A M Y went silent for a couple of seconds before opening her mouth once again. "Well, good." She finally said while taking a large bite out of her hamburger.

"Why?" I ask softly. I was suddenly curious. To be honest, Jaden was very mysterious and hard to read.

"You don't know?!" Amy raised her eyebrows. I quickly furrow mine in confusion. Why did she seem so surprised?

"Um ok anyways, so there are many rumors about that boy who keeps on staring at you-" She started.

"I know I know, he's very attractive, hot, smart, tall, charming, but that won't make me forget all those rumors." She rolled her eyes.

"What rumors?" I asked tilting my head slightly.

"Well, I heard that he's in a-" before she can finish the sentence, the bell rang, notifying us that lunchtime is over.

"Ok, I have to go. I'll tell you later." Without wasting another minute, Amy stood up and left in a hurry.

She left me confused and somewhat curious.

I spent the rest of the day thinking about what Amy had said.

Amy's way of speaking left me frustrated. I don't know why but I really wanted to know more about Jaden.

I've been seeing him since I was six, but I never really got to know much about that boy.

-

My mom surprisingly didn't react much when I asked for permission to go out with Ashly.

She said she doesn't mind. I surely was expecting her to say no. But she did get a bit worried at first. She asked me a ton of questions about my friend.

She said she just wants to see me happy. I wouldn't have forced her into letting me go out either if she had said no. I just want to do things everyone else gets to do.

I don't want to stay at home all the time. I want see the world with my own eyes. I want to explore this place. I want to be happy.

I was very excited to go out with Ashly, pretty nervous too. Most likely because it's my first time going out with a person other than my mom.

I planned all the movies I'm going to watch with Ashly. I quickly got out of my bed and headed to the shower.

It's time to get ready.

About 10 minutes later I walk out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around my body. I quickly pull out a dress from my closet and some accessories to go with it.

I got dressed into something comfortable, a floral dress with spaghetti straps.

I then brush out my hair and let it dry by itself. Soon I was all done. I hurried down the stairs to the living room where I found my mom sipping on her afternoon coffee.

A small smile appeared on her face as she saw me approach her. "All done?" She asked excitedly. I nodded as a response.

Luckily I have texted Ashly to come pick me up. Momma said I should give her a text when I reach Ashly's house.

"Remember to come back home before 9 o'clock." She said for the hundredth time. "I will, don't worry," I reassured her.

"Come on let us get you in the car," Momma said while heading out to the door, me following behind.

-

"What movie are we going to watch?" I ask excitedly. I was now seated on Ashly's bed while she looked for something in the closet.

To be honest her house was really big. It's even bigger than mine. Her room had everything I ever imagined. I liked how organized her place was.

"We aren't gonna watch anything." She laughed as if it was a joke. I put my eyebrows together and looked at her in confusion.

We aren't gonna watch any movies?

"Can we please? I really wanted to watch beauty and the beast today," I whined. I watched that movie multiple times before, but it's just very addictive.

"Lily I'm not gonna waste my precious time on watching stupid movies." She rolled her big blue eyes. A frown formed on my face when I heard her say that.

I was expecting to watch lots of movies and play lots of games today. I see Ashly come out of the closet with two dresses in her hand.

Both of them looked very expensive. Ashly put down a dress next to me and the other stayed in her hand.

"Which one do you like?" She asked showing the two dresses in detail. I honestly liked the black dress more. Ashly would surely look beautiful wearing it.

It did look a bit uncomfortable, but that wouldn't matter. "I like the black one. It would suit you." I smiled.

She looked at me weirdly before giggling to herself. "Aw Hunny, I'd never wear these cheap clothes." She said with a sheepish grin on her face.

Both of the dresses looked quite expensive rather than cheap. "I think they are really pretty though," I say softly.

"These don't fit me anymore, so I thought I'd give them to you. You need to change your dress anyways. Plus I had them for a long time and my style changed." She started. I scrunch my eyebrows together once more.

"What do you mean?" I asked confused. What's wrong with the dress I'm currently wearing? It looked completely fine to me.

"Come on let's get you ready. My brother will drive us to our destination," she said smirking.

"Oh," was the only word that I could think of. I thought we'd just stay at home and watch movies, but guess we'll be going outside for real.

I kind of didn't like the idea of going out during the night. I mean I really never been out in the dark and wasn't planning on either.

"But I like the outfit I'm wearing," I say quietly hoping that I don't have to wear those dresses. I don't think it'll suit me as much as it would suit Ashly.

"Um do you really think I'll go out with you wearing that?" she laughed grabbing the other dress in her hand and walking over to the closet again.

She dropped the white dress onto the floor and placed the black dress on the hanger.

"Hurry up and get ready!" Ashly rolled her eyes. I slowly got up knowing I couldn't win against her. She'd most likely make me wear that dress in one way or another.

"Go to the bathroom in the hallway. I need to use this room real quick." Ashly signed me to use the bathroom in the halls as she went back to the closet to get her own dress.

I quickly grabbed the black dress and headed to the hall. My eyes widened when I see myself in the mirror with the dress on.

It fitted me well, maybe a bit tight. I don't think I can pull this off. It was a black satin dress with a sheer netted blouse.

The dress reached higher above my knees. I didn't like how exposed I felt wearing it even though I was fully covered. I exited the bathroom while fidgeting with my hands.

My eyes again widened when I see two dark brown ones staring at me from far. His way of staring made me feel more uncomfortable than I already was. He must be Ashly's brother.

He had a sharp jaw and a strong aroma surrounding him. He looked quite scary too. He had sunburned blond hair and strong glare.

"Hi," I wave at him.

He looked at me with amusement and something else which I can't tell. He raised one of his eyebrows and approached my small figure.

"You are..." he tried to remember something. I look at him and smile.

"Lily."

"Lily..." he started. He came closer to me making it harder for me to breathe. I truly didn't like the small distance between us. I didn't want him to be too close to me.

It made me feel uneasy.

"Nice name sweetheart." He smirked. "T- thank you," I said politely. I look around me before quickly walking out of his way. I felt him huff behind me, as I enter Ashly's room.

"Who were you talking to?" Ashly asked. I took in a deep breath before walking toward her.

"Your brother perhaps." I shrugged. I took my time staring at what Ashly was wearing. Her outfit was breathtaking. It looked beautiful.

She had on a red dress. It might be a bit short or a bit revealing, but it suited her well.

"Oh, Hunter?" Ashly asked while applying some mascara. "I guess," I answer. "Ashly, can I wear something else? I don't feel comfortable wearing this dress." I said quietly.

"Nope, I don't want any of my friends to look cheap when we go out." She said smirking. I sigh as she laughs.

"Alright." I breathed. "Ok let's get your makeup done then." She said turning around. "I don't think I need any make-" she cut me off.

"You don't get to decide anything, so get your pretty little ass here." I gasped as my cheeks began to burn.

About 40 minutes later we finally reach the place Ashly was talking about. Hunter was the one who drove us here.

I stare out the window in confusion. There was a small yet wide building in front of me, it had glowing lights coming from the inside.

The name of this building was the thing that made me confused. The word stripped was masked on the wall with glowing letters.

"We're here babies!" Ashly shouted before getting out of the car.

"Hurry up Lily, you won't want to miss the fun." She winked.

•••

𝙸 𝚒𝚖𝚊𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝙻𝚘𝚛𝚎𝚗 𝙶𝚛𝚊𝚢 𝚊𝚜 𝙰𝚜𝚑𝚕𝚢.

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