I looked at the clock. "Okay, Emma… I think they're asleep now. You'll go, everything will be fine. You just have to come back early. You must, Emma."
I walked slowly, holding my shoes in my hand so no one would hear my steps. I slipped outside and put them on, only to see a car waiting—and inside it, Gina, practically vibrating with excitement.
"I don't know why… but I feel like this is not going to go smoothly."
Gina handed me my costume. It was a police uniform. She dressed as an angel.
"I mean… of course something cute fits a pretty girl like her. Let's see then…"
"You look so pretty I might melt," Gina said.
I stared at her. "Really? Thanks… and you too. I might faint if I stare too long at a girl like you."
Gina laughed. "Come on, we're late."
"Wait."
She stopped. "What?"
"I mean… who invited you to this party? I'm kinda scared."
Gina burst out laughing. "You? Scared? Don't be. My friend from my old school told me about it. Anyone can get in."
"What? And what if they don't want us there? I mean—me."
She kept laughing like everything I said was ridiculous. "Emma? Have you literally never been to a party?"
I looked away, embarrassed. "No… like I said before. My dad won't let me."
"It's fine. Let's just have fun tonight, okay?"
I nodded nervously.
When we arrived, the house was huge—pool outside, tons of people our age. I couldn't believe no one's parents ever said anything about this.
"Heyyy!" Gina was greeting everyone. She knew half the people there.
And me? I was… extra baggage.
"Is this your new friend?"
Gina nodded. "Yeah, this is Emma. And Emma, this is Hannah."
"Nice to meet you, Hannah," I said.
She smiled. "It's an honor, Emma. I hope you enjoy the party."
"I'm honored as well, Miss Hannah."
Gina burst out laughing. "Emma?! Why are you talking so formal?"
"She looks older…?"
"She's in her twenties. It's not a big gap."
I sighed. "Where's your friend who invited you anyway?"
"I dunno, probably inside. Come on, let's dance."
"We're just dancing, right? Just dancing?"
"What?? I can't hear you!"
Music was blasting, people were dancing everywhere, and I felt my chest tightening.
I yelled louder, "JUST DANCING!"
"Got it! But no party without a drink."
"Are you kidding me right now?"
Gina laughed and dragged me inside.
I won't lie… the place looked nice.
"Just one cup, Emma. Trust me."
"I can't, Gina. You're underage."
"Does anyone care about that here? Come on."
I put the cup back. "No thanks."
The guy at the bar gave me a mocking smirk. "What, did Grandma show up?"
Everyone laughed.
I walked away. Everywhere I go, idiots. Is this some kind of curse?
My heartbeat was wild. The noise. The heat.
"I need…the bathroom…"
"I'll wait here," Gina said.
Hannah, dancing: "Is she always like that?"
Gina sighed. "I didn't know she was this introverted. I regret bringing her."
Hannah laughed. "She'll get used to it. But girl—what is this beauty tonight?"
Gina smiled shyly. "Giiirl, I'm happy."
"Because of him?"
"Who? Noel?"
"Who else? The guy who stole your heart."
"Sheesh… he's coming, right? Tell me so I can leave if he's not."
"He's coming. Actually—there he is."
"What? Where—"
"Calm down. You can't attack him."
Gina stepped aside and stared.
A guy with bright green eyes, shiny blond hair, and a stupidly handsome face walked in. His costume was a prince.
She froze.
"Noel… he's so handsome today."
"Just today?"
"Okay fine—every day."
"Hi… you're Noel, right?"
He looked at her with cold eyes.
"Your costume is nice," Gina said.
"Thanks," he replied flatly. "Who are you?"
Gina swallowed. "I—I'm Gina. Nice to meet you."
She offered her hand.
Noel glanced at it… didn't shake it… "Alright," he said and walked away.
"We… didn't even talk…"
Hannah came over. "What happened?"
"I thought… I thought he'd be charmed by me."
"Not instantly. You know how Noel is. He doesn't open up to anyone."
"But I thought I'd be different… that I'd catch his attention like everyone else."
"Don't lose hope. Get to know him first. Don't fall for a fantasy, Gina."
Gina clenched her dress in frustration.
She looked at the red-haired girl standing next to Noel, talking to him.
"Who's that bitch?"
Hannah blinked. "I think that's his assistant."
"You sure she's not his girlfriend?"
"I don't think so… but if she is, well… she's really pretty."
"Pretty, huh…"
I looked at myself in the mirror.
I feel like a different person… is this just because I haven't been to a party in forever?
I splashed water on my face, trying to make sense of what was happening.
My whole body was shaking weirdly, I was sweating, my vision blurry.
"Okay, Emma… you're just scared. New place. New noise. Just relax…"
I walked out of the bathroom holding the wall so I wouldn't fall. My vision was glitching, my throat dry, the sounds around me fading like someone was turning the volume down slowly.
I kept mumbling without realizing:
"Gina… Gina… please… let's go… this place is too much…"
I saw someone standing.
Was that… Gina?
"Help… me…"
My knees gave out.
I heard footsteps running.
Are they coming for me…?
"??: Hey, are you okay—"
"I—I can't feel my legs… please… get me out of here…"
I woke up on somebody's couch.
I sat up fast, panicked.
"Where… am I?"
A guy with long blond hair walked over.
"What?? Who are you? Where am I?!"
"Calm down, please."
"Back off and tell me what happened!"
He sighed. "I'm Noel. Here, drink this. Looks like your pressure dropped. Do you… fear parties that much?"
"Are you kidding me? Just tell me why I'm HERE."
"You fainted," he said, with a little smirk.
God, he's annoying.
"Did you not eat anything before coming?"
"Uhh… no."
"Then you need to be careful and eat something next time."
I stood up, annoyed.
I was NOT in the mood for a lecture.
"Wait—where are you going? You're still dizzy."
"I'm leaving. I don't like it here."
He laughed. "You're stubborn. Fine. But you literally fainted, so rest first. I'll take you home."
"No thanks."
"You clearly don't like me, but FYI—you asked for help. And I literally carried you here."
I glared. "Obviously I wasn't conscious. And OBVIOUSLY I wasn't seeing you. I thought you were Gina. So don't act like carrying me is some heroic achievement."
He laughed again. "As you wish, princess."
"Don't laugh. I'm not joking. Move."
"As you command," he said, opening the door for me.
I grabbed the frame to steady myself.
He held my hand. "Are you sure you're okay?"
I snatched it away. "Obviously I'm shaky, I FAINTED. You weirdo."
He just smiled at me—like he'd never seen a girl before.
God, he pissed me off.
I went outside and found Gina crying on a couch, Hannah next to her.
"What happened?? Gina, you scared me. Did someone mess with you?"
Hannah answered, "She just got upset about something, not important."
"No, wait—"
I stopped when I saw Noel walking toward a red-haired girl. Pretty. Too pretty.
Then Gina's voice cracked behind me:
"He was with her… huh…"
"What?" Hannah blinked.
Gina suddenly grabbed a cake and smashed it in the redhead's face.
I covered my mouth.
"GINA!! WHAT THE HELL?!"
"You were with him the whole time, weren't you?! I came here just for him—JUST FOR HIM—and he was with you like I don't even exist—like I'm not… enough!"
What the hell was happening?
Someone please speak??
I glared at Noel.
"What did you people do to her to freak her out this much?"
"Stay out of it," the idiot said.
"She's my friend, of COURSE I get involved!"
"Stop," said the redhead—finally.
"Get her out of the party."
Gina froze.
"What? No—wait! I'll get you back for this soon, just wait—"
Security grabbed her.
"HEY! Don't touch her like that!"
"Enough," Noel's voice cut through the noise.
"Aria… calm down. This was just a misunderstanding."
Aria rolled her eyes.
Noel continued,
"I wasn't with Aria anywhere, Gina. I was helping someone else."
He looked at me.
Like he wanted credit.
Jerk.
"Huh?" Gina's voice cracked. "I… overreacted… I'm sorry… Aria, if that's your name…"
"Get out. You and your little friends. Get out of my face," Aria snapped.
"Like I want to stay here," I muttered.
"I only came because Gina said she had no one else. Turns out she did. I was just the extra number."
I looked at Gina, then turned away.
"Emma, wait— I'm leaving too. Screw this party."
As I walked away, I stepped on something wet and gross.
Great. Perfect. Just what I needed.
"Emma… please wait—"
I looked at her, exhausted.
"What do you want, Gina? You LIED to me. You said you had no one. Look at the time! I knew this would happen. But fine. Whatever. I'm not doing this again."
"Let me explain—"
"What, Gina? You like that idiot Noel? THAT'S why you dragged me into this?"
She looked down, hurt.
I sighed.
"Let's talk tomorrow. I'm done for tonight."
"…Okay," she whispered.
to be continued...