CHAPTER 5

THE NEXT DAY

I lay in my bed with music blaring, legs propped up against the wall, engrossed in a book I was almost finished binge-reading. I might have been a bit of a bookworm; my room overflowed with stacks of books since my shelves were full.

"Vivienne Everhart!" Jenifer's voice boomed through the house. My door swung open, revealing Jenifer in a flowing strapless floral dress, her straight hair a testament to effort.

"Why do you look like that?" I asked, sitting up and setting my book aside.

"Why do you look like that?" she countered, arms crossed as she sized me up. I glanced down—I was in oversized white pajama pants and a simple black tank top, hair in a messy bun, and a green face mask. I hadn't left the house all day; why would I look any different?

"Go shower," Jenifer ordered, grabbing my arm and pulling me up.

"Why?" I whined, reluctantly getting out of bed. I wasn't in the mood for going out or anything that involved leaving my bed.

"Because we're going to a party," she smirked. Surprise, Jenifer loved parties. She thrived on meeting new people and socializing.

"No, oh no no no. You go to parties. I don't," I protested, feeling uneasy about large gatherings and strangers.

"Come on, it's at my house. Lucius is throwing it. If anything happens, we'll retreat to my room," she assured me.

"I don't think it's a good idea," I hesitated, my anxiety rising.

"Come on, I won't leave your side," she pleaded, and eventually, I relented. I took a long shower, stalling as much as I could. Jenifer banged on the door, urging me to hurry up. I dried off, slipping into a black lace bra and panties. Jenifer raided my closet, tossing clothes around like a tornado.

"So, I was thinking maybe this?" She held up a white ruffle mini dress.

"Maybe when I'm dead," I quipped, making her pout. It wasn't even my dress; she'd left it here after crashing at 3 AM.

"Don't you have anything less boring?" she asked, rummaging through my closet until I finally relented.

She did my makeup, which ended up being too much, but I didn't argue; dealing with her sulking was worse. I sat on a stool, letting her work her makeover magic.

"Let's go!" she exclaimed happily when she finished.

"Wait," I said, grabbing a small blue pill and swallowing it with water.

"Better?" she asked with a smile.

"I hope," I replied as we left my house. Arriving at her place, cars lined the street, music blared loudly. I tried to calm my breathing; it all felt surreal, like a scene from a movie.

"Hey Vivienne, it'll be fine," Jenifer reassured me, linking arms with me.

"I want you to live a little," she whispered as we approached the house.

"Okay," I said, opening the door. Inside, teenagers danced and drank, filling the house with energy. I clung to Jenifer, digging my nails into her arm.

"Ow," she winced, pushing me away.

"There are too many people," I admitted, scanning the crowded room. It was overwhelming.

"It's a party," she reminded me, guiding me through the throng.

"Let's find Marlo!" she squealed excitedly. Marlo was her dream guy, captain of the basketball team, tall, with black hair and blue eyes—perfect in her eyes. She'd had a crush on him since middle school. I felt her slip away from my grip as we navigated through the crowd. My heart raced; faces blurred together, and I struggled to find someone familiar.

"Vien?" a deep voice called from behind. I spun around, bumping into a solid chest. Looking up, I met familiar deep blue eyes. My breathing steadied; everything felt clearer, better with him there.

"Cade?" I asked, and he flashed his trademark smirk—a sight that oddly reassured me.

"What are you doing here? Alone?" he asked, looking around.

"I—Jenifer left me," I explained, feeling relieved yet vulnerable.

"Well, now you have me," he said, about to put his arm around me, but I stepped away.

"Yeah, you," I said sarcastically, making him chuckle. He draped his arm around me protectively, guiding us through the crowd.

"Where are we going?" I asked as he led me somewhere.

"You'll see," he replied mysteriously. Suddenly, another hand grabbed my arm, pulling me away.

"Jenifer, where have you been?" I exclaimed, leaving Cade's side to join her.

"We must dance!" she declared, dragging me towards a makeshift dance floor in the living room, cleared of furniture. '90s disco music filled the air.

"I don't want to dance," I protested, trying to avoid physical contact with strangers.

"It's okay," she reassured, gripping my hands tightly.

"Dance," she urged, and I sighed, closing my eyes. I felt isolated, alone in the crowded room. Gradually, I found myself moving to the rhythm, Jenifer holding onto me.

"Dance," she repeated, her hips swaying to the music. I closed my eyes and let the music take control. Someone's hands gripped my hips, and I opened my eyes to see a guy with brown eyes and curly black hair.

"What are you doing?" I asked nervously as he complimented me.

"Dancing with the prettiest girl at the party," he said with a smile, making me blush.

"Hey, look at me," he said, lifting my chin. I mumbled an apology, feeling awkward under his gaze. His hands moved down my waist, and I froze when they reached my butt.

"Just dance," he whispered, guiding me. Before I could react, Cade intervened, pulling him away with bloodied knuckles.

"What the hell?" I asked Cade, who looked at me with red eyes, clearly buzzed.

"No," he muttered before walking off. I followed but lost him in the crowd. In the kitchen, shots with bright food coloring were lined up, almost glowing.

"Drink up!" someone yelled, handing me a shot. I downed it, feeling the burn in my throat. One after another, I grabbed shots, chasing away the unease creeping over me.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***