The Party
1430 Words
Chapter 9
(Third POV)
The sound of laughter echoed faintly from downstairs as Faye slipped the final bracelet over her wrist. Her reflection in the mirror looked… different. Not just because of the soft waves in her blonde hair or the shimmer of her light makeup—but because tonight felt like something new. Something unplanned.
Her mother stood near the doorway, chatting with Mia and Lily as they picked through accessories. “You girls look so lovely,” she said, her voice warm. “Your father’s going to think a movie cast just walked into his house.”
Faye smiled faintly. Her dad had already given his nod of approval when the girls first arrived—telling them they seemed like “good girls,” which made Mia beam and Lily blush. He’d since disappeared into his study, leaving the rest of the evening to her mom’s gentle supervision.
A ping from Faye’s phone broke the laughter. Ava: Send your address. Dustin and I are on the way to pick you guys up.
Faye quickly typed back, 142 Maple Crescent, Brooksville Heights. Then she told her friends, “Ava and Dustin are coming to pick us up.”
Lily, who was trying on earrings, looked up. “Just them?”
“Yeah,” Faye said. “Just Ava and Dustin.”
No one said it aloud, but the thought lingered in the air—what about Orion and Preston? Even without a word, Faye could feel the question settle between them like a small spark of curiosity.
Her mother crossed her arms, still smiling. “Who’s picking you girls up again?”
Faye shrugged lightly. “Some new friends from school. They’re really nice, Mom.”
“Alright,” her mom said, eyes glinting playfully. “I trust you.”
The next half hour was a whirlwind of chatter and wardrobe chaos.
Mia was radiant in a mid-thigh golden dress that shimmered under the light—her golden-blonde hair glowing like sunlight. Lily wore a deep maroon dress that hugged her shape, bold and confident even though she looked ready to crawl out of it.
“I don’t know why you guys picked this,” Lily groaned, looking at herself in the mirror.
“Because,” Mia teased, “it’s for Preston.”
Lily’s cheeks flared pink. “I—I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sure,” Faye said, smirking. “Keep telling yourself that.”
They laughed until a honk sounded outside.
Ava and Dustin stood at the door when Faye’s mom opened it. Ava looked effortlessly beautiful in a sleek black top and jeans, her curls catching the porch light. Dustin, as usual, wore confidence like it was stitched into his jacket.
“Good evening, ma’am,” Ava greeted politely.
“Evening,” Faye’s mother said, smiling. “So you’re the friends I’ve heard about.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Dustin said with his usual grin. “We promise to bring them back in one piece.”
Faye’s mom laughed. “You better.”
After a few more polite exchanges, the girls stepped outside, waving goodbye before sliding into the car. Dustin gave a light whistle as he glanced through the rearview mirror. “You girls clean up nice.”
“Careful, Dustin,” Ava teased. “You’re starting to sound impressed.”
“I am impressed,” he said, making Mia laugh.
---
Ethan Cross’s house wasn’t the biggest mansion in town—but it was close enough. Music pulsed through the air long before they even reached the front door. Neon lights flashed from inside, and laughter spilled out into the night. A small crowd gathered near the pool, some already half-soaked, others dancing or talking in tight circles.
Inside, the air smelled like sugar, sweat, perfume, and trouble.
The Queen Bee herself, Sierra Vale, was already there—perfect hair, perfect smirk—flanked by Amber Ross and Maddie Quinn, the girls who practically mirrored her every move. When Sierra’s eyes landed on Faye and her friends, her smirk twisted sharper.
“Oh, look,” Amber whispered. “The charity cases showed up.”
Sierra didn’t even hide her amusement. But Faye barely gave them a glance. Neither did Mia or Lily. They just walked past, heads held high.
Near the corner of the room, Preston Lennox and Orion Draven stood with red plastic cups in their hands, talking quietly. The crowd seemed to shift around them—two people who didn’t have to try to draw attention.
Lily froze for half a second when Preston’s eyes met hers. He didn’t even pretend to look away. His gaze swept her from head to toe—slow, unhurried, confident.
Her heartbeat stumbled.
Mia nudged her with a grin. “Close your mouth, Lil.”
They reached the guys. Orion gave them a small nod, eyes briefly flicking to Faye before glancing away again.
“Glad you could make it,” Ava said, slipping into the conversation.
Preston’s eyes were still on Lily when he spoke. “I’m glad you didn’t bail on me.”
Everyone exchanged quick glances. Mia was the first to smirk. “Well, we’ll just… leave you two to it.”
And just like that, the group scattered. Ava spotted a few girls from another school—their rival—and drifted over to talk. Dustin headed toward the drink table. Mia vanished into the crowd, her laughter trailing behind her.
Faye and Orion stood there, the music suddenly feeling louder.
“So,” she said awkwardly, “great party.”
He gave a half-smile. “If you like noise and sweat.”
Her lips curved. “You don’t?”
“I prefer air.”
She looked toward the stairs. “Then what are we still doing here?”
---
The rooftop was nothing like the chaos below.
The night stretched wide and endless, stars pricking the darkness, a soft wind brushing Faye’s skin. The music was faint now—just a hum beneath the quiet.
They leaned on the railing side by side. For a moment, neither spoke.
Orion broke the silence first. “Didn’t think you’d actually show up tonight.”
She turned to him, brow raised. “I don’t go back on my word.”
He looked at her then, really looked. “Good to know.”
They talked—first about random things, then deeper ones. Faye mentioned her parents: both working from home, her mom an interior designer, her dad an architect. She was an only child, and though she never admitted it, sometimes the silence of her house felt too big.
When she asked about him, Orion hesitated. “I’ve got a little brother. Thirteen. A menace, really. My mom’s also an interior designer. Dad… runs a company.”
“Oh yeah? What kind of company?”
“Draven Industries.”
Faye blinked. The name hit her instantly. “Wait… Cole Draven? You’re his son?”
Orion looked surprised for a beat, then smirked. “Didn’t know you read, Fire.”
Her brows lifted. “Okay, first—ouch. Second—Fire?”
He shrugged, pretending not to care. “It just came out.”
She tilted her head, smiling faintly. “Yeah, sure.”
The silence that followed was surprisingly soft—comfortable.
“Tell me something not many people know about you,” she said after a while.
He thought for a moment. Then, “My middle name. It’s Soren.”
Her eyes lit up. “Soren? That’s… beautiful. Your parents gave it to you?”
“No,” he said dryly. “I gave it to myself.”
She rolled her eyes, laughing. “Sarcasm much?”
He smirked. “Maybe.”
“What does it mean?”
“Strict. Or stern, I think.”
Faye laughed softly. “Now I get why they named you that.”
He frowned slightly. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Even as a baby, you probably had that strict look,” she teased. “All serious and judging the nurses.”
He tried to hold a straight face, but the corner of his mouth betrayed him. He laughed—a real one this time.
For a second, the world felt still. Just two people, a quiet night, and something unspoken growing between them.
And then—
The rooftop door burst open.
Both their heads snapped toward the sound.
The laughter, the wind, even the music below seemed to pause.
Faye’s breath hitched. Orion straightened, eyes narrowing at the doorway.
---
- Writer
