章 21: Chapter 20
The crisp night air, alive with the twinkling dance of a million stars, whipped around Dolores as she leaned against the passenger seat of Alistair's car. Earlier, a flurry of texts from Nadia and Chloe had informed her they'd arrived at the party, leaving Dolores and Alistair trailing behind in a cloud of exhaust fumes and nervous anticipation. Dolores couldn't help but glance around, a strange mix of excitement and apprehension churning in her stomach.
The landscape had shifted dramatically since they left the familiar streets of their town. Gone were the quaint houses and bustling shops, replaced by a dense forest that seemed to stretch on endlessly under the silvery moonlight. Dolores glanced at the GPS on the dashboard. A tiny arrow blinked reassuringly, guiding them towards their destination. Apparently, even in the middle of nowhere, technology could be trusted.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Alistair pulled the car to a stop. Dolores gasped, her breath catching in her throat. Perched atop a distant hill, bathed in the ethereal glow of moonlight, stood a magnificent manor house. It was a vision straight out of a Gothic fairytale, its dark stone walls adorned with elaborate carvings and towering spires that seemed to pierce the night sky. An air of mystery and intrigue hung over the mansion, a stark contrast to the cheerful chaos Dolores had envisioned for a party.
"Wow," she breathed, her voice barely a whisper. "This… this is incredible."
Alistair, who had been unusually quiet throughout the drive, finally turned to her. A hint of a smile played on his lips. He said, his voice low and enigmatic. "The party's just getting started."
Alistair, ever the gentleman, opened the car door for Dolores with a flourish. He extended a hand, palm facing upwards, waiting for her to take it. Dolores hesitated for a moment, her gaze flitting between his hand and the magnificent house before her. With a small sigh, she opted for independence, stepping out of the car on her own.
The scene before her was a stark contrast to the quiet solitude she was accustomed to. A sea of unfamiliar faces swarmed the gravel driveway, all chattering and laughing as they piled out of expensive-looking cars. Girls, most likely from their school, sported dresses that shimmered under the party lights, their laughter carrying on the night breeze. Dolores, clad in her trusty baggy sweat-shirt and loose-fitting trousers, felt a pang of self-consciousness. She thought, a flicker of doubt creeping in. 'Would Ivan even be here, amidst all this?'
Alistair, his earlier smile fading, followed her closely as they approached the imposing double doors of the Manor. The booming music thrummed through the air, a pulsing rhythm that threatened to drown out all conversation. With a deep breath, Dolores pushed open the heavy door, Alistair right behind her.
The inside of the mansion was a cacophony of sights and sounds. Strobe lights cast an erratic glow across the vast hall, illuminating a sea of dancing bodies. The air hung thick with the scent of sweat, perfume, and something faintly sweet that Dolores suspected was alcoholic punch. Dolores blinked, momentarily overwhelmed by the sensory overload.
Alistair chuckled beside her, the sound barely audible above the music. "Looking for your Prince Charming?" he teased, his voice laced with amusement.
Dolores, still trying to adjust to the environment, nodded absentmindedly. This caused a frown to crease Alistair's brow, a subtle shift in his expression that Dolores couldn't quite decipher.
A figure barreled into Alistair, nearly knocking him off his feet. Dolores stumbled back in surprise as Alistair stumbled forward, catching himself with a laugh. Looking up, Dolores recognized the attacker - Mark, one of Alistair's swimming teammates, his dirty blonde hair plastered to his forehead with sweat, a wide grin plastered across his face.
"Alistair!" Mark boomed, throwing an arm around Alistair's shoulder. "Didn't expect to see you here!"
Alistair, regaining his composure, chuckled good-naturedly. "Hey, Mark. Good to see you. This is Dolores, by the way. Dolores, this is Mark, a menace on the swim team."
The smile on Mark's face faltered slightly as his eyes landed on Dolores. "Well, well," he drawled, his voice laced with a hint of amusement, "interesting outfit choice, Dolores. Going for the comfy approach tonight?"
Dolores bristled at his remark, a flush creeping up her neck. "It's comfortable," she retorted. She wasn't about to be judged on her clothes.
Alistair, sensing the tension, nudged Mark playfully. "Leave her alone, Mark. Dolores has her own style."
Mark shrugged and flashed another dazzling smile. "Alright, alright, just messing around. So, Alistair, up for checking out the basement scene? Heard some rumors about—" His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, but Dolores, with her heightened senses, managed to catch a few words – "white stuff" and "killer high." A shiver danced down her spine. What exactly was going on in this house?
Alistair, his brow furrowed in concern, glanced at Dolores. "Dolores, you'll be alright here, right? Why don't I—"
Dolores cut him off, a newfound determination hardening her voice. "I'll be fine, Alistair. You go with Mark. I'll find Nadia and Chloe." The truth was, she didn't want to be a burden, and Alistair's worried expression sparked a flicker of independence within her.
Without waiting for his response, Mark grabbed Alistair's arm and yanked him towards the back of the hall, their laughter echoing through the room.
As Dolores navigated the throng of bodies, her eyes darted across the room, a hopeful glint searching for a familiar face. Suddenly, her gaze landed on the opposite end of the hall. There, perched on a barstool next to a jovial bartender, was none other than Emmeline.
Emmeline, clad in a shimmering emerald dress that accentuated her black hair and playful smile, was clearly enjoying herself. When she caught sight of Dolores, her smile widened even further. Waving a sparkly bracelet in the air, she called out, "Dolores! Over here!"
Dolores, relieved to see a friendly face, made her way through the crowd, a hesitant smile gracing her lips. Reaching the counter, she squeezed onto a stool beside Emmeline. "Hey, Emmeline," she greeted, her voice slightly breathless from the exertion. "Didn't think I'd see you here."
Emmeline threw her head back and laughed, a sound that bubbled with amusement. "Dolores, darling," she exclaimed, wiping a tear from her eye. "Half of Grimstone is here tonight! "
Dolores' eyes widened in surprise. "Really?" She hadn't expected such a high turnout.
A loud whistle cut through the music, making both women flinch. Dolores turned to see the source - Elijah, perched on a across across the way, flanked by two giggling girls. His face held a playful smirk as he watched a girl on the dance floor twirl wildly to the music.
Dolores snorted, a grimace tugging at the corners of her lips.
Elijah was a far cry from the prophet of the Old Testament.
Dolores' gaze flickered away from Elijah, a flicker of relief washing over her. The last thing she needed was to run into Axel tonight. Taking a deep breath, she turned to Emmeline, a question bubbling in her stomach. "Emmeline," she began hesitantly, "do you think Ivan might be here tonight?"
Emmeline shrugged, her eyes twinkling. "Probably," she replied. "But Imogen, seems to be attached to him like a shadow. Playing the ever-watchful babysitter, it seems." A hint of amusement danced in her voice.
Dolores' heart skipped a beat. Ivan was here, possibly. But with Imogen hovering over him like a hawk, catching his attention would be next to impossible. Suddenly, a familiar figure caught her eye. Across the crowded dance floor, amidst a sea of swirling bodies, she spotted Nadia and Chloe. Both were dressed in glittering dresses.
Chloe, her voice barely audible over the thumping music, shouted across the room. "Dolores! What on earth are you wearing?"
Dolores, unfazed, simply shrugged. "Clothes," she replied with a grin.
Nadia, ever the peacemaker, slid onto a stool beside Dolores with a laugh. "Don't worry about Chloe, Dolores," she said. "She's just jealous because you have your own unique style."
Chloe rolled her eyes playfully. "She could't have at least let me dress her up a little?" she retorted. "This is supposed to be a party, not a night in sweats!"
Just then, Emmeline excused herself and disappeared into the throng of people. The moment she was gone, Chloe leaned closer to Dolores, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Since Emmeline's here," she whispered conspiratorially, "that probably means Ivan is too. What do you say, Dee? Ready to make your move?"
Dolores laughed, a nervous tremor in her voice. "Move? Chloe, Imogen is practically attached to him! There's no way she'd be happy if I started hitting on her brother."
Nadia and Chloe slowly nodded as they settled comfortably in their stools.
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