😍😍

~•~

"I envy how long and thick your lashes are." Mia gushed while putting more mascara on me.

"And the hair!" Zonia piped in. "Its waves fall too naturally."

Putting on makeup isn't my forte. I'll end up looking myself like a clown or worst a walking motley coated cake. The girls offer to help me after they had done their selves.

Friday night finally rolls up and everyone was in whoop for the party. It is said that juniors and seniors went for the McWicht sisters' party as it's one of the anticipating nights you shouldn't miss.

The girls decided to pile up in Mia's house, yes, she's coming. She was adamant about going at first but suasive words from her brother eased all the kicks-up between them. No matter how much they argue Mia still supports his brother as long as it makes him happy, and vice versa.

"Do our looks fitted on the foam party? What if we overdo it? What if-"

"You think too much. Who said it's a foam party?" Mia asked.

"Isn't it?"

Mia and Zonia exchanged looks and laughed. "It's a different party, Ann. Have you been to a party before?"

"Yep." Like foam, pj's, and girls' parties.

"That's not the party we meant!" Zonia said, her smile broader than before. "It's an in-house party ." She winked, patting my shoulder.

Did I say it out loud?

"OMG! OMG! You look so pretty." Mia gushed again, looking at me dreamily. "I'm so proud of my work." She added, high five-ing Zonia.

I smiled at her. Mia looked stunning in her black strapless dress that falls inches above her knees and red high heels. Half of her fiery-orange hair was pinned and half fell at the mid of her back.

Zonia looked striking. Her shoulder-length hair was curled messily, a jangly makeup painted her sweet face. She wore a white top inside of a mini black vest and a tight skirt, complemented by knee boots.

"Taran! I found a dress perfectly suited for her." Luvelle giggled walking down to us from Mia's wardrobe. She was wearing a classic tube and high-waisted jeans-- a stylish LV bag accentuated her style.

I looked down at my skinny jeans and white plain shirt. Isn't it enough? I think I look... presentable.

A looked of horror spread on my face seeing the dress Luvelle got me. It is sexy sparkly shorts and a posh red bralette. A Francine red boots on her other hand.

"Oh. Uhm. I think I'm good." I gulped.

The three of them grinned maniacally and shoved me into the bathroom.

"I don't think it's a great idea!" I yelled from the closed door.

"What are you saying? Come on and show up." Mia answered.

I look down at my outfit. Dang. I won't go out wearing this. Nope. Not gonna happen. I feel undressed, really. My legs are so exposed and my chest, the top shows my cleavage more than necessary. These clothes aren't me. I feel like I wasn't me right now.

I rather stay here lock myself forever than go disgrace myself and be the feast of those scrutinizing stares of everyone. Let's face it. People are judgmental and it's in nature.

A moment after, the door creaked open and the three of them barged in. Their eyes were wide and their mouth open.

I know what they're thinking. I look like a hooker.

"Wow." Luvelle gawked.

You look so doxy desperate female dog.

"You look so hot!" Mia gushed.

Reasons why the outfit looks like it! Yay! It burnt.

"Speechless." The word Zonia could only muster.

Because you're the bawd queen for tonight. Hands fall.

"I feel so exposed," I mumbled after a long silence.

"What?" Mia asked confused.

"I look like a needy girl wanting to get laid for the night."

"What are you saying? You look great!" Mia assured.

You're just saying it because I'm your friend. I sulked. Mia faced me in her human-sized mirror. A beautiful girl was standing before me. Her eyes are smoky and her lips are luscious complementing her fair complexion. Her hair same as mine. The color. The length. The waves.

Who am I kidding? The girl staring back at me is no other than me. I almost don't recognize myself. Sue me if I say I don't like it. I love it.

"Maybe she wants to wear frocks." Luvelle snorted.

"The body like that should be flaunted. Boys will gonna swoon over you." Zonia giggled, stressing the word swoon in a sing-song voice.

"It's about time for our baby duckling to go out of her shell. Let the party start!" Mia cheered slipping her arm on mine.

~~

The whole ride was full of fun. A loud music screamed from the radio blares throughout the ride. At times the girls sang at the bottom of their lungs near my ear and I can do nothing but laugh at their silliness. "C'mon. Loosen up." Luvelle handed me a can of beer. I stared at it.

"Just one gulp." She urged.

"I don't drink."

She rolled her eyes. "Life is too short to be boring. Breaking what you've thought is right isn't that bad. Living a little isn't a crime, Ann. It means you're living enough for yourself and discarding what people think around you."

"Okay, Mom." The moment the liquid skimped into my mouth my throat burnt. I choked a little as small water dripped at the corner of my eyes.

"It tastes awful!" I complained and they laughed.

"Welcome to the world, Anna."

The moment the car stop at the Mcwicht mansion the party was already in full swing, the unbeaten music blasting throughout the neighborhood; the scattered red and blue cups all over the lawn. Groups of boys merged hitting cigarette smoke under the stout tree standing on the dark side of the lawn. Don't forget the shameless couples making out on the porch.

The cold breezes of August air fondled my bare skin, giving me goosebumps. I regret not putting on a cardigan. If I staying a bit longer outside I might catch a cold.

I held my head as it starts to spin. I finished three cans of beer. Because what? I want to loosen up. I put those feelings in the pit of my gut and remind myself to have fun.

"Let's go!" I whopped tugging their arms toward the door.

"Hold on little horsey." Mia chuckled and I pouted. My shoulder hunched down in sudden rejection.

"You're too cute when you're tipsy." She said after locking the car.

"Tipsy? Who's tipsy? Me? I am not tipsy. Not tipsy." I slurred. I saw her shook her head and chuckled. She grabbed my arm and we walked hand-and-hand to the door. Zonia and Luvelle are already inside having fun with the pom-pom squad.

"Oops. Sorry." I grinned at the person I stumbled into the moment I enter the house. Mia saw it and held my hand firmly as we trotted our way out of the sea of pounding bodies until we reached I assumed the kitchen. There were numbers of people oozing their drinks on the counter as the bartender adroitly mixed the beverages.

The two familiar faces I've been accustomed to for couple of weeks were already seated on the stools, looking handsome as always.

"You look... great, Ann," Easton whispered into my ear the moment we reached them. My smile widens. If only I'm used to those compliments.

"Thanks," I said cheerfully. His forehead creased in confusion and he sniffed.

"Are you drunk?"

"Nope."

"Are too."

"Are not."

He flicked my nose and chuckled." Okay, you don't, though you reek alcohol. "He mumbled.

"You look human tonight, Samuels," Brett commented. I watched his unabashed eyes trail from my body, not missing those eyes that lock longer on my chest. I am completely aware that he's checking me out. I raised my brow and he cleared his throat and focused his attention back on his glass, gripping it tightly.

What's wrong with this guy?

Shrugging I said. "You're not bad as yourself, Martins."

I saw him smile before Mia grabbed my arms to the dance floor. I was feeling high and drugged as I kept giggling the whole time while dancing. It felt amazing dancing with these people around me, the unending song, and beam lights seemed surreal to me. I feel like a wild hog being set out for a very long time. Everything feels so magical here I want to stay longer.

It suggested fun.

After dancing for hours my foot throbs, complaining about too much jumping and dancing.

Mia and Luvelle grabbed drinks for us and vanished through the sea of grinding bodies. A moment after Zonia excused herself because she needed the bathroom. Call of nature, I guess.

That left me alone on the dance floor. I decided to take some fresh air as I felt my head starts to spin again. I opted my way in the back door when a pair of strong hands slipped on my waist behind my back causing me to turn around.

"Hi," I looked up at the tall with black curls standing so close to me. A sweet smile brightens his face.

"Hey," I look at him skeptically.

"Can I have this dance? I'm Mike by the way." He smiled again displaying his pearly white teeth.

"Seeming that your hands already snaked on my waist..." I shrugged and he laughed.

Man. I just want some fresh air and rest for my throbbing feet. But I can't say no to this guy because... I don't know. He seems nice? Or probably because of the booze Luvelle gave to me.

"So, where do you go to school?" He asked.

"In a place full of faceless strangers." Like you.

He laughed and drew me closer to him. I stumbled a bit. I struggled against his grip but in my state, I don't have a match on his.

"You're funny. But seriously?"

"Costados. I study at Costados."

Now I cannot breathe and sweats were forming down my neck.

"Really? Why I haven't seen you there? I shouldn't miss that pretty face of yours." He grinned. I rolled my eyes in his lame attempt.

I felt Mike's hands fall at my bottom and I put his hands back on my waist.

"Your hands are explorers." I pointed out.

"I guess." I felt his hands again on my bottom, pushing me toward him more. My cheeks flamed. I pushed him away from me and he scowled.

"Put your filthy hands off me!"

"What's your problem? Don't tell me you don't like it. You wouldn't dress like that if you aren't what I thought you are." he smirked.

The nerve with this guy. Why did I let this jerk touch me?

My eyes were clouded with upwelling tears blurring my vision. I wiped hastily the stupid tear that fell on my cheek. I turned around and followed the direction where Mia vanished and asked to go home and call it a night.

"I'm not over yet." He said and grabbed my arm, yanking me back. He pushed me onto the wall and set his hands beside me, completely caging me.

"Please. Please let me go." I pleaded as I tried to push him off me. He snuggled on my neck and starts kissing it. I shivered in disgust. Tears rolled down my cheeks and I suddenly felt small and vulnerable. He pressed himself on me more as I felt him hard on my stomach. He trussed my arms over my head as the other hand drifted in every inch of my body.

My knees feel like jelly-o. Can't everyone see that I am publicly raped by this rotten punk? Where are my friends? Feeling no hope, I stopped struggling and closed my eyes tightly as a deep painful sob left my mouth. The guy was yanking away from me and when I open my eyes he was lying on the floor, holding his broken nose. He smirked at this and when he looked up, a shear of horror swathe his face.

"That's not the proper way of treating a girl." He said.

Ashton?

Ashton turned around to face me, an unreadable emotion on his face. He gently held my hand and we made our way out of the party.