Blood Rush Chapter 13 Part 3

Strobe lights spontaneously flickered around the house. The normal lights were replaced by black lights. A long buffet table was assorted with food, sweets, and refreshments.
Lynsey jumped into everyone's view.
"Welcome to my party! And Merry Christmas, everyone!"

Everyone simply stared at her. All was silent except for the bass of a techno song pumping in the background from somewhere in the house.
"Don't just stand there, come on in!"
Lynsey stepped aside so that they all could enter the house.

"Well this is my place. The food is right over here." Lynsey slid over next to a long table spread with foods, snacks, and sweets. Everyone wordlessly followed her to the clothed structure.
"Drinks are over there. Oh, and if you have to use the bathroom, just go that way," Lynsey pointed to a doorway to her right, "and take a right. You should be able to find it."

"Let's party!" Lynsey exclaimed, throwing both arms high into the air.
"Do we have a choice?" Cyrus asked in a monotone.
Halt harshly gripped Cyrus's bicep and pulled the blond to him. "Not if you want my present."
Cyrus sighed and went into the main room. The music was louder here. The Californian sat on the couch as Lonely Day by System of a Down started to play.

"He seems gloomy," Lynsey commented.
Halt sighed in aggravation as he facepalmed his forehead. "Really? I never would have guessed."
Lynsey blinked in confusion.
"What'd I say?" She whispered to Riley.
The Spaniard shrugged.

Shaun and Kayla were at the food, piling up their plates high. Strangely, neither were saying a word to each other.
Lynsey changed the depressing music to the upbeat tune of Carameldansen.
"Come on, guys! Dance!"

Halt remained seated on the couch with Cyrus. Kayla and Shaun were busy eating. Lynsey grabbed Riley by the wrist and pulled him to the designated dance floor. Riley blushed from harshly being pulled and from embarrassment.
"Come on, Spanish boy! To be sho you know how to dance!" Shaun called from where he was standing.
Riley's blush deepened. He just copied what Lynsey was doing. The poor boy had no idea what he was doing.

The doorbell rang. Since Lynsey was busy going to the door, Riley ran to the chair in the far corner. Everyone shared glances from one another. Who else could she had invited?
"Aye, Chika, how you doin'? Feliz Naveda!"
Cyrus's and Riley's eyes both widened. Riley's face curled into a snarl. Cyrus started to shake muttering, "Oh God" as he buried his face into Halt's shirt. Confused, Halt wrapped his arm around Cyrus's shoulders.
The Mexican walked into the room.
"Hey, Riley, my man!"
His smile faded. "Yo, Cyrus; Halt."
Halt nodded in Jose's general direction.
Riley glared.

Jose sat on the couch on the other side of Cyrus. The blond shifted uncomfortably. Halt noticed. Riley stood up and left the room. Everyone wordlessly watched in confusion.

Kayla sat on the other side of the couch beside Halt suddenly.
"So Halt, how's your Christmas break been?"
"Um... It's been fine... Why?"
"Oh, no reason." Kayla laughed awkwardly. "You act like I'm not allowed to make friendly conversation."
"Um... Sorry, I guess." Halt rubbed the back of his neck.

Something had caught Halt's attention from the corner of his eye. Focusing on it, Halt saw Shaun looking at him. Was he glaring at him?
Halt decided it best to just shrug it off.
"Hey Halt... you mind if we go to another room? I've gotta ask you a question about the exam. You know, to help me study?"

Cyrus's eyes quivered with fear. Jose's eyes lit up with opportunity. Shaun's eyes widened with alarm.
Noting Cyrus's sudden tenseness, Halt hesitated. "Uh... maybe later. I haven't seen Cyrus all Christmas break." Halt smiled as he looked down at his lover.
Cyrus and Shaun's eyes both relaxed in relief. Jose's eyes clouded with an unclear negative emotion.

Kayla looked disappointed. "Oh, alright... Maybe later, then." She shifted her gaze downward before she stood up and walked away.
A wave a guilt swept over Halt.
"W-wait, Kayla. Can you make it quick?
Kayla's eyes brightened. "Yeah, come on!" she led the German out of the room.

Jose scooted over closer to Cyrus. The blond nervously looked to see who was nearby. Riley, Halt, and Kayla had all disappeared. Shaun had suddenly gone off somewhere. The only person Cyrus could see was Lynsey, but she was in the other room where the food was.
Cyrus fought back the urge to hyperventilation. Fought back the body shakes.
He was losing.

"Aye Cyrus," Jose whispered close to his ear. "How you an' Halt doin'?"
Cyrus hesitated and stuttered, "We-we're doing... well."
"Why do you kid yourself, Cyrus?"
Jose's Mexican accent suddenly vanished.

"Why do you believe you'll be happy? Especially with Halt Stern. Do you have any idea how many girls wanna be with him? What makes you think he won't dump your ass for one of 'em?"

Tears cascaded down Cyrus's face.
"Because I trust him..." he managed to choke out. "He loves me."
Jose laughed. It was a chilling laugh. So hollow and empty of emotion. Chills ran down Cyrus's spine.
"Yeah, you keep telling yourself that."
Jose stood up, ruffled Cyrus's hair, and walked into the other room where Lynsey was.

Cyrus mechanically adjusted his hair as he stared at Jose's retreating form. His gaze then turned to the white carpeted floor before him.
Why was Halt still with him?