*Edited*
"Yeah, apparently Allison is having a party at her house tomorrow night since she just moved in and its a new school year. I bet Elijah's gonna be there," Mae said on the phone after school.
I groaned. "If I even thought for a second about going, I definitely don't wanna go now."
"Come on, Veronica. Elijah will be so jealous if you're there with someone else, if you know what I mean," she said with mischief in her voice.
"Remember what happened the last time we went to a party? We were lucky to escape with our lives-"
"Pfft. It'll be fun. Just relax."
I sighed. "Is this because Quinn invited you?"
"Maybe. But that's not the point. Let's find you a guy to make Elijah jealous."
I spun around in my computer chair as I thought about it for a moment. It would be sweet to make him jealous, but did I even care anymore? He was such a jerk and I couldn't take it anymore.
Yet, I found myself asking, "Oh really? With who?"
"Anyone. It's so obvious that he has eyes only for you."
"I don't know about that..." I trailed off. If that were the case and Mae was right, then Elijah wouldn't have gone off with Allison in the first place.
And here I had thought Elijah and I had something special. I was wrong. And so was Mae.
He's done this same exact thing with Bianca when he claimed he needed to move on from me since he thought I wasn't returning his feelings. He'd invited her over his house and God only knew what they had done together. I didn't even want to think about it.
But then I reminded myself that I didn't care since we had broken up.
"Trust me. I'll be over your house tomorrow night at eight. Quinn said we could get there early since it's technically his party, too," Mae said, breaking through my thoughts.
I decided to change the subject by saying, "So you and Quinn, huh?"
We talked for a little while after that about the new school year and our schedules. I couldn't stop yawning so we decided to hang up after she told me she might have a crush on the new boy.
I fell asleep fantasizing about the many ways I could get revenge on Elijah.
*************
I ignored Elijah and Allison as they flirted in math class the next day on Friday. Or at least I tried to. Every giggle and deep chuckle I heard from the both of them made me cringe all day long.
So when I was finally home, I couldn't wait for Mae to come and pick me up to get to this party. I applied some mascara, making my blue eyes look gray against my skin tight, black tank top. A pair of dark skinny jeans completed the look with combat boots.
I went downstairs, thankful that my parents had to go to a work party for tonight and wouldn't be here to see how I was dressed. I'd never be allowed to leave the house dressed like this.
Nevertheless, I felt good. Like really good. I liked to think I looked like a badass.
Mae rang my doorbell right at eight o'clock and I skipped over to the door, ready to get this show on the road. When I opened the door, Mae stepped inside and quietly shut the door behind her.
She had on a red halter top and a black skirt with knee high boots that had four inch heels. I'd never seen her look like this before.
"Wow, Mae. You look great!" I said and I really meant it. She shyly tucked her short hair behind her ear as she gave me a smile.
"Thanks. You do, too. And you're going to need this," she said, handing me a feathered mask that you saw at those old masquerade parties and only covered your eyes. I took it from her, twisting it around in my hand, scrunching my eyebrows.
"Why do I need this?" I asked, raising it to my eyes.
"Allison said it's a masquerade party since she doesn't really know anyone anyway. Everyone will be wearing masks. Tonight, we'll all be anonymous."
I've never been to one of these type of parties before -not that I've been to very many parties for that matter- but I thought it actually sounded like fun.
"Hmm," I said, holding the mask by my side, "Then how will Elijah know who I am when I'm dancing with another boy?"
Mae smiled, knowingly. "He'll know."
***********
We arrived at the party early, but there were already lots of guests piling inside. Music boomed off to the side in the living room where the furniture had been pushed to the side to make room for a dance floor just like it had been at Bianca's party last year.
The lights were all off with the exception of strobe lights over head. Bodies danced together throughout the house with masks on. I couldn't recognize anyone underneath the masks.
Quinn met us at the front door. He addressed me first as I slipped on my blue feathered mask.
"Hey, Veronica. I didn't think you were gonna come," he said in surprise. I shrugged.
"Well here I am," I responded as he turned to Mae next who already had her red mask on. He took her hand in his and kissed the top of her hand, making her giggle.
"I'll see you two later," I said, waving at them. Then I headed deeper into the house. I passed by a staircase leading to an upstairs with a few open bedrooms and a door that lead to a basement that had teenagers trickling down the stairs.
I ended up in the kitchen where two guys and a girl were hanging around. I couldn't tell who they were as they tried to shout over the booming music. One of them noticed me as I grabbed a red plastic cup and filled it up with orange juice.
The guy with a green mask and blonde hair leaned on the counter that was separating us from each other. The girl and guy behind him continued to talk as he focused his attention on me.
"Want some vodka added in that?" He asked, tipping his head at my cup. I took a sip and shook my head. He frowned.
"Want to dance with me then?" He tried instead.
My initial reaction was to reject his offer, but then a certain green eyed boy flashed through my mind and I found myself agreeing. He grinned and came around the counter, resting his hand on the small of my back as he lead me into the living room.
We found a spot near the back of the already bumping crowd. I placed my cup down on the end table beside us and shook out my hair. The guy's blue eyes traveled down the length of my body and back up. I smirked.
"Who are you?" He asked as he laid his hands on my hips. I wrapped my arms around his neck and leaned in close enough to kiss him. With my lips a breath away, I said, "Don't worry about it."
His smile widened as his hands dipped lower, practically resting on my ass. The beat of the song currently playing picked up and so did my movements. I knew I was a good dancer when I wanted to be.
Like right now.
I rubbed myself against the mystery guy's body as his hands roamed all over me. My body pulsed to the rhythm of the music and I soon lost myself to the beat of the pop songs.
I suddenly felt eyes on the two of us and I looked around the room to see at least ten sets of eyes watching us. I'd never had this kind of attention before.
I recognized Allison behind her mask because of her fiery red hair. She was pouting as she held a tray of some type of appetizer when she noticed everyone staring at me and my mystery guy. He seemed to notice as well and we picked up our rhythm.
I had to admit, he was just as good of a dancer as I was. We made a great pair and I never wanted to stop dancing. I wondered who he was and figured it was best not to find out.
Once he knew my identity, he wouldn't think twice about finding a new dance partner. He was probably some popular football player for all I knew. And it would be just my luck, too.
He hitched a thumb over his shoulder and said, "I'm going to get a drink. Want me to get you another one?"
I shook my head. "No thanks. You can go ahead," I said, breathlessly. As he turned to leave, I reached behind me to pick up my discarded cup of orange juice.
When my hand came up empty, I spun around to come face to face with another masked guy. This one was slightly taller and much more muscular than my mystery guy had been. His mask was black and he had eyes so dark that it was impossible for me to tell which color they were, especially in this dark light. They could've been dark blue, green, or brown, but I'd never know.
His hair was just as dark as his eyes and I could see his mouth opening and closing. Oh shit, he was talking to me and I hadn't heard a word he said since I'd just been checking him out.
I cupped my ear and said, "Sorry, what?"
He dropped his head so his lips tickled my ear. I shuddered as he demanded, "Dance with me."
I shrugged. It wouldn't hurt to dance with someone else while my dance partner was gone, could it?
"Alright," I said as everyone turned their attention away to carry on with their own dancing. His full lips turned up in a smile at my response.
This new guy immediately placed his hands on my hips, turning me around so my back was pressed against his chest. Just as quickly, if not faster, we found a steady pace like I had done with the other guy.
I raised my arms up, grinding against this guy. Our sweaty bodies mingled together in the tight space. Damn, this guy might even be a better dancer if that were even possible.
I shivered when I felt his teeth lightly nip my ear. I felt him smirk against my cheek as he said, "You remind me of someone."
I froze. I knew this voice. How had I not realized it before?
Then I had an idea. I should go along with what he was saying. For some reason, I needed to hear what he had to say.
With my back still to him, I continued to dance as I asked, "Oh really? Who?"
His hands rose to my shoulders, slipping underneath the straps if my tank top as he gently pushed one of them off to press a kiss to my bare shoulder. I could barely concentrate as he responded, "A girl. She drives me crazy and..."
"And?" I prompted, turning around to face him.
His eyes darted away and he said, "And she hates me."
"Why?"
He sighed, losing motivation to keep dancing. I stood still as he locked his eyes on mine.
"Listen, I don't usually open up to random strangers like this, but since I'll probably never recognize you outside of here; I'll just tell you," he said.
"Okay," I said, crossing my arms over my chest as I leaned against the wall.
"I started talking to the new hot girl while I was dating this girl and she got pissed off."
I narrowed my eyes on his dark mask. "Of course she was. Why would you flirt with another girl while you were already in a relationship?" I asked, playing dumb.
He still hadn't recognized who I was and it didn't seem like he was going to, which was why he said, "It's a long story. You probably don't care, do you?"
I put my hands on my hips and stood up straight, taking a step closer to him so the tips of my boots hit the toes of his shoes and took my mask off.
"Yes, I do care. What's the story, Elijah?"
**************
Longer chapter, sorry! Anyway, thanks for over 2k reads and please be sure to leave a vote and comment about what you think about my story. Thanks again! :)