Free Runes (Paranormal Romance, YA,) by Ednah Walters Page B

expressions. I looked at Eirik, who shrugged and said, “Lorraine Cooper?”
    Punk exchanged a grin with Mohawk, and they stepped aside, yelling, “The birthday girl is here.”
    Screams of “Happy birthday, Raine,” greeted us as we entered the dance floor. The Beatles’ rendition of “Happy Birthday” filled the room. Balloons and streamers rained down from the ceiling on us and the students already on the dance floor. Despite the flashing neon lights, I recognized swimmers from the park, my band mates, and Keith’s lacrosse teammates and their girlfriends.
    I tried not to cry as people sang and waved or hugged me. Eirik leaned close until our foreheads touched. “Happy birthday, Raine.”
    Then he pressed his lips to mine.
    Maybe it was the moment, the music, the flashing lights and the crowd, but the kiss was perfect. Sweet. I put my arms around his neck and held him close. He grabbed my hand and somehow managed to lead me across the crowd to a set of stairs leading to a VIP lounge.
    It had birthday banners and streamers. Marjorie ‘Marj’ LeBlanc, Catie Vivanco, and Jeannette Wilkes gave me hugs. They were juniors like me. The three of them moved to Kayville a year ago and bonded when they joined the swim team. Marj and Catie also played in the band while Jeannette and Eirik were editors at the Trojan Gazette, Kayville High’s newspaper.
    “Were you surprised?” Marj asked, speaking louder to be heard above the music.
    I nodded and rubbed my arms, feeling chilly despite my jacket. “I still don’t know how they pulled it off.”
    She pointed at Eirik, who was staring at the dancers below and laughing with Catie and Jeannette. “He asked us a week ago to help with the decorations, said it was a surprise for you. You have no idea how hard it was not to say anything this afternoon at the park. Have fun.” She hugged me again and went to get her friends. They disappeared downstairs.
    “How could you keep this a secret?” I asked. “You suck at secret keeping.”
    He gave me another peck then draped an arm around me and pulled me closer. “Magic.”
    “Don’t joke.” That was one word I didn’t want to hear tonight.
    “We started planning a month ago, reserved the place, and this morning worked with the club’s party organizers to get everything ready. We have the place until ten, so let’s go dance.”
    “What if I’d said no this morning or my mother had refused?” I asked as we headed toward the stairs.
    “We would have sneaked you out, blind-folded you, and brought you here against your will.” Eirik pulled me to the dance floor.
    The Beatles were replaced by modern artists, and the crowd went wild. Bodies rocked, arms flailed, and hips swayed to the rhythmic music pounding through the room. Having an amazing dancer for a partner helped, too. Keith hated to dance, so Cora and I shared Eirik.
    It was a while before I noticed them—Andris and the evil sisters. Panic flashed through me. Who had invited them? I gripped Eirik’s arm, leaned in, and said, “Let’s take a break.”
    “Okay. I’ll get us drinks,” he said.
    “I’ll go upstairs and rest my feet.” I wanted to observe Andris and the Dahl sisters from above, not run into them. They were still by the curtains.
    Eirik insisted on escorting me upstairs, where a few people were already seated. Some were making out, while others stared at the dancers below and sipped their drinks. Darrel Portman, the lacrosse player Cora planned to feature on her vlog next week, and his new girlfriend were all over each other. He changed girlfriends often. He paused long enough to eye me curiously as though seeing me for the first time. I’d gotten a lot of that look tonight. Maybe Mom was right about wearing makeup and styling my hair. Or maybe the fact that Eirik and I finally kissed was the cause. I’d never been happier.
    Eirik left me near the table reserved just for me and disappeared downstairs. I searched for Andris and the two sisters