Frida was the most inexperienced girl I'd ever met when it came to dressing up and makeup. I was all for natural beauty but there is this joy I get when I do my makeup. I loved dressing up and experimenting with everything.
It had to do with how I was brought up while constantly being in the spotlight because of which I was required to be presentable.
Frida thought I was overdoing things when I sat her down and began doing her makeup but I told her to shut up because I knew exactly what I was doing.
The end result was worth it. Frida was about to burst into tears because she had never looked so different before, of course it was good kind of different because I did her makeup and anything I did with my hands wasn't less of an art.
As Eli had predicted, we did require a few hours to get ready. This was the part I enjoyed before a good party. Today I was going to look the best and no boy was going to be able to take his eyes off of me, not until unless a girl herself forces their head away from my direction.
I slipped into my dress after I was done with my makeup. It was simple black dress which exposed my sexy thigh and cleavage but was held together with chains.
Eli's mouth dropped when he took us in. He was going to drive us to Nia's place.
I waited to hear him compliment me but much to my dismay he said, "Frida, you look perfect!"
Now I didn't think that Frida didn't look good or anything but I definitely thought that the first compliment should belong to me.
Frida blushed. "Am I looking weird?"
"Are you kidding me? You're looking very beautiful. Well, you always do but today you're especially radiant and you look happy." If there was a human face in the world who could be the embodiment of the heart eyes emoji, then that would be Eli...looking at Frida.
"I am. Juliet did everything and I'm so thankful to her."
"It's nothing." I dismissed. Frida's dad came out, gushing at the numerous photos he took of us. He was so happy. Behind him, her mother also was all smiles. They were so surprised that I turned Frida into how she was looking right now. By their reaction I knew that Julia was even more inexperienced in this stuff but that was okay because there was nothing wrong with that.
"Hello, I'm here as well, Eli. You didn't even look at me." I waved my hand to get his attention. Jesus, when did I have to do anything to get a boy's attention.
He waved me off. "I've seen you look even better in pictures."
"Did you search me up or something?"
Realizing his slip-up, he quickly tried to salvage the situation. "N-no, that's not what I meant."
But that was enough for me. A smug smile blossomed on my face as I watched him get flustered.
"We should leave now." He said hurriedly and Frida and I got into the car.
Nia's house was bigger than Eli's or Frida's. When we got there the party had already started and there were a lot of cars in her driveway.
I could see that my two companions felt out of place and uncomfortable here.
"Hey, don't worry. There's nothing here to be so intimidated about." I said softly. Although I wouldn't know how it felt to be excluded or feeling like you don't belong, I still tried my best to make them loosen up.
"Thanks." Frida said meaningfully.
"Yeah, nothing but just a bunch of people who aren't really fond of us." Eli said. "Oh God, I really hope I don't run into Maira and her four stupid blind followers."
My eyes hardened at the mention of them. "Will they really be here?" I asked.
"I think so. But don't you worry, if they try something I'll protect you!" Eli said, wrapping a bony arm around me.
I scoffed. "I'm more worried you'll need my protection. I'm just unhappy that if it comes to that, I'll tear this dress up to fight them off. I quite like this dress."
"Great to hear that you're more worried about your dress. I'm worried about my life."
"Now you're just being dramatic." I laughed.
"Nah, Maira is very ruthless. I wouldn't be surprised if she murders someone in this life," Frida said.
"We'll be fine. Let's go," I said and dragged the two hesitating pair inside.
As expected, every pair of eyes settled on me as we walked through the entrance. I saw a few mouths drop open and many stare at us- me in particular, in shock. Harper and Dan's eyes were the widest and I smiled smugly.
I bet they wouldn't have even recognize me as Julia if not for Frida and Eli being with me.
I headed straight to the drinks as I only ever enjoy a party properly when I've got a few drinks in me.
"You're going to drink, right?" I asked as I filled a glass with my favourite brand of alcohol.
"I'd like to try," Frida said shyly. I was glad she was coming out of her shell.
"I'm the designated driver," Eli said. "I won't drink."
"One or two drinks should be fine but suit yourself," I said as I poured a glass for Frida.
Frida accepted the drink and took small sips and instantly screwed her face in disgust.
I chuckled. "First time?"
She nodded and in the next second emptied the glass in one gulp. "Whoa."
After a few more drinks, I pull the two of them to the dance floor. The two were so awkward but I could see they were trying hard to blend in and dance. I taught them some dance moves but then we just abandoned all care in the world and started dancing weirdly which was more fun.
Someone tapped me on my shoulder and I turned around to see a guy I didn't recognize.
"Can I have a dance with you?" He asked over the loud music.
I turned to Frida and Eli to say that I'd be back but they beat me to it.
"We'll just wait by the side. I'm done dancing anyway." Frida said and pulled Eli with him.
I shrugged and turned back to the guy. Just as a new song came up, I took his hands and wrapped them around my waist and wound my hands around his neck.
"So," I whispered near his ear. "Who might you be?"
"Ow. Basically the whole school knows me but you don't?" He asked in a mock hurt tone.
"I don't really care to remember people who don't leave a memorable impression on me," I replied.
"Well then I must leave a good one."
"Why don't you start by telling me your name?"
"Nah, too cliché. I'd rather you remember me by my ability to make any girl fall for me with just a dance."
I raised an eyebrow, a laugh threatening to burst out. "I highly doubt that."
"Then I must show you." He whispered huskily and pulled me extremely close. There was no space between us as our bodies pressed against each other and he began moving us around in a manner that could only be considered sensual.
I wasn't uncomfortable with him otherwise he wouldn't have even gotten to move his hands over my body the way he was doing.
His fingers played with the chains on the side of my dress. He rolled the beads around before slipping his finger beneath and caressing the skin on my thighs while his other hand slowly, almost torturously made its way from the small of my back to my neck.
I started to feel heat pool in between my legs and my hands subconsciously ran over his chest before settling on his broad shoulders.
I knew he was going in for a kiss when his hands moved to tangle in my hair and his hot breath flushed against my lips. But just as our lips were about to touch, I moved forward and whispered in his ear. "Hi, I'm the girl who didn't fall for you with this stupid dance."
I stepped back and shouted over the music. "I'm going to look for my friends. I'll see you later, whatever your name is."
Without waiting for his reply, I disappeared into the crowd and soon I lost him. Well, that was interesting. I admit he had gotten me excited but I just wasn't in the mood for a makeout session right now. I needed to check up on Frida and Eli. I just hoped they hadn't run into Maira.
They told me they would be around but they were nowhere to be seen. I bumped into someone and turned to apologize but was met with someone I didn't want to run into even though I was in her house.
The three first looked very surprised to see me mostly because of my outfit. They apparently didn't expect me to be so bold.
"Hi, glad you came." Nia said, recovering quickly from her surprise. Boonsri and Pari didn't look like they shared her sentiments. "How are you liking the party?"
"It's fine," I shrugged.
"Must be your first one. Doesn't look like it's your scene," Boonsri said with her nose up in the air.
"You're right." I agreed grudgingly because it would've been Julia's first party. "But I'd like to thank you for inviting me and my friends."
"Where are those two?" Pari asked.
"I was actually looking for them. They must be here somewhere. I'm going to go look."
"Do you need help?" Nia asked.
"No, I'm sure I'll find them." I said. I didn't want to talk to them any more. Nia and Pari didn't really seem bad but Boonsri just annoyed me.
I turned to leave but stopped when Nia called for me.
"That's a sexy dress. It suits you." She said shortly.
"Thanks. I know." I said and left without further conversation.
I didn't see the two by the poolside and neither in the backyard. I doubted that they had left without me because if so then they would have hell to pay.
I walked into the kitchen where there were a few people, none of them who I was looking for. But there was one unexpected person who I found sitting at the kitchen counter, mixing drinks into a cup.
"Colin, what're you doing here?" I asked as I took a seat beside him.
"What're you doing here? Whoa." He looked at me from head to toe with wide eyes.
"I was invited by Nia. Frida and Eli are also here. You didn't answer my question."
"Me...well, my friend Aurelio dragged me here. We aren't even invited. I hope we don't get kicked out."
"Aurelio who?"
"Aurelio Del Rosario."
"Okay, I really don't know anyone from this school," I mumbled.
"What?"
I shook my head. "Nothing, just make sure you find your friend. Lots of scary people around." I said, looking at Maira who was dancing across the room with Murat.
Just then a boy entered the room looking annoyed. He slumped down next to Colin with his head hung low.
"What happened?" Colin asked.
"I was going to talk to her tonight! But then she and that guy disappeared somewhere after he fell into the pool and now I can't find her anywhere. Sumpain mo! [Damn it!]" He grumbled.
Colin put an arm over his shoulder. "Talk to her next time."
He looked up then and his eyes fell on me. He almost jumped out of his seat with a hand ove his heart. "Tinakot mo ako! [You scared me!]"
"What?" I asked.
"He said that you scared him." Colin said.
"What?! Excuse you, Aurelio Del Rosari, how dare you say that I look scary?"
"Hindi [No], no! That's not what I meant. I just didn't see you there so I was startled. You look maganda [Pretty]."
"That better be a good adjective."
"I-it is," he spluttered.
"Good. I'm leaving." I said and stood up. Aurelio sheepishly waved to me and I heard Colin urge him to try his drink.
He took a big gulp and within a few seconds, spat it all over the counter.
I snickered as I heard him rush to the fridge and pull out a water bottle.
I decided to check out the rooms upstairs in the hopes that I found them. By that time I had started to get worried about what had happened to them.
Yet again, I bumped into someone I knew. It was Kaan.
"Julia, I didn't expect you to be here," He said.
"Yeah, well but I'm here now. Listen, I've been meaning to talk to you for some time now. But I don't think it's a good time right now."
"Uh, okay. When do you want to talk?" He asked.
"Tomorrow after school. It's important. And none of the other four should know anything about this." I stressed on the last part because it was very important. The other four shouldn't have the slightest inkling about it.
He nodded. "Okay, where should I wait for you?"
"Do you know where Colin works? The restaurant?"
"Yeah, I've been there a few times."
"Okay, then we're to meet at it's backside."
Before he could answer we heard voices coming up the stairs and it sounded like Maira and Murat.
"Shit." I said and grabbed Kaan's hand and pulled him inside an empty bedroom. We heard them stop right in front of our room and at the last minute we stuffed ourselves into a closet.
In the cramped space, we were pressed up against each other. Us being the same height caused our faces to be closer. Kaan had his eyes on me, his nose touching my temple. I ignored his gaze and looked through the tiny gap.
Maira opened the door and scanned the room. "Should we do it here?" She asked Murat.
"No, someone might come in and I'm not going to share. I bought this especially for you. My man told me it's really strong."
"Then how about the roof?" She asked.
"Perfect."
They left and I sighed in relief.
"They're gone." I said and turned my head to look at him which proved to be a mistake because suddenly our lips were a mere distance apart.
"Good." He said but made no move to get out. "Julia," he continued with a whisper, "You're really beautiful."
Maybe it was his nice, masculine scent or the way he whispered the name and called me beautiful or the sight of his soft, inviting lips that caused me to step closer and press my lips against his without giving my actions a second thought.
Here's Juliet's dress.
And here is Frida's.
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