Kashi had never been more disappointed that she had to go to a party in her life. Of course, it didn't stop her from pulling out a new yellow bathing suit she'd bought with Sierra a week ago. She could still be put-off by her uncle and look adorable too.
She spun a little, admiring the way the bikini really highlighted her figure. She was more muscular than she'd been before and her normally olive-brown skin had become slightly golden from the sun that beat down on her during her work. But she couldn't deny that she liked the way it looked. She unpinned her hair, letting the dark brown locks tumble down her back. She'd filed her nails and painted them the same shade of bright sunshine yellow as her bathing suit.
She pulled on a pair of short black shorts, the edges fraying. Her sheer shirt didn't cover much, but she was going to take it off when she got there anyway. One pair of sunglasses and a pre-packed beach bag later, Kashi found herself walking out the front door to Matthias and the two others he'd mentioned were coming.
"Don't take this the wrong way," Matthias called, "but," he whistled.
Kashi just smirked. "I call shotgun."
Minutes later, they were cruising down the road, windows open, Kashi's hair flying behind her. Matthias had queued up a few songs. Kashi was familiar with most of them. "Ever been to one of the twins' parties?" She asked. "They're always the best."
"I've never—" Matthias began.
"I know you haven't," she giggled, "I was talking to Bart and Aaron. You just got to town."
"Yeah we have." Aaron drawled. "Bart only pretends he hates parties."
Bart, to his credit, hid a smile and shrugged.
Kashi had gone to high school with the two of them. Bart graduated with her and Aaron graduated a year before them. She couldn't say they were amazing friends in high school, but they had all been in the photography club. Aaron won a prize his senior year.
She remembered the whole team, well, all of nine people cheering for him during their last meeting of the year. It made her smile. She was glad that Bart and Aaron were still friends. She'd known they'd worked at her uncle's ranch but she'd rarely seen them around.
"Don't spoil it for the man." Bart said with a chuckle.
"Oh no matter what he says, he can't spoil anything. When have they ever done something more than once?"
Bart ceded a nod to her.
Matthias grinned. "Sounds like I'm in for a surprise then."
"The best." Kashi returned as she leaned against her seat and stared out the windshield. The sun was shining brightly through the front window, slightly angled to the driver's side window. Kashi readjusted her sunglasses, looking over at Matthias who was squinting to see the road. He looked so familiar. Something about the strong build of his face and features. He was handsome in a rugged way. She couldn't quite place where she knew him from.
He took a hard left into a gravel driveway, the tires sliding on the dirt sending everyone flying to the right of the car. Kashi slammed into the door handle with a grunt.
"Matt if you cause me to have a bruise I will hurt you." she threatened, barely able to keep herself from smiling at the taunt.
He pushed down harder on the gas pedal, sending them flying down the road.
The party was already in full swing when they arrived, parking in the field three cars deep. They were able to hear the music before the sprawling house came into view, all of the lights on despite the sun not being close to setting.
A smile crept onto Kashi's lips as she beheld the house on the long lawn, a few people milling around out front. She knew the real heart of the party would be around back. Since she wasn't allowed home, she'd make the most of the party she supposed. "You coming boys?" She grinned, turning around to face her companions.
Bart grabbed a case of beers she hadn't known were in the backseat.
"Oh yeah." Aaron responded for all three of them.
She walked ahead of them. She was excited. Sierra was going to be here. The two of them together could be the heart of any party. She'd never been able to host one, no, her father would find out. He somehow found out she'd been to someone else's party, even the ones out of town. He would definitely find one on his own property. At one point, going to parties and shopping were her only concerns. Something changed. She knew she would enjoy the party, but as she wandered into the sea of people, the music so loud she couldn't hear the voices of the people pressed against her in the crowds, the satisfaction and adrenaline she'd felt was underwhelming compared to before.
Swallowing her frown, she surveyed the mass of party-goers. Quite a few of them were strangers. She didn't recognize many of the faces swimming around her under the reddening sun. Something inside her welled up, but she shoved it down. Something had changed fundamentally inside of her. She would have preened to see the eyes of strangers glued to her. She would have held her head up, her sly grin. She loved the attention. But as the eyes slid to her, the smile felt fake. The way her eyes crinkled at the corners as she met a few stares…
She had to find Sierra.
Leaving the boys far behind as she wove through the tightly knit crowd she headed to the poolside. Sierra was indeed laying out in a lawn chair, sunglasses on, matching her neon pink swimsuit. The sun beat down on her friend, but Sierra didn't seem to mind.
"Hey." Kashi chirped, sitting on the end of the chair, bouncing her friend.
Sierra yelped in surprise, flying into a sitting position with a glare at Kashi.
Kashi laughed a little, her anxieties already melting when she sat by her friend. Sierra had always been by her side. It had been kindergarten when they'd met. Kashi had been new. And Sierra wasted no time in pulling Kashi from a shy little child to… whoever she was now.
They'd started going to parties in eighth grade. Kashi had been drunk for the first time at one of them. She'd since learned how to handle her alcohol. Sierra had always been the wilder of the two and drinking was no different. She could throw back shot after shot and drink anyone under the table. It was honestly impressive. Kashi had good tolerance, but not that good. Not once had she seen Sierra hurl her guts up after throwing back all those shots. She was all smiles and cheers. She'd leap right up afterwards and head back to the dance floor.
"I was waiting for you to grab a drink." Sierra said, pulling her shades to rest on the top of her head. "Whaddya' say? Come with?"
Kashi smiled this time. Maybe parties weren't her scene anymore, but being by Sierra always had been. "Definitely."