Twisted Intentions

~ Part 5 ~

Serena

    "Fuck yeah, we look good." Jade says happily, and I turn as I eye myself in the mirror. The black dress is short, leather and tight against my body.

My hair is pulled up on my head, small curling tendrils cascading around my face. I'm wearing a little more makeup than normal, my eyes lined and smoky making the icy color pop dramatically.

"Hi Willow." She baby talks my cat who only glares at her, letting out a warning hiss before settling down.

"Well then." Jade scoffs and I laugh, "She hates everyone but me." Waking up to her I give her a big scratch under her chin, her yellow eyes narrowed on my friend. "Let's get this over with."

We barrel down the stairs, our boots loud on the wood when my father steps inside. "Oh, hello there. Who is this?"

"Jade." I answer tightly, going to walk past him when he calls my name. I sigh, turning to Jade for a moment.

"Go ahead, I'll be right out." She nods, giving my father a polite wave that he reciprocates. Once the door is closed, he turns to me.

"I just wanted to check in. See how you're doing?" He asks sincerely and my brows pinch together.

His words catch me by surprise, my eyes meeting his for the first time in over a week. I shrug, picking at my nails and he stuffs his hands in his pockets. "I'm fine."

"You aren't sleeping." He says suddenly and my eyes whip back to his. "How do you know?"

"You pace at night. You seem restless too, is everything okay Serena?" He holds my shoulder gently, looking at me with so much sincerity it makes my eyes sting. "You can talk to me."

Could I tell him? Would it even make a difference?

"I'm okay, just a lot to process. Really." I squeeze his hand gently and he seems appeased, smiling lightly before nodding once.

"Alright well, just be safe and have fun. If you need anything you can call me. I mean it." I nod, smiling at him hesitantly before stepping through the door.

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    The party is packed tight. People are standing out in the yard, huddled together with their cups as the music bumps loudly from the house.

Jade and I squeeze our way in, arms linked tightly as we make our way through the crowded rooms. "Let's get drinks!" She yells over the music and I nod, following behind her closely through the suffocating air.

I look up, my gaze locking on a pair of baby blue eyes that are already burning into my face. Hayden's eyes travel down my body, biting his lip with a heated look and whispering something to Zane who stands next to him.

I push further into the crowd, finally making our way into the kitchen and the bottles spread across the island.

"Jade, this is a lot." I whisper, my anxiety spiking with the crowd. What if that guy is here? Waiting and watching me where I can't see him?

"Let's get some shots, loosen up and start to have some fun." Jade encourages and I nod, not wanting to be a bummer.

A loud giggle catches my attention, turning to see Hayden and Zane are no longer alone. Once again, surrounded by girls and their unwavering attention.

I don't realize I'm glaring until Zane looks up, his head tilting to the side as he eats up every inch of my body in this dress. A girl with auburn hair leans in, pressing herself to his side and he breaks our stare off.