Total pages in book: 169
Estimated words: 162138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 811(@200wpm)___ 649(@250wpm)___ 540(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 162138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 811(@200wpm)___ 649(@250wpm)___ 540(@300wpm)
I drove home feeling sick with anxiety, but otherwise, I was calm. As soon as I parked, I raced to my apartment, locking the door behind me. I dashed to my bedroom and did the same. With a heavy heart, I looked at the photos before me, my silent reminder of why I shouldn't have let my guard down. Marissa had laid out an outfit for me. I considered skipping the event. I should have, but I'd spent the last two years of college living like a hermit.
I was tired of it. I was tired of him wanting to destroy everything that brought me joy. I just wanted to go to a party like a regular college student and not worry about the consequences. There were strict rules for this particular party — a small and vetted list of guests, no phones, and no pictures. I knew I could go without worry. I knew he wouldn't come after me there. He couldn't. I wasn't sure it even mattered anymore. He already knew about us. In five days, we'd be out of here. Five days. I stood up and looked at the dress one more time. His message reminded me of what he could still do to me. He'd tried to cut my wings before. He probably thought he'd rip them up and burn them this time. I wouldn't let him. I stood up and got ready for the party.
CHAPTER 15
LYLA
“Everything will be okay,” Marissa said, holding my hand as we walked to Prescott’s house, which was only a block away.
“I know,” I said, reassuring both of us.
My window was fucked, but thankfully, we knew a guy from high school whose dad owned a car shop where they happened to repair windows. He would pick up the car tonight while we were at the party and return it as soon as possible. I was trying not to think about it too much. The glass would be fixed, and we would leave and never have to deal with this crap again. I refused to waste any more energy on him. I’d given him enough of that and more through the years. I was done. I’d go to this party, have fun with my friends, and act like a regular college girl. It didn’t take much to deduce that if it weren’t for Lach, I would have been at the apartment right now, watching whatever television show caught my attention. God, I couldn’t wait to get out of here and go somewhere where we could hold hands — without me having to look over my shoulder constantly. I pushed all of that aside. Tonight was about having fun.
“Do you think I look naked?” I asked, looking down at the dress I was wearing.
I didn’t look naked inside the apartment, but now, I thought I looked naked.
“Not really.” She glanced over at me, eyed me up and down, and started laughing. “Okay, maybe a little since it’s dark out here. Lach’s going to fucking die.”
“Marissa!” I slapped her arm. “It’s going to be dark there, which means I’ll look naked.”
“Who cares? You wore a dress covered in holes at the country club with only a bikini under. This is a one-piece.”
“I was wearing a cover-up and a bathing suit to the pool that day,” I pointed out. “This one-piece looks the same color as my skin, and this mesh and glitter dress just adds to the nude look.”
“You look amazing, and no one will think you’re actually naked.” She rolled her eyes. “Think of it this way. You won’t have to worry about flashing anyone if you bend over since you’re wearing a freaking bodysuit underneath that covers your entire torso.”
I pursed my lips. She had a point there. I eyed her outfit — a tight dress covered in cut-outs. It was super revealing, but at least the scraps of cloth covering her private parts were hot pink and made sure you knew she wasn’t naked. The body suit covered all of my privates. It was beautiful, and I knew that people wore this nude-looking thing to red carpets these days, so maybe she was right.
“Stop overthinking this,” she said. “You look hot.”
I took a deep breath and nodded.
At least Prescott’s parties were by invitation only, and he had a no-phone rule. You could keep your phone, but you had to either turn it off or set it on airplane mode. If you were caught using it or taking any pictures, you got kicked out and banned from future parties. Because it was such a big deal to be invited at all, everyone followed the rules.
I took a deep breath as we walked in and decided that Mar was right. I looked hot and felt comfortable in the damn dress. And she was right about the nude aspect. I’d seen at least three celebrities wear this style to award shows this past season. Fine, no one would think I was naked, but they’d be able to get a better picture of what I might look like if I was. And for someone who’d worn baggy clothes for two straight years, that made me panicky. I took another breath. It didn’t matter, at least not at this party. And I was technically more naked wearing a bikini. I followed Marissa inside and said hello to the guys who greeted us by the door. Marissa grabbed my fingers as we continued walking.