Brenna

I kick off my shoes as Shea drags me to the dance floor with everyone else. Alternative-punk-rock-ish music pounds over the speakers, making it difficult to think. However, if there's one thing I can think about, it's how sore my feet are.

Shea stops halfway to the dance floor, frowning. "You're not dancing in bare feet, are you?"

I glare at the heels beneath our table. "Well, no way in fuck am I wearing heels. My feet are sore."

He holds up one finger and leaves me loitering beside the dance floor. Over my shoulder, I watch as Shea rummages through the bag he and Jayden brought. Well... Jayden brought it. But he said Shea helped him plan it.

As he's doing so, there's a shit-eating grin on his face. It makes me suspicious. Plus, I can't see what he's pulling out of the bag. All I'm getting is a sideview of his face. Which means I don't see what he hides under his suit jacket as he turns around.

Shea walks toward me, and I can't help but analyze the swagger his posture holds. Although he doesn't mean to, he oozes confidence and quality. His shoulders are thrown back and the light his his jaw and cheekbones, creating a stark contrast against the peachy undertones of his skin.

Plus, he just looks hotter than hell in a suit. When he makes the NHL, I'll be looking forward to those slow-motion shots when he's walking to the locker room. You can bet, no matter what team drafts him, I'll be watching. Even if it's the Boston Bruins.

He joins me, still wearing that shit-eating grin.

I eye his jacket. Beneath his hand, there's an outline of something. His hand obscures it fairly well, though, so I can't figure out what it is.

Tugging at his tie, I ask, "What's under the suit jacket."

His grin broadens. From his suit jacket, he pulls a pair of red dollar store quality flip-flops.

A gasp escapes my lips, and I grab the shoes. "Shea!"

He chuckles as I slide the shoes on. "I'll never know what it's like to wear heels, but they don't look comfortable. There's a pair of flip-flops in the bag for each of you."

After I've slide the shoes on, I throw my arms around him. "Thank you so much, Shea. These are a life-saver." I shift my weight from one leg to the other, testing the support. They're pretty good. Better than my heels, that's for sure!

His hand rests on my lower back, and I breathe in his cologne. It reminds me of cedar with a hint of spice and laundry detergent. I can hear the smile in his voice as he speaks. "You're welcome. Jayden came up with the idea. I thought about correlating the colours with your dresses. None of you should have to suffer all night."

Just as I'm about to kiss him, Jayden grabs our arms. "Come on, lovebirds. You've got an entire summer to spend together. KJ needs the group ASAP. His words, not mine."

Shea and I exchange a glance as we follow Jayden through the crowd. The dance floor smells of sweat, perfume, cologne, and teenager. It's not pleasant.

When we arrive, everyone is there: KJ and Ella, Hunter and Willa, Evren, Catina, Nick, Drew, and then the three of us. We're occupying the corner of the dance floor, and we watch as KJ removes a flask from his suit jacket's pocket.

Ella's mouth drops open. She smacks his bicep. "Kaleb! There's alcohol in there. You know what happens if we're caught?"

He twists the lid from the metallic flask. "To new beginnings." Then he brings it to his lips and takes a shot. His face twists into an unpleasant expression. He coughs slightly. "Damn. That tastes like goddamn moonshine."

KJ holds the flask out to Willa. After raising the flash and saying, "To bright futures," she takes the shot without flinching.

Everyone takes their turn, making toasts and either choking on the moonshine or downing it with ease. There's no in between.

Hunter passes it to me like it's some kind of sacred torch, and I have to admit it feels like that. It feels like we're making a pact only our group will remember. Even if our toasts are cliché, there's something special in this moment.

Before taking my shot, I glance at Shea and say, "To promises."

The liquid is like fire. It burns going down my throat, but it makes warmth spread across my chest. I cough a few times, glaring at KJ. "What the hell is in this flask?"

KJ grins. "Whisky."

I make a gagging noice. "I hate whisky."

"Wimp," KJ snorts.

Ignoring his jab, I pass the flask to Shea. His hazel eyes are bittersweet, which means he must have a great toast to make. My heart doesn't want to hear it. I'm scared he'll break me. But the rest of me does. I'm curious to know.

A shit-eating grin splits his face. "Drink up, assholes."

While Shea takes his shot, everyone is dying of laughter, including me. His toast was so... so Shea. Fearless and filled with his smart-ass, dry sense of humour. Shea knows how to play moments like these. The bittersweet ones and the awkward ones; the ones where you're on the brink of change and don't know how to react.

He slips his arm around my shoulder and pulls me flush against his body. His lips find my temple, and I can smell the lingering alcohol on his breath. I'm sure he can smell it on mine, too. Let's hope no one suddenly brings out a breathalyzer. Otherwise, we're fucked.

The thought makes me giggle. Who cares if we're kicked out? We could go to that taco place downtown. I'm sure someone's older brother or a relative works there. They'd let us in. 

I rest my head against Shea's chest, watching the flask be passed around again. Everyone is smiling and laughing, their faces flushed and young. It's amazing to watch, to feel the way my heart and mind long to remember this moment. To engrave it in the back of my head until the next time we see each other.

We've spent thirteen years growing up in the same environmental. Just over a decade where we spent our days working for shopping money and complaining about pre-calculus homework. Where we all grouped together to face a common enemy. Played hockey together and showed the promising power of friendships and love. We were a force to be reckoned with.

One that's now ready to say goodbye and begin a new era.

I press my cheek harder into Shea's chest. His arms wrap around my body. He rests his chin atop my head.

This is a moment we'll never forget.