dark hair.

I swear I heard him mumble something like, "I knew you were bringing me down. I knew I should've stayed away just like I promised at Ryker's."

I didn't bother to conceal my small twinge of hurt at his words. I don't think he realized I had heard- that only made it worse. At least if he had realized I had heard maybe it would've been easier to confront him about it. But it didn't matter- sworn enemies, right?

I glanced back down at my friend in my arms and helped her to stand steady on her feet.

"I think that's enough of that," I said pulling the cup away from her even as she cried out now annoyance.

"Butttt Loonnnndddon..." Autumn whined.

"Hush," I said putting a finger to my mouth. I caught Adrian's eye and motioned for him to come over.

"I'll take her from here. Thanks London," he said and I nodded transferring the lulling body in my arms over to him.

He took her and sat her down on one of the many chairs by the fire.

"Hey, hey Adrian," she mumbled softly finally realizing he was there. He looked so concerned as he looked up into her face from where he squatted beside her. I was still surprised at the fact that they weren't together yet. 

But now that the two had left to go sit down and were talking softly, I was left all alone. The person who had brought me had conveniently disappeared to who knows where, and milling around me were only a few acquaintances that I barely knew- most from the swim team. 

"Hey, there." Someone said from just behind, softly bumping my shoulder. Turning around I saw a glowing face, surprisingly chipper considering the time of day. It was a guy around my age with jet black hair all messed up with no gel, a natural look, and grey eyes that captured my attention for a few moments before I caught myself. 

"Uh, sorry I don't know you do I?" I asked after a moment's pause. 

"No, I just saw you looking lonely and though I'd give you some company. I'm Devin," His lip piercing moved a little as he spoke and I found myself staring at it. 

Wow, way to make it awkward for yourself, London. I mentally face palmed myself. 

"I'm London. London Brighten," I mumbled a little embarrassed, and looked down at my feet. 

"Hey, such a pretty face like yours shouldn't hide itself," He pushed back the stray piece of hair that had fallen in front of my face, and I smiled up at him. He was certainly sweet, so different than a certain someone I knew. 

"So how do you know Autumn?" I asked trying to make conversation. 

"Why don't I get you a drink first and then we'll talk, yeah?" He began to walk backwards before I could say no. Laughing lightly I nodded and let him go. But then I began to think. I didn't really know the guy- would he spike my drink? And he didn't ask if I had wanted alcohol- that just gave him even more licence for him to put some in it. I started to get a little worried. 

"GIFT TIME!!" Adrian shouted out. 

Sh*t I hadn't gotten Autumn anything- what was I supposed to do. I saw many other faces like mine- worried and confused. 

"I thought you said no gifts, Adrian!" Someone in the crowd shouted out. Lots of others murmured in agreement. 

Adrian gave them all a death glare. What was with him? He still crouched beside Autumn, and she couldn't look away from him.

"Well, Autumn, it looks like everyone forgot a gift but me," He looked a little too happy about this.

Autumn pouted, her bottom lip sticking out. She honestly didn't look that upset which soothed me. What about Logan? Where was he- and did he forget too? And where was Devin with that drink? I shrugged my shoulders and thinking oh well, gathered, like everyone else, closer to the bonfire excited to see what the only gift was. 

Adrian didn't look like he felt like waiting and he was fidgeting with the bottom hem of his shirt. I caught his eye and narrowed my eyes at him. If he did anything... But then, Autumn whined that he should hurry up and he looked away, but the look I had seen first was unmistakable. He was scared of being rejected. 

Adrian, regardless of the many people now herded around him, knelt in front Autumn and he started to talk. 

"Autumn I've wanted to tell you something for a while now and-" 

Autumn burst out laughing and we all took a step back in wonderment. What was going through her mind right now? What could possibly so funny? She doubled over in her chair the center of attention. 

"You're not gg-oing to propose are you now?" Autumn asked between fits of laughter. I loved my friend, I really did, but at the moment I had to say she sounded like a braying donkey. How she was still capturing the boy's attention in front of her amazed me. 

Adrian smiled widely and blushed a little while everyone laughed. 

"Yeah, where's the ring buddy?" Ryker, I think, shouted. 

"Oh shut up-" Adrian went right to it and giving up on words he moved closer to Autumn and taking only a second to cup her cheek he kissed her cutting off her laughter. I could tell he was smiling against her face, and Autumn's whole countenance lite up like the moon on that dark night.

Everyone cheered, and the boys hotted and hollered cheering Adrian and his gutsy move on. I turned away after a few seconds with everyone else to give them some privacy, but I could still see them out of the corner of my eye. Their faces now broken away from each other were smiling widely and their foreheads still pressed against each others. Autumn's face was priceless, and when she giggled Adrian gave her one more peck before he stood up shouting. 

"I think my lovely lady deserves a celebration- what do you think?" Everyone screamed louder than I thought possible in agreement.

Someone found the stereo and turned it up louder a familiar song falling on to our ears and making the mood seem more like a party. Autumn jumped up and and swung her hips around while raising her arms up, dancing to the music. 

"Whoa, you don't want to get too crazy there- the other guys just might steal you from me," Adrian said to Autumn. She giggled in response and threw her arms around his shoulders resting her head on his shoulder. They both sighed in contentment, and I couldn't help smiling to myself. I was truly happy for my friends. 

I walked away a little further but threw a glance back at them. I saw Adrian mouthing something to Logan and he winked while motioning his head my way. I stopped where I stood- what had he said to Logan? I looked across the beach until I found the boy by the water's edge staring at me. He was staring at me. He looked very serious and as if he was preparing himself for something. I couldn't look away and felt my happy mood turn calmer and more relaxed. How he did that I didn't know. I watched silently and unmoving as he started to walk over to me. I didn't know where to look and if I should move or not, so I did nothing, waiting seemed like the right thing to do.