the shadow before

Finally. Graduation was over. Jules was finished with school, unless she opted to go to college, which was something she was still mulling over. Not tonight, obviously, because tonight was for fun. She would be eighteen in three days. She was free. And it had been so fucking long since she’d had any real fun that she was determined to party tonight the way she used to, before her life got screwed up by weirdness.

Most of the day was spent with her mom, getting pictures taken, having a nice lunch. She got a pair of diamond earrings as her graduation gift, and a hefty check that her mom told her was for college, but… well, Jules had a feeling it would be better spent elsewhere. Not that she planned on saying so. Her mom’s last gift was to leave Jules the house for the evening with the promise to clean up any mess left behind. Obviously, Jules promised, as usual, and then she was left alone with some friends to get the house ready for her party.

Balloons, alcohol, snacks, music. It was generally the same as her other parties, but with more flair and Jules had already had two drinks before her house was getting full. It was a nice day too, so the back patio doors were open so people could hang out on the deck too if they wanted.

With a fresh drink in her hand, Jules greeted a few more people and then started searching for Jasper. She was so ready to have fun and it definitely seemed like everyone who had shown up was ready to let loose for a while too.