I pop the last of the shrooms into my mouth from the baggie and lean back against the sunbed.

I gaze up at the stars, their light reflecting in shifting shapes and glistening colors. I am calm. But I feel the energies in my body raging, demanding that I do something.

"Hey," I glance over at Damien. "Give me your phone."

"No way. Lora's about to call."

"Come on, I want to call Stephanie."

"Oh, why didn't you say so? It's a definite no."

"Negative double negative equals positive. What are they teaching you in college?"

"Haven't figured that out yet."

"Just give me her number."

"It's not that I'm unwilling to share a phone call, John. I just don't support your move on Stephanie."

"It's going to happen whether you support it or not. Might as well be a good brother while you can."

"We'll see if you still think I'm a good brother when Cassie finds out." Damien hesitates, holding the cellphone in his hand.

"Let me handle Cassie," I lean forward and snatch the phone before he can argue any further.

"Don't say I didn't warn you," he says as I locate Stephanie in his contacts and make the call.

"What do you want, jerk?" She answers after a couple of rings.

"Dancing lessons," I reply.

"Who's this?"

"How many people have you promised dance lessons to?"

"I don't know, John. I'm a highly sought-after dancer."

"So you know it's me," I say, hearing her sigh on the other end of the line.

"Fine. I'll come with Lora."

"Do you need a ride?"

"Damien's picking her up, I'll tag along."

"Great, looking forward to it."

"Wear tights." She hangs up.

"You're picking up Stephanie," I tell Damien as I hand him back his phone.

"What? No way."

"But you're already picking up Lora... What will she think if her best friend can't get a ride?"

"I hate you," he sighs as he gets up. I blow him a kiss as he leaves.

"Thanks, bro."

"Yeah, yeah..."

I stretch out on the sunbed and smile as I take a deep breath. The restlessness in my muscles dissipates. The crickets chirp in harmony with the silence in my mind. I close my eyes, but the constellation of stars continues to twinkle in the void of my thoughts.

Stephanie nudges my shoulder, waking me up.

"Hey," I grin at the sight of her in a red summer dress. "You're not planning to push me into the pool, are you?"

She laughs. "Only if you're willing to wake up. I'm bored here all by myself."

"Where's Damien and Lora?"

"Oh, he made reservations for them at some fancy restaurant."

"Nice. Are you hungry too?"

"I think I'm more thirsty," she smirks at me, and I pull myself up from the sunbed.

"What are you drinking?" I ask as we head inside.

"Surprise me."

I grab a bottle of tequila and two shot glasses.

"Nice," Stephanie says as I pour. I smile and hand her a glass.

"Cheers," I say, looking into her eyes as our glasses clink together.

"Cheers," she smiles back, and we down the shots.

"One more," she says, setting her glass down on the counter. She can handle her drinks. I chuckle to myself as I refill.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing," I say as we raise our glasses again.

"Let's see

if you can keep that poker face after a couple more." She smirks and finishes the second glass. I laugh again and follow suit.

"Are you sure you're ready for this challenge?"

"Absolutely," she takes the bottle and pours us a third shot.

"You'll be too drunk to dance."

"No such thing," she replies. Where have I heard that before...

I down the glass and start pouring another.

"Game on."