36 | 𝒩𝑜 𝒫𝓁𝒶𝓃 𝐵

A/N: Sophia's seggsy dress for the ones who picked it hehe 🖤 ^

Feel free to play some music in the background to add some effect, I did while writing :)

TW: Mention of bl00d ⚠

Sophia's POV

"No, I already told you, Bella," I sighed exaggeratedly. "I'm not coming."

I heard her groan in frustration. "Evie, help me!" she drawled out on the other side of the line. I heard a faint 'fine' and some ruffling sounds.

"Okay, tell me why you don't want to go." Evie was now speaking, and I rolled my eyes at their failed persuasions of inviting me to the party.

"First of all, I have an important presentation due Monday, and I haven't done anything yet," I said, glancing over at my desk. It was kind of a lie, since I've already started, but I'm nowhere near finished yet.

"Let's make a deal," Evie started, and I prepared myself for what she was about to offer. "Tomorrow, me, Bella and you have a date at the cafe right around the corner of my street. We can all study there. It's a calm environment, plus they have the best donuts."

I thought about it for a second, not seeing anything bad with her idea. "Only studying?" I asked.

"Only studying," she assured me. I let out a giggle when I overheard Bella whining in the background.

I looked at my wardrobe and shook my head. "No, sorry."

"What? Come one!" Evie shouted.

"You didn't let me finish. I also have absolutely nothing to wear, and we can't go shopping now," I defended myself.

"That's no problem, Girl, I got you," Bella yelled. They put the phone on speaker and she told me her mom had a few dresses. "The perks of having an ex-model as a mom," she announced proudly.

"But won't they be too big for me?" I asked, looking down at my own body.

"Maybe a little, but we can still try."

Evie interjected, "Sophia, the last few days you've been a bit...off. No offence though! But you definitely need this, it'll do you good."

"And nobody will recognise you! It's gonna be dark there anyway, everyone's going to be drunk, and makeup can do wonders." Their voices were so full of hope, and I didn't want to let them down.

"Okay...I guess," I muttered. They both squealed, and I'm sure I heard a high five. "I'll see you there." I hung up and went to the bathroom. I quickly combed through my hair and put in my favourite earrings.

I went down the stairs and was met with my parents in the kitchen. "Hey, Mom, Dad," I smiled nervously. They glanced up from what they were doing and greeted me.

"Uh," I decided not to lie this time, and only ask the true question. "Could I maybe go to a party tonight?" I was fidgeting with the hem of my shirt as I looked elsewhere.

"Oh," my mom said, sounding shocked by my request.

"Well, what kind of party are we talking about?" I know how strict my dad is with these kind of things, so I may have to exclude a few things.

"You know, a party..." I was struggling to come up with things. "With friends."

He cocked his eyebrow, and I knew I had to do better. "And who are those friends?" Gosh, Dad, can't I for once do something without having your nose in my business? He's only trying to protect me, but I need more freedom. Parents expect their children to follow every rule, but don't they know that strict parents raise good liars?

"Some kids from school." He opened his mouth, but I cut him off with a little more sass than intended. "And yes, there will be boys, Dad." He looked uncomfortable and cleared his throat. My mom, on the other hand, gave me a sympathetic smile.

"Honey...maybe we should let her," she told my dad, shrugging her shoulders lightly. "She has good grades and has been under a lot of stress. She needs a rest, too, remember. She's a teenager, and these are the moments she'll look back to with her friends." This is why my mom could be such an inspiration to me.

I stared at her, feeling my heart get warm and tears fill my eyes. Why am I getting so emotional?!

My dad reluctantly gave in after a while. I smiled at both of them, nodding my head as a thanks. "Come give me a hug," my mom said, and I let out a breathy giggle, giving her a tight embrace.

I grabbed my phone when I was sure I had everything I needed. "I'm ready," I said out loud, walking towards the front door. The sound of my mom's footsteps followed behind me. We hopped in the car and she started the engine.

I gave her Bella's address and we were on the road. It only took a few minutes, but that was enough time to make me nervous. This wasn't my first party, yet it still felt like it. Probably because it's only your second one, my inner-voice sarcastically replied.

I stepped out of the car, and before I closed the door, I smiled at my mom. "Thank you," I said, and meant it. She nodded and winked at me.

"You're still not allowed to do drugs, okay?" She warned me. I laughed shook my head.

"Bye, Mom," I shut the door and waved. She blew me a kiss and drove off. Why does this feel like I'm actually saying goodbye to her...like, for the last time?

The door opened widely when I was about to knock. "Come in!" Bella pulled me inside with a huge grin on her face. We went upstairs to, what I assumed to be, her room. "I'm so excited," she jumped slightly.

I turned my head as I heard Evie laugh behind me. She stood up and looked at Bella expectantly. "What are we waiting for?" she asked.

"Right," answered Bella as she beckoned me to go follow her. They lead me to a bigger room with a double bed in it, most-likely her parents' room. There was a walk-in closet against the wall, and Bella opened it.

"Wow..." I breathed out. It was way larger than I awaited it to be. I saw elegant dresses, cocktail dresses, summer and spring dresses, and all that with matching heels and jewelry.

"I know, right?" Evie nudged me, seeming astounded as well. Bella fished out a few outfits, telling me she already thought about this moment happening.

"Is your mom okay with this?" I asked panicky. Bella only hummed in response and then laid out all the options on the bed. The dressed...they were stunning! No wonder a model wore them. But how could I wear them, they weren't made for me?

"Okay, which one do you think?" she asked me and Evie, her eyes never leaving the dresses.

"One hundred percent the black one," Evie voted, and before I could have a say in it, Bella chose one too.

"Yeah," she mumbled, deep in thought. "The black one it is." She picked it up and held it in front of me in the air, sending me an approving look.

"I'm not so sure, guys," I said. "Won't I be too...overdressed?" I was imagining myself in that dress at a party where people wore normal, every-day clothes.

"Nonsense!" Bella guaranteed me. "Our outfits are in the same style as this, plus I know how parties are here. And believe me, you can't overdress." She seemed confident with her words, so I dismissed my overthinking and grabbed the piece of material from her.

-

I stood in front of the body-length mirror, observing my body and face in it. My eyeliner was winged to perfection, my brows were shaped into place and my lips were glossed. I didn't change anything about my hair, letting it hang loose.

Next, my eyes fixed onto the black, silk wrapped around my torso. I almost let a smile break loose on my face. They really did know what they were doing, I thought to myself, admiring everything. The dress was a little big, but they pinned the back with a small, black pin, which was almost invisible.

I thanked them both for their help. Just like last time, I felt like a different person, the people I always envied. Assertive, strong and gorgeous women.

They had put on their outfits as well, and they looked ready to go wild. Bella took a bunch of pictures of us - some where we stuck out our tongues, others with a dazzling smile. And finally, we were ready to go.

In between dressing up, we ate some snacks from downstairs and put on music to hype us up. They told me to eat if I wanted to last longer without getting drunk, and even though I promised myself not to drink too much, I listened and ate with them.

It was passed six-thirty when we got into Bella's car. I sat in the backseat, leaning forward between the two front chairs. We were all ardent to go and dance freely. I didn't want to be recognised in public though, so I told myself to just look down and avoid conversation with anyone you knew. Simple, right?

Wrong. As we stepped out onto the front lawn, we saw every high-spirited teenager here do something, just like last time. I saw talking people, dancing, drinking, sniffing people. Huh, what are they doing?

I released the thought and let my hair fall in front of my face, planning on removing it when we're inside. Evie and Bella were correct though, no one noticed us, and everyone was dressed similarly. One guy was even shirtless, chasing his friends around the house.

I recalled everything I did at the previous party with Liv, and shook my head. This time I won't be as reckless. That I can promise.

It was hotter when we came in through the doors and the smell of alcohol entered my nostrils. I wasn't going to do any dancing with at least a little boost, so me and Evie and Bella poured ourselves a drink and downed it quickly.

"Okay!" Bella shouted over the thundering music. "Now let's do this shit!" We laughed and went to the living room, which had the most space.

To not be awkward, Evie took my hands into hers and waved them from left to right, shaking her body with them. I grinned, rolled my eyes and joined her, swinging us around. As the alcohol came into action, I did too.

The three of us were dancing as if nobody was watching, and nobody was, I think. And, either way, they'd be too drunk to remember a thing. Apparently, people at this school found partying almost every week and drinking until they blacked out normal.

Evie and I were dancing and moving our bodies against each other, back to back. She stumbled a little, but was laughing so hard, I couldn't help but do the same. Her mouth was hanging open and her tongue was out, she yelled as if she were crazy, and I had tears in my eyes. She beyond doubt had a lot to drink.

Bella was talking to a guy when he pulled her with him out of the room. Something about him seemed familiar and it was on the tip of my tongue. When he looked over his shoulder, as if checking to see if anyone saw, my feet got glued to the ground and I couldn't move. Logan.

What is he doing with her? I didn't know they were friends. I didn't mind, of course, she could befriend anyone she'd like, but I was afraid for her. What if he does something to her.

I shivered when the memories of yesterday came to mind, and not in a good way. He wouldn't do anything to her, would he? She hasn't done something to make him hate her, right? But my inner-voice was screaming the word 'dangerous' over and over again.

"Evie," I tapped her on the shoulder. "Evie!" I urged a little louder, but she appeared deaf as the song that came through the speakers was bursting throughout the whole house. I shook her more forcefully and she finally noticed me.

"What's wrong?" she slurred. Great, she's totally busted. But even if she weren't, no one knew what Logan did to me about twenty-four hours ago, I never spoke up about it.

"Nothing," I mumbled, more to myself. She shrugged and continued dancing. "Stay here, okay?"

She nodded her head, but it wasn't concentrating on what I was saying. I sighed and slipped through the sweaty bodies, trying not to touch anyone. I only wanted to make sure Bella was safe.

I went after them and ended up in another room. This was the last place I saw them together. Wondering where they could be, I viewed the staircase in front of me. I raced to the top, almost tripping and cursing myself for having a drink or two.

I ended up in a long hall. The lights were on here, plastic cups sprawled across the floor and only a few people were here. Two of them making out, one lying against the wall while sitting on the carpet, completely out of it, and the three others went into a room, closing the door behind them.

Evie told me, when I had asked her about it, that people went upstairs to...you know. I frowned, I didn't know you could do that with three...

I pushed the thought away and scratched my head, where are they? I was starting to freak out, but then I heard Logan's voice coming from inside one of the rooms that had the door ajar.

"It's not going to hurt when I put it in," he grumbled lowly. His voice wasn't close to sounding angry or threatening, so that relaxed me a little.

"Just like that..." He said it slowly and breathy. Oh my God! Are they having...

I jumped away from the door I was about to peak in to and grimaced. I am glad I did not look, I felt a quiver go through my entire body.

I searched the dance floor for Evie, and when I found her, she was still dancing and looking totally fine. I sighed in relief and had to go outside for a second, needing the fresh air.

I inhaled deeply and exhaled through my nose. I closed my eyes, letting my body rest against a wall. But once I opened my eye lids, I wished I didn't.

There he was, the bloody Devil himself - Cassius. He was already staring right into my eyes, and my breath hitched in my throat. My fingers trembled and my knees buckled, almost giving in. He was there, a few metres away from me, a sinister smirk on his face as he waved at me creepily.

As soon as my mind registered this moment, my eyes widened and I whispered a small, "Oh my God."

Without giving him a spare glance, I sprinted inside the house again, pushing everyone in m path away. Logan told me he and Cassius worked together. Guess who Logan is with right now...

I took three steps in one as I sprinted up them hysterically. I was in the hall and didn't hesitate to barge into the room they were supposed to be in. Supposed to be in.

When I scanned the whole room, it was empty. "What?" I said, my hands now in my hair due to stress. "Where the heck are they?"

I went in a few feet, but came to a stop when I saw a glimpse of something that made me gulp. A glimmer of something shiny caught my eye, something fluid and red. I strode towards the spot and took a closer look, gasping when I saw it clearly.

It was what I hoped it not to be. Blood. Fresh blood.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Grayson's POV

Everyone was in place. Jake and Kyle were already hunting down Logan, who should normally already be here, since he always came early. Me and Anderson, on the other hand, were still waiting for Cassius to arrive, if he was going to. We weren't certain that he'd come, but we hoped.

None of us have had something to drink yet aside from water, we agreed to be on full focus mode for tonight.

As usual, most people who were outside were doing drugs, and since neither me or Anderson saw any sign of Cassius outside, we decided to let one of us roam the inside of the house as well, which was me.

The sweaty aroma engulfed me completely once I set foot in the house. I'm lucky to be this tall, so I could easily look over most people here. I didn't see the dirty-blond-headed bastard, but someone else made me come to a halt.

What is she doing here? Shit. Didn't she say she wasn't going to come?  The black dress that hugged her figure perfectly made me narrow my eyes. Her light brown hair was flying around and her hands were tangled up in them. She's just so perfec- Concentrate, Goddammit!

I searched the place for any danger, but fortunately found none. She wasn't supposed to be here, if Cassius sees her... I grunted and pushed past people, now more determined to find him.

I received a text from Kyle, it read that they haven't seen him around yet. I glowered, at no one in particular. Anderson hasn't contacted me, so that means he hasn't witnessed Cassius yet. Where the hell are they? Because I know for a fact that they're planning something. I mean, a party is the perfect scene for that. They wouldn't let such an opportunity slip.

I was pulled from my trance when I saw Sophia going after something, leaving her friend behind, though she didn't even seem to care.

It was the expression Sophia wore that made me follow her. It was a look I've seen quite a few times before; angst.

I stopped at the bottom of the staircase, pondering over what to do now. I didn't want her to think I was following her, neither did I want to lose focus on my mission. I glanced over my shoulder and witnessed Jake sipping a beer.

I walked over to him and seized it out of his grasp. "What the hell, Dude?!" he whined. I scoffed, not believing this. Did he seriously think that pleasing his thirst for alcohol was superior than looking for Logan?

I scolded him with a deadly glare, and he rolled his eyes, putting up his hands in surrender. I shook my head, not saying anything as I strode off to the staircase again. I was about to go up, but was shoved out of the way by someone.

A smaller person bolted up as quick as lighting, and I soon witnessed the silk, black dress. Sophia?

I took the first step to follow her, but got a notification from my phone. Anderson said he saw Cassius.

I ran to the exit and my eyes hurriedly searched my tall friend, easily finding him. He was hunching over while using my car as support. He was hurt.

"What happened?" I questioned, seeing blood come from his stomach.

"I saw him, he was pointing something out to Sophia and then she ran off. I grabbed him from behind, seeing no weapons on him," he explained, aggravated. "He had a knife in his sleeve."

Cassius must have stabbed Anderson in his abdomen as a move to escape. "Fucking stupid," he growled out, angry with himself.

"Did you see what he signed to Sophia then? I only observed her sprinting up the stairs, she seemed scared, to be honest," I asked him, but he shook his head.

"The moment she saw him..." He thought back. "It was like she realised something. And it must not have been something good."

"Fuck," I mumbled, rubbing my face with my hands.

We had one chance, and we fucked up...

ღ

A/N: As you may have noticed, I've began editing some chapters, since I cringed so hard reading them. So I truly apologise for the mistakes!

Please VOTE if you enjoyed it, byeeee