Normally, Sadie dolled herself up quite nicely for a party, especially one that Richie was hosting. This time would be different though, for two reasons. First, she didn't want anyone thinking she had lured a drunken Ace into a private place, only to tease him with no intention of delivering, causing him to use force. She would not allow any blame to be placed on her. Second, if tonight did go according to plan, she would need to be able to move freely. She pulled on the pair of jeans that she had worn on the day after the first incident. It seemed as though it had been a million years ago, while also seeming as though it had just occurred the day before. She completed the night's outfit with Richie's old Castle High Baseball shirt. He had played until he had dropped out the previous year. He had even been good. If he had stuck with it, he could have gotten a full ride to college. But of course he didn't. Chambers kids never stuck with anything but trouble. Sadie had watched him, though; her fingers in the chain link fence around the field. She had clapped and cheered for him with her girlfriends. She missed those moments; school seemed so much lonelier without him there. The worn out shirt was too long for her, and the tail hung down over the back pockets of her pants. She tied her hair back into a ponytail with her graceful fingers in a quick and carless way that only teenage girls and hair dressers can accomplish. She could hear Billy pacing the floor impatiently downstairs. It was time to go.

She bounded down the stairs, feeling surprisingly light-hearted. "Is that what you're wearing?" Billy asked, confused.

She smiled at him and nodded. She hadn't thought up a lie to explain herself, but she needn't worry. Billy had already lost interest in the subject and was headed out the door. As they were riding to Richie's, Billy glanced away from the road over to his sister for a moment. "Are you ok? You've been acting psycho all day."

"Yes." She answered quickly and quietly. "I've just had a lot on my mind. You wouldn't know a thing about that though, would you, William?" She stifled a chuckle in the back of her hand.

"Ha. Ha. Real funny. I could be as smart as you if I tried. I just think it's a real waste of time. Besides, maybe you'd think it was really funny if I kicked your ass out of the car and made you walk." His dark eyes focused back on the road. Sadie rolled her eyes at him and smiled to herself. She remained silent the rest of the way.

As the Chambers house came into view, Sadie's good mood faltered. Her breath was suddenly caught in her throat. She gulped to force it down. Her heart began to race. She was about to walk into the lion's den.

Neither of the Tessio kids bothered to knock. The party was in full swing by the time they got there. Sadie did not recognize as many faces as she had imagined she would. Kids from the surrounding three counties had shown up. Richie sauntered up to her, snaking his arm around her waist in that comforting way that he had. He kissed her cheek and she could smell alcohol on his breath, but he seemed to still be mostly sober. He looked her up and down and she braced herself for any comment he may make on her wardrobe.

"You got on my old shirt?" He smiled softly. "You look real nice in it, Sadie." He kissed her cheek again and then released her. He had a party to host. Sadie smiled as he wandered off. His unexpected sweetness had brought butterflies to her stomach.

She was quickly and unpleasantly snapped back to reality when a soothing, yet chilling, voice spoke to her. "It's gonna be a wild ride tonight, Sadie, baby." Ace spoke to her ear in a hushed whisper.

Sadie quickly stiffened and turned to face him. She then gained control of herself and smiled sweetly, "Yes, I think it will be, Ace." She said. Ace looked confused for a moment and then smiled back. He put the back of his hand on her cheek and stroked it. Her skin felt smooth and cool and she willed herself to allow him to do it. Eventually he pulled back away and walked off into the kitchen for another beer. Sadie's smile fell from her face and she scrubbed absently at her cheek with the tail of Richie's shirt.

Ace had been thrown momentarily by Sadie's behavior. He had expected her to squirm away and glower at him with those dark brown eyes of her's. Sometimes he wondered if there was enough hate in them to kill him. He quickly realized however, that she had simply come to her senses. Of course it had only been a matter of time. Ace was not a nobody. He was absolutely the best thing Castle Rock had to offer, especially to a pretty little thing like Sadie. He drank his current beer with more gusto. He would not need to have a level head to trick Sadie into being alone with him. She would go willingly.

Eyeball came up to Ace and slung an arm around his shoulders. "How ya doin', man?" He asked, a bright and genuine smile resting easily on his face.

"I'm doin' real good Eyeball." Ace said, smiling back at his friend. He couldn't wait until Chambers found out that his broad was lusting after Ace.

The night had only just begun, but by the time it was all over, Sadie would feel as though an entire year had gone by.