Chapter 89
“You really think this is gonna work?” Ashley asked as Bailey caked concealing makeup on her porcelain skin.
“I mean, it’s looking good so far. But, before we head to Connor’s place, we will get you some contacts and a sexy wetsuit so you can enjoy the pool if you want.” Bailey was trying to keep the mood upbeat and positive, but she really wasn’t super optimistic that they would be able to hide Ashley’s transformation for much longer. If nothing else, the Top Seed broadcast would out her soon enough.
“I doubt I’ll go swimming. Hopefully, there will be some non-water activities. If not, I can always leave early.”
“Stop moving your lips, you’re making it hard to get you ready. Plus, you’re really bumming me out. Come on! It’s our first house party as a group. This is gonna be a blast.” Bailey was almost finished, and she wanted to end on an upbeat note.
“Okay. You’re right,” Ashley piggybacked on Bailey’s sentiment to psych herself up for the day.
“Besides, people won’t judge you even if they do find out. We’ve all dealt with emerging powers that we can’t control. You just get to do it twice. Okay. All done,” Bailey didn’t allow Ashley to interject before spinning her chair around to see the end result in the bathroom mirror.
Ashley was ecstatic. Aside from her freaky green-veined eyes, you couldn’t even tell her skin had changed at all to look like she had contracted some kind of digital virus. As long as she avoided skin-to-metal contact all day, she could probably get away with no one finding out before she was ready. She looked back at Bailey, “Thank you, Bails. Really. Now go get dressed! If we aren’t turning all the heads at this house party, something has gone, like, dramatically wrong.”
Bailey giggled. “I wouldn’t worry. You clearly haven't seen the new bikini I ordered yesterday.”
***
When Ken arrived at Connor’s place in the late afternoon, the festivities were in full swing. The house itself was incredible. Built into the side of a large hill, or small mountain, Connor’s place was massive and modern. The entry was on the top floor, and the outdoor areas were located outside the two bottom levels. Ken walked over to the entryway window and looked down to see all of the house’s levels as if you were on the top tier of an eight-layer cake. There was an infinity pool on the second lowest level that flowed over the side like a waterfall into another infinity pool on the lowest level that flowed over the side and off the edge of the cliff. The whole mansion was excessive yet private. June and Jax walked up behind Ken and looked over his shoulder to witness the opulent yard, deck, and pool areas just as someone jumped off of a high jump from one of the middle levels and into the ground floor pool.
“Woah,” Jax allowed the dumbfounded expression to slip out.
“Yeah,” June agreed. “I thought Connor’s dad was a car mechanic. Are all houses in Meta-Eden this nice?”
“No. I do not believe so,” Ken answered. “I am confident that this is unique.”
“Well, duh.” Jax laughed at the obvious observation. “Where is Connor anyway? Let’s head down and find our host.”
The minute the threesome stepped outside to descend the winding wooden stairs to the lower decks, the booming bass of loud beats overwhelmed Ken. It dawned on him that there must be some sound-dampening meta-tech at play because there was no trace of the sound either in the driveway or inside the foyer.
“Impressive,” Jax mouthed.
“What?” June tried to yell over the music, but failed. Ken looked at her quizzically. “I couldn’t hear what my brother said,” she tried again.
This time Ken got the gist of what she was saying, “Oh. Yes. It is quite loud,” he shouted back.
“What?” June shouted back.
It was at this moment that Ken realized the futility of trying to have a conversation in this spot. There was no way that the music could be this loud down at the pool. It must be for effect; to get people in the mood. Turnt up, as he had heard it described on not a few occasions. Ken gestured down the stairs and began walking, checking over his shoulder to make sure the twins were still behind him. There was quite a crowd. When Connor invited the dorm to this party, Ken had assumed it would be just for the Top Seed contestants. He was clearly mistaken in that assumption. The place was packed with up-and-coming Heralds that he recognized from local teams around the midwest and it seemed like every Meta-Eden townie had shown up to hang with Connor and meet his new celebrity friends.
Stolen novel; please report.
On their journey to the bottom floor, they passed scantily clad, muscle-bound people making out along the railings, standing in circles smoking various substances and laughing, women in bikinis laughing and dancing while equally attractive men tried to grind on them from behind, and other various activities that signified a great party. All surfaces were cluttered with red plastic cups, shedded clothing layers, ashtrays, rolled-up bills, and white powdery substances.
When they finally reached the second to last patio area that had the first of the two pools, the volume of the music decreased enough to have a conversation. It was still louder than Ken liked, but on that, he expected he held the minority opinion.
“What were you saying up there?” June shouted over the bass-y tune.
“I believe we were going in circles,” Ken answered, finally loud enough to be heard by his compatriots. “I was merely asking what you were saying until I realized that you were asking what I was saying.”
June began to laugh, “Who’s on first?”
Jax got the joke and politely chuckled, while a confused Ken looked on.. “I do not believe I understand your question… or the reference,” he said.
“Clearly,” June shook her head with a big smile. I think there is a bar inside, lets go get something to drink.” she pointed to the left where a wall of doors was completely open to reveal a massive indoor/outdoor space. Inside was a pool table, a ping pong table setup for beer pong, a small dance floor, and a bar along the far wall. While just outside the open wall was a hug lounge area with a sectional, a firepit, a huge grill, and a massive T.V. that was playing highlights from the War Games challenge. Further out from the house was the pool surrounded by hardscape that had about two dozen lounge chairs on which barely clothed people lay, sunning themselves. Ten or so people floated around the massive pool, while two couples were playing chicken in the shallow end.
The trio made their way inside, where Bobby stood behind the bar pouring drinks. He had an ebullient look on his face as if he was finally in his happy place. As they approached the bar, he spotted them and shouted a greeting, “Ah, the power trio has arrived. I was just about to make a toast for those who are in danger of going home this week, but maybe that would be a little too exclusive considering your current places on the leaderboard, eh? What will you all have?”
“What’ve you got?” June inquired.
“There is this really cool top shelf on the bar that provides a bottle of anything I ask for. Connor showed me how to use it when I got here. So, really, I can make any mixed drink you can think of.”
“Far out!” Jax exclaimed. Those around stopped what they were doing and looked at the young black man quizzically.
“Did you grow up in Los Angeles… in the 70s?” Bobby joked. “But yes, it's totally tubular, dude.”
“I’m in the mood for something fruity and tropical,” June went on. “Maybe a Pina Colada?”
“Okay, a Rupert Holmes for the pretty lady. And her two strapping beaus?”
Jax didn’t know many alcoholic drinks as he was never much of a partier, and Ken didn’t drink at all.
“I am the designated driver,” Ken pointed out, “so I would like a soda water and lime, please.”
“Sure thing!” Bobby acknowledged. “And you, Borealis? Maybe a Northern Lights? Or an Aurora Bliss?”
Jax had never heard of either of those, but hearing his sister’s order ignited a craving for something cold and tropical. “Naw, as good as those sound, I think I’d like a daiquiri”
“Okay, a Rupert Holmes, a fizzy sipper, and an adult smoothie, coming right up.” As Bobby made the three drinks, their group was joined by a few more familiar faces. Joel and Athena emerged from the bathroom nearby, disheveled and holding hands. Joel had a goofy look on his face that led one to surmise that they had just indulged in certain sexy taboo activities. Just as they arrived at the bar, Bailey emerged from the pool, dripping wet and looking fine as hell. Joel’s jaw dropped, mouth agape and his hand started to go slack. Athena, noticing his reaction to seeing the actress, tightened her own grip, prompting him to close his mouth and link his fingers with hers. He hoped no one noticed the lapse. The last thing he needed was people questioning the new iter-team relationship.
Bailey hadn’t noticed anyone inside yet as she walked over to the sitting area just outside the rec room, grabbed her towel, and wrapped it around her waist. When she finally looked inside at the bar she noticed her friends and waved, nudging whoever was sitting on the sectional next to her facing away from the house. Ashley’s face appeared over the pillows of the sofa, and nodded at the group.
“Someone wanna go get the girls' orders while I take care of all of ours?” Bobby asked the currently assembled group. He was not surprised at who volunteered.
“Sure thing,” Jax said with a smile. “Be right back!” And then he bounded over to the outdoor sitting area to do as he was asked. As he did so, he drew attention to the pool area, where an interesting scene had just begun.
Ralph, donning nothing but a yellow and pink tiger print speedo, had climbed up on a boulder and was currently flexing. “Behold the U.F.O. The unbelievably sexy falling object,” he shouted just before jumping off the rock into the upper pool. Ralph tucked his knees up to his chest in mid-air to ensure the largest splash possible. Some onlookers laughed and clapped, while a few sunbathers scoffed and booed as they were doused against their will with salt water.
Once Ralph had surfaced, Bobby waved him over as well. “It’s shots time, buddy!,” he yelled, “Get your surprisingly tight ass over here.” Ralph nodded and spit out a stream of water like a cherub or fish on one of those old Italian fountains.
Once everyone was toweled off and collected around the bar, Bobby made a toast, “As you all know there is a very large chance that I may not be here come next week.” The group’s faces also showed varying degrees of sadness. “Now, now, don’t worry, I’ll be fine no matter what. But what I wanted to say is that I’ll be rooting for each and every one of you to beat those All-star dickheads, no offense Olympian.”
“Some taken,” the imposing Greek skeptically quipped.
“Uh huh,” Bobby went on, “So, on that note, let’s take a break, smell the roses, and let loose. Let’s have an eventful night. Let’s make tonight the best night ever!”
With a cheer, they all clinked their glasses and downed the shots that their vulnerable friend had poured for them. And the party would be quite the rager, indeed, during which an old flame would be reignited, a new relationship would go off the rails, and unaired issues would threaten to tear siblings apart. Eventful wouldn’t even begin to describe tonight’s party. It would be a bash to remember - an epic fucking soiree, indeed.