Devils Roses 01 - Cursed

“Hey Aimee, I’m glad you came. Hi Blake.”
    I wanted to take it the wrong way, but I knew why he wanted me there. I noticed out of the corner of my eye, Blake stood closer to me and puffed up his chest. I blushed, thinking that he must have noticed my crush on Shane and resented it.
    I gave Shane a small wave and tiny smile. Mostly, I tried not to look at his lips and imagine what they would be like to kiss.
    My sister walked up and kissed him on the cheek, making me want to disinfect him, so I could continue my fantasy.
    Blake and I leaned against the car and watched the scene, taking it in. After my sister's little indiscretion of not coming home a month ago, our father had laid down the rule of no more parties. He had given her one option, take me as her companion, which translated into chaperone. He had bet on the fact I would never go, and clearly he had bet wrong. I knew deep down, he wanted to see me out socializing with someone beyond Blake. Not to mention, he was probably relieved I would be there to keep an eye on Alise.
    I looked at Blake and noticed he looked handsome. I realized he didn’t have his glasses on, which was odd. I wasn’t sure if he even owned contacts, or if he had come blind, hoping to look less like a nerd. Either way, he looked good without glasses and a gadget in his hands.
    I grinned at him, he looked nervous but like he was excited to be there. I was the opposite; I wasn’t nervous and didn’t want to be anywhere near the popular people. Except one. But alas, Satan had spit on him, like he was the last donut on the plate, so my option became viewing him from a distance.
    “ You want to go in?”
    Blake nodded. “Yeah.” He swallowed hard and we walked up to the house. He seemed massive with nothing in his hands to make him stoop over until he was my height. He looked put together in his beige cords and blue t-shirt with a science-camp logo. I smiled, knowing no one there would even come close to recognizing the logo. I felt short next to him as we walked along the concrete slab walkway to the front door.
    “ You cold?” he asked. I felt a warm wind hit me and I shivered. I shook my head frowning. I wondered if the wind was really my mom telling me not to go in. I felt her wind a second time and told myself she meant for me to have a good time.
    My heart couldn’t help but beat harder, as my skin craved feeling that wind again.
    I looked to the right and saw a guy I had never seen around town. He was tall and thick with dark-blond hair and the most stunning blue eyes I had ever seen. They looked like a husky dog's. White blue but bright, like there was a light shining out from behind his eyes. He looked like an actor in a movie, not a guy at a teenager party. His face was like something you didn’t see in such a small town. I felt my breath taken away as I locked eyes with him. I wanted to walk to him. I knew him from somewhere. He looked at me for a moment. When our eyes met, I had the distinct feeling I knew him from somewhere. He smiled at me and my legs felt like they went to goo.
    He seemed surprised when I pointed to him. “Who is that guy?”
    I looked up at Blake and nudged him. When I looked back, he was gone.
    Blake shrugged. “I didn’t see him.”
    "There was a big, tall blond guy right there a second ago. I think I know him."
    "He's not there now."
    "Thanks, Captain Obvious."
    A girl beside me spoke, “This place is packed with kids from Port Handley. They’re friends with Shane.” I recognized her as I turned around. My sister's bff, Giselle. Not only the most beautiful girl in the world, but also the most exotic. Her parents were French and Filipino. She staggered as she entered the house.
    “ Clearly not her first drink of the evening,” Blake whispered as we walked into the house.
    I looked out the window again, hoping to see the guy from the neighboring town. His eyes had mystified me. He had seemed so familiar to me, like I had dreamt of him. The guy was stunningly handsome. Adding an air of mystery, didn’t help my curiosity.
    Shaking it off, I looked around the house at the drunken teenagers everywhere.
    “ Want a drink, little sister?” Alise was beside me with a glass.
    I took it, suspicious of anything she ever gave me. I looked into the glass. It appeared to be lemonade.
    “ It's lemonade, Aimee—remember the deal we made,” she laughed as I eyeballed her. “Besides, I might need you to drive home.”
    "I don’t want to