Happy new year! (depending on your time zone and when you read this) 2017 is here so I thought it'd be appropriate to have a chapter about a party. Enjoy!

"See?" Jacob put popcorn onto the palm of his hand and tapped the bottom of it with his two fingers. This caused it to flip up into the air and he caught it with his mouth. He bit into the salty-sweet, yet crunchy, exterior and laughed. Laura clapped and exclaimed, asking him to do it again.

"You're awake." Blake said, from his spot in the kitchen. He was adding ingredients into the frying pan.

Kendall nodded, getting a milk carton from the refrigerator. She poured it into the glass cup, lifting it. "Bottoms up." She said, gulping the whole thing down in one shot.

Blake tsked and got the milk carton for himself, pouring some into the mixture he was making. Kendall looked back at Laura, who seemed to be all over Jacob. "Aren't you worried that your girlfriend is going right for your best friend?" Kendall said bitterly. She felt something weird stirring in her heart whenever Laura was around, and she was definitely the factor that lured Kendall into those sweet dreams/hallucinations she had last night. The world seemed so much better there, because she wasn't around.

Blake was just a little startled, but mostly amused. "Girlfriend? Oh, you mean Laura. Don't be silly, she's just my best friend and will never be anything more than that. Got it?" He said, quite bothered that Kendall thought of him in this way. Or did she think he was a player--even worse?

Kendall looked over at his frying pan. In it, there were eggs. Pancakes were already on the table and the luxurious smell wafted to where Kendall was standing. "Mmm... blueberry pancakes." Blake had always been a good cook, but he never really cooked for Kendall. At this thought, she realised how distant they were. Was it even a proper relationship back then? Not that it mattered now, since she was changing the timeframe, any remembrance of them will be gone. That was the only reason why no one questioned Kendall about why she never mourned over Blake's things in his room or offered to keep them. Anyway, if they did, she wouldn't be able to answer that she didn't feel like he was gone, as he was right here in 2016.

Kendall reached to pour a second glass of milk for herself, leaning right across Blake. It might have been a little too close for comfort, and she would have sworn she felt Blake stop all he was doing the minute she leaned that close. "Anyway, I don't remember you being best friends with Laura in the unedited 2016 timeframe. I only know you and Jacob were."

Shhh. At this, she heard Laura's voice in her mind. She turned to see the girl shush her with a finger to her lips, then shaking her head, indicating that Kendall shouldn't touch on that subject. She still wasn't very used to hearing voices of the enhanced in her mind. Previously, when she caught up with Laura, Laura mentioned that only the very powerful could control it by sending messages in their mind--even she, reigning from the distinguished Amelise family, couldn't do it well. It was supposedly an ability only used when they were in danger and needed help. According to Laura, in the past, the enhanced helped each other. Now, they sold each other out to normal people who killed them for their powers. That's why the families were not close at all. In fact, Laura and Nikki had probably the closest relationship across the enhanced families, which was what Nikki's family disapproved.

"Jacob and I are still the very best of friends. Besides, I thought we were enemies. I don't expect you to know me well." Blake said squarely, transferring the contents in the pan over onto a plate.

Kendall shrugged, agreeing with him, even though it wasn't true. She surveyed the well-decorated house. Above the dining table outside, hung a huge chandelier. The dining table was a beautiful piece of glass. There were pillars with ribbons across them. Upstairs, where the rooms were, was as beautiful. Kendall ran her hands over the kitchen countertop, which was a shiny marble.

"This place is beautiful. I can't believe you have it all for yourself, except your employees, of course. Why do you cook, though? Don't you have butlers for this kind of job? And servants?" She said matter-of-factly. She realised that this might expose the fact that she knew him not just as an enemy, so added on. "I saw them on my way here."

Blake smiled his genuine smile. Two real smiles in the span of 24 hours. It must be a new record. "I do, but I prefer to do it sometimes." He said. In actual fact, that wasn't the reason at all. He had to learn to cook at a young age, when his parents stopped supporting him. He only got this house and good service when he proved to be so good at his studies and prowess that others noticed him. Rumours started spreading that they truly disregarded their son, so they had to forcibly give him all these treats, which Blake was occasionally not used to. Sometimes he would wake, surprised at the butler who swept the rooms, when his childhood consisted of him sleeping outside on the floors, staying cold and hungry. He truly performed his best and became an Alpha, because he wanted to take revenge on his parents and someday let the secret out that he was the abandoned son they couldn't be bothered about. He hadn't heard a word from them and the butlers and maids didn't too. They could be dead, but one thing he knew for sure was that they were divorced and leading their lives, possibly with other people that could provide more income for them. Cooking for the four of them only brought back bad memories for Blake.

Kendall accepted this fact, tossing the milk carton away and it landed in the trash can without her looking, even though it was very far away. Blake scowled, "It's so not fair that you guys are enhanced. People like us have to push the limits to accomplish feats like that."

"You did it anyway. You're on the same level as any of us enhanced." Kendall said. She tried to make it sound genuine, but somehow it sounded very unpleasant. "So... I assume Jacob knows about it now?"

"I hope you don't mind. I can guarantee that he won't let it out though. We needed him on the team. Together, we're going to kill the killer." He said, cleaning up. Kendall nodded an okay and was about to exit the kitchen to take her seat. Instead, he blocked her way. He was done now, and he looked worried.

"We have to talk about your... dreams."

"Oh, the hallucinations and stuff? To be frank, I have no clue about what I told you. I can only remember the dreams." She shuddered a little, recounting that horrifying experience. "It sounds silly, but it was really very real. I was so enticed."

Blake nodded. "I believe how real it must have been for you. What you need to know now, is that none of that will happen. The bad part of it, and sadly the good part too. This is reality. Plus, Laura said that she was surprised you made it out and said that those dreams probably might happen again, when you're the weakest."

Kendall was a little shaken. She did not want to go through that hell again. She forced a smile, though. "Hell, I guess the plan will be to not be weak. Easy."

He laughed at that, but he still looked as if something was bothering him. "You kept saying this thing though, that I was out of reach, and you called me a monster. Several times."

Kendall cringed a little that she said he was out of reach. Following that, she was quite amused that the Blake was so perplexed over one measly word. "You left me to the hands of the police. Immediately once I thought I was out of danger, you dangle me over a goddamn building and threatened to kill me. Next, you mocked me in front of our whole unit. Forgive me if I find you monstrous." She chuckled.

He looked even more concerned. His brows furrowed and his blue eyes intensified. Kendall was not coping well with seeing him so close-up and she refused to admit it, but it was a perfectly-sculpted face (except for the injuries he sustained from training). Kendall brushed it off, "Relax. I get it. You want your way. I just hope some day that you realise you can get your way without having to hang me over like some sort of Curious George toy on Jenga."

"Hey! What's the hold-up?" Complained Laura, who was leaning on Jacob. Blake relaxed and chuckled, carrying the dishes to the dining table. Kendall felt a little dissatisfied that what they ate were pancakes and eggs, when this house has such amazing cooks working for Blake. They would gladly serve up glorious, delicate fruit pastries, a brilliant five-course dinner good enough to have a Michelin Star, plus all that expensive seafood, steak, escargot, the list goes on and on. However, once she bit into those pancakes, she took those words back.

The sweet and succulent blueberries exploded in her mouth and went well with fluffy, light pancakes. Laura gasped in satisfaction. Both Jacob and Blake grinned knowingly, as if they have eaten it so much and expected to get this response every single time. Who else did they bring home and give this too? Kendall was overly-concerned.

"Why aren't you eating?" Asked Blake, getting a forkful. "You don't like it?" He was disturbed that she, out of all people, wasn't please by it.

Fact was, Kendall was amazed. "It's okay." She lied, feeling repelled against complimenting any of Blake's work. However, she dished more forkfuls and quickly got it into her mouth. It didn't match up to how delicately Laura was eating. Sawing with a knife, dipping it into the syrup, twisting to avoid dripping, then eating and chewing slowly. Kendall wouldn't be able to have the patience to eat so slowly, as if she was at a Queen's Dinner.

"If it wasn't good, why are you gobbling it up as if it's your last meal on Earth?" Jacob pointed out, and gotten a nudge of agreement from Laura.

Kendall shifted a little in her high chair, feeling self-conscious again. Damn that Laura. "Hey, I battled some serious abilities. Is it wrong for the poor girl to feel hungry?" Kendall responded, slowing down just a little.

Over the breakfast table, they discussed their new findings about the Bloombury murders. The theory they were heading towards was that separate people were doing the killings, in false belief that they will get stronger. Their leader would have then killed his minions. He must have kept each of them distant, so they wouldn't share the fact that he was simply exploiting them.

Jacob pulled out some findings. Apparently, there have been deaths of killers from other families, who are likely enhanced, including Laura's and Nikki's. These victims all had no family and were peculiar in their own ways, chasing off any potential friends. Each of their killers either never got caught, or were blamed on someone else, who was also murdered.

"It's like a food chain." Remarked Kendall. Why would people go to such extreme lengths?

Laura told Kendall that each moment, she was getting closer to equilibrium. It was already prolonged. However, she did mention that Kendall could find a way to fight it. If she takes control of her power, she could almost become an Amelise and control time too. She could create her own time warps and avoid equilibrium, just like Laura Amelise could.

"Alright. I'm borrowing Kendall for the morning. I'm going to teach her some more things about the enhanced." With that, Kendall was whisked away.

///

"This is not what I had in mind for teaching me about enhanced stuff." Kendall groaned, obediently trying on the dresses Laura had tossed in her direction.

"Sure I am. I'm teaching you about fashion, for starters. We enhanced can't afford to dress shabbily." Laura replied, continuously digging for outfits.

Kendall gasped when she took out the price tag from underneath the exquisite purple gown she was wearing. It had a bejeweled bodice and came with a purple flower crown. "Laura! Did you see the price?" She hissed.

"Relax. I'm part of a family of elites. Or at least, used to. They left their riches with me. Whatever Blake can afford, I can too."

Great, something else they have in common. Add that to the list of similarities Blake and I lack. Kendall thought to herself.

"Oh shut it, Kendall. You know I can hear it right? You might as well admit your growing feelings for him now."

"Why? If I admit it you're going to ask me to back off? I don't have any feelings for him, period." Kendall slammed the door, changing back into the pink sweater with a cute cat on it, and her black jeans. Macy had helped deliver them and tended to Kendall a little, the moment she heard of Kendall's predicament. It was nothing in comparison to Laura's leopard-print bag, shades, and low-neckline, tightly-fitted scoop dress.

Laura chuckled. The assistants around her look troubled at the mess Laura made that they had to clear, but they had to serve her, because she was indeed rich, thus called the shots. "I thought I made it pretty obvious. I even flirted with Jacob this morning, just to prove that I don't have any ideas about Blake. I do love him, but not as a girlfriend or anything."

"As a best friend? But you altered his memories to make him think that you guys were best friends. How could you love him as a best friend if you only just met?"

"Let's just say I have a relationship with him and I only just found him again. Don't worry, not a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship."

After a while, Laura gasped in delight. She lifted a dress up. "Oh my god, this is perfect. I found the one!" She threw it to Kendall, who caught it, thanks to both of their enhanced senses.

"Perfect for what?"

"The party I'm throwing tonight!" Laura squealed, beckoning the employees to hang the clothes she dug out back onto their hangers.

Kendall groaned, closing the door and wiggling into that outfit. It was rather tiny. "Party? What we need to do is practice for the mission and to look for answers to the murders, not to waste time like that..."

"You need to chill out. You have what? 10 months left? That's provided if you don't fade into equilibrium first. Anyway, one party won't hurt."

Kendall successfully got into the dress. It was a beautiful ombre of red, orange and yellow. It was mostly red. It became clear that red was her colour. Perhaps it was because of her fiery disposition. It was tight-fitting, thus showing the curves she had. They weren't over-the-top, but just enough to make her look beautiful. There were laced sleeves at the top, with a little transparency. It looked like Kate Middleton's wedding gown, but with a party-feel to her. Anyhow, it was good enough to make Kendall feel like a duchess. She turned, parading the dress to herself. Following that, she gingerly stepped into the gold heels Laura picked out. They wrapped around until her ankle, with a leaf-like pattern that was entrancing.

"Complete it with makeup and jewelry and you'll get practically every boy fawning over you." Laura called from outside, assuming that Kendall liked it and was admiring it, seeing how she took her time in the fitting room. "Buying it?" Laura asked. She was ready to pay for the dress, provided she had Kendall's consent for both the party and the dress.

Kendall beamed. "Sold."

///

In the afternoon, Kendall went back to 2017. She didn't do much but hang out at Madame Tessa's as they discussed the updated 2016 life. She did minimal research, possibly at the risk of being fired from her workplace. She got back to 2016 just before the party and ran to Blake's door.

"You're a mess. Let's get you cleaned up." Laura complained, opening the door. She preferred that Kendall took the subway from where she arrived from, in that exact spot she was previously in 2016, but Kendall felt free when she ran and trusted her two feet much more.

Kendall changed into the dress they picked out earlier and donned the crystal earrings, fixing them on. She wore a beautiful bracelet too, as Laura did her makeup. She applied dark red lipstick, winged her eyeliner, and fiery eyeshadow. Kendall did not need anything else-- she had near-perfect skin and outlined features.

"Thanks for lending me all this. I can't thank you enough."

"Thank me by putting what I did into actual use. I don't know, perhaps you can get kissed or even laid. There's going to be tons of people there tonight."

Blake cleared his throat the door. Kendall didn't turn just yet, staying still as Laura put lightly-coloured blusher on her cheeks. Laura packed up her kit. "Come in, lover-boy. I'm all done with Miss Perfect here. Besides, now I need to go to my place and see to my house's decorations." She left the room as Blake walked closer.

Kendall stood and turned. As soon as she did, Blake's jaw dropped to the floor. He was amazed at Kendall and totally speechless. Meanwhile, she was totally oblivious that his amazement was in the good way and felt self-conscious. She touched her hand to the hair piled around her, with the top braided into a braid crown. She was beautiful, like a fire angel that descended into the Earth and was a blessing to the land.

"You look good." Kendall complimented, then wished she hadn't. It was true though, Blake would look amazing in anything he wore. He did not like suit and ties, so came in a long-sleeved shirt and pants instead. Still, he pulled off the look amazingly. "Except for something. Cufflinks." She said, breaking the uneasy silence. Blake wasn't usually this quiet.

"Come on." Kendall led the way to his room and pulled out drawers, searching for the cufflinks. She chose a pair that she liked and pinned them on for Blake. "See? You'll look neater and better."

Suddenly, Kendall was aware of how intimate this gesture felt. This gesture that someday, Blake's girlfriend would be doing for him. Kendall had to save him, then he'd get a future whereby some other girl would do such a thing. She thought it was inappropriate to do it now, but it was already too late. And she felt a strong pang of something when she thought of his future girlfriend.

How would she look? Would she be as good-looking as him? Would they go on sweet, romantic dates by the ocean? Or take walks by the ocean? She was worried by all these thoughts. She was silly. Why was she thinking all these weird thoughts?

"We should go join the others." Blake gulped, probably the first he spoke in a while. Kendall was disturbed. Was it because she wasn't pretty enough?

At the door, Jacob threw his phone to Blake, who caught it, slightly dazed. It was a video-call from Laura, who was in a beautiful black and white outfit. She looked very classy. "Look, this party needs its guests to have dates. Jacob's mine. So Blake and Kendall, who are yours?"

Kendall was astonished. "I didn't have anyone in mind. You should have told us earlier, now it's too late to call anyone. Can you make an exception for us?"

Laura snapped her fingers. "No can do. I will not pardon my guests, even if y'all are my close friends and comrades. So, I was thinking..." She looked back and forth between them.

Blake exchanged a glance with Jacob, who wore a knowing look. They could guess each other's thoughts, so Blake got the message. "I think I know what you're trying to say."

Now, he turned to Kendall. In his sincerest voice and truthful eyes, he asked the question that sent a thousand butterflies to Kendall's stomach. "Kendall Bloombury, will you be my date to Laura's party?"

Kendall smiled, taking the hand he outstretched. Their car pulled up outside. "Why not." She said lightly, dizzy with happiness that she did not expect to feel.

///

"Awesome party!" Kendall exclaimed to Laura, over the music. It was upbeat, making the atmosphere very lively. She got the green light from Laura to invite Jo and Macy, who were well-dressed too. She and Macy grabbed drinks and talked a little.

"I just hope there's no slow-dance. I don't think I'm up for it." Kendall laughed. Jo was at a corner, exchanging small talk with a couple more newfound friends. Their conversation seemed more intense than expected.

It was almost a cue. The slow-dance music played, eliciting a groan from Kendall.

"Hey beautiful. Wanna dance?" A guy asked. He had at least a dozen tattoos. seemed to be backed up by his friends. They all spelled trouble and offered drinks earlier. Kendall rejected, highly suspecting that they were spiked. A few more were waiting around for their chance if Kendall rejected. She was too bewildered at all this attention to respond. Meanwhile, Macy got picked up by some other guy. Traitor.

"Sorry, she's mine." Blake said. The guys looked ready to challenge that, so he put an arm around her waist. "She's my girlfriend, back off." He said simply, leading them to the dance floor.

They swayed a little to the music. "Sorry, it's just that they spiked your drink. I saw it myself. So... don't get the wrong idea." He said.

Kendall nodded, her temperature rising at the act of his hand round her waist, and hers around his neck. "Do they think I'm dumb, or an easy catch?"

"No, don't ever think that. You're pretty, that's all." Blake said, gulping a little. He had to look away.

Jacob swayed beside them, along with the star of the party, Laura. The place was extremelyxtravagant. She did have a house as big as Blake's, indicating she was indeed an elite.

He teased his best friend. "Admit it, your date is beautiful. Just as mine is."

Blake refused to look at Kendall. "No, she's not."

Kendall was hurt at that. He flatly denied it! All her hate returned, and then...

She felt voices in her head. She strained to hear more and looked to Laura, but Laura was already drunk and fleeing with Jacob. Kendall was on her own...

Her abilities must have gotten stronger. Now, she could detect the enhanced among her. It should have been comforting, but she remembered what Laura said. They sold each other out. These people shouldn't be trusted, and for all she knew, they probably want Kendall dead.

Find Kendall. Bring her alive. One of them thought. He must not have intended to think of his mission, but it was enough to give away his intentions. Kendall dropped her hands, terrified.

"Biscuit? What's wrong?" Blake asked. They never really addressed his nickname, and now really wasn't the time. Kendall couldn't tell where they were, only that there were many of them...

Two thoughts hit her again, just as they did that time just before the car crash that killed Blake in 2017.

One, they had company.

Two, there's a mole among Kendall's allies, who betrayed her...