The Summer Solstice

Chapter 8: Kassia

🌿 Kassia 🌿

    "Well, what do we do with her?"

    "Dunno. Gwen's still too drunk to drive. She's asleep in the basement."

    "What about the other dude she came with?"

    "He's in the pool. Puking."

    I crack open my eyes. The light is blinding and I groan, wishing I hadn't woken. Renwood—the knight, Wraith, or whatever—was more fun than here.

    Above me is Ben, Cameron, and some girl I don't recognize. I'm dimly aware of the plush bed I'm on. Somewhere music is playing, but it's much quieter than before. My mouth is painfully dry. I lick my lips.

    "Where's the party?" I croak.

    Ben looks at me funny. "It's four in the morning. People went home. We found you in the corner of my living room."

    Thanks for that, Gwen.

    Well, at least she moved me off the dance floor. In the state she was in, I suppose I should be grateful she even managed that.

    "How'd I get here, then?"

    Ben nudged his head. "Cameron carried you. Looks like those college basketball muscles paid off."

    "Ha-ha," Cameron mutters.

    The girl, who has a massive stain on her tank top, says, "Your friends crashed here too. I'm about to take off, so I can drive you home if you want."

    Less than fifteen minutes between the outskirts of each neighborhood is probably the main perk of living in a small town. Without a better plan, I shrug. "Sure. Thanks."

    Knowing Gwen and her hangovers, she probably won't be up for another few hours, and I'm desperate to get home. The residual milk taste in my mouth feels chalky. I want to brush my teeth twice over, down a glass of water, and sleep for another twelve hours.

    I push to my feet shakily. It's then that I realize someone's tied my hair back for me. Or maybe I did it at some point. I can't remember.

    Either way, I panic. I rip my hair from the hair tie and flatten it over my curved ears. All three of them stare at me.

    "Are you okay?" The girl asks, giving me a weird look.

    I look intently at their faces. None of them show any sign that they saw my ears, but how could they have possibly missed them?

    "Uh, yeah, fine." I try to gather my bearings. "I'm gonna find my friend real quick—that okay?"

    "Sure. I'll be out front."

    I turn to Cameron. "Thanks for moving me. And Ben, great party."

    Ben smiles but he looks exhausted. Maybe being the friendliest kid around has its downsides.

    I slip out of the room, feeling totally out of place. The house is in shambles with cups and glass everywhere. A few junior boys seem to still be going strong, playing video games on one of Ben's massive TVs and slugging back beers.