Chapter 8

Renee's POV

"Stop asking questions. Oh, look, Renee is here already" They all turned to look at me and instead of running out of the house, I forced my legs toward them. "Join us"

I looked from Theoden to Layla, thinking of who I should sit down with but I ended up sitting at the other end of the table, where I could face all of them.

"Hi, Ren" Layla greeted with a smile "Hope you like your room. Mine is the room next"

"If you don't like it, feel free to come to the King's palace," Theoden said and grinned widely while Layla turned to glare at him.

"You mean your rathole? No, thanks"

"I wasn't inviting you so your appreciation isn't needed" Theoden rebuffed sharply and I chuckled. Do they have to argue over every single thing?

"Show some manners, will you? We have a guest here" Mrs. Grace said and they shut their mouths. "As I was saying, she'll be joining the both of you in school so you'll have to show her around and help her settle in the new environment. Treat her as your sister"

"Cool!" Theoden blurted out ecstatically. He dropped his cutlery and turned to look at me "Have you got a perfect dress?"

I arched my brows but nodded anyway. My closet was filled with lots of beautiful dresses and I couldn't say no. He stood up from his seat and came over to offer me his hand.

"We've got the freshman party tonight and as your best friend, I want you to be my date"

I leaned forward and scrutinized his face just to be sure nothing was amiss. He had this smile on his lips as his hands were held out in front of me. Did he just say I was his best friend? What is the other thing he was asking about cause I had no idea about it.

"Are you insane? When did she become your best friend?" Layla asked and laughed. "And why would you just ask someone you just met out on a date?"

"Last I checked, Lay, this is none of your business. I think it's high time I had a best friend"

"Because Shane's my best friend? How absurd" Layla said and chuckled lightly. Who is this Shane that everyone keeps on mentioning? "Just wait until he comes tonight."

"Like I care, Lay" Theoden responded with an eye roll and turned back to me "Forgive me, I get to say the silliest things when I'm excited but you should come for the party. Everyone will be there"

*

After dressing up later in the evening, I stood in front of the mirror to give myself one last look. I didn't want to attend the party but Mrs. Grace coaxed me to. I was a freshman, she reminded me.

The door opened abruptly and I flinched as Layla walked in. Jeez, there's a reason for the fucking door. Now, with everything happening around here, I missed home so much. I could stay in my room all day without having anyone barge into it.

"Are you seriously wearing that?" She asked, sizing me from head to toe. I furrowed my brows and looked down at what I was wearing before looking up at her " Shane doesn't like girls who dress that way "

Shane? Who's this person and what does my dress have to do with him? Mrs. Grace told me earlier that he was the Billionaire's son. And so what?

"Don't I have a choice to wear whatever I want? It's a fucking party"

"And you're using the 'F' word," She said again and shook her head in disapproval "He gets irritated by that and doesn't like anyone to use it"

I stared at her with wide eyes and scoffed. Is she kidding me? How does what he likes and dislikes end up being any of my fucking business?

"Instead of wearing a crop top which exposed your tummy and belly button, you could wear a hoodie. The one that covers you perfectly"

"Oh" I mouthed and she nodded with a smile. She was wearing a yellow dress that covered her knees with black heels to match. Whoever wears that to a freshman party? Well, certainly not me.

"Hey, Renee and the other girl in there, it's time to go. Get down already" Theoden yelled from outside the door and Layla turned to look at me.

"What are you waiting for? You heard him, we're late so hurry and change up. I'll be waiting downstairs"

After she walked out, I looked at myself one more time in the mirror before applying red lipstick on my lips. I smacked my lips and after glancing one more time at the mirror, I walked out of the room.

"Wow, you look amazing!" Theoden complimented as I got downstairs. I smiled softly and turned to Mrs. Grace who was trying to fix Layla's dress.

"Why should you keep dressing like this for every party huh? This is not even a party wear"

"But I like it mum"

"How do you expect the guys to look your way if you keep dressing like this? They might think you're a freak. Take a look at Renee. She's the real party girl here" Mrs. Grace said and looked up at me. Layla turned too and they stood, staring at me.

"I thought you wanted to change that" Layla pointed out with arched brows "Remember what I told you"

"Admit it, Lay, she's dressed to kill. Just take a look at her and look back at yourself"

Layla wanted to speak but she paused when she heard the front door open. We all turned in that direction, expecting whoever it was to walk into where we were.

"Shut it, Theo. That's not decent"

"How the fuck is this not decent?" I asked "It's not like I'm exposing my fucking boobs or something else that should prolly be covered"

"I thought we agreed on no more using the 'F' word?" Someone said and I turned in the direction. Who the hell was that and what was he talking about?

"Shane!" Layla half yelled as her face lit up with smiles. Oh, finally the Shane guy is here.

"Am I missing something?" He asked as he finally approached us. "Why is everyone dressed?"

I stared at the wildly handsome guy whose eyes were the most charming pair I've ever seen but hold on a minute. Isn't he the same guy from the Swimming fucking house?

"Um... We'll be leaving for the freshman party. How do I look?"

"You look incredible. Look, I can't wait to tell you guys about this crazy girl that I met at the swimming house..." He was still talking when he turned and laid eyes on me.

Firstly, he froze as he stared at me with wide eyes. Then slowly, his mouth dropped open and he blinked twice. So this was the person everyone was talking about. This was the Shane guy and I could that he was so fucking shocked as hell.

"Shane, meet Renee. She'll be staying here with us for a very long time 'cause I like her already" Theoden introduced and I rolled my eyes, chuckling lightly "Renee, meet Shane. He's Layla's best friend, not that I care about that, and he's a brother to me. Which part did I miss?"

"You missed the part that he doesn't like anyone swearing and cursing around. And secondly, he doesn't like girls who dress like THAT" Layla added and pointed at me.

" That's bullshit 'cause there's nothing wrong with what I'm fucking wearing so don't speak about it like it's some piece of shit" Everyone remained quiet but I didn't give a single fuck about that. All I cared about was the Shane guy who just stood staring at me like his life depended on it.

"So, Shane, tell us about this crazy girl you met at the Swimming house. I really want to know what happened"