All characters are 18 years or older.
*
I was sitting on the rocks, gazing out over the dark river. In spite of the dull thudding of the music from the party behind me, the night was filled with the quiet of crickets and frogs. My head was feeling clearer now and the crisp air seemed to bring the shadows of trees into focus against the haze of stars splashed across the sky. I was thinking of heading back but curiously worried I might miss something if I did, when a rock nearby clunked. I turned to see a tall, thin figure gracefully step across a boulder and clamber onto my rock to sit next to me.
"Jess," breathed a soft, deep voice by way of introduction and I felt a shiver up my spine, as if the words had been sculpted just for me, which I suppose they had.
"Sam," I replied holding out my hand.
Jess extended a marble white hand and gently but firmly took mine. I felt cool, soft skin against my fingers.
"Sam," repeated Jess as if exploring my name and I suddenly felt exposed. I looked up into a dazzling smile of perfect teeth and a dark eye twinkling away behind a ragged curtain of inky hair.
"Hi," I said lamely, unable to stop myself staring into the radiant face. With a long chin, exquisite nose and pale lips, Jess appeared to be one of the many emos attending the revelry, but there was something that suggested more; something I felt I needed to find. I realised we were still holding hands and slowly let go, brushing my fingers across the smooth skin as I did.