Chapter Four

~Beatrix Pov~

I was standing behind a tree in a tracksuit.

Let that sink in.

Not a cool, sporty tracksuit either. Grey joggers and a plain hoodie.

I watched people walk into the party hall in sharp suits, glittering gowns, and heels that fit them perfectly.

Can I really do this?

I'd been so confident a few seconds ago. But looking at them now, how could I walk in there looking like this?

"What are you doing?"

The voice came from right beside my ear, close enough that I felt the breath on my skin.

I spun around. "Aaaah!"

"Aaaah!" he screamed back, hands flying wide open. Then he burst out laughing.

I let out a slow breath. My face twisted into a frown.

"You scare easily," Justin said, smiling that easy smile.

It irritated me, mostly because he didn't seem to be making fun of me. He wore a black fitted suit, his collar open just enough to show a little skin, because of course it was. His hair had that messy, perfect look, like he didn't need to bother.

His eyes moved over my hoodie, then my joggers, slowly, carefully.

"You're not planning to go in there looking like that, are you?"

I looked away, searching for an escape. This was a mistake. I should just go back to my room.

I turned to leave, but his hand closed around mine. I froze, then tried to pull free. His grip was strong.

"Let go," I said.

"Trust me, I can help you out here." His eyes were doing something I couldn't read.

Trust him? Of all four boys, he was the one who made me the most self-conscious. He reminded me of every jerk I'd ever had to hide from, and they were always bad news.

"I'm not going in," I said quickly, hoping the information would make him let go.

"Really?" He raised an eyebrow. "But you're here."

"I was just looking."

It was a lie, and we both knew it. He smirked.

"I have something you could wear, though."

I searched his face for the joke. He looked serious. But it had to be a joke, because there was no way he had anything that came in my size.

"I'm serious," he said, still holding my hand.

I didn't respond. He smiled, which made me raise an eyebrow.

"Come on."

He pulled my arm, and I was stunned. He could actually pull me.

So I followed. He didn't let go until we reached the gate of the boys' dorm. I glanced back across the lawn at mine. I was the one crossing it now, and with Justin of all people.

"Am I even allowed in here?" I whispered.

"Shh." He pointed to where the warden sat, fast asleep. "It'll be bad if he wakes up."

I nodded and watched him open the gate carefully.

"Well?" he said, his eyes telling me to move.

I walked in, and he eased the gate shut behind us.

It didn't look any different from ours.

"You can admire it later," he whispered, taking my hand again. He started walking quickly, and I kept pace.

"You good?" he asked, stopping at a door.

I was trying my best to steady my breathing. "Fine," I said, which was a lie. I had just crossed the lawn in a hoodie, hand in hand with Justin. My palm was already sweaty. I glanced at him, waiting for him to wipe his hand on his suit.

He didn't.

"Come in," he said, opening the door.

I hesitated. What if this was a prank? What if it was something worse?

"You can't change out here," he said, glancing down the hall. "And you might want to decide quick, because of the cameras."

I didn't need to think twice. I went in.

"Welcome to our room," he said.

The four of them shared one room. Everyone knew that. It must be nice, I thought, having people like that around you.

I found myself looking around, and it was easy to tell whose space was whose. The corner crowded with sports gear and medals was Kai's. The neat shelf stacked with books had to be Bryan's. The wall covered in magazines and sketches was Cruz's.

And Justin's side was blank.

I didn't know what I'd expected, but it wasn't that. No posters, no clutter, nothing. Just a bed, a desk, and a wardrobe.

"Hold on," he said, walking over to the wardrobe.

He came back with a blue dress, wrapped in plastic like it had just come from the store. There was no way he'd bought it for me. Maybe it was for an ex. Maybe it was a gift he never gave.

"I don't think it'll fit," I said, looking up at him.

He gave me a look, easygoing and unbothered, the kind I couldn't stand.

"Try it on and see." He placed the dress over my arm before I could process anything, then walked to the door.

"I'll be outside. Knock when you've decided."

He opened the door, stepped out, then turned back.

"Be quick, though. The warden starts watching the cameras when he wakes up."

Then he shut the door.

I let out a breath, unwrapped the plastic, and laid the dress on Justin's bed to get a proper look.

It was a blue gown with a V-shaped neckline, tiny beads scattered across the bodice, catching the light and trailing down the skirt in a way that looked elegant, almost expensive.

"Is it really going to fit?" I muttered.

I pulled off my hoodie and dropped it on the bed. I stared at the gown a little longer, still in doubt. Then I stepped into it, dragged it up my body, and slipped my arms through.

Surprisingly, it looked like it would work. But I couldn't be sure, because I was struggling with the zip at the back. I sighed. I couldn't do this alone.

I went to the door and knocked.

"You done?" he asked.

"No. I need you to help me with the zip."

There was a pause.

"Okay."

The door opened. I kept my back to him. I didn't want to see his expression. I wasn't sure I could handle any mockery right now.

But then I felt his fingers at the back of the dress, and I heard the zip moving up slowly, and it fit.

I felt my heart racing, and relief washed over me. But then a new question crept in.

Why did it fit?

"We should go," Justin said, turning toward the door.

I turned slowly, not sure how the dress looked on me.

"What do you think?"

I didn't know why I asked. But he paused, his hand on the door, and he turned to look at me.

If I hadn't seen what was written on that board, would I have read that look differently? I could feel the heat of his gaze, the kind that, on anyone else, would have meant something.

"Good," he said.

Then the easy smile slid back into place, covering the look so fast I wondered if I'd imagined it.