(Song of the chapter: 'Clout' by Offset & Cardi B)

Evercrest High and Small Creek Academy were the bitterest of rivals, especially when it came to soccer.

Small Creek, which Evercrest students affectionately referred to as Small Dicks, was the closest school to ours in the entire region. Because of this, we were often paired in sports competitions.

The proximity also provided ample opportunity for our schools to play pranks on each other.

Evercrest students argued that Small Dicks – er, Creeks – started the rivalry when they stole our championship trophy. The other side, apparently, believed this feud dated back to preschool years, when one of ours stole one of theirs' tooth fairy money.

The real contention, however, lay in a famous disagreement about Harry Potter where one former Small Creek captain dissed Cedric Diggory.

Probably why he was no longer captain.

Neither side wanted to let that slide. So, as a consensus, we'd decided to settle our dispute by dominating any sport that even remotely resembled Quidditch.

Evercrest High consistently won in baseball and badminton games, while Small Creek squeaked by in football and field hockey, topping our records with just one win.

Currently, though, we were tied in soccer.

Neither school had a winning streak in the game – a different team won per match. But we'd won last time, and if we won this one, we wouldn't just break the tie – we would establish a streak.

There was a lot riding on today, which was why the bleachers around me were filled to the brim. Seats had been reserved for us – well, the Four Horsemen plus one – on the second row facing midfield, giving us a great view of the field.

The sun was already pretty low in the sky, but we still had enough visibility.

Lilith returned from the concession stand then and took the seat beside me. I turned from watching Brandon chat with Coach to look over at her.

My attention immediately snagged on the many boxes of yummy-smelling popcorn she was cradling in her arms. Noticing my gaze, she shifted them around to offer me one.

I easily took it. "Thanks," I mumbled, popping a kernel into my mouth.

"No problem," she chirped, grinning cheerfully. Lilith had outdone herself today– her hair was in pigtails with green and white (Evercrest's colors) extensions, styled to look like pom-poms. Her jersey was also green, and Brandon's name and number shone in glittering white across her torso. She must've bedazzled it herself.

Her make-up, though, was quite dark, with bold black liner and even blacker lipstick. She looked like some preppy goth cheerleader from hell.

And she was still smiling at me.

It wouldn't kill me to smile back... would it? After all, Brandon's preference for Lilith wasn't exactly something I could compete with. I wasn't the one he had a crush on.

So, slowly, I let my lips curve up. I felt my face crack like it was made from plaster, but since it didn't fall off, I considered this whole smiling business a success.

Inwardly, I gave myself a congratulatory pat on the back.

Lilith blinked, her mouth forming an 'O'. Carefully, she edged away, gawking at me like I was dangerous.

I gave up and turned back to the field with my usual scowl.

The game was starting. Excited murmurs circled around me as Jacques and the Small Creek captain met in the middle for the coin toss. I turned to where Brandon stood to see him looking straight at us.

He waved. We enthusiastically waved back. Beside Lilith, Jasper sat up straighter, holding a camcorder in one hand. At the end of the row, Rhys pocketed his phone, turning all his attention to the game.

The captains broke apart, and Evercrest players took their positions on the opposite side of the field to Small Creek, who were in possession of the ball. Kickoff went to them, I guess.

No matter – we were sure to win with Brandon on our team. I leaned forward in my seat, staring intently.

The whistle blared. Players immediately started scampering around like ants.

Even though I've been playing the game for a few weeks now, I still don't totally get it. But I didn't really need to – I just kept my eyes peeled for whenever Brandon had the ball, then proceeded to go apeshit.

Lilith joined me, both of us hollering at the top of our lungs.

"GO BRANDON!" I exclaimed.

"COME ON, WATSON!" Lilith cheered.

Brandon passed the ball off to a nearby player. We both momentarily deflated.

When he got the ball again we became reanimated.

"GO BRANDON!"

"COME ON, WATSON!"

The cycle continued. I think we were making more noise than anyone else gathered. Some dude in front kept turning around to look at us weird, not that we cared.

Brandon was passed the ball again, and this time he was very close to the goal. Alarmed, opposing defenders immediately moved to flank him. I nervously ate more popcorn, chewing so ferociously I almost bit into my hand.

Come on come on come on...

The defenders were blocking our view of Brandon, but whatever he did made them suddenly fall back like dominoes. Now he had a clear path towards the goal and was running towards it like a bat from hell.

YAS BITCH!

"OH MY GOD!" Lilith squealed, one hand on her mouth and the other on her chest. I could scarcely breathe myself.

Her hand reached out and gripped mine tightly. I unconsciously squeezed back.

We were both leaning forward, watching Brandon make his way through Small Creek's last line of defense.

"GO BRANDON!"

"COME ON, WATSON!"

"CHARGE, BRANDERSON!" Jasper suddenly piped up.

We looked at him. He cleared his throat and meekly settled back down.

Our attention immediately returned to the game when Brandon kicked the ball. My breath caught as I watched it sail in a perfect arc towards the goal...

The Small Dick keeper caught it.

I nearly fell out of my seat. What the fuck?

Small Dicks in the stands let out a collective sigh of relief. Opposing players on the field were trading smiles. Smiling that Brandon hadn't scored.

I was filled with outrage.

"Shitballs," I swore.

"Dickfucker," Lilith snarled. Our eyes met, and an understanding passed between us.

We were just gonna have to cheer harder next time.

The game started up again.

"GO BRANDON!"

"COME ON, WATSON!"

"BRANDON FOR THE WIN!"

"YOU CAN DO IT, WATSON!"

The guy in the row ahead had finally had enough.

"Yo, KEEP IT DOWN!" He yelled at us.

Lilith and I were instantly filled with righteous anger. How dare he try and prevent us from cheering on our friend?

I kicked the back of his seat, hurling insults. Lilith upended the contents of her popcorn all over his head.

Properly chastised, he decided to find somewhere else to sit.

The remaining people in the row stared at us.

I widened my eyes in the most disturbing manner I could muster. Lilith held up another carton meaningfully.

They wisely decided to evacuate as well.

We watched them go in smug disdain, Lilith huffing in a very pompous British way while I called "Yeah, you better run!" at their departing backs.

Rhys's shoulders shook with laughter at our antics. I spared one moment to stare at him before turning away.

After halftime, which we used to get popcorn refills, the first goal was scored by our current midfielder, Brett Forester, putting us in the lead.

A collective whoop went off in our stands. The win incensed the Small Creek team to play harder, and our team became equally determined to keep them from scoring.

Jacques had the ball now, maneuvering between players easily.

It never ceased to unnerve me that Brandon and Jacques were working together right now.

An opposite player intercepted him. There was a scuffle as they both struggled for possession of the ball. And then... SNAP!

The other player let out a loud yell and fell to the ground, clutching his foot. His ankle looked pretty dented from where I sat.

Oof.

The referee gave a sharp whistle. Jacques' face was impassive and unremorseful. Of course the bastard wasn't sorry for nearly crippling somebody – that diablo probably spent his free time sacrificing kids on days that ended with 'y'.

Jacques rolled his eyes at the sight of the yellow card. The game came to a standstill while the player was carted off the field by stretcher.

Because of dumbass Jacques, the Small Creek team was awarded a penalty kick, which they fully used to their advantage. The score was now 1 – 1.

Another tie.

I chomped on my popcorn. The game was already in the final half, with about 10 minutes left.

Players were moving around frantically – whenever one received the ball, they were immediately hounded and had to pass it on like a hot potato. The ball changed teams so many times it was hard to track.

Small Creek, Evercrest, Small Creek, Evercrest, Small Creek –

Brandon.

I blinked, unsure I was seeing right. The ball seemed to suddenly appear between his feet like a magic trick.

Sorcery or no, once he had it Evercrest players immediately marshalled around him like troops on a battlefield.

And then charged.

Their ferocity was jaw-dropping. Even the other team was unnerved.

Lilith and I didn't waste any time though.

"GO BRANDON!"

"COME ON, WATSON!"

"CHARGE, BRANDERSON!"

We didn't shush him this time.

The goalkeeper looked like his pants had suddenly fallen to his knees at the sight of the approaching battalion. He skittered to the left, then to the right, then just paused and looked around wildly like a baffled cockroach.

Just when he seemed to have finally made up his mind, the ball hit net.

"GOAL!!!"

Our stands roared. Lilith and I sprung from our seats and did a totally spontaneous but surprisingly coordinated happy dance.

Evercrest players on the field were tackling each other and giving bro hugs hard enough to break ribs. Some were even crying, which was awkward... but beautiful.

On the field, Brandon was in his own cocoon since they remembered to respect his space. He had his hands clamped against his ears, but he was still smiling.

Lilith took off like a little lightning bolt. Brandon saw her coming.

He held open his arms at the same exact moment she launched into them. He spun around and she hung on, giggling madly.

They actually looked really good together. It was too bad nothing might come of it.

The rest of us weren't far behind, dashing across the field to meet him.

"You were amazing!" Lilith was gushing.

"Good job bro," Rhys congratulated, clapping him on the back.

"I told you you were gonna kill it!" I could hardly keep my grin under control.

Brandon contemplated me.

"You're taller than Lilith," he mused, looking thoughtful.

My brows scrunched. "Uh... what?"

I didn't even get to finish my sentence. In the next moment he picked me up, and then the world turned into a Tilt-A-Whirl.

"EEP!"

I automatically held on as he spun me. My head was making circles in the air when he set me down. I shook it forcefully to reorient myself, then looked at him with wide eyes.

He smiled. "That was easier than I thought it would be."

I glared at him. "Are you calling me fat?"

Lilith and Rhys chuckled.

"Eh hem." Jasper bumped us out of the way with his butt. I shot him a dirty look that he didn't notice- in the next second he flamboyantly threw himself into Brandon's arms, bridal-style.

Brandon automatically caught him, then looked down in puzzlement.

"My turn!" Jasper announced, wrapping his arms around Brandon's neck. "I feel like a damsel," he noted, getting comfortable.

I'd never seen Brandon look so confused.

"What is wrong with you? Why are you the way that you are?"

"Enough talk, Brandy boy! Get to the spinning. Gee up!" Jasper kicked his legs impatiently.

Brandon stared at Jasper for another moment, then smiled mischievously. He turned, still carrying Jasper, and started to cross the field.

"Er, Brandon? Where are you taking me?" Jasper asked, looking nervously up at the blond.

Brandon didn't respond, humming happily as he continued cart Jasper off.

Jasper realized the situation didn't bode well for him.

"GUYS, HALP! RHYS, ANYBODY, SAVE ME!"

None of us moved.

He started struggling desperately, but Brandon easily held on.

"Unhand me! Let me go, you heartless wretch!"

Brandon kept moving. As he passed the goalpost, Jasper reached out and grabbed it, clinging for dear life.

Calmly, Brandon yanked down his pants, exposing bright pink boxers.

Jasper screeched at the top of his lungs.

Small Creek and Evercrest players were howling with laughter. I pursed my lips, trying not to dissolve into giggles as Jasper flailed about like a fish on a hook.

Lilith turned to me, looking very amused. "Let's leave the lads to it. Come on."

She grabbed my hand and started tugging me away.

"Where are we going?" I asked curiously.

"You'll see."

I looked back to find Rhys videoing Brandon and Jasper's clownery. He disappeared from view once Lilith led us into the school building.

She made a beeline for the girl's bathroom, then tugged off her tiny backpack and set it on the counter.

"I thought I'd bring you something to wear for the party," she explained at my questioning look.

She pulled out a corset top with spaghetti straps, and wide leg pants. They were both patchwork, with different hues of denim stitched into the fabric.

I was dumbfounded. I didn't know what surprised me more – the fact that she thought this was something I would actually wear, or that both pieces had fit into her tiny backpack seamlessly.

As if sensing my impending refusal, she pouted.

"You've got bugger all colour in your clothing. Wouldn't it be nice to switch it up this once?"

I refused to feel self-conscious about my Billie Eilish t-shirt, which was indeed black.

"And this 'switching up' involves turning me into early-2000s Britney and Justin?" I retorted hotly.

Oh, nuh-uh.

"Would you do it for a Scooby snack?" She asked hopefully.

I stared at her.

"Tha-that was a joke," she said hurriedly. "I don't mean an actual Scooby snack. Jammy Dodgers, or something."

My eyes narrowed. So she thought I was some easily bribable cartoon dog, did she?

"Whatever it is you're implying, say it with your chest!"

Incredibly, she tried to stand her ground, crossing her arms.

"No, I shan't be intimidated by you."

I raised a brow.

She backpedaled. "Okay, maybe I am a little," she muttered.

"How about two Jammies?

I squinted. Oh, so now I was cheap.

I felt very insulted.

"Five?" She squeaked.

That was more like it.

I swiped the clothes from her and headed towards the stall, trying not to feel too smug.

The clothes fit perfectly. I can't say I was surprised. Lilith clapped excitedly as I emerged.

"Yes, that's brilliant!" She fluttered around me, adjusting straps and putting my hair up in a ponytail. I tried not to move.

She faced me again and gave an approving nod after a brief examination. She contemplated my sneakers, then shrugged.

"They'll have to do. Come on, let's meet up with the others."

I planted my feet, looking at her pointedly.

She was puzzled. "What?"

For emphasis, I held out my hand and briskly rubbed my thumb against my fingers.

Lilith slowly reached into her backpack and handed me a biscuit.

I conveniently remembered my motor abilities.

I tore open the packet as Lilith guided me towards the school doors... Which Rhys was leaning against.

His brow went up when he saw me.

"Noth ah wod," I warned around the pastry in my mouth.

"Doesn't she look just darling?" Lilith eagerly asked.

"Very dahling," Rhys agreed, looking amused. I scowled.

After rescuing Jasper, all five of us filed into Rhys's Porsche, Lilith squeezing in-between Jasper and Brandon, and drove off.

The Montgomery's mansion was massive. It made my house look like a monopoly piece.

Which was expected, I guess, since Mary's father was an oil tycoon.

As we walked towards the door, I had the strangest feeling of déjà vu. There were red solo cups everywhere. Some cups on the grass had passed-out kids beside them. I heard someone retching somewhere, and shuddered.

The door swung open, revealing Mary. "Come on in," she greeted, holding it open for us.

Heat seared my face the moment we stepped in. Mary's party looked exactly like high school parties I saw in movies – stuffy, loud, crowded, overrun with rowdy teens who were either ingesting weird crap or slobbering all over each other.

The dance floor was lit up with disorientating lights, revealing pungent tendrils of smoke floating around and obscenely dressed individuals gyrating to Travis Scott. They seemed to really want to wake up as parents.

I cringed. Riley's party was way better than this one. Sure, she'd had some drinking and debauchery, but mostly she'd wanted people to have fun. These kids just wanted to be horny in public.

I snapped back to reality to find Mary staring at me. I immediately wiped the look from my face, but it was too late.

"Enjoy the party," she said lightly, but her green eyes bored into me like she might enjoy taking a drill to my skull.

Wonderful. I'd managed to piss her off within ten seconds of being invited into her home.

And my memory was back. My mind presented me with each forgotten event in extremely mortifying detail.

So that's what all the 'prince' stuff was about.

The night was off to a truly great start.

As we stepped further into the room, I could see that some party-goers were Small Creek players by their jerseys. Their colors were black and blue.

Which meant they really were sore losers.

Get it? Cuz we... we beat them 'black and blue'? So they're SORE...?

I'll stop talking now.

Mary walked over to where Jacques and Alisson stood, entertaining both Evercrest and Small Creek students as popular kids do.

However, when they caught sight of the Four Horsemen walking in – and Lilith holding a camera – they fell upon my friends like white on rice.

Rhys took one look at the incoming swarm and went 'nope'. He smoothly swerved out of the way while the others got surrounded, and headed in the opposite direction.

Some kid he passed shot him a hopeful look. Rhys snorted and kept walking.

I wavered between feeling sympathetic and amused.

Teens were losing their minds over my friends, tripping over themselves to talk to them. I saw Jacques' eye twitch. Once again, he was reminded that his popularity couldn't compare to theirs.

While the sight made me happy, I was also on the outskirts of the horde. For a few moments, I was completely alone.

An arm swung across my shoulder. I looked up to see Jasper, who'd somehow managed to extract himself from the swarm.

He grinned down at me. "Wanna dance, Sunshine?"

Since I vividly recalled his 'dancing' from Riley's party, it was an effort not to shudder.

"Not really," I shook my head. He shrugged, drinking from a red solo cup he'd already snagged.

I didn't want him to spend the night babysitting me. I forced myself to remember I had a mission to carry out.

I searched the room. I'd spotted two It Girls already, but not the one I wanted to find.

Further scanning revealed Rory, who was in some dude's lap, passionately making out with him. I wondered if that was Ethan.

No, not her either.

I finally found her at the food table, munching on snacks. Yet another reason to head over there anyways.

"Hey," I tapped Jasper's arm, "I'm gonna go that way. You can go on– dance, talk to your fans, do whatever."

Jasper studied me for a moment, then smiled.

"They grow up so fast," he sobbed, hugging me tighter.

I glared at him. "Leggo."

He did, but not before ruffling my hair, intensifying my glare.

"Remember, I'm with you in spirit, but call if you need me." He blew me a kiss.

I smacked it away. "Whatever."

He grinned, then was enveloped by the crowd.

I took a few steps in the direction of the table, then hesitated. After my eavesdropping moment at the bathroom, I'd remembered what Kit told me.

Even amongst the school's most popular clique, not all of them saw me as just a verbal or literal punching bag. Some, well one at least, acknowledged that I was a person.

So far, only my newfound friends (and Kit, I guess) treated me like one. But they seemed like the outliers. I honestly didn't understand why they were nice to me. I hadn't done anything to deserve their kindness.

But, right now, I wanted to see if I capable of doing so.

I read some article on the way here that said if I wanted to be likable, I should be relatable.

It was a start, at least.

Be relatable. Be likable.

While trying to muster up my courage, I looked over to see how my friends were doing.

The sight brought me up short.

Kids looked like they were... auditioning... for the Horsemen.

What?

I saw several teens breakdancing, giving it their all. A few were even twerking.

The horror. Such ghastly, vile atrocities. I wanted to peel my eyes off, and yet, I couldn't look away. It was like witnessing a train wreck.

A group of Small Creeks were belting out a bawdy apparently dedicated to Jacques.

For he's a jolly good felon
Whose whang resembles a melon
It really is quite the burden
His hands can't find his balls, hurrah!

It actually wasn't bad.

Lilith watched the proceedings with coy amusement, tapping the camcorder against her hip.

Ah, so they were embarrassing themselves so they'd end up on film and maybe even go viral.

Genius, really.

The Horsemen weren't encouraging the behavior, but they weren't discouraging it either. Lilith looked pretty entertained.

Suddenly, some guy leapt up onto a table.

"Yo, check this out! I am gonna lift that entire beer keg and put it on my head," he declared.

Lilith's amused look switched to one of alarm. Before anyone could stop him, the dude lunged at the poor keg and tried to carry it.

"Ungh!" He cried, straining his scrawny muscles.

The keg didn't move.

He heaved and hawed, turning red in the face. The keg, however, seemed content to stay put.

His efforts garnered Lilith's stamp of approval though, because she raised her camera and started filming.

Panting, the guy looked at the crowd.

"Help a brotha out!" He whined.

Some dudes exchanged glances and started walking towards Scrawny Keg Guy.

Brandon beat them to it. He placed a hand firmly on top of the keg, then reached down and flicked Keg Guy in the face.

"Ow!"

Brandon squinted at him. "Go sober up before you hurt yourself."

With Brandon and Lilith otherwise occupied, I caught some jock subtly inch behind Lilith and take out his phone, aiming low.

My eye twitched. I immediately surveyed my surroundings for something I could use as a weapon.

I found the TV remote.

I barely aimed before I flung it. It knocked the phone clean out of his hands, hopefully smashing the screen as well.

Nobody else noticed. He frantically looked around to find where the projectile had come from and found my gaze. The glare I gave him was hot enough to melt his perverted skin off.

He flinched and scampered away.

I sighed. Brandon and Lilith were still deep within the throng. Turning my gaze to the right, I found Jasper on the dance floor, swinging his hips like some Episode character.

I don't know if this was some weird technique to keep people away, but it worked. The crowd gave him a wide berth, looking aghast.

I decided I'd seen enough. Without further ado, I turned and matched towards the food table.

Kaitlynn was one of the more sensibly dressed party-goers, wearing a grey long-sleeved tee and dark jeans. She was sitting by a plate of potato dip, stuffing her face and scowling.

I think we were gonna get along just fine.

Be relatable. Be likable.

Here goes...

"Hi," I breathed, tilting my lips up a little.

Kaitlynn looked at me. Her brows rose.

"Uh... hey."

Progress! Keep going...

I briefly searched for something else to say. My gaze landed on her dip.

"Is it any good?" I inquired.

Her stormy black eyes considered me.

"It's alright. Why are you talking to me?"

She didn't say it in a snotty way, like I wasn't even allowed to breathe the same air as her. Just kinda suspicious, which wasn't welcoming either, but I'll take it.

"It's just, you look as happy to be at this party as I am," I said carefully.

Immediately her scowl returned.

"There are a million things I could be doing right now," she seethed.

"I could be studying for PSATs, or my IBs," she listed. "Because I can't even afford to fail. Not everyone gets to have all this," she waved a hand at the room.

"I'd need to get a scholarship to go to my dream school, but they won't give me one now since throwing my future away is apparently more important."

She angrily ate more dip.

O-kay. I was not expecting that.

I was curious. "What's your dream school?"

"Harvard Law," she mumbled.

I imagined her in a courtroom, slicing some perpetrator to pieces with her sharp tongue. I deeply pitied the perp.

"What about you? Do you have your eye on some college already?"

My eyes widened. She was continuing the conversation! So talking to me didn't suck. Yay!

"Uh, Yale, I guess."

That was my default answer. The real truth is I'd spent so many years only focused on surviving high school till graduation, I hadn't exactly been planning ahead.

Kaitlynn looked thoughtful. "Your parents went there, right? You'll probably get points for that, but extracurriculars and shit still matter."

Her tone wasn't judgy at all, which was wonderful. My parents had done very well for themselves, being immigrants and all. They'd worked incredibly hard to get where they were, and I only felt pride for all they'd accomplished.

As for extracurriculars...

"I'm working on it," I assured Kaitlynn.

Now that I could join sports teams, maybe I'll look into trying out for track. And my Music lessons could be considered volunteer work, since I was spending time outside my actual classes to humor some senile man.

I snapped out of my thoughts as somebody approached.

"Oh, Kaitlynn," Lola sang, stepping up to the table. She was rocking a curly afro like a 70s disco diva, and had on a neon peach mini-dress that melded to her skin.

She looked up from her tablet and saw me. She raised an eyebrow at Kaitlynn, who shrugged.

That was apparently good enough for her.

"Our dear Marissa says I should tell you to stop hogging all the dip and go 'have fun'."

Kaitlynn inhaled. "I need a fucking drink," she muttered. She stood up and walked over to the punch bowl.

Just then Kit came up to the table. "Hey, Kaitlynn," he greeted, meeting her at the punch bowl.

Kaitlynn's hands automatically stilled their pouring. "Kit!" She squeaked, looking at him with wide eyes.

"Hi! Hey! Uh... h-h-hey!"

We stared at her. Kit blinked, then smiled.

"Hey," he said again.

"Lola. Avalon." He nodded at each of us in turn. We waved.

"I just wanted to get a drink," he explained, turning back to Kaitlynn.

"Oh." She floundered for a bit.

"T-take mine," she said, presenting him her cup.

"Really? Thanks." He smiled.

Kaitlynn turned bright red.

Interesting, I thought.

"I also wanted to get one for my girlfriend, if you don't mind," he said, grinning bashfully.

Kaitlynn's mouth opened, then closed. Hesitantly, she filled another cup with punch.

"Wow, thank you so much."

"Its-its fine," Kaitlynn waved him off.

"I'll see you around!" She called after him as he started to leave.

"Sure," he replied with yet another grin. Kaitlynn blew out a breath, watching him go.

Lola huffed with laughter. "Could you be more obvious?"

Kaitlynn glared at her. "Shut up, you creature."

Lola continued to snicker. "Seriously, it would've been less blatant if you'd actually proposed."

Kaitlynn looked further annoyed, then remembered I was still there. Her eyes swung to me in mute horror.

"LOLA!"

"Oops." Lola turned to me.

"I suppose I can't simply erase this from your brain with a few backspaces?" she asked hopefully.

"YOU'RE NOT HELPING!"

"And this is why I prefer talking to computers," Lola muttered.

Kaitlynn rounded on me. "You didn't see or hear anything, got it?" She spoke fiercely, but her eyes betrayed her worry.

This was amazing! Keeping other people's close secrets generated 'like', right? I mean, just look at Pretty Little Liars. Those dumb bitches were friends forever.

Eagerly, I nodded. Kaitlynn gave me a weird look, but then turned away, staring in the direction Kit had gone.

I followed her gaze. Kit and Bella were in a secluded corner. He handed her the cup, which she took. I could see his lips move, but Bella just kept staring at her phone.

This was what it was like when things were good between them?

Kaitlynn sighed, filling another cup.

"Besides, I'm not even his type. He likes them voluptuous and monstrous. He's never gonna leave that witch, no matter how terribly she treats him."

Lola hummed. "True. Their relationship has weathered way too many circumstances that usually break people up. But, I still ship Kitlynn, although I don't understand the appeal of human males."

Kaitlynn gave her an affectionately exasperated look. "Do you have an off button?"

Lola giggled. Her tablet suddenly beeped.

"Marissa is getting impatient. We should go."

After another sigh, Kaitlynn and Lola took off, though Kaitlynn waved as she left.

It made me feel pretty good. I ate the leftover dip and some other snacks I found on the table, then wandered around for a while.

I found Rhys in the kitchen, leaning against the sink and – surprise, surprise – very immersed in his phone.

He looked up when I came in.

"Shouldn't you be socializing with your many adoring fans?"

Rhys snorted. "I'd rather stab myself with that kitchen knife," he said, nodding at a set of sharp utensils.

I shook my head. We were alone in the room, so I unabashedly hoisted myself up onto the counter facing him.

"If you keep scaring people away, how are you ever supposed to get some poor fool to fall in love with you?" I asked him.

"I truly have no clue. Wow, what a conundrum." Rhys morphed his facial expression into one of sadness.

"I shall spend my days brooding endlessly and sobbing over pages of bad poetry now that I know love will eternally elude me."

He shook his head ruefully. "Even now I feel the tears coming. See?" He pointed at his eyes, which were drier than the Sahara.

I couldn't restrain my snort. "Pack it up, Apollo."

He chuckled. The sound abruptly cut off when his phone screen flashed.

I squinted at the Caller ID. "Purple Devil emoji?" I was baffled.

"It applies." Rhys's tone had turned wintry. Which reminded me...

"I saved your name as 'Night King'."

His brows scrunched. I rolled my eyes.

"Dude, you should really watch Game of Thrones."

Rhys rolled his eyes. "Uh huh." He held up his phone.

"I need to take this."

He started to leave, then paused. He looked at me like he just realized something.

"Go find one of the others for now, okay? I'll be right back."

The concern in his eyes made something inside me squeeze.

"Sure, whatever." I waved him away.

"Walk away, White walker."

"One day I will understand you," he told me.

"Unlikely," I shot back.

I bit my lip as he left, finding myself alone once again. I hopped off the counter and headed back into the room.

My friends were still being mobbed. The throng was so thick and tightly packed, forming what looked like a barrier...

Designed to keep me out.

Because I wasn't part of them. We were now the Four Horsemen plus one, if I could even claim that, but to everyone else they were still just four. I was just some girl they kept around, like a pet. I knew I wasn't a charity case... but I could see how other people would think so.

Hanging with them didn't make me cool by default. Nobody was lining up to talk to me... Quite the opposite, really.

Right now, I still felt very much like a Loner.

I pushed off the wall, looking around for the stairs.

"YOU HAVE BEEN TALKING TO EVERY OTHER GIRL AT THIS PARTY BUT ME!"

Uh-oh. I spotted Bella, causing a scene again, and poor Kit getting the brunt of it. 

Again.

"I have been talking to you, Bella. But you just want me to keep getting you drinks."

Her eyes ignited like Greek fire.

"OH, SO NOW I'M A BAD GIRLFRIEND BECAUSE I'M THIRSTY?"

I dashed off in some random direction, which coincidentally ended in a staircase, and scurried up the steps till I reached the second floor.

A glance upwards revealed even more stairs. Breathing out, I took one careful step after another, looking around. My goal had been to find the bathroom, but I paused when I caught the scent of Chanel No. 5.

Gingerly, I followed it.

The doorknob was shiny and looked like real gold. It didn't budge though.

Was it locked?

I tried again, and it yielded under my hands this time. I tentatively pushed open the door, which didn't make one squeak, and peered inside.

Mary's bedroom was huge. It had a very royalcore aesthetic, with a frilly pink bedspread, an intricately-carved bedframe, mantled fireplace, and vintage dresser that would've been all the rage in 16th century England.

So this was where she lived now. This was my first time getting a glimpse into her new life since she'd moved out to be with her dad.

Aside from the furniture, the room was pretty bare. The only splash of colour on her beige walls were from photographs, plastered over her headboard.

I stepped towards them, squinting. There were pictures of Mary with the It Girl squad, carrying shopping bags and lounging around her room and striking poses. There was a baby picture of Alisson, and another showed them hugging.

There was Jacques with her, both of them wearing sunglasses and making peace signs.

I abruptly looked away. Just as I was about to leave, I spotted an overturned picture frame on her bedside table.

Curious, I walked over. It was perched on top of a book, and when I lifted it I found the picture underneath the glass instead of inside.

I picked it up. It showed Mom and Dad, and Mary, who looked about five. They were on some field, probably the park, and Mary had on her old My Little Pony backpack. They were all hugging each other and smiling, Mary's smile the widest, proudly showing off her missing teeth.

I felt a rip then, like I'd taken my heart into my hands like the picture and torn into it. I could understand her not wanting any pictures of me in her room, but this was a family picture... that had been taken without me.

Why wasn't I in it?

I set it aside, not wanting to look at it any longer.

The book had a large yin-and yang symbol on the front, and crescent moons and stars inside of little circles decorating the edges. I picked it up to examine them closer.

I noticed there was a little lock at the side, binding the pages together. Was this a diary? Did she ever write about me?

I wouldn't dare violate her privacy like that. But I could help but stare at the book for a few more moments.

"You shouldn't be in here."

My heart raced. I immediately whirled around.

Jacques Frost stood in the doorway.

********************************************************************************

Did I really name a school Small Creek just so I could rhyme it with Small Dick?

Why yes. Yes, I did.

Lemme know what you thought of this and what you think might happen in the next chapter! 

It'll be out sooner than you expect to make up for the week delay. Plus, I don't actually enjoy torturing you guys :)

I love you evermore,

Lulu.