Suddenly, the heavy bass cut out.

A sharp, ear-piercing screech of microphone feedback tore through the yard, making several teenagers wince and cover their ears.

Chloe stood by the DJ booth, holding a wireless microphone. She tapped it twice. Thump, thump.

Two hundred heads turned away from the water, all their eyes locking onto the birthday girl.

“Attention, everyone!” Chloe beamed, her voice amplified, echoing off the surface of the pool. “Thank you all so much for coming to celebrate our eighteenth birthday! It means the world to me.”

The crowd erupted into cheers, raising their plastic cups in the air.