Elijah Martinez's Kiss Caught in the Act

But the crowd, fueled by their buzz, shouted with more vigor, far from ready to halt at his command. 

Avery Miller, unable to resist the fiery enthusiasm of everyone, reluctantly filled her glass to the brim and clinked it with Elijah Martinez. 

Mimicking his action, she tilted her head back and gulped down the drink, holding the glass aloft for an eternity before almost choking, but she finally managed to finish it.

After the dinner, they staggered back to school, singing and calling out in a tipsy haze. 

That one drink left Avery Miller feeling dizzy, as if floating off the path. 

By the time they reached school, Jessica Wilson and Sarah Wilson had vanished into the crowd. 

Avery searched high and low but couldn't find them, unaware that Jessica and Sarah were just behind her, also searching.

Elijah Martinez, steadying a swaying Avery, softly offered, "Let me take you back."