‘Istill can’t believe we managed to get away with pranking the boys,” Anna said, smiling as she looked down at her phone. She turned it in my direction and showed me a picture of a guy being chased by Barry the rooster on Instagram.
He was dressed in his pajamas, and the picture captured him mid-scream as he ran from the rooster, which flapped its wings behind him. Barry looked like he was having the time of his life, but the poor guy looked terrified. I couldn’t stop myself from laughing.
“He looks traumatized.”
“Yeah, seems like Joel is going to have nightmares about being chased by Barry for life.” Anna grinned, leaned back on the bed, and kept scrolling through her phone.
It was Saturday afternoon, and we were working on our college application essays—at least, I was trying to. It was hard to put my heart and soul into it when I wasn’t sure if I’d even be submitting it.
It had always been my dream to go to college and study medicine or sciences, but I’d given up on that idea last year so I could stay in Rapid Bay and help my mom run the café. I knew we couldn’t afford college and she needed my help. But that had all changed the day I met my father.
Matthew had offered to pay for me to go to any college I wanted the first day I met him. When he’d told me that, I’d flat-out refused and stormed out of his office. At the time, I didn’t want anything to do with him. Soon after though, my mom made it clear she didn’t want me to give up my dream for her and that I should let Matthew help. It was all so confusing, so I’d been avoiding thoughts of college ever since. But, with everyone else at school getting prepped to apply for schools, I’d begun to realize I couldn’t keep putting it off.
Matthew’s offer didn’t suddenly make everything simple though. If anything, I just felt more uncertain. If I was going to go to college, where would I go? Did I really know what I wanted to do with my life and career? Even though things were better with my father, I still didn’t really know if I could bring myself to accept his offer. My warring thoughts made filling out applications with any enthusiasm impossible.
Anna was supposed to be working on her college application too, but she was struggling even more than I was. When she wasn’t flicking through TikToks on her phone or asking me if I was done working yet, she was bugging me about a party Luther was throwing for his birthday tonight. She was incredibly distracting, but I’d promised to hang out and watch Netflix with her once I was done. Cress was on her big date with Kaden, so it was just the two of us.
“Are you sure you won’t come to the party tonight?” Anna pleaded with me once again. “It’ll be fun. I promise.”
I’d thought she’d have given up by now, but it seemed she wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“Yes, I’m sure,” I replied. “It’s not happening”
“Please.” She batted her lashes at me, but she was barking up the wrong tree. I wasn’t turning up to Luther’s party when he was set on ignoring me. Especially not if it was his birthday.
“You know it’s a miracle we didn’t all get caught and sentenced to jail time because of our prank, right? We should be celebrating our freedom,” she argued.
It was a miracle we hadn’t been caught. I doubted there had been a risk of jail time, but the school did call an assembly to warn us that anyone caught taking part in further pranks would be suspended. Either way, it didn’t change my thoughts about Luther’s party.
“Luther doesn’t want me there,” I said. “He’s been ignoring me since Halloween. It would be weird if I showed up.”
“It wouldn’t be weird. You know what Luther’s parties are like. Everyone from school will be there, and you probably won’t even see him.”
“I always run into him at his parties.”
“Yes, well, it’s not like he wants to ignore you. We both know he’s only doing it because of Noah.”
‘Another good reason not to go.”
“I doubt Noah will even be there,” Anna said. “He’s never here on weekends anymore.”
Anna was right. Although I found it difficult to believe he’d miss his best friend’s birthday, Noah had been leaving school every weekend to spend time with his grandfather at his family’s company. But, I had to admit, the party might be bearable if Noah wasn’t there and I could stay out of Luther’s way.
“Please come,” Anna continued. “We haven’t gone out in ages, and Cress is going to meet us there after her date. Don’t you want to hear about it?”
“Of course, I do.”
“Plus, Wes will be there.”
“He will?”
“Why wouldn’t he? No one misses Luther’s parties.”
I rolled my eyes and shook my head but then let out a sigh. “Fine, I guess I could make an appearance.”
“Really?”
I laughed at her surprise. “What? Did I give in too easily?”
“I mean, I’ve been laying out my most convincing arguments for so long I was just about to give up hope.”
“Well, I’ll remember to hold out a little longer next time.”
She poked out her tongue, but then she smiled. “So, what convinced you? My pleading eyes or the boyfriend card? I need to know for next time…”
I shrugged. “I quite enjoyed Luther’s last party.”
“Because you spent the whole night snuggling by the bonfire with Wes?”
“That, and because there was no dancing,” I joked. “But you’re right. I want to hear about Cress’s date. And maybe Luther won’t notice me if I keep a low profile. I really don’t think Noah will miss the party, but he pretty much ignores me anyway, so I’m sure he won’t be a problem.”
“He won’t,” Anna said with a firm nod. “And if he is, I’ll deal with him.”
Given the steely look that glinted in her eyes, I had no doubt she would be happy to follow through on that promise.
“So, how do you think Cress and Kaden are doing on their date?” I asked.
“I’m sure they’re already planning a spring wedding.”
“Probably.” I grinned. “They both seem smitten with each other.”
“Totally smitten,” Anna agreed. “Now, please tell me you’re done with your college stuff so we can actually enjoy a relaxing Saturday afternoon.”
I was nowhere close to finished, but she looked so hopeful and had waited around for me all day, so I knew I had to give in. “Okay, I’m done.”
“Yes, finally!” She clapped her hands and grabbed the TV controls.
WE SPENT the afternoon watching reruns of Sex & the City. It passed the time quickly, and before we knew it, it was time to get ready for Luther’s party.
I still wasn’t truly convinced it was a good idea for me to go, but there was no way Anna would let me back out now. We got a ride to the party with Wes, and he held my hand as we made our way up Luther’s driveway. It was nice to be out with him. Thanks to his rowing regatta and then everyone being sick, it had been weeks since we’d been able to do anything together. It also felt good to have him at my side as it made me a little more confident about attending the party. I knew Wes wouldn’t let anyone make me feel bad for coming.
Luther’s parties were normally held in the woods behind the grand, old villa his family owned in town. But, tonight, I was surprised to see the house was lit up and music was coming from within.
“I thought Luther didn’t host parties in the house?” I said.
Wes shrugged. “Yeah, he normally doesn’t. Maybe he wanted to change things up.”
“But why change a winning formula?” Anna said. “The forest parties are legendary.”
As we got closer to the house, we could see a massive “Happy Birthday, Luther” sign sprawled across the front of the house.
“A sign as big as his ego,” Anna groaned.
She shook her head at the sign before she headed into the house. We all followed her, and the moment I walked through the front door, I wondered if we’d come to the wrong party. The entrance foyer was filled with adults. They were all dressed in smart suits and cocktail dresses that seemed far too formal for guests at a typical Luther party.
A server wearing a white shirt and a black apron greeted us at the door with champagne glasses on a silver platter, and I noticed him briefly cast his eyes over our outfits. We were totally underdressed.
“Uh, are you sure we’re in the right place?” Wes asked, scanning the room as the gazes of a few guests fell on us.
“Of course,” Anna said, seemingly unbothered by the fact we looked totally out of place. “Maybe the real party is out back.”
She swiped a glass of champagne from the server and casually strode down the wide main hallway to the back of the house. Wes and I shared a confused look before we followed somewhat reluctantly behind her.
We made our way through the groups of finely dressed guests until we found a large entertaining area at the back of the house. The crowd was much younger here, and I began to recognize people from school, but everyone was still wearing suits and dresses. This was not Luther’s normal style.
‘Anna, are you sure we haven’t missed something?” I said, starting to feel increasingly embarrassed about the ripped jeans and sweatshirt I was wearing. I’d dressed for a cold night in the woods, and even Anna was starting to look a little uncertain.
“I’m going to go ask around,” Wes said, letting go of my hand. “I’ll be back soon.” He headed over to some of his rowing friends while Anna knocked back her champagne.
“Cress should be here by now,” Anna said. “I’m sure she can fill us in on why everyone’s so dressed up. Come on, let’s go find her.”
She grabbed my arm and pulled me deeper into the crowd. Anna had been right about the fact that the whole class would be here. The back area of the house was packed with kids from school, and people were turning to gawk at us as we searched for Cress.
“There she is,” Anna said, pointing to a long table at the back of the room laden with drinks and food. Kaden was at her side, and she had a huge smile on her lips. There was a sparkle in her eyes, and I could tell she’d had an amazing first date, but my face fell as I saw they were both dressed as beautifully as everyone else at the party, Kaden in a suit and Cress in a sparkling silver dress that dipped low across her back.
When she saw us approaching, she waved excitedly before she whispered something in Kaden’s ear and then made her way through the crowd toward us.
“Finally! You guys are here,” she exclaimed as she reached us. “I have so much to talk to you about—wait, why are you dressed like that?”
Anna took her by the arm and led her out of the back room and into a quieter hallway. I hurried after them.
When we were out of sight, Anna answered Cress. “Why are we dressed like this?” she repeated. “Why are you dressed like that?”
“The dress code on the invitation was pretty clear—semi-formal.” Cress shrugged.
“What invitation?” Anna hissed.
“Luther gave out invitations last week. You didn’t get one?”
“That’s what he was giving out?” Anna asked. “He tried to give me something, and I told him to get lost.” She shook her head. “How was I supposed to know it was a party invite? His parties never have formal invites.”
“Yeah, but I think his dad organized this one for his birthday. Why do you think there are so many parents here?”
Anna’s eyes narrowed on Cress. “Why didn’t you say anything about the dress code when we talked about the party this week?”
“I just assumed you knew,” Cress protested. “I thought the whole class was invited. I even showed you what I was going to wear tonight. Didn’t you wonder why it was so formal?”
“I just thought that was what you were wearing for your date with Kaden!”
“You think I’d wear this for a date?”
“Why not?” Anna shrugged. “I would.”
“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Cress grunted.
“I didn’t get an invite at all,” I murmured, causing both girls to fall silent. It was hardly surprising given that Luther wasn’t talking to me these days. He seemed to have neglected to invite Wes too, and I was guessing that was because of me. “Luther obviously doesn’t want me here. I think I should leave.”
“I’m sure he wants you here,” Cress said. “It’s probably just a misunderstanding.”
But I shook my head. We all knew that wasn’t true. “I’m going to find Wes.”
“You don’t have to go,” Cress objected.
“No, I feel uncomfortable.” I glanced down at my clothes. “And I clearly don’t fit in.”
“Well, we’ll come with you,” Cress said.
Anna nodded. “Yeah, this party seems stuffy and boring anyway.”
“I really don’t expect you guys to.” I started to make my way back out to the main entertaining area, but as soon as I stepped out of the hallway, I stopped dead. Noah was standing right in front of me.
He was dressed in a fine navy suit that was offset by black lapels, and his eyes filled with surprise when he saw me. He glanced over his shoulder as though he was looking for someone, but then he focused on me and marched forward. He grabbed my arm and guided me back into the hallway, so I was once again hidden from the eyes of the rest of the party.
“What are you doing here?” It was the second time in a week he’d asked me that question. But this time when he growled the words, he seemed much more frantic and concerned than he had been when I’d barged into his room. Still, his tone made it clear that he didn’t want me here either.
I shook my arm free and took a step back from him. I knew Noah didn’t like me very much, but his apparent desperation to rid me from his presence right now was surprising.
“Leave her alone, Noah,” Cress said.
“Yeah, Noah, what the hell?” Anna agreed.
He ignored the two of them though, his eyes fixed on me. “You need to leave.”
Even though I agreed with him, I felt frozen to the spot. His voice was a little quiet, almost pained, and there was an unmistakable urgency in his tone.
“Now, Isobel,” he added when I didn’t move.
“This isn’t your house. You can’t just kick her out,” Anna said.
“I can, and I will,” Noah shot back. “She wasn’t invited.”
“Yeah, we just found out,” Cress said. “Why not?”
“Because she’s not wanted here.” Noah flashed his anxious eyes at his cousin and then back to me. “You have to go.”
“It’s fine,” I said to the girls. “I was going anyway. I shouldn’t have come in the first place.”
“We’re coming with you,” Cress said.
“Yeah, screw you, Noah,” Anna snapped.
We made our way back out of the hallway, and I hurried through the crowd of students. Many of them gave me confused looks, and I felt like it was as much due to the stunned and embarrassed look on my face as it was to do with the casual outfit I was wearing. Eventually, I found Wes standing close to the spot we’d left him, chatting with some of his friends.
Concern covered Wes’s face when he saw me rushing to him. “Isobel, what’s wrong?”
“Turns out we’re not invited to this party,” I said. “Let’s go.”
“Noah’s being a dick,” Anna added as she joined us. She was almost as flustered as me. “He’s kicking Isobel out.”
“He’s what?” Wes’s eyes narrowed, and his worried expression was replaced with a look of anger I hadn’t seen in him before.
“It’s nothing,” I said, shooting Anna a subtle glare. “We’re just not supposed to be here. I think we should go.”
I glanced over my shoulder and found Noah watching us through the crowd from the other side of the room. His jaw was tight, and his eyes were locked on us as though he was refusing to look away until he was sure we’d left.
Wes was staring right back at him. Judging by the tension in his shoulders, he looked like he was trying his best not to march across the room and confront Noah face-to-face.
“Wes, can you drive us home?” I asked softly. He was still having a stare down with Noah, and I gently touched his arm to pull him out of it. “Please?”
He glanced down at me and then slowly nodded. “Yeah, of course. Let’s get out of here.”
We walked back through the house, and although I relaxed slightly when I knew I was out of Noah’s view, being surrounded by the formally dressed adults in the front of the house did nothing to make me change my mind about leaving.
Wes opened the front door, standing back as he allowed Cress and Anna to walk through. I was about to go after them when I felt a prickling sensation against the back of my neck. Slowly, I glanced over my shoulder and found William Hastings glaring at me.
He was standing in the lounge area, surrounded by Luther’s guests. Someone was talking to him, but he didn’t seem to be listening. Instead, he was watching me with a look of pure loathing, which forced my stomach to dip and my heart to beat fast. I’d hoped to never see him again after the Halloween carnival, but here I was, only weeks later, being confronted by his hatred for me once again. He slowly lifted his drink to his lips, but he didn’t pull his eyes from me as he swallowed it down.
He looked so tense I was worried the glass was going to shatter in his hand. The events of Halloween only seemed to have intensified his animosity toward me, and I didn’t want to stick around to see what he might do, so I quickly turned away and hurried out the front door.
The air around me felt thick as though William’s disgust for me was following me down the driveway. I’d wanted to forget all about him now that Noah and I were done, but judging by the look in his eyes, William Hastings had not forgotten about me.
