Chapter 12

Laura's POV

The music was already blasting through Brenda's house, and I was already hearing it from the bedroom.

Outside, the poolside was transforming into a chaotic pool party. I could hear the laughter of our coursemates.

Inside the room, we were in a state of absolute emergency. Brenda was feeling nervous which was very unlike her.

"Hurry up, Laura!" Brenda snapped, furiously pulling a bright neon pink bikini over her hips.

I sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at my own string bikini. My feet felt like pure lead.

Honestly, I had lazy feet today. I was just so weary about parties after everything that happened at the last one.

My head flashed back at Damien, Stephen, and the anonymous text message. Part of me just wanted to curl under the covers and hide from the world, but it still felt thrilling for me. My world seemed chaotic but it wasn't as mundane.

"I don't know, Brenda," I muttered, holding the fabric tightly. "Maybe I should just sit this one out. My head hurts."

"No way," Brenda said, turning around to face the mirror. She began fiercely adjusting her hair. "You are not leaving me alone out there. Especially not after what happened today."

I looked up, blinking. "What happened today again?"

Brenda’s confident expression dropped for a fraction of a second, replaced by a look of pure shock as she recollected what happened.

"I met Richard by the arts building," she said, her voice dropping. "The guy with that insanely luxurious new sportbike."

"And?" I pushed, leaning forward.

"And he completely looked down on me, Laura!" Brenda exploded, her cheeks turning almost as pink as her bikini.

"Me! I went to meet him to remind him about the party and he said, "he would come if he wanted to."

I stared at her, completely surprised. Brenda always got exactly what she wanted from guys.

“Plenty of fish in the river, Brenda.”

"It makes me so mad that I want that fish," I watched Brenda continue, her eyes flashing with a sharp, dangerous determination.

" He's coming tonight. I know he is. And I’m going to make him look at me."

Seeing how fired up she was, I sighed and forced myself to stand up. I couldn't let my best friend face her nemesis alone. I hurriedly tied the straps of my bikini, trying to shake off the feeling of dread in my stomach.

Ten minutes later, we stepped out onto the pool deck.

The party was already wild. Flashing led lights reflected off the water, and students were lounging on daybeds, drinking out of red cups.

“Look! He came,” Brenda gave me a smug smile and nudged me to look at the bike at the far corner.

Brenda quickly mixed up in the party and then reappeared by my side. “ I haven't had a chance to speak to him yet,” she said, referring to Richard. He was here but she hadn't spoken to him.

I was going to get a drink, so we walked together to get one but before we could even reach the counter, my eyes widened on seeing him.

Standing by the edge of the deep end, talking to a group of guys, was Stephen.

My ex.

My chest tightened in instant panic. Gabriel was the last person I expected to see at Brenda’s house. He had a smug look on his face, holding a drink and looking completely at home.

"What is he doing here?" I whispered to her.

Brenda’s eyes narrowed instantly as she spotted him. "I didn't invite him. He must have crashed."

Before we could turn around and walk away, a loud shout came from the center lounge area.

"Hey! Everyone gather around! We're playing Truth or Dare!"

The crowd cheered, and before I could protest, Brenda grabbed my hand and pulled me into the circle. She wasn't the type to run away from a crowd, and she always wanted to have fun. We sat down on the large outdoor cushions and some on bean bags.

The game started fast. A bottle spun on the glass table, pointing at different people, leading to loud laughs and embarrassing dares and a few budding romances that made me cringe.

I hope this bottle doesn't spin here.

Then, the bottle spun again. It slowed down, its plastic tip pointing directly at me, me?!

The guy who spun it grinned. "Alright, Laura. Truth or dare?"

"Truth," I said smoothly, feeling myself get irritated. I glared down at the bottle.

Before the spinner could even ask a question, Stephen leaned forward from across the circle. A nasty, malicious smirk played on his lips.

"Let me ask," Stephen interrupted, his voice cutting through the laughter. He locked his eyes on Brenda, and then me but his gaze flicked to me for a terrifying second. "Tell everyone what you and your little best friend do in secret, Brenda."

I was confused, why was he including Brenda. The entire circle went completely silent. The upbeat party music suddenly felt incredibly loud against the awkward quiet.

“Or let me put it this way, tell us, including your bff, what you do in secret,” he smiled and it felt like a demon was smiling at me from hell.

“I hate this guy, who invited you here?” Brenda asked loudly, she was bewildered.

I froze. A wave of pure, icy fear crashed over me. My breath caught in my throat, and I felt the color drain from my face. I was wondering if he knew about us and he was the one behind the text.

"I don't..." I stammered, my voice shaking violently as I tried to speak. I felt like I was about to faint right there. I hated the attention and the billion eyes on me.

But Brenda stood up in an instant.

"Shut your pathetic mouth, Stephen!" Brenda yelled her eyes, holding animosity towards Gabriel. "Just because Laura dumped your poor ass doesn't mean you get to come into my house and bully her. You give me the ick." Brenda dramatically shuddered.

The attention shifted, as everyone muttered to one another. I was so grateful for that. I was going to dive into the pool and drown in shame.

Stephen blinked, taken aback by how aggressively she defended me, what did he expect? Brenda and I support each other. He held up his hands in defeat, turning red under the stares.

"Whatever. Just a joke," Stephen muttered, letting her be as he shrank back into his seat.

The tension in the air was still thick, but the game leader quickly spun the bottle again to save the mood. This time, it landed on Brenda again for a dare.

A sophomore girl laughed, trying to break the ice. "Okay, Brenda! I dare you to make out with a boy of your choice in this circle right now!"

The crowd immediately started chanting, "Make out! Make out!"

Brenda smirked, her confidence returning. She scanned the circle, and her eyes locked onto Richard sitting on a bean bag away from us, looking good and completely detached from the game.

Brenda stood up, walking confidently over to him. The crowd went wild, enjoying the cheer. I smiled at her.

She stopped right in front of him, looking up into his dark eyes, fully expecting him to play along.

But Richard didn't smile. He looked at her, then looked at the cheering crowd.

Without saying a single word, Richard turned around and calmly jumped straight into the deep end of the pool, clothes and all.

The mixture of shame and water splashed everywhere. I cringed for the hundredth time today.

The entire party erupted into a mixture of gasps and loud, mocking laughter. Richard surfaced at the other side of the pool, completely unbothered, slicking his dark hair back as if he hadn't just brutally rejected the most popular girl on campus.

Brenda stood at the edge, dripping with pool water, completely shocked to her core. Her face burned with an intense, bright red embarrassment.

"I'm so done," Brenda hissed, her hands shaking with pure rage and shame. I froze, I hated to see her like that.

She turned on her heel and stormed toward the house, pushing past the crowd.

"Brenda!" I called out, quickly jumping up from the cushion, I saw her eyes watery.

I hurried after her, leaving the chaos of the party behind,but not without giving Richard an hostile glare. My own heart still pounding from the terrifying close call with Gabriel