She knows how to make everything look beautiful. She knows how to play with her flaws, how to be creative enough to cover them. Fuck, how she hides them so perfectly that no one can see the shattering, breaking girl inside. She never shows it to them, she never shows her broken, wounded self to anyone, not even the mirror but...but I know what she really is...she's NOT the cracked wall, not the torn bits of paper, she's not a manipulating bitch or just the golden girl...

-

e looked at her reflection in the mirror and clicked her tongue in an approving manner. She was in a black sleeve dress that came two inches above her thighs, looking perfect as ever. She loved herself like this. Beautiful and tough.

Her eyes traveled to her pink lips, those that were bare. Opening the lipstick tube with a plop sound, she started coating a dark layer on her lips. Red, that's what the color was. God, she loved it so much, so so so much. The color made her look strong, confident. Now, after all these years, she kind of got used to it, used to the power her physique gave her, her defensive armor gave her. Somewhere she herself was her knight.

"Miss, Ms.Bishop is here." Georgina knocked at the door informing that the car is waiting for her.

She dismissed the servant with a big smile. Placing the lipstick on her black purse, she blew a kiss to her reflection and exited the room. Yes, she was going to a party. A party thrown by the school's heartthrob, by River Blake. No, she wasn't happy with the venue as she loathed the guy, very much. But her hatred can't erase him from their friend circle. She was bound to go and somewhere she knew that the news of Faye Lockwood not going to River Blake's party will create nothing but suspicion to everyones mind. People think they are best friends and somewhere Faye didn't want to change their vision. The game season has already started from the previous week and this party, is kind of organised by the Blake brothers cause of their victory over Riverside prep.

"Oi bitch, move your legs faster." She could practically feel Madeline's glaring eyes on her. Rolling her eyes at response, she asked the gateman to open the electronic gate for her.

"Took you long enough. God, now put your lazy ass in here." And the brunette with those gorgeous honey colored eyes waved her hands towards her.

She ran to the Lamborghini and jumped in the passenger seat.

"The guys are already there, aren't they?" She asked as Madeline looked at the rearview, coating her lips with a thick layer of hot pink.

"If we are talking about Ky here, then yes he went to River's mansion just after school." And she started the ignition.

Madeline Bishop knew about him, about her best friend's undying love for Kyle Francis. Faye didn't know when it started but whatever she possessed for Kyle was rather strong. She actually kind of liked the lacrosse captain of the school.

If Faye wants to, she can have any guy in a split of second but...but it's Kyle Francis we are talking about, the hidden nerd we are talking about. He's different. He's not someone who prefer girls with makeup, who prefer red lips, who prefer girls with power, who prefer a conqueror, he's not someone who prefer girls like Faye or Faye for that matter.

"Who said that I was talking about him?" And then a nervous laugh. She felt defeated in front of Kyle, she felt defeated in front of her feelings.

Madeline rolled her eyes at that, knowing exactly what her best friend was doing but without pushing it further, she said, "Aubree didn't come."

"She didn't... it's time you know, she will have to face him sooner or later. What did she say this time?" A sigh escaped Faye's lips.

"That she's going to the dentist with her mother."

"She's letting him win this game... I will have to talk to her about it tomorrow." She announced.

"Faye?"

"Yup?"

"Do you think Bree actually liked River?"

"I don't know Mads..." She sighed, looking at the busy streets they were passing by.

"Maybe it wasn't meant to be, River had said that he really like her." And at that, Faye scoffed.

"Please Mads, River just loves himself. He's such a douche." Her nose wrinkled in disgust as she said that.

"You really do hate him now, don't you?" Madeline shook her head, laughing.

"From the bottom of my heart."

Why?

Cause he can read her better than anyone.

"God, I don't know why you both have a grudge holding against each other."

Faye muttered under her breath, the glare clearly visible in her eyes.

"He isn't that bad, you know. I mean... at times... he...he can be really... really understanding, really trustworthy." And when Madeline said that, Faye looked at her in disbelief.

"You got to be fucking kidding me..." Madeline gave her a small smile in return, patting her head.

Bickering, they reached a familiar street, a street named after River and Zach's father.

As soon as they reached near a three storied building, a kind of strong beat started to get audible to their ears. Of course they knew where it was from. The Blake's residence.

"Darling, I am going to get wasted tonight. Remember, you're the designated driver and I will stay at your house." And Faye didn't complain. She was more than happy that no one will try to shove her a cup of spiked drink. Believe or not, the queen isn't that fond of alcohol.

"There, I found a spot." Next you know, both of them were getting out of the car. As soon as their feet touched the ground, everyone's eyes snapped to their direction. That's what they always receive, power. Power, that those teenagers gave them.

"And here comes the bitches, Madeline Bishop and Faye Lockwood." Madeline whisper shouted to Faye, both of them breaking into a fit of laughter after that. Faye will not say that she hates this attention, cause honestly, she doesn't. All this praise, eagerness, love, fear and hatred that they give her, somewhere said that she's important.

Pulling a neutral face, they both graced the ground with their stilettos and pumps. They looked irresistible, they looked like flames, hot and dangerous.

The gigantic gate was already opened and they can see thousands of teenagers in the mansion garden, which was in the size of a giant football field.

River and Zach had invited almost the whole town and Faye was more than sure that they don't even know half of them. It's what their parties were known for. There were no invitations, just a post on Instagram informing that the Blake brothers are throwing a party. Next you know, millions and millions of people will swarm into their house. Money, looks, social life, they have it all.

"See, Zach is waiting for us." And Faye looked up to see a familiar mop of platinum blonde hair. Zachary Blake, the elder and less notorious of the Blake brothers. You know the guy who always stands by you, will protect and save you from any kind of shit, will hear you out, will understand you? That's what Zachary Blake was for Faye. He was kind of a shield for her.

"Zach..." She shouted in top of her lungs, causing the guy to turn around. And as soon as those green eyes met Faye's sapphire ones, he sprinted towards them, dodging the girls that were surrounding him.

"Ladies..." And finally, he reached to them. Now, let me tell you one thing, Zachary Blake is irresistible and he can even beat Channing Tatum. Yah, he's that hot. Blonde hair, green eyes, tan skin, lean but muscular body, you see... he's someone who can even make a grandma blush and boy, isn't he famous? He's a hot topic between girls, they kiss the floor he walks in, he's just loved by each and everyone out there.

"I thought you both were not going to come." He trailed as the three of them walked inside the mansion.

There were neon lights everywhere and people were dancing to the beat of the song, screaming and enjoying themselves.

Their presence hadn't gone unnoticed. Even after forming of this crowd and loud music, each and every pair of eyes present in the hall were on them. Well, well, of course they will be, its Faye and Madeline after all.

"Let's get to the others." They walked through the path that has been formed only for them. Passing the bar, they took the side stairs that lead them to the 3rd floor.

And at last, they reached the balcony. The place where only they can go, where only populares can step their feet. The place where there was a well maintained pool, yes a pool and a beautiful view of the woods.

Sliding the door, the three of them, Faye, Madeline and Zach entered the room.

"Faye, Maddy." And Faye watched in horror as Max Richmond and Kyle Francis ran towards them.

As soon as they reached near them, Max lunged Faye up from the ground and whirled her around as Kyle did the same thing with Madeline.

Unfortunately, it wasn't Kyle who grabbed Faye.

"Oh my God, Faye, Mads." And when they both landed on the ground, Faye was shoved into someone else's embrace. The grip was tighter than she had imagined it to be and it took great force to escape from their embrace. When she caught a normal breathing, she looked at the person. Andrea Blue, the gorgeous gingerhead of Brownfield prep and Faye's one of the closest friends.

"I thought you were enjoying your days in Abu Dhabi." Faye said with a frown.

"Dad's meetings made our trip a lot shorter than we had intended it to be." Saying that, Andrea walked towards Madeline, engulfing her into a hug.

"Where's Bree?" She asked once she was done with the greetings.

Faye stared at her for some seconds, as if teleporting everything to her. Andrea knew that River and Aubree were dating each other but Faye wasn't sure whether she knew about their breakup.

And suddenly, as if something really reached her mind, her eyes narrowed, "They broke up, didn't they?"

Yes...yes they did.

"Before one month and Bree isn't taking it well." Madeline shook her head.

"What do you mean?"

"We spent the first two weeks at her's, collecting her. Thing is that, she actually, isn't like this, Now, she looks like a broken doll, not that happy, fun loving one." Madeline said as the three girls spilt up from the guys and walked into the side of the pool. To be precise, there weren't many people out there, just some close friends and the whole soccer team.

They were just talking when a deep voice interrupted, "Hey Faye, looking hot." She looked up to meet the guy's eyes. Justin Walter, one of the seniors and Faye's one of the biggest admirers. You see, generally, no one talks with the populares or simply compliment them but this guy is of another level. Yes, the guy is hot, damn hot with those grey eyes and dirty blonde hair, he himself is a sizzling hot topic among the girls but... Faye? She doesn't feel a thing towards him.

"Try harder, Justin." And Kyle walked up to them, winking at Faye. That small acknowledgement made her heart beat faster and a red color made its way to her cheeks.

Grumbling to himself, Justin walked away from them.

"That guy has got it bad." Kyle said, shaking his head.

"Tell me about it." Faye grumbled, frustrated.

"Bree didn't come, did she?" And at that all the three girls shook their heads.

"She didn't... anyways, where are the others?" Madeline asked, lunging an arm around Kyle.

"Where do you think they will be? Picking up a girl for the night, of course." He said, rolling his eyes.

"And you, our nerdie nerd aren't, ha?" Andrea laughed.

"Who said that? I have my girl right here." And he instantly wrapped his hands around Faye, winking, "Right, girlfriend?"

It was an inside joke between Kyle and Faye but each time he calls her his girlfriend, her heart sprints and she witnesses a weird feeling erupting in the pit of her stomach.

Her breathing stopped when she felt Kyle's hand on her waist. She wanted it to be true, she wanted to be called his.

Gaining a composure, she laughed, "Of course my nerdie boyfriend."

And the four of them engaged into a conversation on the upcoming match that was going to be held on the upcoming Monday.

"I know we are going to win, River and Justin are going to make sure about it... anyways, I am going to get myself a drink, you girls need anything?" Madeline vigorously nodded at that as she had already planned to get wasted tonight.

"Vodka?" And she nodded again. Faye watched as he walked away from there, a kind of desire lurching into her chest. Kyle wasn't someone who hits upon all the girls that are dying for him. He's a gentleman, one of the million reasons why she likes him.

After his departure, Faye turned to his friends, "Guys, am gonna go, use the washroom." And when the both of them nodded, she walked out of the balcony, acknowledging millions of strangers in the way.

A kind of smirk occupied her face as she watched already drunk teenagers parting ways just for her. Power, she felt powerful because of those people.

She was loving every second until someone bumped into her.

And... it was him. River Blake, a very very drunk River Blake. The guy who can pull that valuable string inside her and can mold her the way he likes.

The one who can bring the worst in her.

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©tomboy_16