Chapter 17: Party Time!

Ivy

The house that stood before them was more akin to a mansion. Ivy swallowed thickly, her eyes gliding over the three story building. The exterior was a piercing ivory white, outlining the many tall glass windows that looked to make up entire walls. Rooms were stacked quite oddly, like a jenga tower seconds from falling. The front garden reassembled something from Alice in Wonderland. Bushes and trees of all kinds were perfectly trimmed in strange designs and scattered across the grass, divided by a smooth marble path that led up to the front double doors. "...I don't think I've ever felt so poor in my life," Ivy mumbled, sucking in a sharp breath. She figured the place would be fancy considering how far out of the city it was. But this was just ridiculous.

"Talk about overkill." Cilian snorted, pulling his grey hood up. Ivy glanced over to him and sighed. They hadn't even stepped in yet and he was already scowling.

"Just…remember why we're doing this," She advised, giving him a firm look. Cilian seemed to return it.

With that, the pair began their way up the path to the house. Ivy could already hear the hip hop, bass boasted music piercing through the walls, along with the cheers and laughter of others. Her heart began to race, pulling her towards the door even faster. This would be her first time at a real high school party. It excited her. Just before she could push open the door, it swung open from the other side.

"Ives!"

It was Lori, greeting Ivy with a tight hug. "Hey! How did you know I was here already?" She chuckled, returning the tight embrace. "From the upstairs window. I almost didn't recognize you in that outfit though. Looking good miss thang,"

Ivy grinned while pulling away from the hug, taking a moment to gawk at Lori's fitted blue cocktail dress that seemed to hug her full curves perfectly. "And you look amazing as always!"

With a quick giggle, Lori looked over Ivy's shoulder and raised a brow. Ivy turned as well. "Oh ho, is this the friend you mentioned earlier?" She hummed, a smirk spreading across her lips. Cilian seemed to stiffen under her intense gaze, forcing out a quiet "hi". Ivy chuckled, pointing to him with a nod. "Mhm, hope you don't mind," she said. Although, Ivy wasn't actually that worried. She knew the boy-crazy Lori wouldn't mind in the least bit. In fact, She grabbed both their arms and pulled them into the front foyer, where Ivy nearly let out a gasp. The inside was just as beautiful as the outside with high ceilings, pristine white walls, sleek black stairs leading to the second floor and shelves filled with gold figures, alcohol bottles and other strange trinkets. "Whoa," Ivy had to push past the many people surrounding them. She saw quite a few familiar faces from school, but everyone danced about to the music with red cups in their hands.

"This way," Lori led them to what seemed to be the living room and was thankfully less populated. A long table with glass drink dispensers and cups pressed against the wall, with a few couches and loveseats scattered around the false fireplace. Lori finally let go of them and grinned. She looked between the two with a weird stare, causing Ivy to furrow her brows. "Alright, loosen up and start having fun. I'm gonna go get my purse, and be right back." Lori shouted, flashing a quick wink before skipping off. Ivy could barely hear her over the loud music.

She turned to look at Cilian who stood right beside her. Somehow she could hear his loud groan. "Your friend," he began, slowly looking towards her, "is weird."

Ivy shrugged off his dry comment with a smile. "She's great. Now, keep it nice or I'll have to hurt you." She was only half joking with that statement, and it seemed Cilian noticed with how he pursed his lips.

"Now," Ivy scanned the room in search of Hyun. He wasn't one of the guys sat on the couch with a girl on top of him, or one near the dining table, pouring a drink. He wasn't getting one of those little snacks either.

"Wait- those look yummy!" Losing focus, Ivy rushed over to the table and caught sight of a tray of snacks. Bacon wrapped greens, fried shrimp, puff pastries and sushi stretched across the silver platters, and Ivy's mouth nearly watered. "Oh oh what are these called again?" She thought out loud, licking her lips in excitement.

"hor d'oeuvres, idiot," She turned to see Cilian standing beside her, leaning down so his mouth was closer to her ear, piercing through the booming music. His breath tickled her collarbone a bit.

"...Oh yeah!" She flashed him a bright smile before reaching down to grab one of the pastries, popping it into her mouth. Immediately did her taste buds light up, enveloped by the delicious sweetness. So much fresher than the ones at the convenience store. "Oh my god, you gotta try some," she hummed, grabbing another. She turned and raised it to Cilian's mouth. He paused and blinked.

"What happened to the plan, huh? We should be-"

"Just try it! After, it's back to the plan." Her insistence caused him to flinch. He looked between her eyes and the pastry she held up. He sighed, took it, and popped into his mouth. Immediately his eyes widened for a moment, like a flickering candle, but he averted his gaze and quickly swallowed. "Not bad," he mumbled. Ivy couldn't help but laugh, knowing that it was better than that.

"Okay, now let's-"

"You! I finally remembered where I know you from!"

That voice caused Ivy to freeze, while the chatter in the room abruptly stopped. Ivy felt her chest tighten as she slowly turned, along with Cilian.

Behind them was Hyun, hands lazily on his hips with a wide grin that never reached his eyes. "You. I fought you in the ring, didn't I?"

Ivy furrowed her brows in confusion. Just what the heck was he talking about?

"Hey Cil-" She paused at the sight of Cilian's face. His eyebrows were lowered, gaze darkened, jaw tightly clenched and nostrils flared. A shiver ran down her back.

If looks could kill, Hyun would be dead and buried.