The front gate was open. Three security guards stood by to check every car that was entering the premises. They could hear the music half way through the path leading up to the house.
The mansion was transformed into a party venue with lights and sound system blaring to Kingdom come. It was dark inside with disco lights. The place was packed with people, she could only recognize some faces from school.
Three trucks parked in front of the house, they were delivering food and booze. Jan said the trucks came and went the whole night the last time she was there. Everyone was holding a drink and they did not serve non-alcoholic drinks at all. Not even water.
Once they entered the house, it felt different than her usual visit. Hazel thought that must be how it is if she were to go to a club. Some people stood here and there engaged in conversations, not that she could hear anything other than the loud trance music or EDM or house music or whatever it was.
She reached into her bag and checked her phone, she would never be able to hear it even if she put the volume on max. She turned on the vibration mode. Jan took two cups from the drinks table and handed one to Hazel.
“Try not to drink too fast … there’s no end to where that comes from,” Jan had to lean over and talked loudly into her ear.
Hazel nodded. She took a sip and winced at how strong the drink was. Jan laughed knowingly.
The living room was stripped from all furniture. There was a DJ table on a podium and a bar on where the couch used to be. The rest of the area was the dance floor. It was 9 PM and most of the kids were already drunk and dancing like it’s nobody’s business.
“Do you think they have any food?” Hazel had to shout.
“Pool area … there’s a buffet at the backyard and it’s quieter there,” Jan said.
“That’s where I should be,” Hazel’s eyes widened.
Jan took her hand and led her to the backyard. They waved at a few school friends they passed by along the way. They were the cool kids that hung out with Marlon most of the time. She was surprised to see some bookish kids there too.
The pool was a different scene. There were half drunk party goers getting everything wet around the area. Some were inside the water, some were sitting by with their drinks. They could smell weed mixed with cigarette and barbeque.
People tend to be loud when they drink, everyone seem to know everyone else and these people were not school kids, they were older. The pool house was packed with a group of guests who seemed very familiar with the house, or maybe the host. They were definitely Marlon’s tribe from the city.
She hadn’t seen Marlon yet, but she was hungry and the food looked good. Caterers and waitresses scattered around delivering food and drinks, security guards were also standing by providing a sense of safety and control.
“Hey … look over here,” Jan tapped her shoulder. She had her phone up for a selfie. “Let’s check in on Instagram let people know where we are,” she said. They posed.
Hazel was already on her second cup of whiskey cola. It was the drink that was supplied endlessly throughout the night, the bar was provided for special request drinks that was serving non-stop. With that rate, everyone would be wasted in no time, Hazel thought.
“Don’t look now … but there’s a guy that’s been eyeing you since we walked out here,” Jan whispered to Hazel’s ear as they were grabbing some food from the buffet table.
“Really?” Hazel thought it was absurd since everyone looked so busy with how drunk they’re trying to be.
“Yeup … and he’s coming over here,” Jan added.
“Shit,” Hazel was not prepared for an interaction with some random guy at a party.
“Hi … I don’t believe we’ve met … are you friends with the host?” the guy was half stumbling toward the buffet table.
Hazel looked at him, his face was blushing probably from the alcohol he’d been drinking. He wasn’t bad looking, he was quite good looking actually, but he was obviously drunk.
“Yeah, I’m Marlon’s friend from school,” she said not invitingly in any way.
His eyes were nailed on her face, he was looking at her as if he was looking at something that amazed him, “Whoaa … right, Marlon’s at school now, I almost forgot about that …” he chuckled, “I’m Dennis,” he stretched his hand for a shake, “And you are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
Jan took a sharp glance at the guy with the corner of her eye, this drunken fool was trying out his pick-up lines.
“Hazel,” she simply said and shook his hand timidly.
“Hazel … I like your name … I’m a family friend … we knew each other since he was practically a baby,” he laughed lightly. “Did you come here alone?”
Hazel grabbed Jan by the arm, “No, actually, this is my best friend Jan.”
Jan forced a little smile and acknowledged him with a nod.
Dennis’s eyes were still focused on Hazel and made her a bit uncomfortable, “So … no boyfriend?” he smiled.
Hazel didn’t answer him, she proceeded to put more food on her plate. There was an aggressive aura coming from Dennis, and he was definitely a lot older than she was.
“I’m sorry … am I coming on too strong? It’s just that … I think you’re so beautiful I had to come here and say hello,” he said.
Hazel smiled, “Thanks … but maybe you just had a little too much to drink.”
Dennis laughed, “Don’t we all … well you would too after a couple of hours at a Reynolds party … would you like something to drink? I can get one for you, they have a long line at the bar, but I have a fast pass,” he grinned.
Jan tugged Hazel’s skirt. It was a signal not to accept his offer to get her a drink. Who knows what a guy like that would put in her drink.
“No, thanks, I’m good,” Hazel said.
“Or … do you prefer other stuff? We have those too,” he was persistent.
Hazel looked at him briefly, “No … I don’t do drugs if that’s what you’re offering.”
Dennis threw his hands up, “Wow … a beautiful girl who doesn’t do drugs and alcohol … are you sure you’re friends with Marlon?”
“Hey! Back off, Dennis, don’t harass my guests,” a voice came from behind him.
Marlon emerged with a girl in his arm, it was Mandy. Hazel recognized her from the picture on Marlon’s phone. They looked like a gorgeous couple and slightly drunk as well.
As soon as Marlon came through, he let go of Mandy and leaned over to kiss Hazel on the cheek. “I was starting to wonder where you are … don’t listen to this idiot, is he harassing you?”
They laughed it off casually, but all eyes were on Hazel now.
“You look gorgeous,” Marlon said. His tipsy eyes fell on her softly with a smile.
“Oh thanks … this is one hell of a party … I hope you don’t mind I’m helping myself with food,” she giggled.
“No … not at all … please … help yourself … in the mean time, let me drag this guy away and let you eat in peace,” Marlon pulled Dennis’s arm and they were laughing it out.
Mandy gave a sharp look at Marlon and raised her brows.
“Oh … yess … Hazel, Jan … this is Mandy … and Mandy, this is Hazel and Jan,” Marlon introduced the girls which he almost didn’t do.
They shook hands.
Mandy was a lot prettier than her pictures, and the curves of her body would make any girl envious. She looked like a girl that any guy would want to hit on anywhere she went. The kind of girl that any guy would describe as ‘Hot’.
“I’m Marlon’s girlfriend,” she announced.
Hazel smiled, “I know … he told me all about you.”
“He did?” she looked surprised and turned to Marlon with a wide smile. “Good things I hope,” she added.
Marlon wrapped his arm on Mandy’s waist and gently pulled her away, “Well … we’ll leave you to it … we’ll be at the pool house if you want to join us later … get some drinks at the bar, dance, or whatever you want,” Marlon winked at Hazel.
“Sure,” she replied. “See you later.”
“Nice to meet you, Hazel, we’ll talk later?” Dennis said.
Marlon shoved Dennis as they walked away. The last thing Hazel saw before she turned back to her food was Mandy’s tongue inside Marlon’s mouth.