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Apparently, I’m a naturally cynical person since Maggie doesn’t seem to have any similar reservations about meeting a random guy at a stranger’s house. But I’ve always been guarded with anyone unfamiliar—likely a result of growing up sheltered in a small town.
Or maybe it’s because I’m a Stevens. Known to everyone in the county as Coach Stevens’ daughter and Liam Stevens’ sister.
I always know any misstep I make will reflect on them.
“Come on, Maeve!” Maggie’s voice pulls me from my musings. I glance outside the car to see a small cabin next to a stretch of trees. Hordes of teenagers mill about. Rap music pumps through invisible speakers.
We’ve arrived.Wonderful.
“You’re sure about this?” I hedge as she opens my door like a chauffeur. “We could just head to my house for a sleepover…”
I’m not antisocial by any stretch, but I much prefer the company of my friends, or at least familiar faces, to that of drunk strangers. And since Fayetteville is considered neutral territory, there could even be Alleghany students here.
“You already agreed,” Maggie sings.
I groan as I climb out of the backseat of her sister’s car.
“I’ll be back at midnight!” Maggie’s sister calls before driving away, taking my only escape route with her. This party is on the very outskirts of Fayetteville, alongside the small stretch of lakeshore not owned by Alleghany or Glenmont. As we draw closer to the cabin, I can see the moonlight reflecting off the glassy surface of the lake through the trees ahead. It’s beautiful, but the scenic view also means I’m stuck until Maggie’s sister returns. It would take me at least two hours to walk home from here.
Maggie drags me over to the largest crowd of people, correctly surmising it’s where the alcohol will be located. I raise an eyebrow at her as she fills a red cup with the malty liquid enclosed inside the metal keg.
“This is all I’ll have,” she promises me. “They used to give beer to little kids, Maeve!”
I scoff at her reasoning as I flip open the top of the red and white cooler resting on the dirt next to the keg. It’s filled with more beer, this time bottled, and some cans of soda as well. I grab a cola and take a long sip. The carbonation tickles my throat, and the cold liquid chills my esophagus.
I set the can down on a nearby tree stump so I can unknot the flannel shirt tied around my waist. I shrug it on over the thin tank top I’m wearing, glad I opted to wear jeans. Most of the girls here are dressed in skimpy skirts or dresses, acting as though it’s already mid-summer rather than barely June. I’d be surprised if the temperature is above sixty degrees.
Maggie gives my worn cotton shirt a disdainful glance, but I can see goosebumps on her arms thanks to the glow of the cabin’s floodlights.
“Do you see him?” Maggie asks, glancing around the crowd anxiously.
“That would require knowing what he looks like, so no,” I respond dryly, picking up the can of soda and taking another sip.
Maggie rolls her eyes. “I told you, he has blond hair and brown eyes.”
“Maggie, half the guys here have blond hair,” I inform her as I glance around. “And I can’t tell what color anyone’s eyes are.”
Maggie sighs. “Well, it’s not quite 10:30. That’s when he said he would be here.”
“Here’s hoping you found the only punctual teenage boy to ever exist.” I raise my can in a mock cheers.
Maggie checks the time on her phone again. “Would it kill you to be a little more supportive?”
“Mags, I’m here. That’s as supportive as you’re going to get. I could be asleep right now. You know I’m running with Becca at six.”
“I can’t believe you’re actually sticking to that insane training plan you made.”
“That’s the point of a training plan. You stick to it,” I reply. “You have a schedule for dance, right?”
“It doesn’t include getting up when it’s barely light out!” Maggie contends.
“Don’t you have cheerleading camp this summer?” I ask.
“No, did I forget to tell you? Samantha’s parents bought a beach house in North Carolina. She’s spending the summer there and canceled camp.”
“Of course she did.” I roll my eyes. The cheerleading team is by far the most popular girls’ sports team at Glenmont High, which I can only surmise is based off the uniforms they wear since they put very little effort into anything else.
“You’re wearing your judgy face, Maeve,” Maggie teases.
