The StarKids Academy

2| Bash and Bang

At one in the morning, the party smells of drugs, alcohol, and sweat. By then, the DJ has only changed the tunes and appears in the position to carry on for another couple of hours without complaints. People are still mingling with each other. I watch as the young and budding actresses try hard to get the attention of those in power with similar ambition and hope in their hearts. Some of them try to show off their 'plastic assets' in hope that it might lure the forty or something p*****t for a man to bed and beg them for a chance on the big screen.

The men of power appear to enjoy all of it. It appears to soothe their ego knowing that they are still appealing, desired, and wanted by the decade-old generation. All of them seem eager to ignore the bitter fact that it isn't them, but their identity and connections which are wanted.

I sit away from all of it. Aloof and calm, enjoying my own company and watching the night taking over. It is what I prefer after the endless hook-up lines and suggestive gestures I have been through during past hours. I am tired, exhausted can be a better word and desire to be left alone.

It has been a long day and I am both physically and mentally drained out. I cannot believe how fast things change. Almost in a snap! Just some hours ago, I was all jittery, nervous, and excited about the whole thing.

I had happily gone around talking, dancing, and flirting with strangers, enjoying their company. Throughout the night, I have tasted every single delicacy served.

Now, here I am, standing around 200 meters above the ground level, observing the customary rituals of the 'exclusive party' and judging it like a bloody hippo.

The Penthouse Suite is a wraparound terrace: exotic, massive, and dream-like which is already making me feel like Hollywood royalty. It is specially booked for the List-A guests. A three-bedroom suite with a private pool and jacuzzi, it seems to be specially designed for the people of the class who like to keep their private things private and away from the reach of paparazzi and unnecessary attention.

Unwind in complete luxury, the master bedroom is one of a kind that I have never even seen in my wildest dream.

From where I stand, I can almost see downtown L.A, Hollywood Hills, Rodeo Drive, and Century City. The shoreline is visible and is twinkling like studded diamonds in the dark sky. There are a couple of cruise ships and Yachts that look like floating islands from afar. Now and then a beam of ray would shoot up in the sky and spread over the darkness in a canopy of the spectrum.

A few others are parked near the beach while some are ready to be boarded. To my left, I spot a long queue of teenagers and couples. All of them holding a boarding slip in their hands. Maybe, an invitation to a yacht party.

The wind is chilly and refreshing. An exact mixture I needed to get my senses back. My stomach is full, yet I can neither stop drinking nor eating. Screw the body goals and diet plans! I don't get to eat such delicacies daily. I can manage with a few more extra pounds without regrets.

I giggle at the thought and gulp down the last bits of the drink. A tired sigh slips through my lips. It all feels like a dream and the fact that I never want to get up is making it a bit scary. Did I care? Not to the least!

'Magical! Isn't it?' A masculine voice whispers in my ears, startling me. It is slurred and seductive as the man snakes his arms around my waist and pulls me closer to his hard chest. I inhale his misty cologne and unconsciously wrap my hands over his, melting in his touch as I nod my affirmation, smiling an acknowledgment that, I know, would not be received.

The place is booked for Shawn Taylor. Yeah, Mr. Narcissist is with me! Unbelievable? Almost as indifferent to me.

Shawn is one of the few royal guests who were invited and have not grabbed an invitation through sources. He is best friends with the host, Christian Wilson, and owns a significant share in the place and party.

Shawn and I met a couple of hours ago through Therese and almost instantly clicked as if we have known each other for ages. We know our meeting and the connection wouldn't last longer than the night and it is totally s****l, but we have silently and mutually agreed to enjoy it and ignore the 'parting part' for the time being.

Although being a very reserved guy, Shawn seems to have taken an interest in me while I am enjoying his attention and envy of the girls who are ready to tear me into bits and pieces as soon as they can get their hands on me.

The first fifteen minutes after the introduction was a tad bit awkward as Shawn helped me with the drinks and snacks and made small talks about everything to nothing. Surprisingly, he never used any cheesy pickup lines or flirted with me like those lusting mongoose. Rather, in the sober state, he was more interested in knowing me personally as if I was some mystery he was looking forward to solving.

All of his efforts only make it easier for me to give in.

We talked about our likes and dislikes, taste in music, games, and other irrelevant stuff that I don't remember, but the conversation never ended. I deliberately concealed the 'unemployed' part while I felt as if Shawn was alert in sharing the details too which was completely fine, considering we had just met. Nonetheless, we had a lot in common which struck the chord and we ended up spending more time with each other.

Throughout the time, we only parted when either of us had to use the bathroom or receive a call. Even during that time, I never attempted conversation with anyone. I preferred staying alone and digging in the mouth-watering meals than putting up with excessive testosterone.

Anyhow, I am keeping the promise of 'taking the hottest guy in the room to bed' while Shawn seems to be scoring too. So, it is a win-win situation for both of us. For the night, we are a couple in love who are there to cherish and nourish each other. And no, we have not even exchanged the digits yet. (I am not going to! I am fleeing out of the place by the break of first dawn. I have been telling myself.)

'It's so peaceful here. I can live here all my life and never get bored of it. See that crescent moon looming over the ship. It's so heavenly! I can almost hear my soul talking.' I tell him, staring at the sky. I can already feel dizzy with alcohol mixing in the system. And the faster it melts, the lighter I feel.

'Hmm…I want to hear what your soul says, Kanda! Let me hear it screaming too.' Shawn hums seductively as he nibbles on my ear and pulls me closer to him. The dark sky, slow steady breeze, rhythm in the air, and the crescent moon—everything is too perfect to be real.

The clock has struck thirty past one. The party has just taken an upward swing, but both of us are already wasted and cannot wait to rip each other's clothes off, yet somehow things are going inadvertently slow and romantic. Astonishingly, I admire every second of it.

For a long time, we stood there, arms wrapped around each other and enjoying the warmth of each other's bodies. We do not talk. There isn't a need to fill up the silence. It is all very comfortable and cozy.

Then we start to sway. Our body moves in perfect synch as if it has picked up its own rhythm. The trumpet in the background is 'our music'. We move to the left and to the right. He circles me around and now I am facing him.

Our eyes peer into each other. They are talking, having a heartfelt conversation that doesn't need words. The one which is not possible with mere syllables, but needs the universal energy. His grey eyes are intense with emotion and passion while mine are seductive and inviting. I want him to touch me, take me. I want to feel the heat of his embrace, but he is not moving.

We stand still, looking at each other expectedly, waiting for the other one to make a move. None is ready to initiate. It's a battle of ego and a test of self-control. I traced his abs with my finger, teasing him. Our eyes are still locked and waiting in anticipation.

'What's next? I think-' I blurted out nowhere, eyeing a couple who were almost going naked and making out like nothing in the middle of the street. Looking at them, my throat patches dry and a sensation burns down the southern region.

Suddenly, the air feels heavy as my heartbeat accelerates and my breath turns to swallow. I cannot endure the heat any longer. If giving in is the only resort, I am in!

'I am doing it. I am going to do it with a stranger on the same night of my break up.' The realization was pushed back when Shawn answered me with his lips. His strong hands travel up to my face as he angles my face for more convenient access.

I easily give in. My toes are curled and my knees have turned wobbly. His lips are soft and sweet, but his hands are demanding as it roams around everywhere on my body. There is no space for us. No cloud of doubt and no need for clothes.

We are still dancing, the horizontal one! This time, I let him take the lead.