Chapter 1

Imani’s POV

“No, no, no. Don't give me that look, Imani.”

June, my best friend, warned, rolling her eyes.

Of course, she knew what that face meant… I don't want to leave my safe place especially for not something as stupid as a party.

I stared back at the mirror, a sigh escaping my lips.

June had spent nearly an hour curling my 4b mid-long hair into glossy spirals and painting my lips with a soft combo of brown and pink lipstick that fitted perfectly with my brown skin body.

The dress, a deep emerald satin thing that clung to my body perfectly— was something I would never have chosen.

It was too tight, and it brought out the curves I had always felt so insecure about.

“Don’t even think about it.” She smacked my hands away from dragging the gown down. “No one goes to a party in sweats and joggers.”

I wanted to argue that it was the only way I’d stay hidden in the midst of chaos but June was beaming, twirling around me with a makeup brush still in her hand like some giddy fairy godmother.

“See? I told you,” she said, her voice lilting with pure satisfaction. “You look like temptation with a psychology degree.”

I rolled my eyes, tugging at the hem. “I look like someone trying too hard. The lipgloss doesn't suit me and I would rather go….”

“Uhm uhm” She interrupted, shaking her head dramatically. “Don't jinx it. Don't jinx it with your words. You look like someone who deserves to stop hiding.” She came up behind me, her beautiful reflection meeting mine in the mirror.

“It's one night, Imani. One party. You'll be with me the entire time. Promise. I can't ditch you for some guy.”

Her words should have comforted me but…it didn't.

Parties and I had never mixed so well. Not since freshman year when I had almost had my innocence taken forcefully and I had to go back into my shell.

The feeling that people whispered about it haunted me for months before I stopped letting it get to me but never really disappeared.

I told myself it didn't matter anymore , that I was over it and that what happened wasn't my fault… I stared at my reflection in the mirror, If anything were to happen to me while I was dressed like this would certainly be my fault.

Still, June was right. I couldn't hide forever from my fears.

And Zachary Jackson had been insistent— reminding June of how he wanted me dressed.

He'd asked three times already, flashing that easy, lopsided grim that made every girl on campus swoon. My best friend since sophomore year, my designated partner for late-night library sessions, my walking encyclopaedia of bad decisions.

Don't get me wrong, I have June for all of these but then…..he was already a part of me when she came by.

Jackson was…complicated.

Handsome in a careless way, with a charm that could melt Ice, and a reputation that could set it on fire again.

I liked him, genuinely but not like that.

He flirted the way other people breathed: constantly, thoughtlessly, like it was second nature. And though I rolled my eyes every time he called me ‘beautiful’ or ‘baby girl’, I knew the game he played.

A very careless playboy.

Still, when he had asked me to come to the pre-homecoming party tonight, I'd said no. Twice.

It was June who came in and here I was. Dressed up like a doll.

“Imani, you've been locked up with textbooks and case studies all semester,” she'd pleaded earlier that afternoon, eyes wide and all dramatic like the dramatic Queen she was. “You deserve to have fun. You deserve to breathe.”

And maybe she was right. Maybe tonight I could just be.

Be me!

The doorbell rang.

June squealed and ran to the living room while I rolled my eyes. “What's so fun about this party, June?”

“Everything!”

I smoothed the satin down my hips, inhaled deeply, and followed her.

Jackson stood at the door, wearing that stupidly confident smile and a black varsity jacket that made him look both dangerous and magnetic.

“Damn,” he said as soon as his eyes landed on me.” You clean up good, Grayson.”

I gave him a flat look. “That's not new to me, Jack. You say that to everyone who wears a dress. Specifically a skimpy dress!”

He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Maybe. But I mean it this time. You look so yummy.”

June nudged me with her elbow. “Told you.”

I wanted to roll my eyes, but the heat creeping up my neck stopped me.

“Ready?” Jackson asked, offering his arm like we were heading to a gala and not a party filled with red cups and sweaty undergrads.

“Stop the schrade, Jack. We are not a couple.” I huffed and I heard June coughed.

“He's trying to be a gentleman.”

I hesitated. Then, quietly, took it.

June was humming beside me, glued to her phone, probably texting some of the boys in the group to meet us there.

I focused on my heels clicking against the sidewalk as we walked toward his car. Jackson opened the door for me with a mock bow.

“Your chariot, milady.”

I bit back a smile and slid inside.

The drive was easy at first, windows down, music low, Jackson tapping the steering wheel to the best while June sang along off-key.

For a few minutes, it felt normal with my heart pounding anxiously.

Until it didn't.

We suddenly stopped at a red light near the campus entrance. Jackson turned his head, his eyes flicking over me in a way that made my skin crawl.

“You know,” he said, a teasing lilt in his tone and I could have sworn he wanted to say something meaningful. “If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were trying to get my attention tonight.”

My fingers froze on my lap and slowly a disbelieving scoff escaped my lips. “What's that supposed to mean?”

He smirked, leaning back casually. “Yes, I mean, I have never seen you in a dress like this whenever there was a party. You don't have a crush and the only person I can think of is me!”

I watched, my mouth widely opened. “Trying to get your attention?”

“Yes! I love that you're dressed like my slut tonight.”

And that was it! I lost my sanity instantly.