Chapter 8
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the array of expensive vehicles sitting in the school parking lot.
The kids at Weybridge drove cars that probably cost more than my mom made in a year, and Anna’s car fit right in among the others.
It was sporty and luxurious with a dashboard that looked like something out of a spaceship.
She drove like a bit of a maniac, but I could understand why.
She owned a car that accelerated like it was on a racetrack, so I wasn’t surprised she enjoyed putting her foot down as we made our way to a property on the other side of town.
The party was at Luther’s house. Cress had explained his parents bought the place so they had somewhere to stay when they visited him at school.
Apparently though, they never came, so the home sat empty for most of the year.
My father seemed to have done the same thing, and I suspected his ridiculous mansion would remain just as empty.
It was such a waste and made me a little angry when I thought of how hard my mom worked to keep a roof over our heads.
Rich people didn’t seem to care about that kind of excess though.
Like the school, Luther’s house was hidden away in the woods out of town. It didn’t feel all that remote though when his driveway was lined with flashy cars. Everyone from school seemed to be arriving at the same time, and Anna had to park a short walk from the house.
We got out of her car and started up the driveway, trailing a steady stream of students who were headed to the party.
Luther’s house was a gorgeous old villa that looked like it belonged in Italy or Spain.
No one seemed to be going inside the house though.
Instead, everyone was following a path around the side of the building, which led into the woods bordering the property.
A narrow trail cut its way through the trees, lit up by the warm glow of lanterns that lined the edges of the path.
It was enough light to guide us but not enough to stop me from stumbling every so often over the divots in the ground.
I felt glad I was wearing wedges when I saw a girl in stilettos walking in the group ahead of us.
She was constantly lurching forward and clutched desperately on to the arm of a friend for support.
I was scared she wasn’t going to make it.
I knew we were getting close to the party when the soft sound of music started to drift through the trees.
Before long, it had filled the air and seemed to shake the leaves with its deep thrumming base.
We soon approached a large clearing that butted up against a sharp cliff face.
Fairy lights were draped through the trees that bordered the clearing, and colored lights flashed from a DJ booth at the foot of the cliff.
There were several bonfires crackling at the edges of the party, and given the slight chill in the air, I had a feeling I was going to spend most of my time huddling close to one of them.
The party was well and truly underway as we joined the crowd of students.
Some were hanging out by the fires while others were loitering by tables covered with food and alcohol.
Most people seemed to have gathered in front of the large DJ booth to dance.
The music sounded like it was coming from everywhere, and I found myself scanning the trees around me to see if someone had somehow hooked up speakers to the branches high above.
Cress smiled when she caught my amazed expression. “Luther knows how to throw a party, huh?”
“Yeah, this sure is something.”
“How does it compare to parties at your old school?”
“Uh …” I fumbled as I tried to come up with an answer. I didn’t think it was even slightly comparable to the parties back home, and I breathed a silent sigh of relief as Anna saved me from answering. She’d been concentrating on the party and must not have heard Cress questioning me.
“Let’s get drinks,” she said, practically bouncing up and down like she couldn’t wait to throw herself into the action.
“Yes!” Cress agreed. “Lead the way.”
Anna flashed us both a wide grin before she thrust herself into the crowd.
“So, does Luther throw parties like this often?” I asked Cress as we followed after Anna.
“Not too often. Normally, everyone parties at the school’s old boathouse on the weekends.”
Anna glanced over her shoulder and shook her head at Cress. “By everyone, she means those who are cool enough to warrant an invite from Noah, Luther, or Kaden. Those three boys pretty much rule our school, and when it comes to their more exclusive parties, most kids don’t make the cut.”
I swallowed and glanced between the two girls. “Do you guys make the cut?”
“Let’s just say we’re lucky Cress is Noah’s cousin, or I doubt we’d even know the old boathouse existed.”
Cress rolled her eyes. “It’s not like that.”
“It definitely is,” Anna muttered.
The three of us came to a stop as we reached the drinks table. Bottles of spirits were lined up on the tabletop, and large buckets containing other bottles on ice were on the ground beside it.
“Oh, I see Luther’s got someone making cocktails tonight,” Cress said, nodding to a girl who was vigorously shaking a cocktail shaker at the other end of the table. “You guys want one?”
“Nah, I’m good,” Anna said.
“Me too,” I quickly agreed. I wasn’t really sure what went into cocktails. I hadn’t drunk much before, and I didn’t think tonight was the best time to experiment.
“Okay.” Cress shrugged. “I’ll be back in a sec.”
“Mmm, Cristal, this will do me,” Anna said, plucking a bottle from one of the buckets. She popped the cork and giggled as the champagne fizzed over the lip of the bottle.
“Aren’t you driving?” I frowned as I watched Anna eagerly waiting for her champagne to stop spilling out of the bottle.
“You should see your face.” Anna laughed. “I might be reckless, but I’m not stupid. We’ll get an Uber back to school, and I’ll have someone pick up my car in the morning.” She lifted the champagne bottle to her lips and took a quick swig before offering it to me. “Want some?”
“Uh …” I quickly scanned the other available options and grabbed a beer instead. “I’m more of a beer girl.” At least, I had been at the one party I’d drunk at last year.
“A girl after my own heart.”
I turned toward the deep voice and found a guy standing behind me sporting a playful grin.
He was handsome with white-blond hair and bright blue eyes.
He looked a little like a bulked-up version of Draco Malfoy, and given Anna’s weakness for the Slytherin villain, I imagined he was exactly the kind of guy she’d go for.
He was far too preppy to be my type though.
“It’s my job to welcome all the prettiest girls to the party,” he said. “And you two definitely fit the criteria. Who’s your friend, Anna?” This guy was just a little full of himself, and there was a cheeky glint in his eyes I didn’t trust.
Anna pulled the champagne bottle from her lips and shook her head at him. “Someone far too smart to be lured in by your charm.” She turned to me. “It’s best to avoid this one. I’d introduce you, but I don’t want to give the cretin an opening.”
“Maybe she happens to like cretins,” the guy said, giving me a smile. “I’m Luther.”
So, this was the host of the party.
“Isobel,” I said, introducing myself. “And if Anna thinks I should avoid you, I’ll have to trust her on that one.”
He should have been annoyed by my rebuff, but instead, Luther only looked more intrigued.
“Yeah, buzz off, Luther,” Anna said. “We don’t need a welcoming committee.”
His eyes grew big as he turned to Anna. “You’re breaking my heart here.”
“We both know you don’t have a heart.”
“Then what’s this thing I feel shattering into a million pieces in my chest?”
Anna rolled her eyes while Luther turned back to focus on me once more. “Try not to let her turn you against me,” he said. “Despite what she says, I’m all heart and a hell of a lot of fun.”
I lifted an eyebrow. Judging by the party he’d thrown, it was hard to argue with him. He probably was a lot of fun, but I was certainly wary about getting too caught up in it.
“Luther, why don’t you run along and get into mischief somewhere else,” Anna said.
Luther placed a hand against his chest in mock surprise. “Mischief? Me?”
“You know you’re trouble. It’s practically your middle name,” Anna fired back.
“Perhaps,” he replied. “But who said trouble was a bad thing? Don’t you want to get into trouble with me, London?”
“I’m good, thanks.” She scoffed. “And you know that’s not my name. I’m not even from London. There are other places in England.”
Luther was definitely flirting with her, and despite Anna’s protests, I got the impression she didn’t totally hate it.
He reached out and pulled the bottle of champagne from her hands, taking a swig before passing it back. “Well, I’ll be around all night if you change your mind.” He winked before he turned and disappeared into the crowd as Anna scowled after him.
“God, he’s annoying,” she said. “I can’t believe I nearly kissed him last year.”
“I’m kind of surprised you haven’t,” I said. “He looks a lot like a certain Slytherin you dream about.”
Her eyes widened as she glanced in Luther’s direction. “Oh my God, he really does. I’d never noticed before.” She took a long drink of her champagne. “Damn, that’s terrifying.”
She genuinely looked disturbed by the idea, and I laughed. “How did you guys nearly kiss?”
“Well, there was a Christmas party, too much champagne, and some mistletoe,” she said before shaking her head. “Luckily, I remembered it was Luther, and I slapped his face instead.”
“It was brilliant,” Cress said, joining us once more. She was holding a martini glass filled with a bright pink liquid. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Luther look so shocked. Not many girls turn him down.”
“Yeah, they somehow find his annoying ways attractive,” Anna said. “Clearly they’re all deluded.”