^^Forbes house

The next day we sat on the grounds at lunchtime and I was glad that it wasn’t raining.

“Tiana and Brittany are the biggest bit*hes! My body was so sore when I laid last night to sleep because of all the stretches I had to do...”

Chloe kept complaining about how Tiana told them to do stretches all break and I sat listening to her as I ate my egg sandwich. My mom cooked me all the nutrition food, and I didn’t mind as long as they don’t have bacon in them.

“… I took a long warm bath to fix my muscles and if they think that they’re going to break me with all the schemes they’re pulling, it will not happen!” Chloe proclaimed, crossing her arms in determination.

“I’m sure you’ll get this through.” I smiled, taking a bite of my sandwich.

She returned my smile and her gaze darted to my left. “I don’t want to sound rude, but why is Toby sitting with us?” She whispered to me, but Toby heard her.

“I don’t want to sit in that crowded place.” Toby shrugged. “It’s peaceful here.” He added, sipping his juice bottle.

“That makes sense.” Chloe bobbed her head.

I was glad Chloe doesn’t mind Toby sitting us and she hasn’t interrogated either. It relieved me I didn’t have to lie to her about anything.

“As I was saying-“ Chloe's phone pinged, cutting her off. She picked up her phone and read the message. I observed as her eyes slowly widened and her jaw dropped. “Oh my God...”

“What?” I asked.

“You won’t believe what I’m about to tell you.” She glanced at me with her sparkling hazel eyes. “The bit*h just invited the whole cheer squad to her birthday party!” She squealed, then halted. “Just to be clear I’m not interested in her or what-so-ever I’m just happy that I’ll be at a party with Louis!”

“I know.” I smiled.

“Don’t give me that smile.” She squinted her eyes at me. “You’re coming with me, missy.” She huffed. “You’re going to be my wing woman and help me with Louis.” She said firmly. “And you Mr.” She pointed at Toby. “Are also coming with us.”

Toby tensed and looked at her with wide eyes. “I don’t go to parties.”

“That’s about to change,” Chloe smirked. “I will not spare you two until you agree-“

“We’ll go.” I intervened.

“We will?!”

“You will?!”

They both screamed simultaneously, surprised by me.

“Yeah.” I shrugged.

“This is so good!” She squealed and got up with her phone. “I’m going to make some calls and let them know we’ll be coming!” She bounced and took a few steps furiously talking on her phone.

“What are you thinking, Lilly?” Toby whispered. “I told you the reason-“

“I know-“

“Then why did you say yes.” He darted his eyes on my face, trying to read me. “If the Clichés find you at their party, they won’t go easy on you.”

“I’m sure they won’t do anything to harm me. I spent my time in high school like a ghost because I was terrified to get intimidated by the rich kids and now Benjamin has made me... bullied proof and I owe him for that. The last thing I can do to repay him is to help him spend his birthday with his boyfriend.”

“You’d do that? Even after what he did to you?”

“It wasn’t his fault,” I whispered as I remembered the bathroom conversation. “He was scared, and it’s difficult to trust a girl you just met.”

Toby's face broke into a grin, but it faded away. “But the Clichés won’t let him alone, especially on his birthday.”

“I’m sure they’re more interested in me than Benjamin these days.” I smiled. “Chloe and I’ll keep them busy.”

“Thank you.” He beamed. “And I will not tell Ben. Let’s surprise him.” I giggled and Chloe came cheering, cutting her phone.

“It’s party time!”

~•~ • ~•~ • ~•~

The next day I sat on Chloe’s bed in her room as she showed me her outfits to wear for the party, but it was hard to decide something for her. This was the second time I came to Chloe’s house. The first time was on her birthday and I was gawking when I parked my bicycle outside her house. I knew everyone at my school was rich but it still astonished me whenever I see big houses.

I never met Chloe’s father, and Mrs. Russell was such a sweet person. Chloe is an exact copy of her mother. She looked more like Chloe’s elder sister than her mother.

I looked around her room, which was decorated with white furniture and baby pink colored walls, giving it a girly look that suited Chloe. There were two doors in the room, one led to the bathroom and the other was a huge walk-in closet in which Chloe was currently. The queen-size bed in the middle of the enormous room was covered with silk pink sheets.

Chloe’s room is twice the size of mine. My room had plain white walls with just a single bed in the corner and a wall closet with a small dressing and study table.

“I should have gone shopping,” Chloe muttered as she rampaged the walk-in closet. “I have nothing to wear!” she cried in frustration.

I gaped at the pile of clothes that made a hill in the middle of the bedroom. “Um... Chloe?”

“Yeah?!” she answered from her closet.

“There are a lot of clothes here too...” I awkwardly said.

“I know, but not good enough to wear!” she huffed and came out of her closet only in her towel. Her hair was still wet from the shower. “I want to wear something good that’ll leave Louis gawking at me.” She glanced at me. “How did you decide to wear that so easily?”

I looked down at my simple white t-shirt which had two black stripes on the sleeves with black leggings. It wasn’t hard to decide what to wear since I had little choice.

“This was the best I have...” I answered Chloe, scratching my hair, which I wrapped in a ponytail.

“Help me, please!” Chloe dropped onto the bed on her stomach. “Toby will be here any minute and I haven’t even done my make-up!” She mumbled through the sheets.

Toby offered to drive us to the party and we gladly accepted it. I was about to open my mouth, then stopped when the doorbell rang.

“Oh my God!” Chloe jolted up from her position with bugged eyes. “He’s here!”

Chloe paced around the room, horrified, as I tried to calm her down. We both halted when her room door knocked.

“It’s me.” Toby’s voice came from behind.

Chloe composed herself and put a tight smile on her face as she yanked the door open.

“Hey, Toby!” she said in an oddly cheerful voice. “You are early.”

Toby frowned, looking at his watch. “I’m on time-“

Chloe jerked him in, cutting him off. “It’s alright. It happens all the time.” Chloe waved her hand and nervously laughed. “I was just finishing.”

“I can see that.” He eyed her and the clothes everywhere in the room.

“Fine, I give up.” Chloe slumped on the bed. “I can’t find anything to wear.”

“Want help?” Toby offered.

“Yes, please!” We watched as Toby picked a few clothes from the floor.

“Since it’s a high school party, you want to wear something casual and you want to impress Louis too...” He picked white jeans and a green floral top with a spaghetti strap. “And it’s cold outside.” He added, selecting a beige leather jacket.

“Wow...” Chloe whispered, eyeing the combination. “I knew I was missing something in my life.” She grinned, taking the clothes from Toby. “And that was a gay friend.” She squealed, kissing his cheek. “You’re an Angel!” She ran into the bathroom giggling.

I smiled at Toby as he blushed. “Thank you for that. I wasn’t much help.”

“It wasn’t a big deal.” Toby shrugged.

I observed his clothes. He wore a black jacket with the same color pants and a black and white stripe tee inside.

Chloe stepped out of the bathroom, bouncing on her steps. “This is amazing!” She twirled, showing her outfit.

“You look good.” I smiled. “I’m sure Louis won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”

She bit into her lips to stop the grin. “You mean that?” She asked shyly. Toby and I beamed and bobbed our heads. “Eek!” She squealed. “Give me a minute to do my make-up.”

A minute was what Chloe asked for, but it took her around thirty minutes to get ready. We bid byes to Mrs. Russell as we walked out of her house; she smiled and wished us luck. I sat in the back of Toby’s car and Chloe in the passenger seat.

“What did you get for the twins?” Chloe asked Toby, turning in her seat.

“I brought Ben tickets to the upcoming soccer game and a perfume for Brittany,” Toby answered.

“Same! But opposite I brought perfume for Ben and earrings for Brittany.” Chloe said, then turned towards me. “What did you get?”

I glanced down at my bag. I wasn’t sure what to get them since they were rich enough to buy anything for themselves. “I got matching charms key chains for them.”

“Wow... That’s a great idea to give something to twins.” Chloe praised.

The journey to the Forbes house was not even ten minutes from Chloe’s. Most of the student body in our school lived on West avenue. It was the poshest area of West Hills. I watched as different sizes of mansions pass through the window until we reached Forbes’s.

If I thought Chloe's house was big, Forbes was enormous. My jaw fell as I scrutinized the exterior of his house. There was a beautiful fountain in the middle with fresh flowers and bushes around it. The exterior was modern with a touch of ancient style.

Toby’s car stopped at the huge fence gate. The guard came towards Toby's window with a sheet in his hands.

“I’m Chloe Russell.” Chloe smiled, introducing us. “And these are my friends.”

The guard look into the sheets and nodded. “You’re on the list but you can only bring one with you.”

“Oh, I brought only one!” Chloe beamed, putting her hand on Toby’s shoulder. The guard raised his brows and darted his gaze at me. “That is Benjamin Forbes’ future girlfriend.” Chloe continued, and I gaped at her. “If you don’t want to face his wrath, then you’re going to let us go.”

I glanced at Toby, who watched me through the rare view mirror with his lips pressed, trying not to burst out laughing.

The guard frowned and hesitated. “I uh...”

“I’ll call Benjamin,” Chloe said, taking her phone out. “I’m sure he’ll let you know how to treat his girlfriend-“

“Ok, you can go.” The guard rushed and let us pass.

“Thank you!” Chloe giggled and plopped on her seat as Toby drove towards the driveway.

“Why did you lie?” I whispered.

“I didn’t lie I predicted the future.” Chloe defended.

Toby chuckled as he parked his car with the several ones already parked there. “We’re here.”

I got out of the car and creaked my neck up to see the front of the house. I followed Toby and Chloe and stepped up the stairs; we stop in front of the round wooden gate. The music boomed through the door, but it was barely audible.

As soon as the door opened, music blared from the house so loud that I winced. The walls were soundproof, otherwise, the whole neighborhood would have complained about how ear preaching it was.

I looked around the house as we entered there were few people in the foyer. Their enormous staircase and in the middle was a round table decorated with a plant. I looked to my right and saw a hallway. People were coming and going there and the same was to my left. I stepped closer to Chloe because I was sure I’d get lost in the maze.

A maid came from our left and eyed the bags in our hands. “Let me get them for you.” She smiled, and we gave her the gifts. She took them and I saw her placing them with the other gift in the hallway's corner.

“The kitchen is this way,” Toby said and went the right way.

“Wait... How do you know that?” Chloe asked, making him halt.

“I uh...” Toby trailed off. “I came here before...in one of Brittany’s parties...”

I pressed my lips to stop myself from chuckling. Of course, he came here before, it’s his boyfriend’s house.

“But you said you don’t go to parties?” Chloe cocked her head.

“I don’t… it was my first and last time.” Toby let out a nervous chuckle and looked at me with a pleading gaze.

Chloe opened her mouth to ask another question, but I stopped her by putting my hand on her arm. “Let’s go drink something.”

She turned to me and nodded. “Ok!”

Toby sighed in relief and lead us along the way.

After getting ready for the party I wore my white shirt with a red jacket and black ripped jeans.

I jumped downstairs, and then I heard AJ barking. My lips stretched in a grin, and I opened the door.

“AJ you’re back!” My full-grown Kuvasz came running and launched itself at me. I laughed as he tried to lick me. “I just took a shower, AJ!” He moaned and got down and I rubbed his head. “And I missed you.” AJ was sent to a groomer for his monthly care, and I had to live without him for two days.

“He missed me more than you.” I looked and saw my sister and mom getting out of the car with groceries and shopping bags. “Right AJ?” He woofed, making Abigail smirk. “See!”

I scoffed. “Whatever helps you sleep at night, Abby.” I eyed my mom’s bags. “Did you get it?”

“Here,” she said, extending a pink paper bag. I took a glance at it and saw a box wrapped in gift paper. “She’s your best friend you should know what she wants for a gift.” My mom said.

“I know what Ben wants, but I get confused with Brittany.” I shrugged and kissed her cheek. “That’s why I have you. I’m going now!”

“Bye! And wish them a birthday from me too!” Mom said, and my sister waved her hand as I ran toward my white Aston Martin.

Settling in my seat, I put the bag in the passenger seat. I opened the glove box and took out the envelope I got Ben. It was a ticket to the upcoming soccer game. Ben and I were the crazy ones in our group for soccer and we always went together to see the match. Just the two of us.

I drove towards the Forbes house; it was just a few minutes away from mine. The guard let me in without stopping and greeted me. I nodded my head in acknowledgment and parked my car in the driveway. There were a few more cars parked and people were still coming.

I opened the door and was greeted by loud music and I climbed upstairs to Brittany’s room, knowing she would still be getting ready.

I knocked on the door and entered, announcing. “It’s me!”

I glanced around her room, which was fully furnished with off-white furniture and pink walls. Pink curtains hanging from the ceiling were closed to stop the chilly winds. Queen-size bed in the middle covered with pink sheets, full-length mirror in the corner with pink dressing, and study table. Everything in Brittany's room was pink and sometimes I wanted to puke, but I controlled myself.

“I’m in here!” I turned towards the bathroom and opened the door to see her applying lipstick. “How do I look?” She twirled to show off her tight maroon dress that reached just below her hips.

“You look amazing.” I praised and extended her present. “For the birthday girl.”

She gave me a toothy grin and snatched the gift from me. She squealed as she took out the box and unwrapped it.

“Oh my God Drew! This is beautiful!” I glanced at the gold chain with a butterfly in the locket. “You always get me amazing things!” She praised.

“Yeah!” I gave her a nervous chuckle and rubbed my neck. I always asked my mom to get me a gift for her and never told Brittany that. “I’m glad you like it.”

“I love it!” She kissed my cheek and turned around. “Help me put it on.” She pulled her blonde hair up and I put on the necklace. After finishing, she let go of her hair, which was curled from the ends. “It looks gorgeous on me.”

I nodded my head and was glad to see that she liked it. “Shall we go downstairs? The party has already started.”

She bobbed her head and link our arms and we went downstairs. We entered the living room to our right and saw it filled with everyone dancing. Everyone wished Brittany as we made our way toward our friends on the couches.

“Finally she’s here!” Maddie grumbled and put a smile on her face, wishing her with others.

I walked to Ben, who sat on the side table sipping his drink. “Happy Birthday, man,” I said, patting his shoulder. He thanked me and I continued. “I brought you a gift.” I waggled my brows.

“Let me guess.” Ben gave me a lopsided grin. “Tickets.”

I fake gasped. “Can you read minds or something?” He chuckled, shaking his head.