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They looked around. What they saw was a perfectly normal high school party.
There were red solo cups, a cooler full of beer on the patio outside, a few liquor bottles in the kitchen, and the smell of weed vape lingering in the air. Music was playing a little too loudly, and some people were already a little drunk. Laurel’s family and school photos were hanging on the walls. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary at all.
“Yes, Saber!” Rex bounded up to her in a way that reminded her, vaguely, of a golden retriever.
“Hi, Rex,” she said.
“Let me get you both beers,” he said, and off he went.
Saber squeezed Lozen’s hand.
They weren’t going to drink.
They sunk into a lumpy sectional, holding their beers and watching the party. They were early, and more and more people were arriving, but nothing changed except that people got more and more drunk. Rex seemed to get bored sitting and talking to them, watching if they’d finished their beers.
“I’m going to walk around,” Saber said to Lozen. “Or, unless, are you nervous? Do you need me to stay here?”
“No, I’m not nervous anymore,” Lozen sighed. “This is just… I don’t know, the dumbest fucking party ever. Why did we say we couldn’t drink?”
“Because we were here investigating the prostitution orgy,” Saber said.
“Oh, yeah, well, investigation over, findings inconclusive.”
Then, she drained half her beer in one sip, then the other half in the next one.
“I’m going to go outside,” Saber said, and Lozen nodded.
“I’m going to find out what a bitch has to do to get a shot of tequila around here.”
Saber smiled and couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.
“Hey, I was wondering when you were going to pull yourself away.”
Rex caught her out on the patio where some people were hanging out around a fireplace.
“Hey, Rex,” she said, pulling her new jacket tight.
“You got a new coat.”
“Yeah, and I’mstillfreezing.”
“You’re from Florida, right?”
He slipped his arm around her waist, and they started walking together.
“Yep.”
“Wasn’t it really hot there?”
“I didn’t mind the heat.”
“It doesn’t getthatcold here,” he said, “compared to some places. It’ll probably only snow once or twice.”
“No, but it’s dark.”
“Dark as fuck!” He laughed. “I guess I’m used to it.”
“I don’t know how you ever really get used to it.”
