The Crew - The Elite and The Less Fortunate

Chapter Four

The night was just beginning to take on a different rhythm as the trio Zed, Lotus, and Khalil arrived at the party.

The music pulsed with the bass of an upbeat rhythm that echoed through the small house and the faint aroma of alcohol and perfume mingled in the air. The lights flashed intermittently casting brief chaotic glimpses of the partygoers dancing, laughing, and living in a haze of youthful exuberance.

It wasn't the type of party that the trio typically frequented certainly not the lavish soirees and exclusive gatherings they were used to. But this, this was raw, unfiltered. The kind of party that made Zed's eyes sparkle with amusement, Khalil's grin widened with curiosity, and Lotus's interest stir beneath his usually composed exterior.

They walked into the house the door swinging open easily as they passed through the threshold stepping into a world of music and chaos. The noise was deafening but somehow it felt exhilarating.

"See?" Khalil said, grinning as he flicked a lock of golden brown hair from his face. "This is more like it. Who knew these less fortunate people could throw a party like this?"

Zed's lips curled upward into a smirk as he surveyed the room. "It's nothing special but... it's nice"

Lotus, ever the observer, didn't voice an opinion. His eyes drifted across the space scanning the unfamiliar faces and the crowded living room. There was something intoxicating about it, the way everyone was so open so carefree. It was different from the polished parties he was used to but it had its own allure. Perhaps that was why the trio decided to stay. Perhaps they were craving the difference between the monotony of wealth and privilege.

As the night wore on the alcohol flowed freely. Cups of beer, vodka, and cocktails were passed around like water and the trio had no reservations about joining in.

Zed, who usually kept a tight grip on his composure, was among the first to indulge. A quick swig from his cup, followed by a satisfied exhale, and then a laugh as the music became louder. Khalil followed suit, grinning as he threw back another drink. Lotus, ever the more restrained one, hesitated for only a moment before he, too, let the warmth of the alcohol ease its way down his throat.

The first drink was a buzz, a light warmth that made everything feel more vibrant, more real. The second drink brought with it a heady dizziness a loss of control that was oddly freeing and by the time the third drink hit, the trio had fully let go of any pretenses. They danced and laughed, the boundaries between them and the partygoers beginning to blur.

Zed leaned against the wall, surveying the crowd with a slightly dazed grin. "You know" he said, his words slurring just a bit "This isn't so bad. A little different than what I'm used to but... I can't say I don't like it" he then flashes a crazy smirk that can melt ladies and drop like flies.

Khalil, already getting lost in the music, spun around to face him, his golden eyes gleaming with mischief. "You're right. I've never had this much fun without worrying about who's watching. These people don't care" After saying that he made a quick slide to the dance floor and dance like a chicken then went back to his friends with a wide genuine smile on his pretty face.

Lotus, feeling the effect of the alcohol hit him harder than usual, gave a small laugh and nodded. "It's different" he murmured, though his usual seriousness was starting to melt away.

And it was in this haze of inebriation that the curiosity of the public school kids started to bloom.

Lena approached them cautiously. Her eyes were wide with a mix of admiration and curiosity but there was something else in her gaze something that hinted the boldness alcohol had given her.

"So..." she began, glancing around to make sure no one was paying attention, "You guys are... well... you're not like us, right?" Her voice was playful but also searching. "I mean, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to but I've always wondered... what's it like? You know, living like you do? It must be so nice"

The alcohol had loosened their tongues, made their boundaries fall away and before they could even stop themselves the trio started talking.

Zed took the lead, his voice louder than necessary, slurring slightly. "Hmmm? It's not all it's cracked up to be... you know. It's like... you can have anything but you can't have everything. You think you can fill your life with fancy cars, expensive clothes, the best food but there's something I'm not sure what but... there is"

Lotus, his usual detachment now replaced with a slurred but candid openness, chimed in. "It's easy to think it's about the stuff, the image you project but really, there's still void"

Khalil, already past the point of subtlety, leaned forward eagerly. "People assume we're brats—spoil brats—but we're more than that"

The girl tilted her head, intrigued by the shift in their usual polished demeanor. "Hmmm... I see. What about love?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity. "What's it like for you? With all that money and attention... Do you even get to have real relationships? I believe you'll have plenty of women in bed"

The elite trio laugh. They're too drunk.

Zed, his eyes glassy and his words becoming more philosophical than he'd ever intended, shrugged. "Real relationships? You get the kind of love that's... built on convenience. You meet someone, you like the idea of them, and you keep it going because it's what's expected but real love?" He clicked his tongue.

Khalil laughed, his voice a little too loud as he slung his arm around Lena. "Love is a joke when you have everything. You're too busy to be perfect to actually love someone and as for sex?" He grinned wickedly and shook his head. He glances at Zed and Lotus and the three of them laugh loudly shaking their head Zed even pat Khalil's back too hard causing Khalil to cough a bit but play it cool.

Lena leaned closer, emboldened by the alcohol and the honesty spilling from their lips. "So you guys, uh, you've had... plenty of experience with all of that?"

Zed chuckled his green eyes glittering in the dim light as he smirked, shook his head, and gulped his drink.

Lotus didn't speak again but his eyes softened as he took in the scene around him. His mind wandered but the alcohol made it all hazy blurry like a fleeting memory he couldn't grasp.

And just like that the elite trio had revealed more than they ever intended. It was like the alcohol had torn away the walls they had so carefully constructed around themselves.

As the night continued the questions from the public school students came more frequently, each one digging deeper into the luxury life the elite trio led, their love lives, their experiences. The elite trio answered without hesitation the alcohol giving them a sense of uninhibited honesty.

Lost in the music, the laughter, and the kind of raw conversation that, for once, made them feel a little more human.