The week that followed was extremely strange. Quinn and Melissa were steering clear of one another. Tyler refused to share a table with Zane, Paul secretly enjoyed that. Paul also learned another animal assault occurred just outside the gala. This time the victim didn't make it. That was worrisome. This town wasn't used to having people die.
The teen also saw that their history teacher, Mr. Everald was constantly present, which he found somewhat unsettling. He couldn't help but to spot how Mr. Everald hovered around Delilah. They were always talking after class. A mental note was made in Paul's head to keep his eyes open when he was near his new history teacher.
There was also talk of someone stealing from the blood drive. He shrugged that last one off as a dumb rumor because why would anyone do that? Who would need blood?
Stealing blood would also be a dumb prank because it would hurt people. Aside from mischief, what other reason would there be to do such a thing?
This week's event was even more dreadful than the historical gala for Paul, it was Zane's birthday. Delilah was eager to host a party for him at Fireside’s. He had no desire to be there. Tyler roped him into going since Tyler also wanted to avoid it. However, he was made to attend because of his twin sister. At the very least, they could provide companionship for one another.
To make matters even worse the young men also were roped into helping with decorations. That was the work of Melissa. Her little brother Aiden was also present, moving as slow as possible. Paul assumed Aiden also didn't want to be there. Tyler and Paul approached him, “So Melissa made you help as well.”
"My theory is mind control," joked Tyler.
"What did she bribe you with?" Paul questioned Aiden.
"Uh she said I could come, and she wouldn't kick me out." He responded, "I just wanna check on some things."
Before the trio could complain again, the party was ready to start. People started to walk in and await the arrival of Zane the guest of honor. Delilah texted Melissa to let them know they were a few minutes away, so everyone could hide.
As the door swung open, the group yelled "Surprise!" Delilah was more enthusiastic than Zane, yet the birthday boy pretended remarkably well.
The gathering at The Fireside Tavern turned out to be quite enjoyable; delicious food, a bit of dancing, and all his friends attended. He was actually enjoying Zane's presence, something he'd never admit. As Paul talked with Delilah, he glanced over and noticed Aiden and Rhea seated in the corner. He went to check on the pair. He sat down at their table, "It's a party. You two can have some fun."
She responded, "I like chatting with Aiden. He is not like the fakes here."
"Well, I have to balance my own family's fakeness. It's a lot of work, but someone has to do it." Aiden jokingly boasted.
Paul took out his flask and handed it to Aiden. They chatted for a bit when he spotted his teammate Trevor talking with Kelley and Zane.
"When I get back, I'm dragging you both on the dance floor." Paul joked as he got up.
He walked over to the next table. It was time for him to move on from his ex and Kelley was really cute. When he sat at the table Trevor was teasing Zane. "You know next game you might have to finish it.”
"Oh yeah, does blood really freak you out that bad?" Paul asked.
Zane laughed and took a drink, "Yep. It either makes me faint or makes me puke.”
The table laughed. Zane excused himself to grab another drink and Trevor went with him. Seated alone were Paul and Kelley.
"I thought you were great in that game." she complimented.
"Thanks, I'm excited about the next one. As long as you guys are there to cheer us on." .
Kelley giggled, "Yes I'm told cheering makes or breaks the game.”
"That and when the coach makes a great half-time speech usually filled with a line from a musical.”
"No way really?" Kelley asked in disbelief.
Paul nodded, "Ask Trevor, he usually knows what musical.”
The two chatted for a few more minutes. Paul excused himself to go to the bathroom. While washing his hands, he stopped for a second so he could just breathe and be alone. The stall door opened and there was Zane. He walked over to wash his hands. It was a bit of an awkward moment at first. Paul broke the silence, "Having fun, birthday boy?"
Zane smiled. "Ya know what? Yeah. It's nice to settle down and actually make friends instead of moving around."
"Well, I want to say sorry for kind of being a dick at first. I guess I didn't handle stuff well."
"Look, man, I get it. I’d be standoffish too," Zane replied while drying his hands.
The two shook hands and buried the hatchet. It was a nice moment. Before they could let go, a stall door swung open to reveal a man. He was in his early twenties with a square jaw and blonde hair. He was covered in tattoos and wore all black.
He smirked, "You two do make a cute couple."
Before Paul could react, Zane lunged and punched him in the face. The men started to fight when Paul got in the middle of them. "Zane, who is this guy?"
"He's my brother." Zane responded coldly.
The commotion alerted Aiden and Rhea, so they came into the bathroom. "What's going on here?" asked Rhea.
"Yeah, we're fine," Zane said while grabbing his brother outside to talk.
Aiden and Rhea looked at Paul confused. Paul explained, "Apparently Zane has a brother, and I'm gathering they do not like each other."
Rhea shrugged it off and walked away to rejoin the party.
Aiden remarked, "There are a lot of new people coming around. I don't think they have the best intentions." He left to catch up with Rhea.
Paul went back to the party. His first priority was to grab food, so he did just that. French fries filled his plate when Delilah walked up to him, "Hey, have you seen Zane?"
"Yeah, he is having a chat with his brother. What's up with those two? Seems like a lot of bad blood there."
Delilah looked confused. "He didn't even mention a brother…..I'm going to go find him."
Delilah took her leave and Paul decided to go sit down and eat. He joined Beatriz and some other people to chat for a bit while he took a break.
About ten minutes later, Paul noticed Delilah rushing back into the tavern and going straight to the bathroom. She looked shook up. Paul wanted to go after her, but then he saw Zane go into the bathroom, so he stayed at the table. Overstepping seemed ill-advised right now.
He didn't see the pair for the rest of the night. Paul just figured they were having some relationship problems. So having fun became his only goal for the night. After some time, he went outside to get some air. While looking around, he noticed someone sitting on the ground with their back on a tree. He couldn't make out who it was.
It's not my responsibility. I'm not gonna end up playing babysitter to some random drunk person.
Paul went back inside. He spent the next 15 minutes dancing and having fun. The night continued, however flashing lights came from outside. Others saw as well and went outside to figure out what was happening.
A crowd had already formed so he couldn't really make out anything but an ambulance driving away. In the crowd he saw Nathan. "Hey man what happened?”
"No clue. Apparently they found a girl unconscious.”
Paul immediately felt guilty.