Chapter 8 Party Favors

• I simply couldn't get Roselyn out of my mind. The memory of our intimate encounter at the studio replayed in my head every time I closed my eyes. I knew I had to keep my distance from Mr. Hunt's mansion and, by extension, her. I understood the risks of my desires; falling for a rival was already dumb enough. In addition, society would never approve of my feelings for her. It was a terrible mistake, and I had to fix it somehow.
• I made all types of excuses to stay away, hoping that time and space would help us forget. However, as the days turned into weeks, my efforts seemed futile. I longed to see her, to feel the rush of passion we shared, even if it meant defying the expectations and norms that constrained us. Luckily for me, Lynn had my back as usual.
• "Girl! You have been acting so strange lately. Are you alright? Were you even listening to me?" She questioned with growing concern, as soon as we met at our favorite coffee shop.
• "I'm sorry, you were talking about..."
• "Party at Steve's, duh! AKA the hottest guy in Business School" she happily corrected, taking a bite of her chocolate muffin.
• My first thought was, "Steve who?" But then I remembered Lynn had mentioned him, a blonde hunk with a reputation for throwing the most epic parties in our college. My second thought was, "Absolutely not." The last thing I wanted was to be surrounded by sweaty, intoxicated strangers, especially after the emotional rollercoaster of the past weeks. However, Lynn wasn't known for taking "no" for an answer.
• "Don't even think about ditching me, you're coming! Bring your dancing shoes, and maybe a spare liver, just in case."
• "You gotta be kidding me" I replied, letting out a genuine chuckle.
• "Come, it's gonna be fun" She continued "I know this whole situation with Roselyn has been a drag for you, but that's exactly why you need to go out with me tonight. You need to unwind" She advised.
• Lynn obviously didn't know about the kiss we shared. I was way too embarrassed to open up, even with my best friend. Despite that, I had to admit she had a solid argument.
• "Alright, alright, I'll go with you. But what the heck I'm supposed to wear? All those popular kids will be dripping in designer clothes. I don't have an outfit ready"
• Lynn rolled her eyes playfully, reaching for a lock of my hair. "No problem. I have a nice dress you can borrow. And I'll do your hair nice, I promise"
• I had to admit the idea was tempting. I was too stressed out to stay at home the entire summer, thinking about Roselyn. I had to clear my head and forget about her, once and for all.
• The party took place in Steve's country house. I was met with a scene straight out of a college movie: People were dancing on furniture, some even on the ceiling fan. A guy was trying to teach a group of girls how to tango, and a couple was making out in the corner, which honestly, wasn't as scandalous as it sounded, considering they were both wearing matching hats.
• "Hey, you look like you need a drink," Lynn said, handing me a plastic cup filled with a neon-colored liquid that I was pretty sure was just sugar. "Just relax, have fun, and forget everything that's been bothering you."
• She was right, at least about the "forget everything" part. I didn't want to drink; I just wanted to dance and meet new friends, like Mom suggested. I found myself laughing with a group of guys who were trying to explain the rules of a card game, one of them even tried to hit on me, which made Lynn particularly excited.
• "See? I told you you'd have fun," she said, her voice muffled by her own giggling as we walked to the restroom.
• "Maybe," I said, "But that guy has been drinking vodka and eating gummy bears all night long. I don’t think I can handle that”
• Even though I wasn't completely sure if I had forgotten everything that had been bothering me, at least for a while, I had managed to clear my head. And that, in itself, was a small victory. Unfortunately, small victories don't usually last long. The "mean girls" of college spotted me in the corridor and began their taunts. My outfit was their target, and I felt their judgmental stares as they sized me up, no doubt scoffing at my less-than-designer outfit.
• I braced myself for their cutting remarks, ready to give them a piece of my mind if they dared to cross the line. "Look at what we have here," one of them drawled, her voice dripping with faux sweetness. "Did you get that at the charity vault, hun? How quaint."
• Her cronies snickered, no doubt imagining themselves to be the height of fashion and sophistication. I held my ground, refusing to let them see me sweat.
• "At least I don't have to rely on my parents' money to look good," I retorted, my voice laced with sarcasm. "Some of us have to earn our keep, you know?"
• The girls started lashing out, and Lynn was quick to back me up. However, before they could fire back, a familiar voice cut through the tension. "I think she looks absolutely stunning."
• My heart skipped a beat as I recognized Roselyn's velvety tone, standing before me on a perfectly tailored black dress. "In fact, I'd go so far as to say she's the best-dressed person here."
• I felt a surge of gratitude and something more as Roselyn stepped forward to stand beside me. Her words, though directed at the bullies, were meant for me, and I felt a warmth spread through my body. The mean girls, taken aback by Roselyn's unexpected defense, faltered for a moment before recovering their composure.
• "Oh please, Rosey" one of them scoffed. "We all know she's just a wannabe."
• Roselyn's eyes sparkled with severity. "Really, Bridget? Wasn’t your father the one who filled out for bankruptcy last year? Leave her alone. I mean it" she warned, and the ashamed bullies sputtered in fear, unable to come up with a suitable retort. Taking advantage of their momentary silence, Roselyn looped her arm through mine and guided me away, leaving them sputtering in our wake.
• "Lynn, may I steal your bestie for a second? There's something important we need to talk about. In private" she murmured, leaving my friend perplexed.
• "Ugh, sure... Go ahead, Lisa. I'll be around if you need me"
• As we walked away, I felt a mix of emotions swirling within me—gratitude, confusion, and something else I couldn't quite name.
• "Thank you," I murmured, my voice soft. "I could've handled them, but... thank you."
• Roselyn smiled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Anytime, Lisa. I couldn't just stand by and watch them bully you. Besides, you look absolutely gorgeous, and they were just drunk and jealous."
• I felt a rush of warmth at her words, and at that moment, I knew that despite the risks and consequences, I couldn't stay away from Roselyn any longer. She guided me all the way to a secluded closet, a quiet place to conversate, away from prying eyes. My gaze was now fixed on her pink, plump lips.
• "Roselyn, maybe we should..." I started, my cheeks reddening. "Maybe we should stay away from each other"
• "I knew you were avoiding me" she fired back, and I could sense her frustration. It almost made me laugh.
• "Excuse me? Weren't you the one who tried to frame me for theft? You hate my guts, why would you want to be around me, anyway?" I tried to question her, out of sheer curiosity, but Roselyn had been drinking, and her words were slurred and unfocused.
• "You don't understand!" she exclaimed, her words echoing in the closet. "I have my reasons for doing what I did."
• "Then explain them to me!" I shot back, my patience wearing thin. "You want me dead and gone, and I deserve to know why."
• Roselyn sighed, her eyes dropping to the ground as if weighing her next words carefully. "It's complicated, Lisa. I was under a lot of pressure, and I made a mistake. I never meant to hurt you."
• I felt my anger begin to waver at her sincere tone. "Why are you helping me now, then? After everything that's happened?"
• "Because..." She trailed off, her gaze searching mine as if looking for the right words. "Because, despite everything... I think I like you"
• Her admission caught me off guard, and I felt my defenses falter. "You shouldn't," I whispered, my voice hoarse with conflicting emotions. "You know what will happen if anyone finds out what we did."
• Roselyn stepped forward, her silvery eyes intense. "I know, but I can't help it."
• I took a shaky breath, my heart pounding in my chest. Despite my best efforts, I knew I couldn't deny my feelings any longer. "Thank you," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. "For helping me, I mean. But we can't keep doing this. It's too dangerous... This is…”
• And right then, just like thunder, she leaned down and met my lips again. The rush was so intoxicating, I found myself yearning for more. My hungry hands instinctively landed on her generous breasts, and she gripped my hair tightly, almost pinning me against the wooden door.
• "Just for tonight" I finally muttered, as a forbidden desire began to pool between my legs.