Just Away from the Bonfire: Ellie & Rider
Parties were where Rider was at his best. He was always the one laughing the loudest, dancing the longest, and making sure everyone was having a good time. He'd been making the rounds all night, making sure to see everything there was to be seen and entertaining everyone. It felt good. He felt good.
Music filled the air and the bonfire crackled and popped sending out waves of heat into the cool night. Rider grinned and finished off the last of his drink (laced with smuggled alcohol, obviously). It warmed him up and he felt a pleasant tingling, though he was far from drunk. The classmate he'd been chatting with headed off in search of something more to drink, and Rider spotted a mop of adorably unruly red hair heading away from the fire.
With his long stride, it only took him a few moments to reach Ellie. He called her first, not wanting to startle her with an unexpected touch. "Hang on there, Gorgeous. Just where do you think you're going?"