Cypriana Vance always knew how to make an entrance.
Even in her own bedroom.
Her mirror reflected the version of herself the world expected—perfect hair curled just enough, mascara sharp, lips glossy, and the new black mini skirt sitting high on her thighs like a statement.
Not a question.
A statement.
She popped her gum once, slow, watching herself with the kind of detached confidence that came from years of being looked at.
Downstairs, the sound of heels clicked across hardwood.
Her mother's voice floated up the staircase.
"Cypri? Baby, are you almost ready?"
Cypriana sighed, grabbing her small handheld camera from her dresser. It was old, slightly scratched, but it still worked. Still recorded.
Still proved she existed.
She headed downstairs.
Her mother stood near the doorway, already dressed like she was twenty-five instead of forty-two. Tight red dress. Gold hoops. Perfume heavy enough to announce her before she spoke.
Her mom looked Cypriana up and down, then smiled.
"Oh, you look… cute."
Cute.
Cypriana raised an eyebrow. "Cute?"
"I mean, hot. Whatever you kids say now."
Cypriana smirked faintly. "It's fine."
Her mother grabbed her purse, checking her reflection in the hall mirror.
"You going to the Montgomery party, right?"
"Yeah."
"That boy's family has money-money."
"Mom."
"What?" Her mother laughed, like Cypriana was being dramatic. "I'm just saying. Don't waste your time on losers. You're a Vance."
Cypriana almost laughed at that.
A Vance.
Like that meant something when it was just the two of them in a too-big house filled with silence and rotating strangers her mother brought home for a month before getting bored.
Her mother applied lipstick.
"You know, I'm meeting someone tonight too."
Cypriana's gaze flickered. "Another someone?"
Her mom ignored the edge in her voice.
"He's a bartender. Tall. Nice arms."
"Wow. Congrats."
Her mother finally looked at her, really looked.
"Don't be like that. I'm allowed to have fun."
Cypriana swallowed.
"So am I," she said quietly.
Her mom's expression softened for half a second.
"Just… be careful, okay?"
It sounded rehearsed. Like something mothers said because they were supposed to.
Cypriana nodded anyway.
Her mom kissed her cheek quickly, already halfway out the door.
"Text me if you need anything."
Cypriana watched her leave.
Then the house went quiet again.
Cypriana turned on her camera.
The red recording light blinked.
She pointed it at herself.
"Cypriana Vance," she said into the lens, voice playful. "About to go be iconic."
And then she left too.
The Montgomery house was already vibrating before she even stepped inside.
Bass thundered through the walls. Cars lined the street like a parade. Laughter spilled out into the night air.
Cypriana walked up the driveway like she owned it.
The moment she entered, heads turned.
Of course they did.
She lifted her camera immediately, filming.
"Okay, so," she narrated, walking through bodies and flashing lights. "Steve Montgomery throws the most insane parties. Like, if you're not here, you're basically dead."
Girls squealed in the background.
"Cypri!" someone shouted.
She swung the camera toward a group of cheer girls, all glitter and perfume and loud voices.
"Bitch!" one of them screamed, grabbing her.
Cypriana laughed, filming their faces, their drinks, the chaos.
This was the world she knew.
Noise. Attention. Heat.
She moved through the crowd, recording boys dancing badly, someone jumping off a couch, red cups everywhere.
Then—
Someone slammed into her.
Hard.
Her camera jolted.
"Whoa—shit, sorry!"
A boy stumbled back, clearly drunk.
Matt Garetty.
His cheeks were flushed, hair messy, grin apologetic.
Cypriana blinked once.
Matt lifted both hands. "I swear I didn't mean to. I'm just—my legs are not cooperating."
She stared at him for a beat.
Then she smirked.
Slow.
She popped her bubblegum.
Pop.
Matt's eyes flickered to the camera in her hand.
"Oh god," he laughed. "Please don't put that in your little documentary."
Cypriana tilted her head. "Depends. Are you always this clumsy?"
"Only when pretty girls are involved."
She rolled her eyes, but her mouth twitched.
Matt leaned closer, lowering his voice like they were sharing a secret in the middle of chaos.
"You having fun?"
Cypriana shrugged.
"I just got here."
"Well," Matt said, grinning wider, "give it ten minutes. Montgomery parties get… memorable."
Cypriana's gaze held his.
"Oh?"
Matt's grin turned into something else entirely.
The camera kept recording.
The night kept moving.
The party was in full swing, but Matt and Cypriana had other plans.
They slipped away from the crowd, finding solace in a quiet bedroom upstairs.
The room was dimly lit, casting shadows across their faces as they locked eyes.
Their bodies moved closer, drawn to each other like magnets.
Matt's hands trailed down Cypriana's spine, sending shivers up her back.
She gasped softly as he pulled her close, his lips finding the soft skin beneath her ear.
His breath was hot against her skin, sending tingles throughout her body.
Cypriana couldn't resist any longer.
She reached up, tangling her fingers in his hair, pulling him closer still.
Their lips met in a passionate kiss that left them both breathless.
Their tongues danced together, exploring every inch of each other's mouths.
As they broke apart for air, they both groaned softly.
Matt's hands roamed over her body, tracing the outline of her curves.
She shivered at his touch, arching into him.
He slipped his hands under her shirt, caressing her bare skin.
She gasped as he found her nipple, rolling it between his fingers.
She reached for his belt buckle, undoing it quickly.
His pants fell to the floor, revealing his hardened cock.
She took him in her hand, stroking him slowly, feeling him grow even harder under her touch.
Matt pushed her gently onto the bed, following her down.
His lips trailed kisses down her neck, across her collarbone, and down to her breasts.
He took a nipple into his mouth, sucking gently as he teased the other with his fingers.
Cypriana moaned loudly, her hips bucking off the bed.
She reached between them, guiding his cock towards her wetness.
He thrust into her, filling her up completely. She gasped at the intensity of the sensation.
Their rhythm was fast and furious, their bodies moving together in perfect sync.
The room echoed with their moans and gasps as they lost themselves in the moment.
It was the beginning of something truly special.
Later, much later, the party blurred into fragments.
Music.
Laughter.
Heat.
And then—
Cypriana stepped out into the cold night air, the noise muffled behind her.
Her hair was slightly messier now.
Her cheeks flushed.
Her camera hung loosely at her side.
Outside, the world was quieter.
Real.
The backyard was dim except for a porch light.
And there—
A boy sat alone near the fence, drinking from a bottle like it was medicine.
Andrew Detmer.
Cypriana recognized him vaguely. Quiet kid. Always behind a camera. Always invisible.
He didn't look invisible right now.
He looked… haunted.
A shadow moved beside him.
Steve Montgomery dropped down onto the grass with exaggerated ease.
"Yo," Steve said, like they were best friends. "You alive over here?"
Andrew glanced at him, slow.
"I'm fine."
Steve squinted.
"That's the universal language for not fine."
Andrew huffed a laugh, taking another sip.
Steve leaned back on his hands.
"I'm Steve."
Andrew stared.
"I know."
Steve grinned. "Damn. I'm famous."
Andrew's mouth twitched.
Steve nodded toward the bottle. "You trying to get drunk enough to forget you're at my party?"
Andrew didn't answer.
Before Steve could push again—
Matt appeared, stumbling slightly, still glowing with party energy.
"Steve!" he shouted. "Bro!"
Steve lifted a hand. "Matt!"
Matt's gaze landed on Andrew.
"Oh. Hey. Detmer, right?"
Andrew nodded, drunk enough not to shrink away.
Matt slapped his shoulder too hard.
"We should hang out more, man. You're always filming stuff. That's cool."
Andrew blinked.
Then—
Cypriana stepped into view.
Andrew's eyes widened immediately.
His body stiffened.
Matt's grin returned like he'd won something.
"Cypri," he said casually, like her name belonged in his mouth now.
Cypriana's gaze flickered to Andrew.
He looked nervous.
But also… not.
Alcohol made bravery out of broken boys.
Steve stood.
"You guys wanna get out of here for a sec?" he asked. "Too many people inside. Feels like breathing sweat."
Matt laughed. "Facts."
Cypriana shrugged. "Sure."
Andrew hesitated.
Steve looked at him.
"You coming?"
Andrew swallowed, then nodded.
And just like that—
The four of them walked away from the party.
Away from noise.
Away from light.
Into something else.
The street was quiet.
Their footsteps echoed.
Matt talked too much. Steve laughed too loud. Cypriana listened, amused.
Andrew stayed mostly silent.
Until—
Steve stopped.
"What the hell is that?"
Cypriana followed his gaze.
At the edge of the woods, the ground looked… wrong.
A crack.
No.
A hole.
Like the earth had opened its mouth.
Matt stepped closer. "Is that… new?"
Andrew's eyes narrowed.
"It wasn't here before."
Cypriana's skin prickled.
The air felt colder around it.
Steve grinned suddenly.
"Oh my god. This is like—alien crap. This is literally alien crap."
Matt laughed. "No way."
Cypriana stared into the darkness.
It stared back.
"Are we seriously doing this?" she asked.
Steve's grin widened.
"Yes."
Andrew stepped forward first.
Of course he did.
Like he wanted the dark to swallow him.
Cypriana's heart hammered.
Then she followed.
Then Matt.
Then Steve.
The hole breathed cold air.
The world above faded.
And down there…
Something waited.
Something impossible.
Something that changed them forever.
The next day, school felt unreal.
Like the world was pretending nothing happened.
Cypriana sat in class, tapping her pencil, eyes flickering toward Matt across the room.
He looked exhausted.
Andrew sat further back, hood up, gaze distant.
Steve kept smirking like he had a secret.
Because they did.
Lunch period.
They met behind the gym.
Quiet.
Hidden.
Matt held out his hand.
"I don't know how to explain this without sounding insane."
Cypriana crossed her arms. "Try."
Matt exhaled.
Then focused.
A small rock on the ground trembled.
Cypriana's breath caught.
It lifted.
Just slightly.
Hovering.
Steve's mouth fell open.
"Oh my god."
Andrew's eyes sharpened.
Cypriana stepped forward slowly.
Her pulse roared in her ears.
"Let me try."
She held out her own hand.
Focused.
The rock wobbled—
Then lifted higher.
Smooth.
Controlled.
Cypriana's lips parted.
A smile crept across her face.
Not cheerleader perfect.
Something darker.
Something real.
Steve laughed like a kid.
"We're—dude, we're literally—"
"Telekinesis," Andrew said quietly.
They all looked at him.
Andrew's expression was unreadable.
But his eyes…
His eyes looked hungry.
Like this wasn't just fun.
Like this was the beginning of something that would ruin them.
Cypriana stared at the floating rock.
At the power in her hand.
And for the first time in her life…
She felt weightless.