Page 5 of The Rhythm of their Souls

“How many are supposed to be coming?” I anxiously ask Danielle.

She quickly responds, “Girl, I don’t know. Quit worrying; it’s a damn party, so let’s have some fun!”

As we head for the front door, empty booze cans are already on the lawn. Loud early 2000s music is playing from what sounds like the backyard. We make our way to the front porch and knock on the door. Within seconds, the door flies open, and Taylor stands by it.

“Oh, my gosh! You guys came!” she shouts dramatically.

We exchange hugs and forced smiles and congratulate her on her newly purchased home. Taylor doesn’t acknowledge that it’s my birthday, which she probably doesn’t even know it’s today. Thank fucking God.

She introduces us to her new boyfriend, Ryan, sharing how they met at a random coffee shop months ago. Ryan was visiting family in the Concord area. And now, here they are in their cupcake phase of a relationship. Taylor gives us a quick tour and tells us to make ourselves at home before clasping hands with Ryan and heading for the backdoor.

I am already uneasy with the amount of faces I see. I notice multiple people from school and many new faces. Taylor must have made friends since moving to this town.

Danielle notices my grimace and hands over a White Claw with a nudge of her shoulder. “Get out of your head, Olive, and just enjoy yourself for once.” She then gives me a wink before heading to the kitchen area.

I let out a slow sigh and give a nod. Anxiety will be the death of me.

I try to replace my worrisome thoughts with positive ones. Okay, it’s my stupid birthday, and I didn’t have to work today. I guess things aren’t so bad. I pop open my White Claw and scan my surroundings.

Once I go to take a sip of my drink, I lock eyes with someone standing directly across from me. No fucking way. What are the odds of this? I am currently being eye fucked by the Bennett Weaver. We have not seen each other since the end of eighth grade. His parents put him into a private Christian school. I never thought in a million years I’d see the guy who ruined my self-confidence as a kid.

I look so different now, and damn, so does he. He’s sporting a classic Busch-Lite-inspired gut and looks to be balding at age twenty. I guess money can’t fix everything after all. Or karma finally slapped his mean ass one good time.

He slowly trudges towards me. I can’t help but scan his unimpressive features. “Uh, Olive Landers?” he nervously asks. If there weren’t so many people in my way, I’d make a mad dash for the front door. I glance over his shoulder, finding the front door easily accessible. Escape scenarios run through my anxious mind.

I let out a defeated sigh and finally respond, “Yep, it’s me, ole crackhead girl.” Wow, Olive. He stares at me with concerned, beady eyes.

I could punch myself for saying that dumb shit. I take a generous chug of my bitch beer, waiting for him to degrade me and tell me what a waste of life I am. But instead, I see disappointment in his expression. “You have changed, Olive. I hoped that I’d run into you here.” He picks at the invisible lint on his shirt.

I can’t say the same, bud.

He takes a deep breath. “I wanted to apologize for being a dick all those years when we were kids.” I watch him lightly kick his shoe at imaginary dirt on the floor.

Distasteful words stain my tongue, but I refrain. “No problem, Bennett, it’s in the past,” I say with a forced smile. His shoulders relax a little. We then give each other a weak grin and clank our beers before guzzling the cold liquid. He gives a quick nod and makes his way into another room.

I take another gulp of my drink, almost emptying the can. Thank God that’s over. I would have been just peachy never seeing his face again. He’s lucky I didn’t crush his hopes and dreams with vicious words. The younger me would have handled that conversation differently, period.

I stroll into the kitchen and spot liquor options on the counter. I might as well start on something a little more stout. I have a full weekend off from work. And after that encounter, I need something stronger.

Why not live it up for once? I have a DD tonight; Danielle ensured I knew she would drink responsibly.

So I make myself cranberry vodka and immediately take three big gulps. I can feel the alcohol pleasantly creeping into my bloodstream. I decide to check out the backyard commotion. After walking through multiple groups and nodding at familiar faces, I locate the back door.

Danielle intercepts me, and we make our way out the door together.

To the left, there are people laughing while playing beer pong on two long tables. To my right, there is a stone patio with a small lit fire pit. Chatty Kathys sit around the fire, probably talking about their exes or the Kardashians. And no one seems to notice or care about the not-shy girl straddling who I presume is her boyfriend. It wouldn’t be a party without that one careless couple creating soft porn in someone’s backyard.

Good for them; at least someone’s getting laid tonight. Danielle gives me a pouty lip. “I hope to straddle someone like that by the night’s end.”

I scowl at her and roll my eyes. Honestly, she wouldn’t have trouble finding her a good-looking guy to straddle.

Danielle and I walk towards the back of the yard, where there is a decently sized bonfire. People are standing close by, talking while drinking their beverages. I’ve always enjoyed the scent of burning logs and the bright, sizzling embers.

As I inch closer to the fire, the weakened breeze changes course. Standing maybe seven feet in front of me is a mysterious man. The fire’s smoke must have concealed him prior. My eyes start at his feet and scan every inch of him until they reach his demanding eyes. The fire’s natural gleam beats against his sculpted jaw, and even though it is dark, I can see his eyes’ vivid coloring.

They are as blue as the purest oceans, and around his pupils, they’re gently caressed by an emerald green with a hue of sunshine. I’ve never seen eyes so full of life. I don’t even realize that I’m standing as still as a statue, mesmerized by a stranger. His plush lips curl up into a wicked grin. He hasn’t taken his eyes from mine, and I damn sure can’t pull mine from his.

My heart feels like it’s about to pound its way out of my chest at any moment. I can no longer hear the loud music or the chattering of all the people surrounding us. We’re frozen in time; and right now, it’s just me and this attractive man.