Parker , Wren , Alani | 𝟭𝟵𝟵𝟲
Wiskayok, New Jersey

Parker walked alongside Mari, weaving their way through the crowd. The fire cast flickering shadows across their faces as they moved, and Parker could feel the warmth on her skin, a welcome contrast to the chilly night.

Mari stumbled slightly, letting out a breathy laugh as she bumped into Parker. "Shit, sorry," she giggled, trying to steady herself.

Parker reached out instinctively, catching Mari by the arm to keep her upright. "Careful, Mari," she said, a smirk pulling at the corner of her lips.

"I'm fiiine," Mari drawled, waving off the concern with a wide, tipsy grin. The music pulsed behind them, a steady thrum that vibrated in their chests as they finally reached the log by the fire. Parker sat down first, stretching her legs out and patting the space beside her.

Mari flopped down next to her, a little too heavily, her shoulder brushing Parker's. She leaned in, the scent of beer and campfire smoke swirling around them. "We suck." she said, referring to the beer pong game they'd just played.

Parker smirked, shaking her head slightly. "We do. You didn't have to drink all the beer, you know."

Mari's grin faltered, a sudden seriousness washing over her flushed face. She bit her lip, eyes dropping to the ground. "I heard—I read somewhere that it's not good for people with schizophrenia to drink," she mumbled, her words slow and deliberate, like she was trying not to mess them up.

Parker's teasing smile faded, replaced by something softer, almost tender. She studied Mari for a moment, the crackling of the fire and distant music fading into the background. "You did research?" she asked, voice low with disbelief.

Mari's eyes found Parker's again, their usual playful glint replaced by an earnestness that made Parker's heart clench. "Yeah, of course. I wanted to understand you, you know? Make sure you're safe."

Parker felt her chest tighten with emotion she hadn't expected. She reached over, brushing her fingers against Mari's cheek. "That's really sweet, Mari."

Mari's eyes lit up, and she leaned into Parker's touch with a lopsided smile. "Yeah, well, you mean a lot to me, Parker," she said, her voice a little quieter, the edges softened by vulnerability.

Parker's heart thudded in her chest. It wasn't often she let herself be seen like this—unguarded, raw—but with Mari, it felt okay. She chuckled lightly, the sound more breath than laugh. "You're something else, you know that?"

Mari beamed, the light from the fire catching the strands of her hair and making them glow. Without thinking, she dropped her head to rest on Parker's shoulder. Parker felt the weight of it, grounding her in a way she didn't know she needed. The chaos of the party, the noise, the world outside their small circle seemed to melt away, leaving just the two of them in the warmth of the flames.

After a couple of minutes of comfortable silence, Mari shifted slightly and lifted her head off Parker's shoulder. The firelight reflected in her eyes, making them glow with a soft, amber warmth.

"You know," she started, a lopsided smile forming on her lips, "I think I need another drink. I don't feel drunk enough."

Parker couldn't help but laugh. "You don't feel drunk enough? Mari, you were just talking about safe drinking, and now look at you," she teased, bumping her shoulder playfully against Mari's.

Mari let out a giggle, swaying a little as she shifted her weight. "Yeah, yeah, I know, but it's your party, and I wanna celebrate," she said, the last word stretching out as if she were savoring it.

Parker stood up and offered her hand to Mari, who took it with an exaggerated flourish. "Alright, let's get you another drink, but we're pacing ourselves this time, okay?" Parker said, her dark hair catching the light as she smiled down at Mari.

"Yes, ma'am!" Mari saluted with a grin before pulling herself up with Parker's help. She stumbled slightly, and Parker steadied her with a firm grip.

When they reached the drinks area, Parker grabbed a couple of cups, filling them with whatever concoction Van had made—she had convinced Parker last minute to let her make one large cocktail for the party. Mari leaned against the table, a lazy grin still on her face as she watched Parker. Before they could take their first sips, a group of football players approached, their loud laughter cutting through the music.

"Hey, ladies," one of them said, walking over with a grin that was all teeth. He looked Parker and Mari up and down with a smug look. "You two look like you're in need of some real fun tonight."

Mari rolled her eyes, immediately catching the tone. "Not interested," she said, turning back to Parker. But the boys weren't ready to take no for an answer.

"Aw, come on," another one chimed in, stepping a little closer. "We're just trying to keep you company. You know, make the night memorable."

Parker's jaw tightened as she exchanged a glance with Mari, both of them unimpressed. "We're good, thanks," Parker said sharply, her voice laced with irritation.

The boys only laughed, one of them leaning in and making a sexual joke that made Mari's smile vanish. Just as Parker was about to step forward, a familiar voice cut through.

"Hey!" Ryder's tone was firm as he walked up, placing himself between his friends and the girls. "Knock it off, seriously. They're not interested, so back off."

One of the boys, slightly drunk and emboldened, scoffed. "Relax, man. We're just trying to get some game, no harm."

Ryder's eyes narrowed, his posture rigid as he stared down his teammates. "I said cut it out. Now."

There was a tense moment where no one moved, but finally, the boys muttered under their breath and walked away, casting glances back at Parker and Mari. Ryder turned to them, his expression softening. "Sorry about that. They can be idiots sometimes."

"Your friends are always idiots," Parker started, her voice laced with frustration, "do you even hear the shit they say? They're gross."

Ryder's expression hardened, but he tried to play it off with a shrug. "They're just drunk, Parker. You know how it is."

Parker let out a bitter scoff, the sound cutting through the background noise of laughter and music. "Drunk or not, it's not an excuse. You know that, right? It's not funny, it's not harmless, it's disgusting."

Ryder shifted uncomfortably, glancing back at where his friends were now hooting and hollering about something else. He turned back to Parker, the defensiveness in his eyes dimming for a second before he dropped his gaze. "Whatever," he muttered, more to himself than to her, and began to walk away.

Parker watched him go, the weight of irritation sitting heavy in her chest. She took another sip of her drink, shaking her head. "Yeah, whatever," she whispered under her breath.

When Ryder left, Mari grabbed her cup, took a deep breath, and chugged her drink before Parker could react. Parker's eyes widened, and she reached out a little too late. "Mari, wait—"

But Mari had already downed the entire thing, her face flushing from the sudden rush of alcohol. The world around her seemed to tilt for a moment, and a wave of nausea washed over her.

"Oh fuck," Mari muttered, her voice weak. She blinked rapidly, trying to steady herself, but it was no use. "Parker, I think I'm gonna—"

Before she could finish her sentence, Mari doubled over and vomited onto the dirt beside the drinks table. Parker's expression shifted from shock to concern as she quickly stepped beside her, placing a hand on Mari's back for support.

"Hey, hey, it's okay," Parker said, trying to keep her voice calm. She glanced around, relieved that most of the other teenagers were too preoccupied to notice. "Just breathe, Mari."

Mari coughed and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, her eyes watering. She looked up at Parker, embarrassment clouding her face. "I'm sorry."

Parker shook her head gently, offering a reassuring smile. "Don't be. Let's get you some water and find a place to sit down."

—

Wren giggled as Ryder pressed her against the rough bark of a tree, their breaths mingling as the cool night air surrounded them. The sounds of the distant bonfire party echoed through the woods—laughter, music, and the occasional crackle of fire. Ryder's lips found hers, their kisses growing deeper, but just as Wren's hands tangled in his hair, movement caught her eye.

She glanced over Ryder's shoulder and saw a figure moving through the trees, drenched and shivering. The moonlight cast a pale glow on the unmistakable outline of her sister.

"Nat?" Wren's heart dropped as she pulled away from Ryder, leaving him confused. "Wait here," she said, already stepping past him.

Ryder sighed, frustrated, but leaned back against the tree, arms crossed. Wren hurried after her sister, catching up just as Natalie's blonde hair clung to her soaked face, strands sticking to her cheek and neck.

"Nat, what happened? Why are you—"

"Don't," Natalie interrupted, her voice sharp as she whipped around. Her eyes were red, but whether it was from tears or weed, Wren couldn't tell. "Just fuck off, Wren. I'm fine."

Wren's concern deepened as she reached out, but Natalie flinched back, eyes blazing with a mixture of anger and hurt.

"Please, Nat, let me help—"

"I said, I'm fine!" Natalie snapped, taking a step backward. Her expression hardened, a shield against whatever emotions roiled beneath. Without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving Wren standing in the cold, stunned and unable to move.

Wren's chest tightened as she watched Natalie disappear into the darkness. She wanted to chase after her and demand the truth, but she knew that pushing Natalie would only make things worse. Wren sighed, turning to make her way back to Ryder, worry gnawing at her insides like a relentless ache.

"Everything okay?" he asked, tilting his head as she walked back to him.

"Yeah," Wren said, forcing a smile and shaking off the worry. "She's just being Nat."

Ryder reached out, pulling her closer. "She'll be fine," he murmured, leaning down to kiss her. Wren melted into it, letting the warmth of his touch wash away the lingering tension. The woods around them felt quieter now, the distant thrum of the party barely audible.

Their kisses deepened, urgency building between them as Ryder's hands traced the curve of her waist. Wren's fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer.

Wren's breath quickened as they stumbled slightly, pressed against the rough bark of a tree. They shared a quick laugh before Ryder's lips found hers again, more intense this time. The sounds of the forest faded away as they lost themselves in each other, the party and everything else forgotten for that fleeting moment.

They broke apart briefly, and Wren slipped out of her jacket, tugging her shirt over her head and tossing it carelessly to the forest floor. Ryder's eyes glimmered with admiration, a smirk playing on his lips as he took in the sight of her.

"Am I doing this solo or what?" she teased, raising an eyebrow.

Ryder chuckled, matching her playful gaze. "Not a chance," he said, shrugging off his letterman jacket and pulling off his T-shirt in one smooth motion.

Meanwhile, Alani Beckham sat on an old log near the bonfire, her body swaying slightly as the world around her blurred in waves of light and sound. The warmth of the fire mixed with the pounding of the music sent everything spinning, yet she couldn't help but smile. Kevyn Tan sat beside her, eyes half open, mumbling something to himself.

Alani's gaze drifted across the scene, unfocused, until a flicker of movement caught her attention. Jackie strolled past, the glow from the fire outlining her confident stride and easy smile. Something inside Alani lit up, and without a second thought, she rose to her feet, feeling her limbs move as if they were detached from her body.

"Alani, where you going?" Kevyn slurred, but she was already too far to hear him.

She stumbled through clusters of people, laughter and conversation blending into a single, buzzing hum. When she reached Jackie, the girl turned, surprised, then softened as recognition dawned on her face.

"Alani! I've been looking for you," Jackie said, a smile lighting her features. But as her eyes settled on Alani's dilated pupils and the sluggish way she blinked, her smile faltered. "Wait, are you high?" She chuckled softly, shaking her head as if she should have known.

Alani giggled, the sound childlike and disconnected. "Maybe a little," she admitted, her eyes darted around, unfocused.

Jackie sighed, an amused exasperation crossing her face. "Alright, you're sticking with me. No wandering off, got it?" She looped an arm around Alani's shoulders.

Jackie steered Alani back through the crowd, her arm still looped securely around the younger girl's shoulders. Alani leaned into Jackie, her steps uneven, a sleepy grin plastered on her face.

They reached Shauna, who was standing a few feet away, arms crossed, sipping her drink as she watched the party with a distant expression. When she spotted Jackie approaching with Alani, her brows furrowed slightly, annoyance flickering across her face. Shauna's eyes darted from Jackie to Alani, recognizing immediately that Alani wasn't sober.

Jackie didn't notice Shauna's expression, she was too focused on making sure Alani stayed upright. "Hey, Shauna," she said, a bright smile on her face. "I finally found Alani."

Shauna forced a small smile, masking her irritation. "Great," she muttered under her breath, taking another sip of her drink. Jackie, oblivious, chuckled and nudged Alani lightly.

"Stick with us, okay?" Jackie said, her tone teasing but affectionate. Alani nodded lazily, eyes half-closed, swaying where she stood. Shauna glanced at Jackie, biting back the urge to ask why she'd brought Alani over, but she kept silent, and watched as Jackie glanced over at Alani with a shadowy smirk.

"Maybe you should sit down for a bit?" Jackie suggested, her tone a little teasing, but Shauna could hear the underlying concern, the care in it. "You look like you're about to tip over."

"I'm fine," Alani mumbled, though she was barely standing on her own. Her head rolled back on Jackie's shoulder, her eyes closing as she giggled again. "You're like the best. I love you, Jackie."

Jackie's smile faltered for a second, her eyes softening in that familiar way that made Shauna's blood run cold. Jackie didn't respond immediately, but the way she exhaled, that tiny, almost imperceptible sigh—Shauna caught it.

And that's when Shauna felt the ugly knot of jealousy twist tighter in her stomach. Alani didn't even know what she was saying. She was out of it, floating somewhere else in her high, but that didn't matter. The words were still there. Still hanging in the air between them.

Shauna looked away quickly, the sting of it sharp in her chest. She tried to focus on the fire, on the crackling wood and the smoke, but all she could think about was the way Alani was so easily melting into Jackie, trusting her completely, leaning on her like she was the safest place in the world.

She wanted to look at Jackie, she wanted to see if there was any flicker of hesitation on her face, any sign that she knew what this was doing to Shauna, but she couldn't. She couldn't stomach it.

A few moments passed in silence, and Shauna watched as Jackie carefully guided Alani to sit down on a log by the fire. Alani sprawled out lazily, her body curving toward Jackie, who sat beside her, but her body was angled toward her, her arm resting on the back of the log, a protective gesture that made Shauna's teeth clench.

"Shauna, you good?" a voice broke into her thoughts, and she looked up to find Van glancing over at her with a raised eyebrow.

Shauna blinked, her thoughts coming back into focus. She forced a smile, though it felt like it was painted on. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just tired."

Van didn't seem convinced but let it go, walking over to the drinks area. Shauna's eyes darted back to Jackie and Alani. Jackie was laughing at something Alani had said, her head tilted back, the way she did when she felt completely at ease. It was the kind of laugh Shauna used to hear when it was just the two of them, when they were alone, just sharing silly moments between best friends.

But now it was for Alani. It was always for Alani.

Shauna felt a wave of heat rise in her chest, and before she could stop herself, she stood up abruptly, her heart pounding. "I'm going to grab some more drinks," she said, her voice curt, too sharp for the casualness of the moment.

Jackie turned toward her, a flicker of confusion in her expression. "Wait, Shauna—"

But Shauna was already walking away, the distance between them growing with every step. She didn't want to watch Jackie and Alani anymore. She didn't want to see that closeness, that tenderness, that familiarity between them.