Of the Trees(39)

“We’re here, already,” Jon argued good-naturedly, dropping the twenty pack of light beer at the edge of the clearing and waving Cassie over. She skirted past Blue Eyes and sighed gratefully when Jon tossed her a warm beer.

“Nice catch, Captain,” Jessica said through a grin.

Cassie ignored her. “Jon, was Ryan really okay?”

“Oh sure,” Jon said dismissively, waving her off as he handed beer around to the rest of the group. Behind them, another group of students Cassie recognized burst from the tree line, moving slowly into the clearing to mingle with the group from St. Paul’s. Mackenzie and Austin joined them, sitting alongside each other at the fire. “Tomorrow you can head over and kiss him better if you like.”

Rebecca and Jessica sniggered, not even bothering to try and hide their amusement. Samantha elbowed Jon though, murmuring a “Be nice!” in admonishment. Jon shrugged his shoulders and grinned, smirking over at Cassie even if he did shut his mouth. It made Cassie feel better just the same. If Jon was laughing and joking about it, Ryan must really be fine. She sipped at her warm beer, feeling it foam as it hit her tongue.

“Hey, Cass,” Rebecca murmured, nudging her. “Is he yours?”

Cassie hummed in question, turning slightly as she took another sip. The beer froze on her tongue, her mouth flooding with suds, and she sputtered a bit as she swallowed, not yet able to take her gaze from the eyes that still bore into hers when she turned.

“Nope,” she bit out as soon as she could swallow. “He’s a friend of Laney’s boyfriend.” The word boyfriend felt stale in her mouth.

“He’s been staring at you all night,” Rebecca said, her voice low. She bent toward Cassie to say it, not able to take her gaze off Blue Eyes either. Cassie nodded.

“Yeah, it seems to be his thing,” Cassie said, sparing him one last look before tossing her hair over her shoulder and firmly turning her back on him. “He’s a bit grabby too, but if you’re into that, he’s all yours.”

Rebecca and Jessica laughed. “Nah,” Rebecca said, her gaze twitching between Cassie and Blue Eyes. “He seems to be settled on what he wants. Let’s take a lap. C’mon, Jess.”

For lack of anywhere else she could be, and because she didn’t want to sit with Jon and Samantha staring at each other the way they were, or with Blue Eyes directly at her back, she followed Jessica and Rebecca.





Cassie finished the last dredges of her beer, circling the edge of the party. The trees whispered softly at her back, cool rushes of air danced lightly over her exposed skin. But she felt warm, glowing with heat. It was artificial, she knew that, and she kept her jacket in place. It was most likely the beer, leaving her flushed.

It was also him.

All night long, it hadn’t stopped. His stare burned holes right through her, left her flustered and anxious. She didn’t like it, but she found herself seeking him out even so. It was just like in the car when she didn’t want his hand on hers, and yet, once it was there, she didn’t want to draw away either. Cassie told herself she was keeping Blue Eyes in sight so she could keep tabs on him, make sure he didn’t jump out and surprise her. It wasn’t that, not really. His eyes, piercing and blue, locked on her every time she glanced in his direction. He stood apart from the others, obviously one of them, but uninvolved. He spent his time staring instead, across the smoky fire, from the edge of the woods, sitting as near to her as she would allow, just staring.

Laney had secluded herself at the edge of the party with Corey. Cassie still felt uneasy around him, though it was obvious Laney adored him. He seemed to really like her, as well. The intensity continued to bother Cassie.

Like the boy who was now across the clearing. They stared, searching, and Laney got lost in Corey’s eyes the way Cassie felt pinned by his friend. Where Cassie found it unsettling, Laney seemed only hooked, connected in a way Cassie had never seen her before.

Cassie continued her slow trek around the outside of the group, her thoughts becoming hazy and disconnected. She only had the one drink, and it normally didn’t affect her so strongly, but tonight she felt intoxicated, woozy, and uncoordinated. The people around her started to pair off. Small groups still laughed around the fire, but couples began stealing away into the woods, becoming evident only by the breathy giggles and soft rustlings in the dark. She just saw Laney, backing slowly into the forest, Corey trailing, her hand pulling him along. Her face was lit in the orange glow of the dancing flames, her smile bright, and then she was swallowed by the darkness of the trees. Cassie blinked, searching the spot her best friend had just disappeared from, watching the bramble for any signs of distress. It felt silly, she knew, to be so convinced that something was off. It was paranoia, most likely a result of the alcohol, but she couldn’t shake it. Her thoughts were uncoordinated and heavy, and it wasn’t helping.

Cassie’s foot caught on a low branch, one of the many that intruded in the shallow bowl of the clearing. Her reflexes were too slow to right herself. She pitched forward into a tree, her hands scraping against the bark. She jumped when warm hands landed on her waist, righting her.

“You,” she breathed, turning and finding the boy with the intense eyes staring inches from her face. He nodded, his gaze not moving from hers. Firelight licked his features, casting half his face into brilliant, orange radiance and leaving the other half in shadow. His eyes, so blue in contrast, shone.