Chapter 2: The Paint Party

Tara’s POV 

"Absolutely not," I said firmly, crossing my arms as I stared at my two best friends. "I'm not going to Xavier's stupid paint party."

Zoey rolled her eyes dramatically while Jane flopped onto my bed with an exaggerated sigh. 

"Come on, Tara! It'll be fun. Everyone's going to be there."

"Exactly why I don't want to go." I turned back to my closet, pretending to organize clothes that were already perfectly arranged. 

"If you don't go, they'll think they won. They'll probably spend the whole party talking about how they scared little Tara away."

The thought of Xavier and Jasper high-fiving each other, thinking they’d successfully intimidated me into hiding at home sucked. 

"Fine," I said through gritted teeth. "But I'm not staying long."

Both girls squealed and jumped up to raid my closet. "You need something that says 'I'm confident and unbothered,'" Jane declared, pulling out a white crop top.

—-

Two hours later, I stood in front of Xavier and Jasper’s massive house, wearing distressed jeans and a t-shirt that I'd cropped and tied at the waist. Music thumped from inside. 

"You look hot," Zoey said, giving me an encouraging nudge. "Remember, confidence is key."

"And if they try anything, we've got your back," Jane added.

I took a deep breath and walked through the front door. The house was packed with music so loud I could feel it vibrating through my chest. Students were laughing and dancing.  

I'd barely made it three steps inside when I heard that familiar voice behind me.

"Tara, you’re here?"

I turned to see Xavier approaching with his signature smirk, a cup of something colorful in his hand. 

"Don't sound so surprised," I said coolly. "I do have a social life, contrary to what you might think."

"Could've fooled me," came another voice from my left. Jasper appeared beside his twins, looking equally handsome. "We were just telling everyone how you'd probably be too scared to come."

"Scared?" I laughed, hoping it sounded more confident than I felt. "Of what, exactly?“

"Of us," Xavier said simply, stepping closer. "Face it, Tara. We get under your skin, and you can't handle it."

The infuriating part was that he was not entirely wrong. Something about the twins did get under my skin in a way that no one else could. Maybe it was their arrogance, or the way they seemed to find my reaction endlessly amusing, or the fact that they were both annoyingly attractive even when they were being complete jerks.

"You two really need to get over yourselves," I said, turning to walk away.

But Jasper caught my arm gently. "Don't run away so fast, sweetheart. The party's just getting started."

I yanked my arm free. "Don't call me that."

"What should we call you then?" Xavier asked, circling around to block my path. "Our favorite target?"

"How about you don't call me anything and just leave me alone?"

Both twins laughed, but there was something different about their expressions tonight. Less malicious than usual, more playful. It was hard to tell with the flashing light. 

"Where's the fun in that?" Jasper asked.

"Come on, Tara," Xavier added. "Live a little. Have some fun with us for once."

There was something about the way he said that made my stomach flutter, which only made me more annoyed.  "My idea of fun doesn't involve being the butt of your jokes."

"Who says you have to be?" Xavier's eyes glinted with mischief. "Maybe tonight we're on the same side."

Before I could ask what that meant, Zoey and Jane appeared at my side, flanking me like bodyguards. 

"Is there a problem here?" Jane asked, her voice sweetly dangerous.

"No problem at all," Jasper said smoothly. "We were just welcoming Tara to the party."

"How thoughtful," Zoey said dryly. "I'm sure your welcome wagon doesn't involve any pranks or humiliation whatsoever."

"You wounded us," Xavier said, pressing a hand to his chest in mock hurt. "We're nothing but perfect gentlemen."

I snorted. "Right. And I'm the Queen of England."

"Your Majesty," both twins said in unison, giving me exaggerated bows that made several nearby people laugh.

Despite myself, I felt my lip twitch upward. There was something charming about their synchronized ridiculousness, even when I knew I could not find it funny. 

"See?" Jasper said, catching my almost-smile. "You do know how to have fun."

"Don't get any ideas," I warned, but some of the tension had left my shoulders.

The night progressed better than I would have expected.  Xavier and Jasper kept appearing near me throughout the party, but instead of their usual pranks, they seemed content to talk, flirt, even in their own obnoxious way.  Xavier complimented my dancing when a particularly good song came on. Jasper brought me a drink and made sure no one else bothered me when I needed a break from the crowd. 

It was confusing and disarming, and I found myself wondering if maybe I'd misjudged them.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Xavier's voice suddenly rang over the sound system, the music paused, and everyone turned toward the makeshift stage area that had been set up in the living room. "Can I have your attention, please?"

My stomach immediately dropped. 

He was standing on the platform with a microphone, grinning widely as he scanned the crowd. "We're going to play a little game. I need a volunteer, someone brave enough to be part of tonight's grand finale."

Several people raised their hands eagerly, but Xavier's eyes found mine across the room. "How about you, Tara?“

Every head in the room turned towards me. I felt heat creep up my neck as dozens of eyes focused on me, waiting to see what I would do. Jane gripped my hand tightly.

"Don't do it," she whispered urgently. "This has trap written all over it."

But I was trapped either way. If I said no, I would look like a coward in front of half of the school, if I said yes, well… I would probably regret it, but at least I will not give the twins the satisfaction of seeing me back down

"Come on, Tara!" someone shouted from the crowd. "Don't be boring!"

Other voices joined, chatting my name until I had no choice. I took a deep breath and made my way towards the stage. My heart pounding with each step. 

Xavier's grin widened as I approached. "There she is, folks! Let's give Tara a round of applause for being such a good sport!"

The crowd cheered as I climbed onto the platform, my cheekbone with embarrassment and unshaded. I looked out at all the faces staring up at me expectantly, then back at Xavier.

"What exactly am I supposed to do?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Just stand right there," he said, positioning me in the center of the stage. 

Then I noticed Jasper emerging from backstage carrying a large bucket. My blood ran cold as I realized what was about to happen.

Before I could move, before I could even scream, both Twins lifted the bucket together and dumped the entire contents over my head. 

The paint was cold, dropping down my hair, my face, my clothes in a layer of black sludge that dripped down my body and onto my feet. I stood there unable to move or speak or even breathe properly as reality of what had just happened sank in.

The crowd erupted some gaps in shock, others loved and cheered like it were the greatest entertainment they’d ever seen

Xavier and Jasper stood on either side of me, both wearing identical expressions of satisfaction. They'd planned this from the beginning, the flirting, the compliments, the pretense of being nice. It had all been an elaborate setup to make this moment even more devastating.

"How's that for a grand finale?" Xavier announced into the microphone, his voice filled with smug triumph.