Free Generation Next by Oli White Page B

was a bit more impressive than the outside, with an awesome hallway that led to a huge staircase. Above our heads was one of the biggest chandeliers I’d ever seen, and there seemed to be doors everywhere—so many rooms. Fran led us to the back of the house and out to the pool, where it was all happening. As we stepped outside, I felt my eyes widen, and Austin and I gawked at one another, mutually awestruck. All around the sizeable pool and the smart patio area behind it there were people partying: some dressed up, others in swimming gear, and at first glance I didn’t recognize a single one of them. Strands of lights decorated the walls, tables, trees and plants, and there were several flame-lit lanterns dotted around too. A guy in a chef’s hat and Speedos was flipping burgers on a grill onthe patio, and the pumping dance music was courtesy of a DJ who had set up on one side of the pool. Everyone seemed to have a drink in their hand and a smile on their face, and you could hardly hear yourself think, let alone speak.
    “Oh mate, this is seriously amazing,” I said to Austin.
    “You like it, do you? It’s all my own work.” Fran smiled, shoving between us and gesturing across the magnificent scene.
    “We do,” I said. “We absolutely do.”
    “Yeah, we need to get involved.” Austin nodded eagerly.
    “Well enjoy yourselves, boys,” Fran said, putting a hand on each of our shoulders. “Rules are, don’t smash the joint up or pee anywhere that isn’t the toilet, which is over there in the pool house. There’s also a bar in the pool house but it’s soft drinks only if you’re under eighteen, I’m afraid—Dad’s condition for letting Hunter have his birthday party at the house. Of course, Dad’s not here and I’m in charge, so I might turn a blind eye if you’ve brought something of your own and you slip me a tenner.”
    Fran was very beautiful in a punky sort of way, with deep red lipstick and heavy dark eyeliner. She wore a tight-fitting black T-shirt that almost reached her thighs, but no shoes, and she was smoking a cigarette, which mostly I don’t like but on her it was somehow cool. Shemust have noticed me noticing her because she smiled knowingly when my eyes met hers.
    “I was only joking about the money,” she said. “I’m sure you’re both very sensible boys.”
    “We are,” I said.
    She took a drag of her cigarette and moved closer to me.
    “Not too sensible, I hope,” she said, winking.
    I gulped like I was swallowing an ice cube and Fran laughed.
    “Very cute,” she said, just as Hunter breezed past us eating a burger.
    His sister grabbed his arm and he spun around to face us, mouth smeared with ketchup and slightly unsteady on his feet.
    “Oi, Hunter,” Fran said. “Why don’t you introduce me to your new little pals? I’ve not seen these two around before.”
    Hunter wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and looked Austin up and down.
    “Yeah, I vaguely know this one,” he said.
    “How’s it going, mate?” Austin said.
    Hunter’s mouth curled into an evil half-smile when he turned his attention to me, and he peered at me through squinty eyes. Then he shook his head.
    “Nah,” he said finally, “I’ve never set eyes on this one before. But welcome anyway, boys. Enjoy yourselves!”
    He smiled and slapped me on the shoulder and then took a bite out of his burger and walked off. I felt myself blush; not just my face but my entire body was blushing. Why would he say he’d never set eyes on me? What was that about?
    “He’s an idiot, my little brother,” Fran said, as if she’d read my mind. Then she stalked off to answer the door again, leaving Austin and me to our own devices.
    I turned to Austin.
    “I thought you said we were invited. That was mortifying.”
    “Who cares,” he said. “You heard Fran, the guy’s an idiot. Let’s just get a drink and enjoy ourselves, shall we?”
    He dropped the bag he was carrying at his feet and fished around in