Caught in Us (Lost 3)

"Well, I think you had enough bad news for today," Mom says after everyone finishes eating.

"But it's only six o'clock," I protest.

"Your dad is getting tired." She watches him wearily. "And surely a freshman has better things to do than hang around with her parents on a Saturday night?"

"I’m going to a party," I admit sheepishly, "but it's not until later."

"Well, use this time to get prepared. Enjoy it. A little fun never hurt anyone."

"True," I agree.

We couldn't be more wrong.

Chapter Thirty-Four: Dani

My head still spins from my parents' news when I arrive at the address Hazel texted me. The two-story house is remote. That's good. The wild dancing on the porch and the booming music wouldn't get love from any neighbors. Hazel is not outside, and I brace myself before going inside. I recognize a couple of people from campus, but there are mostly strangers here, which makes me uneasy. I find Hazel in the main room, dancing her ass off with Chase, who has his hands firmly on her hips, holding her very close to him. Well, well, well. Not one to want to interrupt a love story in the making, I peek around to see if I can find someone I know until Damon arrives. Before I can disappear, Hazel sees me and motions for me to come to them. Chase gives me a smug grin as he places a soft kiss on Hazel's shoulder, not letting go of her waist.

"What's wrong?" Hazel asks, swinging her body with an energy that makes me think she's had one too many tequilas.

"Dad wants to—” I begin, practically yelling into her ear. She pushes me away, shaking her head.

"Dani, I am a bit drunk, not deaf."

"Dad wants to sell the chocolate factory," I say in a more measured tone.

Hazel's eyes bulge. "What, why? Let's go someplace quieter." Turning to Chase, she rises on her tiptoes and speaks into his ear.

"I'll just wait for you around here. Don't be gone for long." He looks at Hazel with such a heartfelt longing that I am practically swooning.

"Okay, let's go." Hazel takes me by the arm, and we manage to navigate out of the room without bumping into anyone.

"Are you two on a date?" I ask once we're on the corridor. I blink, looking around startled. I swear there are twice as many people inside than when I walked in a few minutes ago. When did all these people arrive?

"Yes." Her gaze is dreamy and full of hope.

"We can talk later. I don't want to crash your first date."

"No, it's okay; I was hoping I could get to talk alone to you." Blushing seriously, she adds, "Let's find a quieter place. I need some advice on something."

"Hazel!" I come to a halt, doing my best to give her a death stare. "It's too soon for sex."

"Gee, could you have been louder?" One look around us proves that no one's paying any attention to us.

"Sorry," I drop my voice to a whisper, "but it is too soon."

"I wasn't going to ask about sex, just about...doing other stuff."

We find refuge on a dark and narrow staircase everyone ignores. The main staircase that everyone uses to get to the upper floors is only a few feet away, but that's far enough. No one can overhear us.

"Spill everything, right from the start."

"Well, I owe it to you. We talked today on the beach, and he said you verbally flogged him, and he realized he was an idiot. The next part is a bit fuzzy. He asked if I want to date him, and I panicked so I’m not sure if my answer was intelligible at all, and then he kissed me."

"On the beach?"

"Yep," she says with a big grin, straightening her shoulders and pushing her chest out a tad.

"I'm so happy for both of you."