Eight

Reya

As Zora and I walked up to the house, the bass from the music inside made the windows tremble, a faint vibration that hinted at the energy awaiting us. The yard was already scattered with groups of people, their voices carrying over the pulse of the party. I could feel the tension in the air. The kind of tension that charged the excitement that came with a full house and an open invitation to forget responsibilities for a while.

Genevieve and I were known for throwing parties every weekend so tonight was no different.

Zora looked over at me, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "So, what's the plan? Are you going to play hostess or brood in the corner?"

I shot her a sidelong glance. "You act like I'm incapable of having fun." I opened the front door and gestured for her to enter first.

"Prove me wrong," she teased, brushing past me and inside the house. The confidence in her stride was almost aggravating. Almost.

I followed her inside, and the noise of the party engulfed us. The house was even more packed than the yard. The living room had been turned into an impromptu dance floor, the kitchen was overrun with people mixing drinks, and laughter filled every corner. The air smelled like a faint edge of cigarette smoke drifting in from the back porch. I was relieved that they were at least smoking outside and not inside the house.

"Looks like half the school showed up," Zora said, scanning the room with a raised eyebrow.

"More like two-thirds," I replied. "You'd think Genevieve was running for mayor or something."

She laughed, the sound low and easy. "Guess she's got her campaign manager right here." She nudged me lightly with her elbow and I couldn't help but smile.

"Don't get too comfortable. You might have to work for your drink."

"Oh, I never work for a drink," she shot back.

"Reya! Zora!" Genevieve's voice cut through the noise as she waved at us from the kitchen. I waved back, but Zora was already making her way toward Stevie, who was standing near the staircase with a drink in hand. I lingered for a moment, watching as Zora leaned in to say something to Stevie, her laughter cutting through the noise like a clear note.

I shook off the strange pull of watching her and headed toward the kitchen. Genevieve was holding court with a group of people, laughing and gesturing animatedly with a half-empty glass of wine.

"Reya!" she greeted me, pulling me into a quick hug. "You actually made it." At first, I looked at her confused but then realized my talk with Zora probably caused us to leave after Genevieve and the rest of the team.

Then I rolled my eyes playfully. "I live here. Where else would I go?"

"Still, I wasn't sure. You've been a little... intense this week." She raised an eyebrow, her tone teasing but with a hint of genuine concern.

"Thanks for that, Geni," I replied with a mock glare. "I'm fine. Just keeping things together."

I poured myself a vodka cran and surveyed the room. Zora was still talking to Stevie, and something about their laughter and closeness made me feel restless. I tried to pull myself away to avoid being caught, but it was too late and Genevieve had already caught on. Why was I suddenly so interested in Zora? Our talk may have softened things a little but she was still my rival.

"Uh-huh." Her eyes flicked over my shoulder. "Speaking of keeping it together, how's your favorite rival doing?"

I followed her gaze to where Zora stood with Stevie, this time two more girls had joined their group. Marie and Liv. Zora looked entirely at ease, and not like the broken girl I had previously talked to. I shrugged. "She's fine."

Genevieve smirked. "You sound jealous."

"Hardly," I said dryly, sipping my drink. Was I jealous that Zora was talking to her friends instead of me? Of course not. I need a distraction. Yes, that's exactly what I need. I turned and scanned the room until I saw a group of football players I recognized. Bingo.

"Reya!" one of them called out, raising his cup in a toast as he saw me approach. "Finally slumming it with us mere mortals?"

Jacob. The weird one. I smirked, stepping into the circle. "Someone's got to keep you guys in line."

They laughed, and the conversation flowed with an effortless ease. My gaze drifted to the one with shaggy blonde hair. His name was Reece, if I remember correctly. He was cute, the captain of the football team, and undeniably my type.

"You play hockey, right?" Reece asked, his charming smile flashing as he took a sip of his beer.

"I do. I'm right wing and the captain," I replied, matching his grin.

"Ah, captaincy. Something we have in common," he said, leaning a little closer.

"Indeed." I hoped he'd keep the conversation going, but my attention wavered. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Zora across the room. She'd moved from Stevie to another group, drink in hand, her easy smile lighting up her face. She seemed to be comfortable no matter where she was and it irritated me how effortlessly she fit into the scene.

Reece brought me back. "Your skills are impressive. I didn't make it to the game tonight, but I've seen you play."

"Thanks. I've been playing since I was little. How's your off-season going?"

"Pretty good—just lifting and keeping up with practices. It's nice to have a break."

"I bet." The conversation felt stale. That was the thing I hated about parties: the small talk. Genevieve threw the best parties on campus, but the constant surface-level chatter wore on me. My gaze slid back to Zora, now talking to a blonde girl I didn't recognize. She laughed, casually touching the girl's shoulder. A twinge of something unwelcome flickered in my chest.

Was Zora... into her?

No.

Damnit.

I need to get her out of my head.

"Want a tour of the house?" I asked Reece, hoping for a distraction—or maybe something more. And definitely not because I was jealous of Zora and that blonde girl.

"Sure," Reece said, motioning for me to lead the way. I took one last look in Zora's direction and saw she had another cup in hand. Was that her fifth or sixth? Should I be concerned that maybe Zora has had too much? No. Zora is an adult and I am not her babysitter.

I led the way and showed Reece the living room, kitchen, and downstairs bathroom before taking him upstairs. After a quick stop in Genevieve's room, I led him into mine.

"So this is where—" Reece started, but I cut him off with a kiss. I wasted no time. He set his beer down on the nightstand as I placed my drink beside it.

"Don't talk," I whispered, and he nodded eagerly, pulling me closer. Right now I needed a distraction, not a conversation. Jackets hit the floor, and I climbed onto his lap. Shirts were removed and things were just heating up when a knock sounded at the door.

"Reya!" Genevieve's voice called from the other side.

I groaned. "Yeah?"

Without waiting for an invitation, Genevieve walked in. "Please, come right in," I said sarcastically, climbing off Reece's lap and giving him an apologetic look.

"We have a problem," she announced. Reece looked at me and I looked at him and shrugged.

"What now?" I asked, irritated.

"Zora threw up all over the carpet in the living room. It's a disaster." What the hell? I came upstairs maybe ten minutes ago and she looked fine.

"Did you clean it up?"

"Of course not. I saved it for you," she said with a smirk. "Come on, you're needed downstairs."

I sighed, muttering an apology to Reece before following Genevieve downstairs. Zora was slumped on the couch, her face streaked with tears, while Stevie, Marie, and Liv all stood beside her. Stevie was holding a water bottle and a damp rag.

"I'm sorry," Zora mumbled, her voice barely audible. I glanced at Zora and then at Stevie, Marie, and Liv.

"She said it's her first time drinking," Stevie explained softly, her usual edge replaced with unexpected gentleness.

"I told her to slow down and she wouldn't listen," Marie chimed in.

"Zora has never been much of a drinker," Liv added with a confused look on her face as she stared at Zora.

My frustration gave away to pity as I knelt in front of Zora. "It's okay," I said gently. "Let's get you upstairs and cleaned up."

"What about the mess?" Zora asked weakly.

"Don't worry about it. Let's focus on you."

Zora tried to stand but wobbled unsteadily. Before she could fall, Stevie and Liv caught her.

"I'll carry her," I insisted, slipping my arms under Zora and lifting her easily. I walked carefully up the stairs with Stevie and Liv following behind.

Upstairs, I set her down in my bathroom and started the shower. "I'll grab you some clothes," I said before stepping out.

"Can you help me with my shirt?" Zora called after me, her voice hesitant.

I froze, the request catching me off guard. "Uh, yeah," I said, as I re-entered the bathroom. I helped her out of the stained shirt, doing my best to keep my expression neutral. The rest she managed on her own, so I left to grab a pair of pajama pants and a T-shirt.

I entered my room to find that Reece was no longer there and Liv was sitting on my bed.

"I'm sorry about all this," Liv said. "I should've been watching her more."

"It's okay. It's not your fault. All is good," I replied as I reached into my dresser and found a pair of pajama pants and a shirt.

"I don't drink and I should've been more focused. I mean she's still grieving. I should've expected something like this."

I stood there unsure of what to say. I didn't find this a big deal and was confused as to why Liv was.

"Everyone grieves in their own way," I said softly as I laid a hand on Liv's shoulder and then headed back to the bathroom.

When I returned, Stevie was in the bathroom, sitting on the toilet lid, keeping an eye on Zora.

"I cleaned the carpet as best I could," Stevie said.

"Thanks," I said, even though I knew it was going to leave a huge stain. Whatever Zora had been drinking was red and our carpet was a light brown. I placed the clothes on the counter. "How's she doing?"

"She'll be fine. She just overdid it. We kept telling her to slow down, but she wouldn't listen. I'm sure you've learned how Zora is."

"Stubborn as hell," I agreed, earning a chuckle from Stevie.

"Hey," I ventured, feeling awkward. "That girl Zora was talking to...?"

"Random girl she met tonight," Stevie said with a knowing smirk. "Why?"

"So... Zora's into girls?"

Stevie shrugged. "Zora is a mystery to everyone, me included, so we've never talked about her... preferences, but I'd say she definitely seemed into her."

I nodded, unsure how to feel about that revelation. Zora being gay certainly didn't cross my mind, but I also don't know a lot about her and I'm not sure if I wanted that to change.

"How about that guy you were talking to?" Stevie challenged with a smirk.

"Random guy I met tonight, "I replied, matching Stevie's previous response. "We were in my room when Genevieve came for me actually."

Stevie laughed. "Damn Zora was a cock block."

I laughed. "I guess so."

"Marie and I are going to take off. I didn't drink so I'm driving us home. Do you want me to take you and Zora too?" Liv said to Stevie as she and Marie peeked into the bathroom. Stevie looked at me.

Then she turned back to them. "Nah. I think we'll be okay here."

"Okay. You guys have a good night," Marie said.

"Reya, take care of my girls," Liv warned. "And tell Zora we said bye."

"You know I will."

Liv and Marie headed downstairs and Stevie gave me a wink. Does she know something I don't?

"I'm done," Zora said as Stevie and I heard the water turn off. We stepped out of the bathroom and into the hallway.

Zora emerged from the bathroom, bare-faced, and her dark curly hair wrapped in a towel. She looked significantly better than she did twenty minutes ago.

"You can crash here tonight," I said, walking towards my room.

"I can just—" she started.

"You're not sleeping on the couch," I interrupted, turning around, and stopping her protest. "And no one's sober enough to drive you home." I decided not to bring up the fact that Liv and Marie left and she didn't seem to realize they were gone.

Genevieve appeared at the top of the stairs. "I agree. Stevie, you can crash in my room. You're not driving either."

"Thanks," Stevie said, giving Zora one last glance before heading off with Genevieve. "Take care of Zora."

Genevieve turned to me. "Some people are crashing downstairs, forewarning. Oh, and Reece left with some friends. He gave me his number and told me you should text him." She handed me a piece of paper.

I rolled my eyes as I grabbed it. I looked over at Zora who was giving me a questioning look.

"Are you coming or not?" I said to Zora, changing the topic.

She stared at me for a moment, like she was trying to decide whether to argue again, but eventually, she let out a resigned sigh and followed me to my room.

When we reached my room, I guided her to the bed and helped her sit down. She seemed more sober than before she entered the shower but I could tell she was still drunk.

"Are you going to text Reece," she teased.

"Probably not," I replied.

"Why not? I bet he's a nice guy," she said while laughing.

"Don't worry about him. Lay down."

"No need to get all upset," she said as she got under the covers.

"Are you going to text that girl you were talking to?" I said with a bit more bitterness in my voice than I anticipated.

"I just might. Jealous?"

"Stay here," I said, ignoring her as I walked to my desk to grab a bottle of water. "Drink this. You'll feel better in the morning."

Zora took the bottle, her movements sluggish but obedient. She looked up at me, her gaze soft and unfocused. "Thanks, Reya. I guess you're not all mean and bad."

I snorted, crossing my arms. "High praise coming from you."

She laughed quietly, the sound warm despite her state. "I mean it. I knew you had some softness in that cold heart of yours. Also, I'm sorry about the mess."

I didn't know how to respond, so I just found some pajamas and went into the bathroom to change. By the time I returned, she was lying down with her eyes already half-closed. I grabbed an extra blanket and started to make a makeshift bed on the floor, but her voice stopped me.

"Reya," she murmured, her words soft but clear. "You don't have to sleep on the floor. Just... share the bed."

I hesitated, my heart skipping a beat. Shit. She wants to share the bed? "You sure?"

She nodded, her eyes closing fully this time. "It's fine. Just get in."

I stood there for a moment, torn between the practical and the absurd. But finally, I turned off the light and slid into the bed, careful to keep as much space between us as possible.

The room was steeped in silence now, the muffled hum of the party below fading into stillness. Zora's breathing evened out beside me, but my mind was anything but calm. I stared at the ceiling, my thoughts racing.

Was I falling for Zora? No. That was impossible. I wasn't into girls. Right?

Then why did I care so much about her? Why did I feel this pull, this mix of frustration, and something else?

I glanced at her, her face peaceful in sleep, and felt a pang of something I couldn't quite name. My mind raced with questions I didn't want to ask and feelings I didn't want to examine.

Was this still a rivalry, or was it becoming something deeper?

Something deeper I wasn't ready to accept and admit to myself?