Chapter 671: 20:00

Sunday, March 12th, Evening

(Deb Lee's Beach House)

The party that she's hosting would be starting soon. Brett found herself on the porch looking out upon the ocean. The waves lapped against the shore and took away a little of the beach with every surge and retreat.

Brett leaned forward and rested her arms on the railing. The ocean is time and everything must bow to the unrelenting beast that is time. Brett knew her life was changing; she'll be enrolled at Norte Dame in only a few months. Her friends would be at different universities. These were the last days of their lives as they knew them.

Secretly, Brett was scared; she didn't know if everything she wanted would be worth it. Auntie Tall was still close to her high school friends, which included Brett's mom, her stepmom, and AP, among others. Brett wasn't sure that would or could happen with Avril and Baylee; it was too early. But on the other hand, it would be good to meet new people and be in new places.

The beach was dark as there was little light out there. The lights on the back of the beach house gave off the only illumination. The midnight blue skies covered the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The sky was this midnight blue blanket; millions of pinpricks only pierced that. She looked out at the millions of stars and wondered if any ships were out there on the ocean's waves.

The wind picked up from the sea. Brett's red hair danced in the fingers of the wind. Fate or karma seemed to be on the wind.

Brett smiled; one of the stories that her Daddy Huck told her was about the Greek goddess Nemesis, the personification of retribution. The daughter of night and darkness. She would head down to Earth and balance the books. The smile on Brett's face became wicked as she knew something wicked was coming to town.

(Deb Lee's Beach House)

The doorbell chimed, and Baylee moved to answer the door. When she reached the door, she paused to catch her breath and center herself. After that was accomplished, Baylee opened the door.

"Hey! Welcome to the party, Y'all," Baylee said.

"Thank you," Alexis Mourn, a close friend and a junior, said, entering the beach house and hugging Baylee.

"Hey, Bay," Shepherd, Alexis's boyfriend, said as he entered, hugging Baylee.

The third person entered, and Baylee attacked them with a bear hug and a powerful kiss. Alexis and Shepherd watched as Baylee and Parker, Baylee's paramour, made out. When they broke apart, Baylee looked at Parker.

"Is your brother watching us?" Baylee asked.

"Yes, Shep is watching us," Parker said.

"Well, forget him," Baylee said with a laugh.

"But, Bay, darling, will we stand in the door all night?" Parker asked.

Baylee ran her finger through Parker's short spikey hair. Baylee studied Parker's face and ran her finger along Parker's jawline. Her eyes were bright and mischievous as she gazed upon Parker.

"No, we're not going to stand in the door all night," Baylee said.

"I thought so," Parker said, teasing.

"We'll be in the bedroom later," Baylee purred.

"Ehhum!" Shepherd said.

"Oh, you make me forget there were others," Baylee said.

"I know what you mean, but it's Shep," Parker said.

"Yeah," Baylee said, letting go of Parker and turning to look at Shepherd and Alexis, "follow me for the drinks."

"Now, we're talking," Shepherd said.

"Take it easy, Shep," Alexis said.

"I will," Shepherd said as Baylee led them into the kitchen.

(Wilmington International Airport)

After kissing Fallon, Grant passed through security; once cleared, he walked across the terminal to his gate. Grant took a seat and got comfortable. He pulled out his smartphone to text Fallon that he was waiting for his flight. He noticed there was a message for him. Grant opened it.

Alex: Are you back yet?

Grant: No! But I'm coming back tonight.

Alex: Oh, okay! Get drinks tonight?

Grant: Busy; how about lunch at my office Tuesday?

Alex: That's fine.

Grant: What's wrong?

Alex: 1 Sec

Grant watched as the phone went blank. Eventually, the three dots appeared for a moment. After a minute, the dots stopped and disappeared. Grant sighed and looked away to see the aircraft he would be flying in taxied towards the gate. The dots reappeared as Grant looked returned to his smartphone.

Alex: I heard the tension has gone down in Waldenburg.

Grant: That's good.

Alex: I want to try to go and do a show there.

Grant: Let's talk about it at lunch.

Alex: Okay, but be aware that I heard Willy is coming to New York.

Grant: Okay, I've never met him.

Alex: You're not missing much.

The airline called to start boarding. Grant picked up his smartphone and stood up. He punched in a message, headed to the counter, and got online.

Grant: Called to board, texted when I land.

Alex: Okay.

(River Walk)

As the lights of the day faded and the night started to grip this part of the Earth. Noah sat on a bench overlooking the Cape Fear River. He pulled his coat against the chilly wind coming off the river.

Noah snorted and dug into his jacket packet. He pulled out his smartphone and looked through some of the pictures. Finally, he sighed and was about to put his phone away. Noah was thinking about his way home and where he would stop off for food. His phone rang, and Noah saw the name Shay.

"Hey, Shay," Noah said.

"Noah, what did you do?" Shay asked.

"What do you mean?" Noah asked.

"After, whatever you did at the Skate Park, Chase chewed my ass out," Shay said.

"Sorry, Shay," Noah said.

"Chase is pissed off," Shay said.

"Aren't sisters supposed to be pissed at their little brothers?" Noah asked.

"Noah, you're not getting it; Chase decided for shits and giggles to destroy a woman's reputation our senior year and did it. It wasn't so much a coup as a social and public execution," Shay said.

"What did she do?" Noah asked.

"Caused a brawl, and then that girl got into a car accident," Shay said.

"I don't believe it," Noah said.

"You better be glad it wasn't Izzy," Shay said.

"What do you mean?" Noah asked.

"Not here," Shat said, "Where are you?"

"The River Walk, why?" Noah asked.

"I'm picking you up," Shay said.

"Okay," Noah said as Shay disconnected the call. Noah shook his head and sat on the bench in the cold.

(Deb Lee's Beach House)

The car that Mina chose pulled into an area to park near the beach house. The three girls got out of the back seat eagerly. Mina followed them and stopped them before they went inside.

"Okay, I'll be out here; my phone is charged; if you need help, come get me, text or call," Mina said.

"Okay," LK said.

"Sure, Mina," Keni said.

"Thanks, Mina," Sawyer said.

"Have fun and be safe," Mina said.

The three girls walked towards the beach house. Once they got to the door, Sawyer opened it, and they walked in. There was music already playing and people standing around.

Keni was the first to peel off. She headed over toward where the drinks were. Sawyer looked around and went to where Kier Hammels stood with his friends.

LK kept going towards the kitchen. The music was loud, but she seemed to tolerate it well. She knew most of the people; not only did LK know their names but their faces. She decided to drop her head and find peace out on the porch. Outside, LK stood at the railing and looked out into the darkness. Sawyer and Keni joined LK at the rail a moment or two later. LK didn't look away.

"You found me," LK said.

"Yeah," Keni said and took a sip of her drink.

"Why did you find me?" LK asked.

"We still have to do our Live," Sawyer said.

"But you went to talk to someone," LK said, unsure who.

"I was telling them I'd meet up with them later," Sawyer said.

"Okay," LK said.

Sawyer smiled, "Well, let's do it," she said.

"Let's," Keni said.

Sawyer took out her smartphone and started the stream.