The Divinity Saga: Part I

Lake House

“Hey Rayleigh.” Chrissy whispered. 

“What?” I rolled my eyes. 

“I know the study is off limits. But what about the east wing aka the kitchen?” 

“Bye Christina.” I smiled. 

“K thanks.” She closed the door. 

I finished taking my shower and stepped out quietly. I wrapped myself in my towel and headed downstairs to find Chrissy. I walked into the kitchen and she was standing in the middle of the kitchen eating a bowl of strawberries with a mountain of whipped cream. 

“Seriously?” I said adjusting my towel. 

“Just an appedessert.” She proclaimed. 

“A what?” I looked at her confused. 

“An appetizer and dessert duh!” She smiled. 

“Wow. Okay. I’m going to go back upstairs and get ready. You can stay down here and stuff your fat face.” I smiled. 

“Wait. My face is getting fat?” She whined with her mouth full of whipped cream. 

“Kidding. Kidding.” I mocked her. “Score two for Ray the Gay!” I shouted as I ran out. 

“Hey beautiful.” A construction worker stepped in front of me. 

“Hi.” I said trying to move past him. 

“I like your towel.” He said as I walked up the stairs. 

“Thanks.” I sneered. 

“I’d rather see you without it though.” He smiled. 

I laughed and continued into my room because he didn’t intimidate me one bit.

I finally knew what I wanted to wear. I grabbed my low cut mermaid scale bottoms and the top which had pink and purple that faded into teal. It was beautiful and I knew Atia would love it. I grabbed my short shorts and a peach tank top. I slid my clothes over my bathing suit and sat at my vanity. I decided to wear my bangs in the middle today and pull the rest of my hair into a basic tight ponytail. I pulled my waterproof makeup from my drawer. I incorporated hints of green, purple, and pink to match my outfit. I looked in my vanity mirror and admired myself. I thought what a beautiful monster. What a lie. So beautiful on the outside but rotting on the inside. So collective on the outside, but dying inside.

I slid my sandals on, grabbed my duffle bag and walked out. If I stayed in my room any longer I knew I wouldn’t leave. 

I dropped my duffle and walked into Nanas room. Her smell made my eyes water. I missed her so much. I walked over to her dresser and looked through her perfumes. I grabbed the one I knew she loved and sprayed it on my wrist and neck. I opened her jewelry box and pulled out her diamond studded earrings and put them in my ears. 

I grabbed my duffle from the hallway and headed downstairs. 

“Finally.” Chrissy said walking out of the kitchen. “Rayleigh.” Her mouth dropped. 

“Yeah?” I looked at her confused. 

“You look hot.” She said looking me up and down with her mouth full of whipped cream.

“Really?” I smiled as I looked at myself in the mirror on the wall. 

“If you weren’t my cousin I would make out with you right now!” She said seriously. 

“For some reason I don’t think you are kidding.” I grabbed my keys and headed for the door. 

“Did I laugh?” She walked after me. 

“No.” I opened the front door and walked out. 

“Then I wasn’t kidding.” She smacked my butt. 

“Watch yourself.” I winked as she closed the door behind us.

“I’m watching you!” She mocked a man's voice. 

“I’m waiting for you to laugh.” I said as we got in the car. 

“Not gonna happen.” She smiled. 

We pulled up to Atia’s house and my heart began to race. I heard Chrissy’s pick up too. 

“Ava. Its us.” I pushed the intercom button.

“Gotcha.” She said excitedly.

"Can I tell you something?" Chrissy cleared her throat as we pulled in the gate.

"Anything." I nodded.

"I have a little crush on Ava." She bit her lip.

"You do?" I asked shocked.

"Sike!" She laughed. "Kinda." she mumbled as she exited the car.

“Wait what?” I asked as I jumped out my car to catch her.

 I decided to leave my duffle in my trunk because I didn’t know my living arrangements yet. 

“Nothing.” She rushed to the door. 

“Conversation not over!” I chased after her. 

“It is now.” She ran in  the house and closed the door behind herself. 

“Bitch.” I laughed as I ran passed her and into the lounge where Ava was. 

“No fair!” She yelled. 

“Finally!” Ava said excitedly. “Rayleigh, you look-” 

“Hot?” Chrissy interrupted. 

“Yeah.” Ava laughed. 

“Its okay, we all have girl crushes isn’t that right Rayleigh?” Chrissy laughed. 

“Yeah it is actually.” I smiled. “So Ava I think Chrissy has something she wants to tell you.” 

“Uh, makeup!” Chrissy cut me off. “Can you do my makeup?”

“Uhm. Sure.” Ava smiled. 

I didn’t even notice when I walked in, but I did now. Atia was sleeping peacefully through our commotion of an entrance. She was so beautiful. I could stare at her all day. 

“Wake up Atia!” Chrissy yelled.

Atia didn’t budge. She was in a deep sleep. I knew because even a pen dropping would wake a vampire. 

“Chrissy!” Ava and I yelled at the same time. 

“What? It’s party time!” She smiled. “Rayleigh come with me to change.”

“Fine.” I said standing. “Be right back Ava.” I smiled. 

Chrissy pulled me into the bathroom. 

“Which bathing suit?” she said as she pulled her backpack off and sat it on the sink. 

“The yellow one. You’re cute in yellow.” I smiled. 

“Now you are flirting with me.” She winked. 

“Can you just change so we can go?” I laughed as I sat on the toilet. 

“Okay.” She began to strip. 

She was in her bathing suit and back into her clothes in seconds. Her outfit was similar to mine. She had on a teal sheer shirt and shorts. She pulled her hair from her ponytail and her beautiful spiral curls sat on her shoulders.

“Who looks hot now?” I smiled as I opened the bathroom door. 

“We do.” She smiled back. 

“Oh, and no makeup.” I smiled. 

“Fine.” She took one last look at herself before she walked out. 

“Ready.” Chrissy smiled as we walked back into the lounge.

“Hi guys!” Atia smiled. 

I stared at Atia and she stared at me.

“Come on guys. This is an all-day event and it’s already 10am. We gotta go!” She said pushing us out the door.

We all groaned as we made our exit. 

“My car.” I smiled as I walked over to my sedan. 

I climbed in the driver's seat and waited to see who was riding next to me. 

“Shotgun.” I heard Atia shout. 

I smirked to myself. I wanted her to sit next to me anyway.

We pulled up at Lauren’s lake house and all I could see was people in the water and her big boat that went around the entire lake. Lauren was one of the most well off girls at Portland Oaks, she got most of her friends by bribing them and she knew that.  I’ve been coming to Lauren’s lake parties since 7th grade. We used to be really close until Malissa came into her life sophomore year. She went from being very humble to very cocky within a summer’s time. 

I knew Chrissy and how she acted at these parties. I looked back at her.

“What?” She looked confused. 

“Best behavior please.” I smiled as I took off my seatbelt.

“Of course.” She nodded. 

 Atia got out the car and slid her bag under seat. 

“Come on slow asses.” Atia said adjusting her clothes.

Ava and Chrissy jumped out the car and closed their doors. 

“Wait guys.” I said as I placed my satchel in my lap and searched for my favorite lip gloss.

I pulled it out and applied it in my rearview mirror. I flashed a smile at myself in the mirror and got out of the car. 

I closed my door and looked down at my outfit. I unbuttoned my shorts to show off my bathing suit bottoms. I tightened my ponytail and fixed my bangs. I took a deep breath and walked around the car to join my girls. 

“Okay, let's go in.” I smiled at them. 

We all headed to the house. I could smell barbeque and hear happy heartbeats. I opened the door and as soon as we walked in we got separated. Chrissy got pulled away by Lauren and her friends, Ava saw Clayton and immediately pulled him away to ask why he hadn’t call her back. It was just Atia and I left. You could see the entire lake from the inside of her house. Her whole house was made of glass windows. There was no privacy just the way Lauren liked it. We sat down at the bar and watched the bartender make drinks that she that would get in trouble for holding in her own hands, let alone giving to a minor. There was a female DJ blasting music from the loft and people were dancing on the deck and all around the house. There were tables full of food and drinks. There was even a gift table. That didn’t surprise me at all knowing Lauren. There was a photo booth, and I couldn’t wait to get Atia in it. I looked away from the bartender to see that all eyes were on me. I instantly got nervous.

“Are you okay?” Atia whispered. 

“I’m fine I just-”

“Hey T!” Stefanie interrupted

“Hey.” They hugged. 

I grabbed a drink from the bar and walked away. I didn’t bother sticking around. I didn’t even matter when Stefanie was here. I disappeared outside.

“Hey Rayleigh!” Amanda walked up to me with open arms. 

“Hey Amanda.” I smiled as I accepted her hug. 

“Come hang out with me and Josh.” She said pulling me towards her table. 

“Uh.” I hesitated. “I don’t know.” 

“Please?” She begged. "I like him, but it’s getting awkward."

“Fine.” I gave in. 

I finished my drink and we walked over to her table where Josh and Elias sat having a burping contest. 

“Hey guys.” I waved. 

“Hey Rayleigh.” Josh smiled up at me. 

“What are you guys up to?” I said taking a seat in the plastic white chair.

“Burping contest. Want to join?” Josh slid a soda to me. 

“Whoa. She's a girl, man.” Elias said pulling the soda away from in front of me. 

“What does that mean?” I said offended. 

“Uh oh.” Amanda laughed.

“I don’t mean nothing by it Rayleigh. I just meant that you wouldn’t be interested in a burping contest. You are too pretty for that type of stuff.” He said nervously. 

“I’m too pretty?” I grabbed the soda from him. “You ready?” 

“No. I’m not going to beat a girl.” He said sourly. 

Amanda started to imitate a chicken. 

“I’m ready.” Josh opened his soda.

“Last chance Eli.” I opened mine. 

“Nope.” He smiled. “I’ll record it.” He pulled out his camcorder and pushed record. 

“You first Josh.” I smiled. 

“Ladies first.” He winked. 

“I know, that’s why I said you go first.” I winked back.

“Ha Ha! Very funny.” He chuckled. 

“I try.” I smiled. 

“Stop flirting and just go.” Eli demanded. “You’re wasting camera time.”

“I have my stopwatch.” Amanda added.

“Okay.” Josh said smiling. 

He downed his drink within 5 seconds. He stood up and rubbed his stomach as soon as he opened his mouth he let out a loud belch that l knew I probably couldn’t beat. I waited for him to finish.

“Dude! That was awesome.” Eli said reaching for a high five. 

“Thank you, thank you.” Josh took a bow. 

“How many seconds?” Eli looked at Amanda. 

“8 seconds.” She showed us her watch.

“Beat that princess.” Josh smiled as he sat down. 

“Okay.” I smiled. 

Right when I was about to chug my drink Ava came running up to me.

“Rayleigh.” She said smiling. “Can I borrow you for a second?”

“Yes.” I said as I stood to my feet. 

“But our contest.” Josh whined. 

“I’ll be back, I promise.” I shouted over my shoulder as we walked away. 

“What’s going on?” I asked as soon as we got away from them. 

“We have a problem.” She said pulling by my hand into the house. 

“What is it?” I asked alarmed.

“Excuse me.” The bartender called out to us as we walked past her. “You’re Rayleigh right?”

“Yeah?” I stopped in my tracks. 

“Can I talk to you?” She smiled at me.

“Uh, I have to do something really quick but I’ll come back.” I smiled as Ava pulled me away.

I wonder what she could have wanted. I never met her a day in my life. 

Ava pulled me down the hall and into a dark room. 

“Uhm, Ava?” I said confused. 

“Yeah?” She whispered back. 

“What are we doing?” I said worried.

“Chrissy.” Ava said as her voice traveled across the room. 

“Yes, I’m here.” Chrissy said calmly. 

“What the hell you guys.” I said feeling for the light switch. 

“Don’t turn the light on.” Ava shouted. “She wants it dark.”

“Okay, seriously.” I said annoyed. 

I walked over to the wall and turned the light on. 

I saw Ava sitting on the edge of the bed blocking my view of Chrissy. 

“Christina?” I said walking over to the side of the bed. 

She had plates of hot wings and fries all over the bed in front of her. 

“Seriously?” I crossed my arms. 

Ava chuckled under her breath. 

 “I can't eat in front of anyone. Everyone is saying I’m getting fat.” She cried.

“You’re pregnant.” I giggled. 

“But they don’t know that.” She wiped her eyes. 

“Maybe they should.” I smiled.

“No way.” She refused. 

“You need to tell them sometime.” I rolled my eyes. 

“Yeah, when I’m in labor.” She pouted. 

“Lets go.” I said pulling her from the bed. 

“I don’t wanna.” She pulled from me. 

“You know I’m stronger than you Christina.” I smirked. 

“I know.” She gave up.

“Lets go have fun guys.” I said reaching for Avas hand.

“Actually.” She smiled shyly. “I’m going on a*****e run with Clayton.”

“Ugh, fine.” I frowned. “Just me and you then.” I smiled at Chrissy.

“Store you said?” She looked at Ava.

“Come on.” Ava said getting up from the bed. 

They ran out the room leaving me alone. I laid down on the bed thinking. I remembered that I had a contest and a conversation with a stranger to continue. I walked out of the room and headed to the bar. 

“Hey Rayleigh.” Mike grabbed my waist. 

“Uh, hey Mike.” I said nicely pulling away. 

“Where you going?” He pulled me back. “Lets dance.”

“I have to go talk to somebody.” I smiled.

“Well they can wait.” He smiled back. 

“No, sorry they can’t.” I walked away. 

I walked over to the bar and sat down. I watched this stranger make drinks and take request. She made eye contact with me and I knew she was going to make her way over. I sat there waiting.

She slid a martini glass to me followed by two shot glasses.

“If I didn’t know any better I would say you were trying to get me drunk.” I yelled over the music.

She winked and said nothing.

I drank my martini and I felt the back of my throat burn on the way down. I knew I could possibly be drunk from that but I didn’t care. It was a party and I was going to have fun with or without Atia. I grabbed one shot and threw it to the back of my throat. 

“Hey.” She smiled as she wiped her hands on her apron. 

“Hi.” I smiled back. 

“My name is Stephanie.” She reached her hand out to shake mine. 

“Oh.” I said rudely.

“Well, nice to meet you too.” She laughed and pulled her hand back. 

“Sorry. I just-” 

“Bad experience with a Stephanie?” She smiled. 

“Yeah.” I giggled. 

“Its fine. I know how us Stephanie's can be.” She grabbed a water from the ice bucket. 

“Yeah.” I smiled awkwardly and looked away. I felt her still staring at me. 

A few seconds of silence went by before I decided to say something. 

“So what's up?” I asked taking my last shot. 

“Wow, you are a champ.” She laughed. 

“Thanks.” I said scrounging up my face. 

“Well, sorta.” She poured another shot.

“Okay no more.” I pushed it away. “What would you like to talk about?”

“Are you going to be here later?” She leaned against the bar.

“Yeah. I think so. Why?” I smiled. 

“I’ll look for you.” She took my shot. 

“Okay.” I smiled as I stood up. “Bye.”

I walked through the crowd and out the back door. I walked onto the deck. I knew everyone was watching but I didn’t really care, probably because I was drunk. I took off my clothes and sat them on a lounge chair. Most people complimented my bathing suit, I returned smiles. The rest just stared. I walked down to the end of the dock and sat down. I watched the lake water as it moved. I watched the sun's reflection on the water as I put my feet in. I saw tadpoles swimming below my feet. I stood to my feet and jumped in. As soon as the cool water hit my body I smiled. I instantly became relaxed. I started to float on my back. I couldn’t hear anything but the water echoing in my ears. The echoes of silence. I wanted to take advantage of the fact that I was completely alone. I laid there thinking of what I should do. I knew I couldn’t run and act like a vampire on land, but no one said I couldn’t in water.

 I started swimming as fast as I could, making beautiful swirls as I moved. I did flips and turns underwater. I came up to the surface to laugh at how stupid I looked. I laughed for a second and I decided to swim to the bottom of the lake to see what I could find. I reached the sand and I started looking around. All I could find was empty bottles of beer and lost belongings. I didn’t know what I was looking for, but I wanted to find something. Suddenly I saw something move and then stop. As I got closer so I could see what it was, I realized it was a girl. I swam suspiciously behind her. I chased the girl all around the lake until she came to a standstill. I slowly swam up behind her and touched her shoulder. She turned around in fear and let out a scream so loud it hurt my ears even underwater. She was mouthing something I couldn’t understand. I tried to read her lips but I couldn’t.

“Rayleigh, wake up.” Chrissy whispered with her hot wing breath. 

“What?” I said opening my eyes. 

Everything was blurry but I recognized that I was in the same room that she was sulking in with Ava at the foot of the bed watching me.

“Are you still drunk?” She laughed. 

“What?” I said sitting up.

“She needs food.” Ava nodded.

“What?” I looked at her confused. 

“Yeah, you’re still drunk.” Chrissy smiled as she forced me to lay down. 

“Where’s Atia?” I said looking around.

“With Stefanie.” She rolled her eyes.

“Of course she is.” I sat up again. 

“Do you think you would want to go back out there right now?” Ava ran her fingers through her hair.

“Yeah, I really want more hot wings.” Chrissy whined.

“Why wouldn’t I?” I ignored Chrissy. “What time is it?”

“Its 2:30.” Ava added. 

“Oh. I don’t even remember falling asleep.” I walked to the mirror. 

“When did I put my clothes back on?” I asked confused.

“You never took them off.” Chrissy raised her eyebrows.

“Yes I did, I went swimming in the lake.” I protested.

“No, you’ve been asleep since we left.” Ava said softly.

“No. I haven’t been.” I argued. “I talked with a bartender and turned down Mike for a dance.”

“Rayleigh, maybe you are still drunk.” Chrissy touched my shoulder.

“No, I know what happened and you would know too if you both were here. Neither was Atia. She was too busy chasing after that - nevermind.” I said angrily. “Just – get out.”

“No.” Chrissy shouted back. 

“We want to believe you. We just know that didn’t happen.” Ava smiled apologetically. 

“Fine. I’ll leave.” I walked out and slammed the door behind me so hard that I felt the walls shake. 

“Rayleigh.” I heard Ava and Chrissy calling after me. 

I looked everywhere for someone I knew could prove me right. I walked to the bar and looked for Stephanie. There was a man in her place fixing drinks and flirting with girls. I walked up to him. 

“Hey cutie.” He smiled at me. 

“Where’s Stephanie?” I asked rudely. 

“Who?” He asked confused.

“The girl that worked before you.” I said annoyed. 

“I’ve been working all day.” He smiled. 

I stormed off. I felt Ava and Chrissy behind me. I walked onto the dance floor and found Mike. He was dancing on this drunken girl in a white dress.

“Mike.” I tapped him on his shoulder.

“What?” He said still dancing. 

“Can you tell Ava and Chrissy that you tried to dance with me earlier?” I smiled. 

“No because I didn’t.” He lied. 

‘Yes you did!” I yelled. 

“Rayleigh.” Chrissy scolded me.

“No!” I looked at her and back at Mike. “You know I denied you for a dance!”

“No. I denied you, now run along and pretend to be lesbian.” He dismissed me and walked away with the girl. 

“Let’s just let it go Rayleigh.” Chrissy grabbed my arm. 

“No, it happened.” I frowned. “At least I think it did.”

“Its okay.” Ava smiled. 

“Lets go outside.” Chrissy said as she pulled me by one hand and Ava by the other. She walked us to three lounge chairs.

“Sit.” She guided me to the middle chair.

“She’s drunk, not blind.” Ava sneered.

“Shut up.” Chrissy rolled her eyes and laid back in her chair.

“How do you feel?” Ava smiled at me as she sat down.

“Fine.” I lied. “But, I just don’t want to lay here. Lets go do something.” I smiled.

“Lying here is fun. Soak up the sun!” Chrissy sung. 

“No.” I refused. 

“Ava, what do you want to do?” I looked at her. 

“There’s a lot of people playing truth or dare in the den.” She suggested. 

“Let’s go.” I stood to my feet. 

“Well, I’ll be here.” Chrissy pouted. 

“Bye.” We walked away and into the house. 

We walked into the Den and a big group of people were sitting in a circle on the floor. There were beer bottles and full shots sitting on the table behind them. 

“Hey.” I smiled as we walked in. 

Everyone greeted us happily. 

“Well, if it isn’t the two hottest girls at Portland Oaks.” Dean smiled at us. “Where’s Atia?”

“On the boat.” Ava answered.

“Word around is that you two are dating now.” Dean smirked at me. 

“What are we playing?” I smiled. 

“Truth or Dare of course.” He patted a empty spot next to him. 

I grabbed Ava’s hand and walked over to the group. We sat in between Sean and Dean. They were twin brothers and the most popular boys in school. They did every sport that could possibly be done while maintaining straight A’s. Girls were gossiping about us being that close to them only because no one else ever could.

Dean opened a beer and chugged it. He placed the empty bottle in the middle of the floor. 

“I thought this was truth or dare not spin the bottle.” Ava joked.

“It is.” He smiled at her. “It’s just to see who goes first, and why not start off with a little action?”

“Oh.” She smiled. 

“First thing is first. Everyone take two shots each.” Sean said smiling. 

We all stood up and walked over to the table. I was still tipsy from earlier but I took them anyway. I knew Ava was a lightweight so I kept her close to me. We walked back to our seats.

“Now, what happens in this room stays in this room. We don’t tell boyfriends or girlfriends. There’s nothing to tell them, it’s just a friendly game.” Sean explained. “Close the door and dim the lights.”

Girls ran to follow his request. They literally trampled each other to do so and then returned to the circle. 

“Okay.” Sean cleared his throat and spun the bottle. 

It quickly spiraled and I heard everyone’s heartbeats pick up. I watched everyone’s nervous faces as the bottle slowed down. 

“Stop on Rayleigh.” I heard someone whisper.

“Don’t stop on Rayleigh.” I answered back. 

“Stop the bottle.” Dean yelled. 

“What’s wrong?” I asked confused. 

“Whoever denies the bottle, gets the bottle.” He said seriously.

“Come on.” I whined. 

“Rules are rules.” Sean added.

“Fine.” I pouted.

“Take a shot first.” He handed me a shot of whiskey. 

“Why not?” I smiled as I took it.