LOVERS' LANE

Location: The Iver family mansion

Jules could barely hear her footsteps when she approached the house. It was a chaos of music--- which could pass for noise--- and drunk teenagers. That wasn't her first time in the Iver house, but it was the first time seeing it in this state. She was never invited to parties like that one because most of the other students at Iver High thought her to be a prude. She was probably one because she studied hard and had excellent grades, but she also drank alcohol and was open to having teenage sex. No one knew about the later part anyways.

Moreover, it didn't matter anymore, not since she became the Iver heir's sweetheart. Well, she was restraint to accepting that title at that moment because she was yet to set her eyes on the so-called heir.

She dialed a number as soon as she made it to the poolside and got no response. Where the hell is Jayden? The rest of the party was having fun. Someone stood on top of the swimming pool and jumped with a loud thud into the pool while the rest of the crowd yelled in excitement. Jules sighted a couple making out at a corner of the pool; their rhythmic movement gave them away.

Jules walked back to the living room, almost giving up on her search. She bumped into a guy carrying a glass of vodka, obviously drunk, and her frustration tripled. She dialed again; no response. She decided to sit for a while after struggling to wipe her dress clean. I knew it was risky wearing this. The dress was a gift from her best friend Penelope, who had also gone MIA after the student elections. It was a floral dress with some details on the hems, and its color suited Jules's skin tone perfectly. She had a very light skin tone, adorned with freckles on her cheeks and blue eyes that complimented it. She chose the dress because it was just perfect for the occasion, not too much and not too little. She was not going to show up as a mere Iver housemaid to her boyfriend's victory party, and neither was she going to show up like it was the met gala or something.

In as much as she fell out with her brother, Jamie, over some trivial issue months back, she was still a bit sad that he lost the elections, especially because she felt like she contributed it. Who would support someone who wasn't able to win the support of his own sister? But what was she to do? Jayden had already side-lined her before she could decide who to support? She knew Jamie was mad at her and thus avoided home.

She paused to look around. There were a lot of familiar faces, but she didn't talk to those people. How am I supposed to find Jayden now? Like he could read her mind, someone appeared from behind, carrying a red party cup with something inside, obviously alcohol. "Want some?" Nah. I'll pass". "Okay, so who are you looking for? Jayden?" "Yes, please," she replied, quickly reaching out to hold his hand. It was a bit muscular, and Jules guessed he was probably one of the guys on the football team. "I think he is in his room," he said, and Jules let go of him in sudden realization. Of course, he'd be in his room with his guys."Okay. Thanks a lot ... uuhhm...." "Kevin," he cut her short.

He walked away; she noticed the other guys in the room shot her glances at her. They were probably assessing to check if she was worth all the hype. And a confident Jules was certain she'd pass the test. But she didn't think more of it.

At one corner of the room, Peter stood, with a party cup in his hands. His eyes were fixed on someone, Jules. Anyone observing how he looked at her could tell one thing easily --- he was in love. Though she had hurt him, he still felt the need to protect her. Something just didn't feel right. Hence, he followed her all the way from school after the results of the elections were announced. He knew she was making a mistake, choosing the Iver heir over him, but he was ready to forgive; he just wanted her back.

Peter was the not so popular, yet good-looking guy. He wasn't the one to get lost in the crowd; a one-person squad. Even with his well-built body, he never considered football or any sport. He had a lot to bother about. A lot referred to his grades, which were really taking a huge dip, and his scholarship. That's was another major thing made a thing that made him not bother trying to fit in--- status. Unlike the other kids at Iver High that had a name that embodied generational wealth--- the Ivers, the Blossoms, the Shayne's--- Peter was just a Clearwater. There was no history of the name, no great grandpappy Clearwater in Glazen Town, a small town where everybody knew everybody.

But he understood why; he was not originally from Glazen, as his mother told him. He actually moved into the city from the countryside after his father died. He didn't really have many details about it, except all his mum told him. Neither she bore Clearwater.

Back at the party, Peter sipped the remaining liquid in the cup and his hands. Then someone approached him from behind. She wore a short and tightly fitted dress and laughed in a way that told Peter she was drunk. "Pretty boy, let's dance" she held on to his neck and tried to drag him to the center of the living room where the others were dancing. "No, I'll pass," he said, freeing himself from her grip. She spun herself away and fell into the hands of another guy Peter didn't know.

Peter returned to his stalking position to find out that Jules was gone. Shit! He dropped the red cup on the table beside the drinking fountain and walked through the crowd like he knew where she'd gone to.

The second floor of the Iver family house seemed restricted to only special people, as only the boys Jules saw Jayden hang with were up there. What she didn't understand was why they were staring at her. She blamed Jayden for not officially introducing her to the squad. She looked frantically around for the door that led to Jayden's room, squinting so that the smoke from the guys' cigarettes wouldn't make her cry. The place looked different from what she knew it to be; was it the people? She could not tell. She felt lost. Of course, it was very easy to get lost in the Iver house.