CHAPTER 6:BEDTIMES ARE FOR LOSERS.

MAYA.

"Hello...party animals! Are you ready to have some fun tonight?"

The DJ's voice boomed through the crowd as the infectious beat of "Uptown Funk" reverberated from the massive speakers, creating a pulse in the air that vibrated through the basement walls. The moment I stepped into Noah’s dimly lit underground hideaway, the scent of excitement mingled with the faint aroma of sweat and spilled drinks, welcoming me into a realm of youthful abandon.

A mischievous grin crept across my face as I surveyed the lively scene before me. "When aren't we ever ready for fun?" I thought to myself, taking a refreshing sip from my plastic cup, the fizzy drink tingling against my lips. I don’t mean to boast, but we’ve been throwing parties like this since our high school days—each one a tapestry of laughter, wild stories, and unforgettable memories. Some of our gatherings had even grown larger, transforming into legendary events that echoed through the halls of our school.

Now, as we transitioned into college life, a carefree spirit surged within us. The thrill of staying out all night no longer terrified us; instead, it excited us. The notion of slipping out after dark and losing ourselves in the rhythm of the night felt like an essential rite of passage. It was as if the freedom to party until dawn came hand in hand with the very essence of being a college student, entwining our lives in a vibrant tapestry of adventure and camaraderie.

The atmosphere was thick with excitement and the unmistakable scent of indulgence as I navigated through the throngs of partying revelers. I crinkled my nose in distaste at the sharp, pungent smell of weed wafting through the air, mixing with the intoxicating mix of sweat and spilled drinks. Yikes! Hasn’t the party just kicked off about thirty minutes ago?

It seemed almost surreal how quickly the buzz of alcohol had transformed this gathering, with nearly everyone already stumbling beyond the boundaries of sobriety.

“Hey, Maya!”

A voice pierced through the booming bass of the music, pulling my attention. I turned to see Noah making his way toward me, a cup in hand, a look of contagious enthusiasm dancing on his features.

At least he didn’t appear to be intoxicated, which made two of us amidst the chaos.

“Hey, Noah! You really know how to throw a party!”

I gestured around, taking in the impressive scene he had orchestrated. Noah nodded in appreciation, his smile revealing an impeccable set of teeth that gleamed in the dim light. For a fleeting moment, I was jolted by memories of Andrew; his powerful smile, complete with those irresistible dimples, would always make my heart leap—just fantastic!

I can’t believe I'm even thinking about that jerk at a time like this. Did I really just say Andrew has sexy dimples? No way! They’re not sexy at all! Bad, bad, Maya! (Groans internally) Why the hell is he occupying my mind right now?

“Thanks, I really have to give my folks credit for letting me use this place as often as I do,” Noah’s voice cut through the chaos of my thoughts.

He suddenly stood uncomfortably close to me, and I couldn't help but wonder how he had closed the distance so quickly.

''Huh?"

I muttered, my thoughts stumbling back to our earlier conversation (get it together, Maya!). Noah gestured with his hand, finishing off a cup of something that looked suspiciously intoxicating before continuing with a casual air.

''Yeah, my parents let me use their crib for parties sometimes when they're out of town, as long as I have it cleaned before they get home, of course.''

A light bulb flickered on in my mind. Oh! That’s what he meant!

It’s not a bad deal at all. But then again, he’s definitely not going to be the one scrubbing the floors or clearing up the remnants of whatever chaos unfolds at these parties. I can't help but chuckle at the thought of whoever does end up cleaning—at least they’ll be well compensated for their trouble. I mean, his parents are filthy rich. I’m talking about a level of wealth that makes you wonder how many zeroes are on their bank statements!

They probably have an army of servants bustling about, tending to every corner of their sprawling mansion. Wait a minute!

"Before they get home?" I inquired, my curiosity piqued, and he nodded thoughtfully in response.

"How often are they out of town? Aren't they just like...other families that live around here?" Noah's brow furrowed in mild confusion at my sudden interest in his family's travel plans, yet he wisely chose not to question my motives.

"My parents are always on the move because of Dad's job," Noah explained, his tone laced with familiarity. "And my mom has an insatiable wanderlust, so she tags along wherever Dad goes. As for everyone else in the house, I bet they’re all sound asleep upstairs, oblivious to the world," he continued, while I stared at him with wide-eyed amazement, my mind racing with possibilities.

"I know what you're thinking, Maya, and yes, I've already got that part covered too," he added with a hint of mischief in his smile.

Well, forgive me for my astonishment, but how can anyone possibly be sound asleep amid the cacophony of this bash? I mean, just listen to that pulsating music! In the last hour since the festivities kicked off, at least two hundred cars have streamed into this extravagant residence.

How on earth can anyone manage to slumber through this revelry?

“All the cars are supposed to be parked in the underground garage, which is soundproof,” he explained, gesturing with a slight shrug. I raised my eyebrows in realization—so that’s why our vehicles were stashed away down there. Noah continued with a knowing smile.

“And this entire basement has been designed to muffle any noise, so nothing escapes.” Oh, how ingenious! It hadn’t crossed my mind. “Fucking rich people, always going the extra mile,” I thought, allowing a smile to tug at my lips.

The atmosphere in the dimly lit basement buzzed with the kind of energy that only a certain breed of privilege could generate. Every single kid gathered here tonight belonged to a world of wealth, either hailing from elite families or having connections to those who reigned over vast fortunes. It struck me as absurd how some of them had likely never set foot in a public restroom or experienced the chaos of public transportation, their lives wrapped in a bubble of luxury that shielded them from the realities many others faced.

"Can I get you another drink, or do you want to take it slow?" Noah inquired, gesturing toward my empty glass with a casual grin.

"I think I’ll hold off for a bit before having another one," I replied, and he nodded in understanding. The truth was, I hadn’t come to this lavish gathering to get tipsy. But how could I confess that? What’s the point of attending a party if not to indulge in a drink or two? My real reason for being here lay in the shadows—a silent vigil over 'he who shall not be mentioned.' It was a matter of preserving what little pride I had left, so please, don’t even ask; I won’t say.

Noah is an incredibly kind guy; I’ve known him since our high school days. He was a year ahead of me back then, and now, like Andrew and his circle of friends, he’s a second-year student at my school. Noah has always treated me with warmth and consideration. There was a time when Sasha was convinced that Noah had romantic feelings for me (scoffs). Just because a guy is consistently friendly and insists on having lunch with you alone, even when other girls are practically begging him to join their tables, doesn’t necessarily mean he’s interested romantically, right? I guess it’s easy to misinterpret kindness! Oh well!

“Err... so, I hear you don’t have a boyfriend, Maya,” he suddenly says.

Whoa! Where did that question even come from? It seems like someone has been sharing rumors about me. Not that it’s untrue or anything—I’m single—but why is it anyone's business? And honestly, he really shouldn’t be paying so much attention to gossip because people can get so carried away with assumptions...

Wait! There’s no way Noah could possibly have feelings for me, right? Sasha must be mistaken, surely! I mean, it’s Noah! Our kind and gentle Noah! Okay, Maya, keep it together. You can handle this!

''Nah...I'm not really into the whole boyfriend and girlfriend stuff right now. What about you? Do you have any special lady in your life?''

Noah chuckled nervously while scratching the back of his neck, a gesture that I found both endearing and disarming. His voice was casual, but I sensed an underlying tension as he added, ''N, nah...I'm not really into the whole girlfriend and boyfriend stuff right now, y'know?''

Hmmm, I didn’t buy it for a second.

''So, we're both just a couple of free birds flying solo, eh?'' I teased, gently nudging my shoulder against his in a playful manner, desperately trying to mask the flutter of nerves in my stomach.

Thank goodness he didn’t seem to notice my inner turmoil as he laughed, the sound rich and infectious, further reminding me of Andrew’s charm.

Damnit!

"Noah, my man. This party is lit as always, bro!''

The voice cut through the air like a sharp breeze, and as Noah and I turned in unison, I spotted Andrew making his way over. A genuine smile crept across Noah's face as he greeted him, but I felt my expression harden into a scowl.

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear!

''Thanks, bro. Glad you could make it,'' Noah said, shaking Andrew’s hand firmly and pulling him into a quick side hug, the kind that brothers share. Andrew’s smirk widened as his gaze landed on me, and I braced myself for the teasing that I knew was coming.

''Isn't it past your bedtime, sweetheart?'' Andrew said acknowledging me with a slight nod.

Fuck him and his sexy British accent. I don't even get offended at this point anymore because nothing good comes out every time this doofus opens his mouth except to taunt me. I've also learned not to let him get away with it.

"Thought I should come and keep an eye on you kids," I replied with a calm smile, trying to keep the mood light. "You know, just to make sure you don't get into any trouble I wouldn't find myself in."

I paused, glancing at Noah, who chuckled at our playful banter, his eyes sparkling with amusement. Meanwhile, Andrew rolled his eyes, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, as if he had anticipated my familiar quip. The air around us felt charged with a sense of camaraderie, the kind that only comes from shared moments and inside jokes.

"Besides, bedtimes are for losers, don’t you think, sweetheart?" I teased, my voice effortlessly mimicking his thick accent as I flashed an exaggerated grin.

The playful smirk that had danced across his lips moments earlier had now twisted into a seething glare, but I only beamed brighter as I swayed past him, the warmth of the evening breeze lifting my spirits. I made my way toward Eric and Sasha, who were animatedly chatting a few feet away.

Well, what do you know? This night just got a whole lot better! I didn't know this night would suddenly blossomed into something far more exhilarating when I left home.