Hate Me

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3RD

Some mutual pleasure.

5:30am

Aiden’s alarm goes off at five-thirty in the morning.

He gives his phone a dirty look as I snuggle into his arms.

“No one ever checks on us in the morning. Does your house mom ever?”

“No, and even if she did, Katie would cover for me. I’m still tired. Let’s go back to sleep.”

He kisses the top of my head and runs his hand down my hair.

“I love when you do that,” I say sleepily.

I close my eyes and think about last night.

How he dunked the ball during warm-ups, then blew me a kiss. How he scored twenty-two points. How, when he was the bench, he’d always catch my eye and smile at me. How his eyes stayed glued to me when the dance team performed at the end of the third quarter. And then how we danced under the twinkle lights to our playlist. How dancing with him makes me feel high. Happy. Emotional.

I can’t imagine dancing with anyone else for so long without getting bored.

But things are never boring with Aiden. Especially because he added a fun dance song in the middle of our playlist.

We moved our bodies to the beat, grinding on each other and having fun.

When the slow songs started again, he picked me up, put me on his bed, then lay on top of me and kissed every part of my upper half until I had to run to make curfew.

When I snuck back over later, all he had on were a pair of boxers and a sleepy grin. After some mutual pleasure, I fell asleep in the same spot I’m in now.

Gritty, raw performance.

3:30pm

Aiden and I get up late, have coffee and chocolate croissants, and cheer for Logan at his wrestling match. Now, I’m lying on my bed relaxing before I have to get ready for tonight and reading reports about Mom’s movie online.

Christian Protestors Picket Theaters in California

Christian protestors came out in number yesterday to protest the Abby Johnston movie, To Maddie, With Love. In Los Angeles, two theaters were shut down after receiving bomb threats. Bomb squads searched both properties and found no incendiary devices. Moviegoers themselves rushed out of one San Francisco theater after smelling what they were afraid was some kind of toxic gas, but turned out to be simply a sewer malfunction.

None of these incidents have effected ticket sales. Box offices are recording what should shape up to be a record-setting weekend. Despite her dismal personal life, it looks like Abby Johnston may finally win an Oscar.

Excerpt from Movie Critic, Bart Wallow

This movie achieves that rare combination of being a big box office hit and having a gritty, raw performance that really shows off Abby’s acting chops. That she’s damn hot in this movie hasn’t hurt ticket sales, either.

Then I start searching for information on the remake of A Day at the Lake. I find a small blurb in a trade magazine.

Search For The Next Abby Johnston Falls Short

A Breath Behind You Films CEO Vincent Sharpe has been touring the country, looking for the next Abby Johnston to star in their remake of her cult classic, A Day at the Lake. Sources from inside the company say that the search has not gone as planned, and that they will soon have to start looking at more seasoned actresses. Only three roles have yet to be cast. Sources say that Luke Sander, former child star who just wrapped the lead of Danny Zuko in the remake of Grease was rumored to be in the running to play the boyfriend. His publicist says he has withdrawn his name from consideration due to a conflict with another project. No word yet on who might play the killer.

I breathe a sigh of relief about Sander.

I also realize that I haven’t heard anything from B since I got notification that my birthday gifts arrived at his hotel.

I decide to call him.

He doesn’t answer, so I leave him a message.

“Hey, it’s me. Just calling to wish you a happy early birthday. I sent three packages to your hotel. It says they were delivered, so hopefully they found their way to you. I also wanted you to know that I’m not mad at you. I understand why your dad doesn’t want you to help me. Anyway, um, happy birthday again. Hope you have a great day and we can talk soon. Bye, B.”

KNOCK KNOCK.

I’m startled by the loud knock and drop my phone.

“Who is it?”

“Aiden.”

I glance at the clock, verifying that it’s a little before four, then open the door.

“I need you to come with me,” he says, pulling me out the door.

“Why?”

“I need to show you something, but we have to hurry.”

“Can I grab my coat?”

“Nope, you won’t need it.”

“You’re being awfully bossy.”

He grins at me. “I’m sorry, but we’re in a bit of a time crunch.”

“Did something happen with the picnic baskets?”

“No, I just need to show you something.”

“Is it bad?”

“I sure hope not,” he says as he leads me in through the back door of Hawthorne House.

I follow him up the stairs to the third floor and laugh when he goes into someone else’s room.

When I catch up to him, I stop in the doorway and stare.

I don’t know why he's rushing up here, but I do know I’ll remember the way Aiden looks for the rest of my life.

His entire body is bathed in the golden light that’s streaming through the window, almost making him glow. They say some people can see the color of your aura, and I know without a doubt that Aiden's must be the purest of gold.

He holds out his hand, so I walk across the room toward him.

“Whose room is this?”

He doesn’t reply, just kisses me instead.

His lips press against mine, his tongue slips into my mouth, and I could care less whose room we’re in or why.

For a brief moment, I wonder why he dragged me up to someone else’s room just to kiss me, but those thoughts quickly evaporate when he moves his hands, one tangling in my hair and the other pulling my waist closer to his.

I slide my hands up the front of his shirt, needing to feel his skin.

I’m getting ready to unbutton his shirt and strip it off him when a loud HONK startles me.

Aiden smiles against my lips. “The honk means it’s time.”

“Time for what?”

He spins me around in a little dance move so that I’m facing the window, wraps his arms around my waist, and rests his chin on my shoulder.

“Time to look outside.”

I look out the window and discover the reason for Aiden's bright glow.

The sunset is beautiful tonight.

Gold and red rays of light are fading to pink between layers of clouds.

“What do you see?” he asks.

“An amazingly beautiful sunset.”

“You’re half right.”

He steps closer to the window until I’m almost smashed up against it, moves my hair off my neck and kisses it.

And I could care less about the sunset. I just want to kiss him.

He kisses my cheek, blinks slowly, and then says, “Look down.”

“Ohmigosh!” I say breathlessly, not able to believe my eyes.

Now I understand why he brought me up here.

Why the horn honked.

“Top of the Eiffel Tower, Sunset,” dreamily escapes from my lips as I look down at his house project.

It’s a homemade version of the Eiffel Tower. I can only see the pinnacle from up here, but I know exactly what it is.

“It's beautiful, Aiden.” I turn to find him down on one knee.

I swear, I just forgot how to breathe.

He takes my hand in his. “Keatyn Monroe, vous me faire l'honneur d'être mon jour pour l'hiver formelle?”

I may have forgotten how to speak, too.

His godly powers are running strong tonight.

I nod.

And keep nodding.

Then I finally mutter, “Yes.”

I recover a little, finding my voice, and finish, “I’d love to do you the honor of being your date for Winter Formal, Aiden.”

He stands up, takes my face in his hands, and gives me a movie-ending, sweeping-epic-romance kiss.

After the kiss, I open my eyes and smile at him.

“You’ve had the whole dorm in shop class working on building the Eiffel Tower for the last two days just to get a dress-down day?”

“Not exactly. We’ve been working on it since we chose French as our next theme. I wanted to ask you to formal at the top of it.”

“But that was over a month ago. And when I was still dating Dawson.”

Tears start to fill my eyes.

I can’t believe he built me an Eiffel Tower.

“What can I say? I was optimistic. And no crying.” He quickly puts his lips on mine and makes me forget my name.

He kisses me.

Kisses my neck.

Kisses my nose.

“I know we’re supposed to be handing out picnic baskets now, but I was trying to time it with the sunset. I didn’t think we’d get it up in time. And I was worried you might have already seen it.”

“My room faces the woods. I miss all the good stuff.”

“We’re going to miss handing out baskets if we don’t get going.”

“I can live with that,” I say.

“Perfect. That means we have time for one more kiss.”

One really long kiss.

Fifteen minutes later, I’m outside, staring up at the Eiffel Tower they built in awe.

From the top, I could only see the metal pinnacle of it, but from down here, I can see that they have covered the metal with flattened soda and beer cases that are duct-taped together. It seems a little odd, seeing brand names emblazoned on the sides of the Eiffel Tower.

I start laughing. “It’s like an advertiser’s wet dream.”

Aiden laughs with me. “Yeah, well, we needed something to help support it. We couldn’t get it to stand on it’s own.”

“I still can’t believe you did this.”

“I can’t believe it hasn’t fallen over yet.”

“Do you think we’ll have fun at Winter Formal?” I tease.

“I think it will be a night to remember.”

We walk hand-in-hand down to the Student Center where the French Club is handing out the picnic baskets that everyone pre-ordered.

Annie is already hard at work, and I’m shocked to find Jake with his sleeves rolled up, helping her.

“Hey, Jake.” I give him a little elbow to the ribs and a teasing smile. “You join the French Club?”

“I asked him to help,” Annie says. “Because I need your help with something else.”

“My help?”

“Yeah, come one.”

Aiden grabs my hand. “You can’t ditch me.”

I kiss his cheek. “Apparently, I’m needed.”

“What for?”

“Annie?”

“Girl stuff, Aiden. You only have an hour shift and then you can go get ready.”

“Just meet me at seven,” I tell him.

Jake is wearing what appears to be a permanent grin.

“Annie, does Jake know what we’re doing?” I ask her as she grabs makeup and dress bags.

She looks back at Jake and gives him a little wave. “Of course he does. I was kind of freaking out. You guys did my hair and makeup, but wouldn’t let me look in the mirror. I need you to show me how to do it so I can do it myself. I’ve been trying all week and it looks okay, but not as good.”

“What are you wearing?”

“I have two dresses. I’m not really thrilled with either. One because I’ve worn it before and the other because I was supposed to wear it with Ace.”

“Have you talked to Ace?”

“He texted me that night after he got mad. Told me he was sorry. I asked him what really happened and he told me the whole story. The stuff Chelsea said to him over break. How he was stupid.”

“What’d she say?”

“Sexual stuff. And, you know, I would have been fine with that. He could’ve apologized and maybe we would’ve gotten back together. But then he told me that he told her stuff about us. About our sex life. And get this: he told her that I don’t give good head! He never once complained! As soon as he told me that, I was completely done with him.”

“Wow. That’s low.”

“Especially since he wanted me to do it to him all the time. Honestly, though, I was doing something—not wrong, really, but I’ve since learned how to do it better.”

“Did you watch videos online or something?”

She half laughs and half coughs. “No. Jake, um, helped me.”

“Helped you?”

“Let me practice. Gave me some pointers.”

“Annie! I can’t believe you’re doing that with him already!”

“I know, right? I’m a little shocked too. But I’m having a whole lot of fun. And I just want to look really great tonight. So he’s proud to be there with me, you know?”

“I know. I want to look my best tonight too.”

“What the heck is that?” Annie says, squinting at the monstrosity in front of Hawthorne’s dorm. “Is it supposed to be the Eiffel Tower?”

She takes off running to look at it more closely.

Just as I’m getting to my dorm, she runs back to join me. “That’s crazy! Who in the heck’s idea was it to make that?”

“Aiden’s. He just asked me to go to Winter Formal at the top of it.”

“How did you get to the top of it?”

“He took me up to a dorm room, showed me the sunset, and then had me look down.”

“Top of the Eiffel Tower, Sunset?”

“Yeah, when I first tutored him, we joked about going to France together.”

“I heard they’ve been working on the project for over a month but I didn’t know what it was. You do realize that a month ago you were still seeing Dawson.”

“I know.”

“Aiden’s pretty freaking special.”

“Yeah, he is.”

Once we’re in my room, I make her try on the dresses.

She puts the first one on, and I can tell by her body language she doesn’t like it. “Is this what you were going to wear for Ace?”

“No, I wore it last year for something. But I’ve changed a lot since then.” She smiles. “And it’s all your and Maggie’s fault.”

“Our fault?”

“Yeah. I never really cared that much about clothes until I started hanging out with you guys. And you have such a great sense of style. Some of the outfits you put together, if someone else tried to wear them, they would look ridiculous, but on you they just work.”

“Thanks, I think. Speaking of Maggie, where are she and Katie?”

“Getting dressed in Maggie’s room, then pre-partying with Bryce.”

“Cool. Okay, so, what kind of style do you want to have?”

“I want to look classic. You dress in classic pieces, classic shapes, but they all have a little flair to them. Then you go crazy on your accessories.”

“Actually, the reason my clothes are mostly basics is because I usually choose my shoes first! So, classic. What else?”

“Romantic. A little bit girly. But not frilly.”

“Got it. Try on the other one.”

The black dress has a little more style, but black really doesn’t do much for Annie’s pale complexion. I wish she had something in a softer color.

“Oh, I know!” I say, running into my closet and finding a dress that I think will look great on her. “Try this on.”

The dress slides over her hips like butter. “This is beautiful,” she says. “Wow, I look good in it, and I don’t even have any makeup on.”

“That’s one way to tell if a color is good on you. I wore this dress once when I went to dinner with Aiden, but no one else has seen it. Do you have some pretty black shoes?”

She nods. “The ones I wore to Homecoming.”

“Those were cute. They’ll be perfect. Okay, take that off and I’ll show you how to do your makeup.”

After getting Annie ready, I work on myself. I’m supposed to look like a movie star and my dress is perfect for that. It’s tiered black silk organza, similar to one worn in a Miss Dior ad.

I do my hair in big curls, then brush it out into soft waves. The dress has a bit of a twenties vibe, so my hair will match perfectly.

I’m just putting on a pair of black suede Charlotte Olympia cut-out sandals when Aiden knocks on my door.

When I open the door, he hands me a beautiful bouquet of flowers in the palest of pastels. Light fuchsia roses. Pale pink and blue hydrangeas. White lilies of the valley. Dusty pink peonies.

“They’re beautiful, Aiden. Are they for me?”

“Who else do you think I’d buy flowers for?”

“They’re just so pretty. I thought maybe they’re, like, a centerpiece or something.”

“They’re for you, silly.” He sets the flowers on my desk then holds out his arms. “So, obviously, you look crazy beautiful. But how about me? Do I look good enough to play your arm candy?”

I let my eyes slide down his buff body, which is looking totally delectable in a black suit. His hair is perfectly mussed. His angular face is freshly shaven. And his shoes . . .

“You might have more shoes than I do.” I laugh. “You look more than good enough to be my arm candy. In fact, I don’t think anyone will even be looking at me.”

I hold my pink Alexander McQueen appliquéd clutch and look at myself in the mirror again.

Something’s missing.

I spy the flowers behind me. “That’s what I need!”

I grab one of the pink roses, pin it to the plain black satin ribbon that came with the dress, and tie it around my neck.

“You look beautiful,” Aiden says, holding my hands and leaning in for a sweet kiss. He looks at his watch. “We better get to the café.”

I glance at his watch too.

“I'm playing the starlet. I’m pretty sure that means I should be a little late and make a big entrance.”

“Well, if you’re sure,” he says, and leans in for another kiss.

Twenty minutes later, Aiden is escorting me onto the French riverboat set.

Everyone is seated and opening their picnic baskets.

We make a purposefully noisy entrance and, right on cue, I'm stopped by two different dinner guests who ask for my autograph, which I sign on their dinner napkins with a purple glitter pen.

I stop along the way and give air kisses to a few of the other characters, and it's obvious that the students are wondering what the heck is going on.

Once we’re seated, Logan walks out, dressed in a suit and a chef’s hat. “I am the great Wolfgang Pluck. It was my honor to prepare your gourmet meals for this evening.” He takes a prop glass of champagne off our table and raises it in the air. “I’d like to make a toast to a few very important guests.” One by one, he introduces the characters in the cast. “Relax and enjoy the beautiful views out the boat’s windows, Bon appétit.”

Aiden starts unpacking the picnic basket that is sitting on the floor next to us.

“What’d you get?”

“It’s a surprise,” he says. “But, since you’ll be performing while everyone is having dessert, I thought we’d start with that.”

He sets a container of chocolate mousse between us and pulls out two spoons.

“Oh, good call,” I say. “It’s my favorite.”

I let the chocolate melt in my mouth.

He uncorks a bottle of fake wine and pours me a glass.

He clinks my glass and I take a sip.

“Aiden, this is not the fake wine. It’s a Merlot, I think.”

“Very good. And, shhh, don’t tell.” He kisses my cheek.

I use my palm to turn his face toward mine.

“I love chocolate, but kissing you is even better,” I whisper. “What else is in the basket?”

“Brie, apple slices, some warm sourdough bread, chipotle almonds, and some ham.”

“You planned so much for tonight. The Eiffel Tower, the flowers, the wine. It’s sweet.”

He shrugs his broad shoulders. “Maybe I’m a little sweet on you.” Then he leans in close to me, clinks my glass again, and whispers, “In case you haven’t figured it out, I’m still trying to woo you.”

Happy Birthday.

Midnight

At midnight, I stop kissing Aiden and yell, “Happy birthday!”

“Thanks,” he says shyly.

“We have to go somewhere. Grab your coat.”

“Where are we going?”

“It's a surprise.”

“For my birthday?”

“Not exactly. But we will be celebrating.”

It's really cold tonight, and we don't run into anyone as we make our way to the chapel. Riley and Dallas are waiting for us downstairs, in the hall outside Stockton’s door.

“You're late,” they tell us.

“I had to wait until midnight, so I could wish Aiden a happy birthday!”

“Happy birthday, Aiden,” Riley says with a fist bump.

“What are we doing down here?” Aiden asks.

“Traveling to paradise,” Dallas says very seriously.

Riley puts his key in the lock, opens the door, closes it behind us, and then hits the lights.

I'm expecting Aiden to be wowed, but when the lights come on I'm saying Oh my gosh right along with him.

“Holy shit!” Riley says, bouncing on his toes like a little kid.

The room has been transformed. It no longer looks empty and unused. The walls behind the bar are stocked with top shelf alcohol and twinkle lights have been strung across the ceiling.

We run behind the bar.

“The keg’s full,” Riley says joyously.

Dallas opens what looks like a humidor sitting on the bar. You'd swear he just found the Holy Grail. Dallas looks in the box and backs away in awe. “This almost makes me cry,” he says. “Look.”

There are freshly rolled joints lying in layers in the box.

“Ohmigawd!” Riley screams.

“What?”

“There’s a furry rug!”

I run over to a corner of the room, which has also changed. The corner is now mod and plush. There’s a huge furry white rug. A sparky little chandelier hung in the corner. New furry purple beanbags and pillows scattered across the floor. A black curtain with holographic beads dangling from it.

“I wonder what’s behind the curtain?” I say, pushing it out of the way.

Riley drops to his knees onto the furry rug, his hands folded devoutly, as I reveal a cozy king-sized platform bed wrapped in layers of overstuffed comforters.

“I’m going to kiss my brother on the lips next time I see him,” Riley says.

Aiden, who's been standing in the middle of the room in shock, finally says, “What is this place?”

“Heaven,” Riley replies as he falls face first onto the bed.

“Come here,” I tell Aiden, grabbing his hand and showing him the names scrawled on the wall and the poem from the room's founders.

My phone buzzes in my pocket.

Cam: How'd I do?

Me: It's like the Room of Requirement. Your brother's lying on the bed thinking he's died and gone to heaven.

Cam: A word of advice?

Me: Please.

Cam: Don't EVER invite Whitney. I know she's been nice to you lately, but don't believe it. She's just biding her time, waiting to strike.

Me: Okay.

Cam: And I love my brother, but I didn't think Dawson could handle it. I'm a little on the fence about his decision making.

Me: Other than lunch, I’ve hardly seen him.

Cam: I heard about him and Brooke. Another disaster waiting to happen, don't you think?

Me: I don't know. Probably depends if her ex changes his mind.

Cam: Exactly. Did Dallas find his present?

Me: Yes. He almost started crying.

Cam: What about yours?

Me: Mine?

Cam: The lights on the ceiling.

Me: Now I want to cry.

Cam: :) You need to leave now. Curfew.

Me: Oh shit, we do.

Cam: There are multiple exits. You'll bring friends in the front door, but don't leave from there any more. There's a map marking the exits on top of the bar. You can let people leave whenever they want to. Just send them out one of the exits. They are one way and take you to different points on campus. Hit the button on the paneling under the founder’s poem. Use that tonight. Have fun!

“We have to go, guys. It’s almost curfew. Cam said to go this way.” I press the hidden button and a small doorway appears. Through it is another clean and fairly well-lit tunnel.

“We need to run,” Aiden says.

The tunnel is long, and I'm really worried we’re going to miss curfew. Only a few minutes later, though, we slide open a door and find ourselves in the basement of Hawthorne House.

While the boys high five each other I tear out an exit door and run to my dorm. I'm late, so I knock softly on the window.

Katie helps me in. I quickly run into my closet, strip off my clothes, and throw on a robe.

A knock at the door causes me to launch myself onto the bed and pretend to be asleep.

I hear our house mom say to Katie, “Is Miss Monroe here?”

I sit up in bed and try to look sick, rubbing my eyes for effect.

“Sorry, I think I forgot to sign in. I'm not feeling great.”

She walks over to my bed and observes, “Your cheeks are flushed.” She places her hand in my forehead. “You’re warm and a little sweaty. Do you have a fever, dear?”

“Uh, maybe?”

“Well, get some sleep, and if you don't feel better in the morning, go see the nurse. We've got two cases of the flu in the dorm already.”

“Okay, I will.”

A few minutes later, Katie peeks out the door to make sure she's gone. “Whew! That was close! I about died laughing when she said you were flushed.”

“Yeah, I was flushed. From running like a maniac!”

“Were you at Aiden’s?”

“Yeah.”

“Are you going to Bryce’s tonight?”

“I thought Shark was having the party.”

“No. I'm pretty sure Bryce is.”

“Oh, well. I’m probably not going to anyway. It's now officially Aiden’s birthday.”

“Ohhh, how are you going to celebrate?”

I shrug and smile.

“Have you guys yet?” she asks. “Are you going to for his birthday?”

“We haven't yet. I want to wait. What about you and Bryce?”

“We've done everything but. He needs to ask me to be his girlfriend and go to Winter Formal before I will.”

“Has he said anything about it?”

“Not really, but every time someone gets asked, he asks me if I thought the way it happened was cool.”

“What do you want him to do?”

“Just something that shows he put some thought into it.” She lies down. “I’m going to take a nap. Oh, and if I'm not home in the morning, I'll be at Bryce’s.”

“Sounds good.”

I'm brushing my teeth when my phone rings with a call from B.

“Hey! Happy birthday!”

“Thanks,” he says. “And thanks for the presents. The skateboard is wicked sweet.”

He's saying the right things, but there's something in his voice. Something’s off.

“What's wrong, B?”

“There was something weird delivered today. Before I opened it, I thought it was from you.”

“What was it? Was it from Vincent?”

“A Malibu Ken doll. It had a noose around its neck like it had been hanged.”

“That doesn't seem like something Vincent would send.”

“I don't think it was. I'm neck and neck with a real asshole in this weekend’s competition. We have a saying, like when we screw up, that we hung ourselves. I think maybe he's trying to psyche me out. I'm getting ready to go out there. Look, I'm sorry I couldn't help you on the takeover. Um, and, well, there's something else.”

“What?”

“I’m pretty sure I'm being followed.”

“Did you tell Garrett?”

“Well, the security dudes. They've seen him too. It's just all messing with my head.”

“B,” I say softly, “do you remember when we were in Biarritz? When those local guys were giving you shit about how big the waves were? Do you remember what you told me before you went out there?”

“That I'd find control in the chaos.”

“Exactly. The waves were crashing. The guys were saying you couldn't do it. But you went out there and found a wave you could control. That's what you need to do today.”

“Keats, you inspire me in a way no one else can.”

“You know in your heart that you can do it. Sometimes you just need to hear someone say it.”

I hear his name announced over a loudspeaker.

“I’m up.”

I hear him mutter, “Control in the chaos,” before he hangs up.

I get into bed, grabbing my laptop and plugging in my headphones so I don’t wake Katie, and do something I've yet to do.

I log into the live feed of the surf tournament and watch.

The swells are huge. The sky looks dark, like it could storm.

The announcer is loud. I turn the volume off, watch B paddle out, and quickly pop up on his board.

The wave he chose loves him.

He moves like he's part of a symphony of water, waves, and wind.

He shreds the wave. Owning it. Flipping in the air.

I can't even believe how much he's improved.

He comes out of the water with a huge grin, looking like the Brooklyn I loved for so long.

He gets a great score from the judges and throws his fist into the air.

Then a skinny, leggy blonde excitedly hugs him.

I didn't realize while I was watching him that tears were falling down my face.

And in this moment, I finally get the quote, A thing of beauty is a joy forever.

What B just did—minus the blonde—was truly a thing of beauty.

I send him a text.

Me: For the first time, I allowed myself watch you surf. You were amazing, B. I've never seen you do some of the things you did. Congrats. And I wish I was there to share some cake with you.

Control in the chaos.

1:30am

Katie leaves for Bryce's and ten minutes later I meet Riley, Dallas, and Aiden, who are leading Logan and Maggie up the hill. When we get near the chapel, they put pillowcases over Logan and Maggie’s heads and lead them the rest of the way.

We get them centered in the middle of the party room, and Dallas turns off the light.

“Take off your hoods, oh, chosen ones,” he says.

Riley continues. “What you are about to see will blow your mind. You must take an oath right now. Maggie, do you promise under penalty of death—”

“Death?” I say, amused.

“Fine,” Riley says. “Under penalty of losing all your friends and this amazing place, do you promise not to tell anyone what you've seen here tonight?”

“I promise,” she says.

After Logan offers his promise as well, Dallas flicks on the light.

“Holy shit! Where are we?” they ask.

“We’re on campus in a secure location.”

“This is amazing!” Logan says, running around the room like we did the first time we saw it.

Aiden shows them the founders’ poem.

“Alright, people, it's time for a toast,” Aiden says. He pours us each a beer from the keg and we raise them together. “To Stockton’s. Where membership has its privileges.”

“Hear, hear,” we all say.

“Aiden, I challenge you to a game of beer pong,” Riley says.

While I'm watching Aiden and Riley compete for the title of beer pong champion, Dallas says, “I think it's time to sample the herb.”

Aiden lets out a big whoop as he sinks a ping-pong ball in his last remaining cup of beer.

I cheer for him, then look down at my phone, which just buzzed.

B: Remember the cake on your birthday?

Aiden excitedly plops down next to me and sees my phone.

“Shark told me it's the Keats guy’s birthday today, too.”

“Yeah. I sent him some presents,” I say, looking down.

Aiden pushes my chin up. “You don't have to feel bad. I understand he's part of your life.”

“I don't want to ruin your birthday.”

“Trust me, I'd rather you tell me about it than use my imagination.”

“What would your imagination create?”

“The worse possible scenario.”

I look into his eyes questioningly.

“You in bed with him,” he says, the green of his eyes darkening.

“I watched a live feed of him surfing tonight. I haven't let myself do that before.”

“Why?”

I shake my head. “I’m not sure. Too hard, I guess.”

“You miss him.”

“We talked almost every day for two years, then, all at once, nothing.”

“How did he do?”

“He was amazing. Way better than before. He won his round.” I bite the edge of my lip and tap my foot.

Aiden puts his hand on my knee. “What else?”

“There was a girl. She ran out of the crowd and hugged him.”

“Did that bother you?”

“It’s weird. If I had a normal life then that girl would’ve been me.”

Aiden nods, and I can tell the idea upsets him.

So I tell him the rest. “But if I had a normal life, I never would’ve met you. Which makes me glad my life isn’t normal.”

Aiden is my control in the chaos, I realize.

He kisses me just like he did the very first time we kissed. When a simple kiss evoked visions of fairies and happily-ever-afters.

Now it invokes even more.

A deep-seated feeling that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

Dallas plops down in a beanbag next to us. “You two are having entirely too serious of a conversation for this room.”

He takes a hit and passes Aiden the joint. Aiden takes a few puffs and passes it to me as everyone else joins us on the beanbags.

“This is way better than the Cave,” Logan says happily.

“And a lot warmer,” Maggie agrees, sliding onto a beanbag next to him.

I get up and change the music from a dance playlist to one with a slower vibe.

“Much better,” Dallas says, chilling.

While I'm up, I look at the map of exits curiously, and text Cam.

Me: The party gods are bowing down to your greatness. But a question. We came out in Hawthorne. Any chance there's one I missed that would go to my dorm?

Cam: The founders lived in the Hawthorne and Pennington dorms. They have a long history of fraternization. To answer your question, of course. You know the part at the end where you made the sharp right?

Me: Yes.

Cam: Go left through a door. You'll end up in the basement laundry room.

Me: Awesomeness. You're like our spiritual party guide.

Cam: You never know what you’ll find there :) Have fun.

I start to sit on my beanbag, but Aiden grabs my waist and pulls me down on top of him instead.

“We need to plan a killer party here,” Dallas says.

“I don't know,” Riley counters. “I think we should keep it our little secret.”

Aiden says, “I think we should have some parties, but not huge. Maybe twenty or so people, like at the dorm.”

Dallas gazes at the twinkle lights like they hold the answers to the mysteries of the universe.

“Where do you think all this stuff comes from,” Maggie wonders, staring up at the lights too.

“Yeah,” Logan agrees. “How did all this stuff get here?”

“House elves,” I say very seriously, and everyone cracks up. “What? I'm serious.” Aiden is chuckling in my ear. “So, Aiden, do you have a better explanation?”

He shakes his head as Logan says, “My guess is alumni.”

Dallas passes Logan a joint. “Clearly, you are only half baked. House elves for the win. And I hope they brought food.”

Dallas and I jump up. He starts pulling chips and popcorn out of the cabinets.

When I open one of the fridges, I find a triple layer chocolate cake. The same kind Aiden brought me as a peace offering. It's even got candles in it.

I pull it out carefully and set it on the counter. “Um, guys, I think this proves that there are indeed house elves. It’s a birthday cake for Aiden.”

“How do you know it's for Aiden,” Logan, the smart ass, asks.

“Maybe because it says Happy Birthday, Aiden on top?”

Everyone jumps up to see the cake.

Dallas squints his bloodshot eyes at the cake and then looks at me and says seriously, “House elves.”

Maggie lights the candles.

We sing “Happy Birthday” to Aiden, chow down on cake, and throw ourselves back on the beanbags.