One
TORI
School was out, summer classes had yet to begin, and I was ready to dance my worries away.
As I passed through the secured entrance, I closed my eyes, enjoying the sense of relief rushing through me. After spending weeks studying with my nose down in my notes, this was exactly what I needed—to be free from the weight of it all.
My grades may not have been the highest, but they were good enough to graduate next year. I could worry about my future beyond college once my super senior year started in the fall. Most of my acquaintances had already moved away, soon after their commencements, leaving me here to suffer my way through my fifth year in college. Everyone who stayed behind knew that summer classes were designed to be quick and easy. Not even the professors wanted to waste these gorgeous days inside.
Taking in a deep breath, I rolled my shoulders, feeling the tinsel on the pads tickling my bare arms. Letting it all out, along with my stress, I opened my eyes and scanned the party.
The “Beyond the Stars” Summer Rave was in full blast with its space-themed decorations and set-up. Multi-colored, glowing, star-shaped lights streamed from every direction as blown-up UFOs floated above the crowd, appearing as if they were abducting the guests with their beams of light. The attendees were jamming to electronic music blaring into the night sky. Everyone was dressed to impress, each equipped with a unique interstellar costume for the night. Tonight’s costume contest came with a large prize to be won, and from what I could tell, the competition would be stiff.
A quick check of my smartwatch told me that Kaylie hadn’t arrived yet. I sighed. My best friend was always late for these things. She spent too much of her time trying to make sure that she looked perfect, so much so that she lost track of time or who she was meeting up with. I wasn't going to let her ruin my night. Besides, if she turned up after the contest was over, she was one less person for me to compete against. I may have had some money, but I was poor compared to her fortune. I wouldn't be surprised if she hired a designer to customize her outfit for tonight.
There was no use in wasting time waiting for her, especially when there was no guarantee she’d show up. I typed a quick message, asking her where she was. There. I was the responsible one. She couldn’t say that I didn’t try.
Exotic scents assaulted my nose as I pressed into the dense crowd, trying to get away from the smokers enjoying themselves along the fenced border. Covering my nose with my arm, I tried to filter out the thick smog billowing from them as the wind blew it into the dancing mass of people.
I couldn’t complain, though; I knew that smoking was allowed in designated locations at outdoor events like this. Any type of musical festival was a hub for booze, drugs, and smoking. It gave attendees an excuse to get wild and lose themselves to the music. Some guests took it too far by having sex in the public areas. That was why I now only attend government-sanctioned events. Still fun, but more relaxed.
As I made my way through the crowd, I spotted many women wearing their versions of a sexy Star Trek uniform, only in colors that weren’t normally available. Neon, tye-dye, ombré colors, and even some dresses had mesh on the sides where the black stripe should be. Instead of the mini skants the women in the Star Trek franchise wore, these skirts barely covered anything. Which was fine—this was a beach after all, and their costumes covering more than what bikinis would—but I didn’t find their outfits at all original. These definitely wouldn’t place in the contest tonight.
Amazingly, many folks had coordinated their costumes as a group. Sailor Moon was a popular theme, along with many attempts at sexy silver space suits partnered with aliens of all shapes and forms.
Someone bumped into me and grabbed my arm before I had a chance to trip and fall.
I turned around to confront the person. “Hey . . .” Words failed me as I stared at the culprit.
“Hey, baby,” the shirtless, brunette man purred, licking his lips as his eyes trailed along my body. “When did you crash land on this planet? Because you are definitely out of this world.”
“Just a few minutes ago.” I glanced at his grip on my arm and gave it a quick tug. He instantly released me, throwing his hands up in the universal gesture for surrender. “I’m sorry. I didn’t catch your name.”
He shot me a quick smirk. “Clayton, but my friends call me Clay.” He lowered his hands as his eyes lingered on my chest for a moment. “But you can call me anything you want, babe.”
Internally, I rolled my eyes at his arrogant flirting. Any other night, I might dump his ass and keep walking. A quick look at my smart watch told me Kaylie hadn’t responded—as usual—leaving me to fend for myself. I didn’t mind meeting new people, chilling with them, and exchanging numbers if we clicked. Hell, that was how I met Kaylie and my ex.
I wouldn’t be doing that again.
Nope.
I was happy to be friends with male ravers and hook up with them when the time was right, but I would never date a raver again. The whole point of a music festival was to enjoy yourself with acquaintances, no strings attached. Every raver I’d ever dated hadn’t wanted to stick by my side at events, to dance, make out, and have fun as a couple. Instead, they’d acted as if they were single, making out with girls and grinding on them without a care. And yet, whenever I’d danced with my girls or gay guy friends, jealousy had reared its ugly head, and each one had caused a scene.
If Clay was willing to hang out with me for the night, we could have a good time. As soon as he showed any signs of being a jerk, however, I planned to ditch him. After all, we hadn’t come here together as a pair. I was under no obligation to go home with him if I didn’t want to.
“Clay sounds fine to me.” I gave his costume a once-over. He was wearing a shirtless NASA uniform with blue shorts that had a big NASA Rocket Launch Pad patch right above his crotch. And I could tell by the smoldering look he was giving me and his choice of attire, he clearly believed he’d nabbed a one-night stand, or at least someone he could have fun with for the night.
He leaned forward, his lips next to my ear. “And what might your name be?”
Deciding to entertain him and play along, I traced one of his pectorals. “What do you think it should be?”
“I can call you Nova, for now,” he replied, pulling away. “But I hope to catch your real name before the end of the night.”
“Perhaps,” I chuckled and pressed my hands to his chest, giving him a playful shove. “If you can keep up.”
“That sounds like a challenge,” he purred with heated eyes. “Good thing I always win.”
“Now’s the time you’ve all been waiting for!” The energetic host announced at full volume into the sound system. “All beauties who believe they have what it takes to win, come to the stage.”
Clay’s hands tightened on my hips before he released me. “I guess this means that I have to let you go.”
“You make it sound like I won’t be returning.”
“Not after you win.” He frowned. “Everyone will want to dance with the hottest chick here.”
I rolled my eyes. “Well, I’ll have to win first.” I tugged on my space fairy top, exposing more of the top of my breasts, before doing a quick twirl. “How do I look?” I asked over my shoulder, shaking my ass toward him as my hair smacked my rainbow LED wings, the lights shimmering on their surface.