Party.

Sally’s POV. 

“Oh my God, that’s lovely!” Ava said, pointing at a mini dress I held up. 

Ava had practically dragged me to shop for clothes. A part of me was excited for tomorrow, and another part wondered if I should just stay home. 

I had finally decided I was going after hours of deliberation. I mean, what’s the worst that could happen? Right? 

I shook my head. “No no no, Ava, it’s really not my style.”  

“Oh come on, look at this!” She squealed, "It would look so good on you, honey. Just give it a try!”

I held it up. A red floral gown with flare sleeves. 

It really did look snug. I took it into the dressing room and slipped it on. 

My reflection stared right back at me. 

The gown hugged me at just the right places. 

“Can I come in?” Ava called from the outside. 

“Yes” 

“Wow!” She placed her palm over her mouth. "You look lovely. Why do you decide to hide all this under baggy clothes?” 

I shrugged, suddenly feeling exposed.

She turned me toward the mirror again and pulled out the pin that held my messy bun together. 

My hair fell along the sides.

"Lovely," she whispered.

I stared at myself again.

I wasn’t used to seeing myself like this.

Not because I suddenly looked like Matilda or any of the girls Justin usually surrounded himself with.

I just looked… different

I placed my hands over my hips and twirled to the side. 

My lips curved into a smile. 

“I will take it." 

*****

Justin’s POV. 

I tilted a shot over my mouth. The alcohol trailed its way down my throat, giving me that bitter-sweet sensation. 

I wasn’t a frat guy, but I loved their parties. 

The initiation was over in less than a minute, and the after-party was just getting started. 

The entire house was parked.  Music blasted from every corner, people were squeezed onto couches, and someone was already dancing on the kitchen counter.

I was just on the verge of being tipsy. 

“Hey Justin,” 

I looked up, and Matilda stood in front of me, twirling her hair around her finger. 

She wore a tiny black dress that hugged her body, with thin straps resting over her shoulders. Her legs were bare, and the dress stopped high above her knees.

I looked her over.

Damn.

She looked hot.

“What?” I asked, unable to stop the grin spreading across my face.

She smiled.

“I was wondering where you disappeared to.”

She took my palm in hers and pulled me towards the kitchen. 

“Dance with me, Justin.” 

Just then, a movement got my attention from the corner of my eye. 

Is that Sally? 

She looked different, too different. And she wasn’t alone either. 

Matilda followed the direction of my gaze, and her expression changed immediately. 

She folded her arms across her chest and pouted. "What is she doing here? By this time of the day. Isn’t she meant to be home tending to some assignments or shit like that?”

She glanced at me. I said nothing. 

The brunette girl that came in with her offered her a shot. Sally shook her head. 

The brunette looked a little too happy to be here. 

I watched Sally’s brother walk up to her and give her a hug. 

Today was his initiation. Of course it makes sense Sally would come. 

“Ouu.” Rodrick let out a low whistle beside me. “Sally looks hot as fuck.”

I looked at him.

He grinned. “What? Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed.”

I glanced back at her. Micheal had slipped away. 

“Has she been taking lessons or something?” he asked, laughing. “Because she definitely didn’t look like that the last time I saw her.”

She still had her glasses on; was it the hair? 

Yes, definitely the hair. It wasn’t in her usual tight everyday ponytail. It flew down over her shoulders. 

Our eyes met, and she flashed a set of white teeth my way. 

I smiled and walked toward her.

“Where are you going?” Matilda asked behind me.

I turned.

“I’m coming.”

She frowned, clearly not pleased.

I ignored it and continued toward Sally.

“Wow.”

Sally looked at me.

“You look good.”

A smile spread across her face.

“Thanks.”

The brunette beside her smiled at me.

“Hi.”

“Hey.”

Sally gestured between us.

“Justin, this is Ava, my roommate.” Then she turned to me. “Ava, this is Justin, my best friend." 

I grinned. Ava was pretty. “Nice to meet you.”

“You too.”

Ava looked between us, then glanced toward the kitchen.

“I’m going to grab something to drink. I’ll be in the kitchen.”

“Okay.”

She walked away.

I looked back at Sally.

“I’m honestly shocked you’re here.”

She frowned.

“Why?”

“Because I practically have to drag you out of your house every time.”

She laughed and tucked her hair behind her ear. 

“Well, I’m here now.”

“Apparently.”

I looked her over again.

“What happened to you?”

She rolled her eyes.

“Nothing happened to me.”

“You actually left your house voluntarily and came to a party? ”. 

“I can have fun, Justin.”

“Hmmm. We would see about that, won’t we?” 

The music stopped. 

A guy I didn’t know clapped his hands in the middle of the room. 

“Okay! Everyone. Time for games.”

People cheered in the background. 

I glanced at Sally and made my way towards the circle. 

Sally sat beside Ava, while I joined the guys at the other side. 

The guy clapped his hands again. “Rules are simple. Truth or dare. You do what you’re asked, or you take two shots. And no boring questions.”

Everyone cheered.

“Let’s start with you.” He pointed across the circle at Blake, who sat a few inches away from me."

Blake grinned.

“Truth.”

“Fine.” He leaned forward. “What’s the most embarrassing place you’ve ever hooked up with someone and with who?” 

The guy burst out laughing.

“Seriously?”

“You chose truth.”

He rubbed his jaw, still grinning.

“The library.”

Everyone erupted.

“The fucking library?”

“Bro!”

“Where?”

He shrugged. “Study room with Claris from freshman year.” 

“What?!” Someone mumbled in the crowd; someone cooed. 

Blake threw his hands in the air. "No judging." 

Everyone laughed, including Sally. 

"Wait, wait, let me ask the next question," Matilda whined. 

“Sure, go for it, Matilda.” 

She adjusted herself on her seat with her two minions sitting beside her with a sly smile on their faces. 

My next question is directed at Sally. 

“Truth or dare?”

Sally looked around the circle.

“Truth.”

Matilda’s lips curled into a smile.

“Are you and Justin fucking?”

The entire circle erupted.

Sally froze.

“What?”

Matilda shrugged innocently.

“You two are always together. You claim you’re just friends, but nobody actually believes that.”

“Yeah!” 

Someone called from the crowd. 

“Or…” Matilda tilted her head. “Are you threesoming with the two brothers now?”

My jaw tightened.

“Matilda.”

She looked at me, smiling.

I could feel everyone’s eyes on me.

Great.

This was exactly what I didn’t need.

If I told her to stop, everyone would start asking questions. If I defended Sally, they’d make an even bigger deal out of it.

I looked at Sally.

She was staring straight at me.

Waiting.

I looked away.

I knew exactly what she was asking.

Are you going to say something?

My eyes scanned the room briefly; Micheal was nowhere around. 

Ava touched Sally’s arm.

“You don’t have to answer that, honey.”

Sally swallowed.

Her eyes dropped to the two shot glasses sitting in front of her.

“I’ll take the shots.”

“Ooooh!” someone yelled.

The circle cheered.

I stared at her.

She picked up the first glass and threw it back.

No hesitation.

Then the second.

I raised my eyebrows.

Since when could Sally drink like that?