Teen Hyde (High School Horror Story #2)(4)

Just then, someone pounded the door. “Open up,” a girl yelled. “There are people waiting.”

“One second,” Liam yelled. “That’s our cue.” He held up his pill as if we were clinking glasses. “Cheers.” He set the dose of Sunshine onto his tongue, cocked back his head, and swallowed.

Without another thought, I did the same. My mouth was dry and the pill stuck to my throat on its way down, but I managed and, once it was gone, I stuck out my tongue to show that I’d really taken it.

He squeezed my shoulder. “That’s my girl.” And even though only minutes ago, I’d scolded him for calling me “Cass,” this time, I made no smart remark. “Now, shall we go enjoy our night?” he asked.

I stared at the scissors and the dead hair and nodded, still skeptical that the word enjoy could apply to me. But my solitude had ended the moment Liam had barged in, so what else was there to do? The pounding on the door had picked back up. Liam casually opened it to greet a red-faced girl preparing to knock her fist against the wood again. “It’s all yours.” He winked.

The color drained from her face when she saw that it was Liam. “Sorry,” she mumbled before ducking between us into the bathroom.

Paisley was waiting third in line, next to Ava. She stood up straighter when she noticed me. “Um, hello?” Paisley snagged my elbow as I was following Liam back down the hallway. “I guess somebody’s feeling more like themselves.” She eyed me from head to toe. “You’re hooking up with Buckley?” She shared a look with Ava that I couldn’t read.

I tensed. “No, it’s not like that—”

Paisley smirked, bringing the rim of a wine cooler to her lips. “Right. It never is, Cassidy. Just remember, being easy keeps them breezy, know what I mean?” I did know, but then again, I wasn’t looking for a boyfriend. Every boy in Hollow Pines could blow away in the wind for all I cared. “At least get to your fourth drink before you let him under your shirt, ’kay?” She patted me on the head.

Ava rolled her eyes and pushed Paisley gently with her shoulder. “Oh, shut up, Paize. Let her enjoy her night. This is the twenty-first century. Go get yours, girl.” She offered me a thumbs-up.

I cocked my head, studying my pair of friends. In the time we’d stood talking, my cheeks had grown warm. Liam was disappearing down the hall. I thought vaguely that I’d like to catch up with him. Paisley snapped her fingers in front of my nose, bringing me back. I knew I should be annoyed with her, but instead, I felt my mouth stretching into a grin.

“Thanks, Paisley,” I said. “You … look really pretty tonight, you know that?” And I was surprised at how sincere I sounded. It was true, though. A faint glow seemed to radiate from her blond hair. Her skin had a fairylike shimmer emanating from it. I squeezed her hand, feeling a rush of tenderness for my friend. “Isn’t this night great?” I said.

Paisley’s expression was a confused mix between a grin and a frown. “Yeah,” she said. “I mean, I guess so.”

There was a swelling in my chest, like a rising balloon, and it seemed to be plugging up the gaping hole that had been there moments earlier. “Okay, well, I’m going to go catch up with Liam. I’ll see you guys there? Come dance with us!” I didn’t know how I knew that Liam and I would be dancing. But it felt logical. I waved and trotted down the hall in the direction Liam had gone.

I smiled as I passed kids that I only sort of recognized from school. They smiled back. The interaction felt good. It felt right. My veins hummed with a molten warmth so pleasant that I felt as though I’d just had a weeklong spa trip.

I returned to the living room where less than an hour ago I’d sulked in the corner. There I spotted the back of Liam’s head, peeking out over the crowded space. I threaded my way through the throng of people, politely excusing myself as we bumped elbows or hips. From the kitchen a nineties boy band song blared through the speakers. The beat matched the thumping in my chest. I remembered this song from car rides with my mom when I was younger. It was one of my favorites.

I tapped Liam on the shoulder. He was chatting with one of the sophomore girls that had been sneaking glances at me with her friends earlier in the night. When Liam looked down to see me standing there, his face seemed to break open with delight.

“Hey, you,” he said.

I matched his smile watt for watt. “Wanna dance?” I asked. “I love this song.”

He cocked his head to listen and then began bobbing along to the melody. He offered me his hand and twirled me in place. Laughter gurgled up from deep inside me, spilling out into the room. I couldn’t believe how long it’d been since I’d laughed.

Liam and I threw our bodies into the music. Others joined us and before long, a circle had formed to watch the pair of us. I didn’t take myself too seriously when I danced and neither did Liam. I brought out all my dad’s dorky dance moves—the lawn mower, the running man, even the sprinkler. Tears sparkled in my eyes from all of the merriment. I’d forgotten how much I loved dancing, not for cheerleading, but for the fun of it.

Liam leaned close to my ear. His breath tickled and he smelled like coconut shampoo. “You’re the most fun girl at this party.”

And I believed him. Because all of a sudden it was as if the clouds had lifted and there I still was, shining again.