Ava.

Sally’s POV. 

Today was surprisingly a success, and Cold actually listened. 

I glanced at him as he drove. Eyes fixed on the road as he bobbed his head to the music. 

He’s actually smarter than he lets on. If only he would just be serious for once. 

A few minutes later, he pulled up in front of my dorm.

I unbuckled my seatbelt and reached for the door.

“So…” he said.

I looked at him. “So?”

He grinned. “Aren’t you going to invite me to your room?” 

“No…why would I do that?" 

He chuckled. "Someday, Sally.” 

I rolled my eyes and stepped out of the car. 

He winked before putting the car back in drive.

“Goodnight, love.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Goodnight.”

His car pulled away, and I turned toward the dorm building.

I had barely taken a few steps when a girl walking past me glanced in the direction Cole had disappeared.

“Is that your boyfriend?”

I stopped.

“What?”

She giggled. “The guy that just dropped you off.”

“Hell no!”

She laughed.

“Okay, okay.”

Then she walked away before I could say anything else.

I stood there for a second, completely confused.

Boyfriend?

Cole?

Absolutely not.

I shook my head and headed inside.

When I opened the door to my room, Ava was already back.

She was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed, phone pressed against her ear.

“Babe, I told you, I’m not mad.”

She laughed.

I quietly dropped my bag beside my bed.

She glanced at me and smiled before turning her attention back to the call.

She looked so happy. So…in love. 

Oh well, I changed out of my clothes and into my nighties. Just a shirt and loose pants to bed. 

I rubbed my eyes… Wearing glasses has never been easy. I had worn them since fourth grade; the doctor had said it would correct my sight. 

Surprise surprise! Years later I literally have to squint till my eyes are almost closed before I can see the person waving at me from a few feet away. 

I turned on my phone and glanced at the message Justin had sent earlier. 

‘I am sorry; I'm just really worried about you. I am proud of you. Always. Xoxo.’ 

I smiled. Of course. 

I typed into the keyboard. 

‘It’s okay, really.’ 

“Heyy!” 

Ava dropped her phone and turned to me. She wore pink Hello Kitty pajamas. 

“You are glowing.”

I frowned. “Me? Come on.” 

“Yes, you.”

She sat up straighter and looked at me properly.

“Are you going to the party?”

I shook my head.

“No.”

“Why?”

“I don’t have anything to wear.”

She stared at me like I had just said something completely ridiculous.

“Sally.”

“What?”

“It’s one of the biggest parties on campus.”

I shrugged.

“So?”

“You have to go.” 

“I don’t think so, Ava."

She pouted and folded her arms across her chest. 

I laughed. “Ava, I literally just got here.”

“Exactly. Which means you need to have some fun.”

I rolled my eyes.

“I don’t even know what people wear to these things.”

“That’s why you have me.”

I smiled.

“Are you going with your boyfriend?”

She shook her head.

“Nope.”

I looked at her.

“Why not?”

“He’s not here; he’s all the way in Seattle.” 

“Wow.”

She picked up her phone and glanced at the screen.

“He doesn’t really like me going to these parties.”

I raised my eyebrows.

“Then maybe you shouldn’t go.”

She stared at me for a second before bursting out laughing.

“Girl, please.”

I laughed too.

“He’s not going to find out.”

“Ava!”

“What?” She shrugged. “I’m allowed to have fun.”

I shook my head.

“Oh well, I guess so.” 

She jumped off her bed and walked over to me.

“Tell you what.”

“What?”

“We’ll go shopping tomorrow.”

I looked at her.

“For what?”

“For your outfit, obviously.”

“Ava…”

“Nope. I’m picking it.”

I laughed.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“It is an excellent idea.”

She pointed at me.

“I’ll help you pick the cutest outfit, and I promise I’ll let you do your own thing.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“What does that mean?”

She grinned.

“And you’re letting me do your makeup.”

My eyes widened.

“Absolutely not.”

“Why?”

“I don’t wear makeup.”

“I noticed.”

She said it so casually that I couldn’t help laughing.

She grabbed my hands.

“Come on, Sally. Just this once, and if you don’t like it, we could stay back and not go again.” 

I hesitated.

My mom definitely wasn’t going to be happy if she found out I was going to some huge college party.

She’d probably ask a hundred questions.

Who was going?

What time would I be back?

Who was driving me?

Who else would be there?

And knowing Mum, she’d probably tell me not to go at all.

I sighed.

Maybe I shouldn’t.

But I had already moved into the dorms.

I had spent years doing exactly what everyone expected of me.

Maybe one night wouldn’t hurt.

I looked at Ava.

“Okay.”

She squealed and did a little dance on her tiptoe. 

“Really??” 

I nodded. 

“Can’t wait, you won’t regret it, I promise.” 

I watched her practically skip off to her bed. 

"Goodnight, Sal.” 

"Goodnight, Ava.” She turned off her nightstand and turned the other way. 

I glanced at my phone and typed in a message to Mom. 

“Goodnight, Mum, I love you.”