Zesai and Amara had a blast at the prom. Zesai couldn't stop grinning, proud as hell to have his mom on his arm, she looked incredible, and he felt ten feet tall walking her around.
Amara watched him chat up a bunch of kids, guys slapping his shoulder, girls giggling at his dumb jokes and thought he was finally breaking out of his shell. She loved seeing him loosen up, connecting with his classmates.
It was around 11 p.m., and they were parked at a table, sipping punch from plastic cups, when Kieran sauntered over. His tux was wrinkled, tie loose, but that cocky grin was still plastered on his face.
"Hey, you two, we're heading to my dad's place now," he said, hands in his pockets. "Party's gonna be a riot, you coming?"
Zesai glanced at Amara. She gave him a quick smile and a wink, "Sure, we'll swing by for a bit," he said, keeping it casual.
"Sweet! It's on Driftwood Road, dead end by the old lighthouse, can't miss it," Kieran said, then strutted off to round up more stragglers.
A few minutes later, Zesai and Amara stepped into the beach house. It was massive three stories of weathered wood, freshly painted white, with big windows glinting in the moonlight.
Inside, it was all new polished hardwood floors, sleek furniture, at least twenty rooms sprawling out. A huge deck stretched off the back, overlooking the crashing waves, the salty ocean breeze drifting in. The place screamed money, and it was packed teenagers spilling everywhere, music thumping loud from hidden speakers.
"Glad you made it," Kieran said, weaving through the crowd with two red cups in his hands. He handed one to Amara, then one to Zesai. "Drinks for the VIPs."
"Thanks," Amara said, taking a sip, something fruity and sharp, probably spiked. She held the cup loose, her white fur coat still draped over her shoulders.
"Make yourselves at home," Kieran said, flashing a grin. "Gotta check on some other guests, back in a few." He melted into the swarm of kids, leaving them standing by the deck doors.
The house was a zoo, kids laughing, shouting, spilling drinks. Zesai recognized a few faces from school, but most were strangers, probably from Kieran's wider circle.
They wandered room to room, living room with kids sprawled on couches, kitchen with beer cans littering the counter, even a den where some guys were playing pool. No adults anywhere, just a sea of teenagers running wild.
"Wonder if Kieran's dad knows about this?" Amara whispered, leaning close so Zesai could hear over the music.
He gave her a look, eyebrows up like she'd missed the obvious. "No way in hell."
She snorted. "Guess I shouldn't leave you home alone anymore, huh?"
They'd been there about an hour, sipping their drinks and soaking in the chaos, when Kieran popped up again. "Hey, some of us are heading downstairs to the club room, gonna play some games. Come join us."
Zesai and Amara exchanged a quick look—neither knew what "games" meant, but they shrugged. "Sure," Zesai said, and they followed him down a narrow staircase.
The club room was dim, all wood panels and low ceilings. Big, colorful pillows were scattered across the floor in a loose circle, and six couples lounged on them, Kieran's girlfriend Brielle and four others Zesai vaguely recognized. Candles flickered on shelves, their sweet, spicy smell mixing with the musty air.
"Guys, you know Zesai, and this is his stunning date, Amara," Kieran said, waving them in. "They're joining the fun."
"Hey!"
"Hi there!"
"Welcome!"
The group chimed in, a messy chorus of voices, some slurring already.
"Alright, let's kick it off," Kieran said, clapping his hands. "First up's charades but here's the twist: losers of each round do a 'truth or dare.' Sound good?"
Nods and laughs rippled around the circle. Kieran plopped down next to Brielle, who was right beside Zesai and Amara on their pillow.
The game started silly, loud, and full of ribbing. Someone acted out "elephant," trunk swinging, and everyone cracked up.
Another flailed through "helicopter," spinning until they tripped.
The worst penalty came when a losing team had to pull down their pants and show their butt. It was dumb, harmless fun until it wasn't.
Zesai and Amara noticed a couple guys pull out cigarettes, lighting them up with a flick of a lighter. The tips glowed red, and they passed them around, smoke curling lazy in the air. It hit them slow the sharp, earthy smell wasn't tobacco. It was weed.
Amara had puffed a joint or two back in her wild days, and Zesai had tried it once at a party a couple years back, but neither was a pro.
When the joint reached them, Amara took a tiny drag, lips barely touching it, and handed it off. Zesai did the same, a quick inhale, then passed it along.
They weren't looking to get high just playing along. But the room was thick with smoke, swirling around them, sneaking into every breath they took.
It crept up slow. Their shoulders loosened, heads got light, and the giggles came easier. The candles seemed brighter. They didn't realize how high they were getting, the weed soaking in deeper with every minute.
"Next up," Kieran said, "A contest, who's the best kissing couple? Five minutes each. Winners get a ride in my car—special prize." He laughed, leaning back. "Everyone in?"
The group hooted, "Hell yeah!" "Let's do it!"
All but Zesai and Amara, who sat quiet. Normally, they'd stop, no they should have left this place before this, kissing each other in front of people? Insane. But the weed dulled the alarm bells, made it feel… fine. Chill. Like it was just a game.
"Brielle and I'll start," Kieran said, tossing a cooking timer to a lanky guy with glasses, Ellis.
"Ellis, you time us—five minutes, bell rings, we're done." He stood, pulling Brielle up with him. "Oh, and so you all get a good view, I rigged this."
He flipped a switch on the wall, and a spotlight snapped on, flooding a small patch of floor in the center of the circle with bright white light. Out there, you couldn't see the crowd just feel their eyes but every move was lit up clear as day.
Kieran and Brielle stepped into the glow, her red dress flashing as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Anyone still out there?" he called, grinning like a goof, squinting into the dark.
Claps and whoops erupted
"Yeah, man!"
"Get it!,"
As the couples on the pillows cheered them on.