Natalia

By the time Ashlyn and I reach the party, the bonfire’s blazing. Music is pulsing through the trees, and dozens of people have congregated within a circle of beat-down cars and folding tables full of pizza and red Solo cups.

Within minutes I’ve lost myself. I hadn’t expected to let loose so easily, but my heart comes to life with the beat of the music and the sweet intoxicating taste of beer.

I’m flowing, dancing freely with a drink in my hand, the heat of the blazing bonfire on my back. A girl lets out a laugh somewhere near the speakers, and I open my eyes.

I can’t place the laugh, but I take in the faces around me, smiling at the familiarity of them all. My “crowd,” as my parents would say. It’s a diverse group, full of friends from high school, from middle school, from my childhood. They don’t all fit together, and many of them have never met each other, but they all have one thing in common tonight: me.

Everyone’s watching me, entertained by the way I’m dancing so freely. So alone.

“Nat, Nat, Nat!” a few of them chant. They’re gesturing with their cups, which I assume means they want me to drink. I toss back my beer, draining it until only droplets remain. Cheers and laughter pour over the heavy sound of bass, as I shake the last droplets into my mouth.

Before I can even wipe my chin, Ashlyn appears behind me, spinning me around by the shoulder to look at her. “I told you it’d be great! Look at you! I haven’t seen this side of you in a while.”

She’s right. It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten out of the endless cycle of work. Since I’ve escaped civilization and caused a little trouble, like the wild child I used to be. And it’s been much too long since I’ve seen all of my friends.

Across the fire, Michael Bilmer begins to chant, “Nat the bat! Nat the bat!” and a handful of other voices join in chorus.

“Do it, Natalia!” someone shouts.

I laugh and turn to them. “I don’t know… I’m not sure you guys can handle the dark.”

“I don’t know about them, but I can handle you.” A sudden and familiar warmth climbs up my back. Someone touches my hips, and I spin around to find Paulie pressed against me. He has his hands on my waist, just beneath the butchered hem of my T-shirt. His palms feel like fire on my skin. I’m caught momentarily by his green eyes, and the way they look down at me with a glimmer of trouble.

“Happy birthday, Nat,” he says, a keen smirk on his face. Before I can speak, he leans in, his breath like warm feathers on my ear. “I have a present for you.”

A present? Ha.

I can certainly guess what Paulie’s present is. A slight dread sits on my chest. Paulie’s a sweet guy. A good way to waste a few hours. But he’s becoming a little too invested. A little too…serious.

I’m not a fan of serious.

Still, I owe him some appreciation for his kindness. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him—one slow, small kiss, long enough to let the heat linger between us.

When our lips break apart, I smile against them and whisper, “Thanks, but no thanks, Paulie. Not tonight.”

“Ouch,” Paulie responds, pulling back to look at me. He wears a playful look of dejection. “Did I just get rejected by the birthday girl herself?”

I laugh and swat at his chest, trying to open up some distance between us. “Oh, stop it. Don’t be a party-pooper. I have guests.”

Paulie takes a look around and breathes in a crisp lungful of forest air. “That’s right. It seems the gang’s all here, huh? A few unfamiliar faces.”

“Dates, probably,” I assure him.

“Dates, hmm?” he asks, hanging on to the word. “I didn’t realize we were bringing dates. Maybe I should’ve asked someone. Made you a little jealous, huh?” He winks.

I scoff and give him a hearty eye roll. “You could try,” I tease.

But Paulie doesn’t have a flirty comeback, he seems distracted now. His eyes have set somewhere in the crowd and my comment seems to fly right over his head. “Did Ashlyn bring someone?”

“What? No. She and I came together.”

“Then who’s that guy she’s with?” Paulie asks, the slightest edge of concern in his voice. “I’ve never seen him.”

I follow Paulie’s gaze across the fire to Ashlyn and the man sitting beside her. He stands out from the crowd like a sore thumb—his long dark hair curls beneath the ear, his skin a warm amber in the light of the flames. He’s tall and slender with perfect features and flawless skin.

Something feels…out of place about him.

Paulie’s right—I’ve never seen this man in my life.

And he’s staring straight at me.