"I can't believe we didn't make a plan for this," Lilith groaned in frustration, lying flat on the couch.

"We could just go with casual makeup. I think we can manage," I replied, trying to convince Lilith that it wasn't a big deal.

But my words only seemed to provoke her further, as she shot me a murderous glare that made me backtrack. "Or not..."

"If not, because we're not driving ourselves to the dance, I'll just go to the venue from the salon," Lilith said. "I hope that silly guy I asked out has a good ride because God knows I'll lose it if he drives one of those monster trucks from that movie... is it a monster truck? Guys from Hills High seem to love that stuff."

I couldn't help but laugh as I responded, "He's cute. You'll manage."

Lilith beat me to laughter. "I have no idea about that. He's too lean and scared of animals."

"Shoot," I giggled along with her. All the while, I could feel Leigh's eyes burning into every inch of my skin. I didn't know how to ignore it, so I pretended to be engrossed in a deep conversation with his sister.

"I know, right?" 

Christian lowered the volume of the television and suspiciously knitted his brows before asking, "Did I hear you say you asked someone out?"

"Yes, I just announced it in the lot, and the boys lined up, so I chose the guy whose name I have no idea about... Oh, boy, I'm such an analytical person," Lilith praised or mocked herself. I had no clue.

She could be confusing at times.

"Wow, that's smart," Christian said, struggling to keep his words in.

"What a logical idea," Leigh murmured to himself.

"Excuse me?" Lilith called him out.

"Nothing," he shook his head and pulled out his mobile phone from his jeans pocket.

"You don't have to worry. I'll call Rebecca. Her daughter works in a salon around the strip—I'm sure she'll be able to help you with your problems," Mum informed us, or maybe Lilith, as she was the only one here obsessed with celebrity style. "I told you two—you were running out of time," Mum added.

"It was all you and Dad, and mostly Leigh's idea, remember?" Lilith rudely shot back at Mum.

I was glad to see that Mum didn't care or even slightly react to Lilith's attitude, because even I, the youngest, didn't.

Lilith was the weirdest person I'd ever met. One moment she was emotional, and the next second she was rude. Her only way of showing love to the people she cared about was by displaying that sassy attitude.

"I did it for Ava, not you, so I'm not surprised if you're not grateful," Leigh said, throwing a glance at his little sister.

I immediately felt embarrassed when those words came from someone who claimed the "Grand Canyon idea" was for Mum and his Dad.

For now, at least, our parents interpreted Leigh's words as a sign of soon-to-be step-siblings bonding or politeness gestures.

If only they knew what was happening behind their backs. I was sure that if they knew right now, no one would be sitting around the living room, relaxing in peace.

Lilith went back to her phone without a comeback to her brother. Meanwhile, I remained seated, feeling flushed under Leigh's intense stare.

With everyone in the living room, I felt really uncomfortable about my choices. I had always blamed people for being two-faced, and now it seemed I had turned into one myself. I was a liar, a pretentious girl whom everyone around here, except Leigh, knew.

"I don't care. Anyway, as someone who has great experience with Embry, I advise you to leave here soon because you have to pressure her to leave that house, or both of you will end up missing the dance," Lilith told her brother, making a statement that instantly shredded my mood and hurt my heart.

I tried to appear nonchalant, but a frown of agony etched into my face as my mind wandered to the painful, unfathomable reality of mine. Leigh might be mine, but no one knows. No one can. And that leaves us vulnerable to other people trying to claim us in the eyes of the public.

The torment was immense, and I had to excuse myself from the parlor just to catch my breath. I went outside to the garden and angrily sat on the bare ground, facing the plants.

I knew I wouldn't be able to bear seeing Embry and Leigh together tonight. I knew I couldn't handle seeing Leigh with any other girl anymore, not tonight, not anymore, not after last night, not after everything. The mere thought of it was becoming unbearably distressing.

Now I was torn apart. Tonight, I might explode and not a single part of me would survive. I knew it.

I didn't care how pathetic or selfish I sounded—I couldn't share Leigh with anyone. That was just how it was.

My mobile phone screen lit up with a quick buzz, indicating a message.

"Will you go to the dance with me?" the text message read.

It was from the person who had the power to switch my mood and situation, from frowning to smiling, from pain to pleasure.

Right now, I couldn't explain the sudden change in my expression, as I found myself grinning like a child on Christmas as I typed back, "Only if you'll ride with no one on your passenger side to the dance."

"Wait? Is that jealousy I'm smelling?" he replied, while I bit my bottom lip.

***

The rest of the afternoon to early evening was spent getting ready for the homecoming dance. With Rebecca's daughter and a couple of girls who loved to giggle, Lilith and I were transformed into the celebrities everyone expected us to be.

Around seven, we were both ready, and when we revealed ourselves to Mum and Christian, their excitement was palpable.

To my surprise, Leigh was still wearing his casual outfit as he stood by the glass door separating the living area from the foyer. His eyes never left me, causing my artificially made-up blush to deepen with the instant rush of blood to my face.

Lilith and I were wearing dresses of the same length, resting just above our knees. Hers was sage-colored, while mine was mauve, decorated with lace along the sleeves.

"I have to take a picture of you two before you leave," Mum suggested.

"It's not prom, Susan," Lilith reminded Mum.

"Yes, that's why I need a picture of you two together. Because by prom, I'll need a group picture with all of you and your dates," Mom clarified with a raised eyebrow.

"Ha! I'm not interested in boys," Lilith mumbled after we posed for the picture.

Everyone heard her, and the room's temperature turned awkwardly silent, leaving Mom no choice but to grab Lilith by the wrist and lead her to the kitchen. If I knew Mum as well as I believed, she was probably offering words of encouragement and reassurance to her soon-to-be stepdaughter.

By the time Lilith and Mum return, Christian is opening the entrance door where Lilith's date stands in a white tuxedo. He's quite handsome and slim, slightly nerdy but certainly someone who will obey Lilith's commands.

"He's not bad," I mouthed quietly to my soon-to-be stepsister.

"I think he'll do," she mouthed back with a wink and disappeared behind the entrance door as it closed shut.

Mum and Christian are smiling when I glance over at them. Behind them, Leigh appears thoughtful as his gaze rests on the floor.

The curiosity of knowing what's on his mind consumes me while I stare at the person I desire so much but can't have right now.

"Arlen will be here soon," Mum assures me, elated. I muster all the strength in my body to return her a tight smile, but my heart is with the person standing opposite me, watching me with intensely anguished eyes.

I wish I could change things. I wish I hadn't accepted Arlen's offer. Well, actually, I didn't. The girls did. But it doesn't matter, because once you say yes, it's a yes.

When the anticipated knock comes, I swallow and try to ignore Leigh's sudden absence as he hastily disappears, leaving Mum and Christian to assist his best friend.

Before I leave with my date, Mum kisses me and warns Arlen to keep me safe and away from alcoholic beverages or any harm.

Yes! I roll my eyes at that.

"You look lovely," Arlen kindly says when he gets into his car after closing my door.

"Thank you." I force a fake smile when, honestly, my heart is burning. I don't know why, but I feel terrible for leaving the house without resolving the pain I saw in those vibrant green eyes.

Unfortunately, I can't say the same to him, even though Arlen Garret looks charming in his black suit. It feels like I'm cheating on someone; someone who I know could drive me crazy if he did the same.

"I didn't get to see you last night," Arlen tries to start a conversation as he drives his Mercedes gently.

"Oh, I left with my family..." I honestly reply to him. "You did great, actually. It was a fantastic game. I think I'm becoming a fan of the sport after all," I playfully add since I don't want to be the boring date of the day. At least not yet.

"Mind you... not all sports, just football," I clarify, and Arlen laughs.

We arrive at the school venue on time and join the small queue on the grand red carpeted stairs while cameras provided by the school capture pictures of couples before they enter the dance hall.

We pose with our hands around each other's waists as the cameras take some shots.

The dance floor is vast and decorated exactly as I imagined – filled with flowers, disco lights, and a perfect setting.

Kids are dressed in their finest outfits. The room is buzzing with teenagers, with some groups dancing to the music, others engaged in conversations, or sitting around the beautifully decorated round tables, sipping from glass cups.

I can't even fathom where my courage came from. Ever since I breathed the air of Las Vegas, I've been quite socially conservative and self-assured, so the homecoming dance feels normal to me. Back in my previous school, I was a loner, which didn't earn me any close friends. Not that we were allowed to have fun like here at Hills High, but when Sawyer took me as her plus one to her school ball, I isolated myself the entire evening.

"This is amazing," I exclaim in awe.

Arlen laughs at my reaction as he leads me towards the refreshment stand. "Yes, it is."

"It's beautiful. Look at everyone! It's like none of them dress eccentrically during the weekdays," I observe the lively and bustling atmosphere.

Arlen continues to laugh as he says, "Okay, okay... and here's your cola, my lady." He hands me the same can as the other night, and I find myself smiling at the memories.

Arlen effortlessly embodies a gentleman; he even remembers my no-drinking policy. Only he has no idea how the other night turned out – I ended up saturating my system with strong liquor and kissing my soon-to-be stepbrother. But I want to maintain the image he has of me, the way it is.

"Thank you," I take the can from his hand.

As I take a sip of my drink, I begin, "You're familiar with this," gesturing around the hall.

"Mmm, somehow. Since my freshman experience, I skipped my sophomore year and also didn't make an appearance last year," Arlen informs me.

"Why?" I ask, quite surprised. This is Arlen Garret, the life of the school.

"Dancing isn't my thing, and mostly because I don't have anyone to bring along," he responds with a warm smile. I simply brush off his last words and sigh.

When he gets himself another cola, I mention the same thing from the other night about not punishing himself because I don't drink, and I find him repeating a familiar phrase. "Drinking isn't my priority. I'm driving you back home anyway. Imagine if I drove you home and your dad was at the door while I was tipsy. He'd never give you to me, and that's something I don't want to happen."

I smile at him faintly. I want to tell him that Christian isn't my dad, even though he already knows, but it makes me feel more connected to someone I shouldn't have strong feelings for. I want to feel less attached to Leigh than anyone else, so I can convince myself that what we're doing isn't wrong.

Anyway, right now, I'm more worried about Arlen. He's hoping for more, for something I'm afraid I cannot give him. Honestly! With Arlen right here while I'm standing next to him, my heart is yearning for someone else, waiting for someone.

Before I can think of a reply, Suri shows up, hand in hand with Quinn and their respective dates beside them.

"You two should come and dance," Suri pulls Arlen's and my wrists, while Quinn snatches our drinks away and sets them back on the table.

"It's called a dance, so you two have to show off your moves. Come on," Quinn says to us.

Arlen and I follow them to the middle of the hall and start moving along to the pop song along with the girls. Actually, I end up dancing more with the girls than with my date, just like Suri and Quinn.

"Where's Embry?" I ask them.

"She's on her way," Quinn answers as we groove to the music.

"I just snuck away from my dull date," Lilith energetically joins us, wrapping her arms around Suri's and my shoulders.

"I somehow wish we came by ourselves," Suri says.

"We should take ourselves to prom," Lilith exclaims loudly, and we practically jump in sync.

"Sisters before misters, right?" Quinn jokingly recites.

"It's a pact," Lilith declares, tilting her head to the music, making a mess of her perfect brunette hair.

"Absolutely," we all say, expecting my agreement. So, I simply say, "Agreed."

I continue dancing with the girls I can call friends until a slow romantic song comes on. I know exactly what to do, and I feel more than nervous doing it, but I have to be fair—I made a commitment to hang out with Arlen Garret, so I have to keep that promise and stay by his side.

When I turn, I find him watching me attentively. He looks slightly nervous, but his mood softens into a gentle smile. I step closer to him until there's no more room to step forward, and his hands tenderly snake around my waist. I mentally push myself to place my hands around his neck as we start swaying slowly to the song.

"I'm glad I came this year," Arlen says, his voice reaching my ears.

My heart actually stops. It ceases to function, for I know the impact I'm causing. I'm dragging an innocent heart into my game just to cover up my undeniable reality. I'm using him for appearances, and it hurts even more when I realize it, and I can't do anything about it.

Arlen deserves better than this; he's a truly good person. He deserves someone better than me, someone who wants him the way he wants me. Because right now, even I disgust myself. I am a liar, a pretender, and a deceiver. These are things I've never done before, but now I'm all too familiar with them, as they consume every fiber of my being.

"Me too," I lie.

If anything, I'm starting to regret coming here. While everyone else dances, I'm silently sobbing inside. I'm a mess, and it's only been a month. What have I gotten myself into?

***

We were posing for pictures when Embry showed up in a gown that seemed straight out of the fifties. What's the need to look all Cinderella-like?

But of course, it's Embry, and she's full of dramatic behavior.

"It's time to announce the queen and king, so please, I need all of you to stand before me. As soon as I'm called up to the stage, all of you should open a path for me. It should be interesting," she states in a commanding manner.

"Where's Leigh?" Lilith asks her best friend.

"He's... he's... I... he's around," Embry stammers, her words cracking and hanging in her throat. I immediately know Leigh kept his promise. He came alone.

Wait, did he? I mean, did he even attend the dance? I haven't seen any sign of him. And when I left home, he wasn't even getting ready.

And now, I don't know how to feel. I want him at the dance. He has to come.

The girls look at Embry suspiciously, but she puts up her walls and rudely orders, "Get moving," snapping her fingers as she turns and starts walking ahead.

"She's so annoying," I whisper to Lilith.

Lilith sighs and shoots me an apologetic smile. Honestly, I still don't understand the need to be submissive to Embry. But who am I to question it if the girls don't? So, I follow behind just like the other girls follow Embry until we reach the front row and listen to Farida Harris, the representative of the Hills High Board's Policy Committee, announce what's written in the envelope she's holding.

"The homecoming king for this year is..." Farida pauses and looks around the crowd with a smile on her lips before she loudly announces, "Leigh Boyce."

Great. Just great! I huff as everyone applauds.

Why didn't I even see this coming? He's the bloody most popular person in school anyway. What did I expect?

Embry was right, with him as the king and her as the queen. Only that I know, I won't last long, for tonight is going to be my downfall. I'm practically having a heart attack right now, while everyone is expecting to see the attractive cheetah who scored eighteen points at the homecoming game last night.

Please be absent. Please be absent. Although prayers don't work that way, my soon-to-be stepbrother, the man I'm growing protective of, is present in the venue and making his way to the stage in a perfect dark blue tuxedo.

I watch his every move as my lonely heart races in the silent space filled only with distinct breaths. I feel slightly numb even when I feel someone's hand on my shoulders.

"Move, please. She has a purpose, Arlen," I hear Embry snap at my date, but I don't care. I'm utterly consumed by Leigh's presence. He looks so handsome as he stands on the stage with that ridiculous crown on his head.

I feel invisible, for Leigh doesn't spot me.

I fail to grasp anything from his speech since everything feels unnatural right now. For example, I'm standing beside a guy who definitely has feelings for me, while my eyes are fixated on someone they shouldn't be.

"Okay, it's happening," Embry mumbles and pulls Leigh and Suri to stand beside her.

I become tense, with an increased heartbeat. The kind of throbbing that I'm sure Lilith and Arlen might notice if they were paying attention.

"And the homecoming queen is..." Farida repeats, leaning over to Leigh with the envelope.

"Sofia Halt," Leigh and Farida announce in unison.

Come on! Give me a break.

I force a pathetic smile as I watch Sofia on the stage in her perfect mini dress and shiny crown. It's at that moment that I realize Leigh needs someone better than me. Sooner or later, he will understand and leave me behind in my guilt.

My courage crumbles as I watch the perfect seniors dance together on the stage before us. They deserve each other. I'm not up to their standards. I'm just trying to fit in. I sadly tell myself.

Embry's cursing doesn't bother me. At this point, nothing does. So, I annoyingly push my way out of the crowded space as the song for their first dance or whatever it's called starts playing.

I find an empty table and sit down with a bottle of beer. I start guzzling it down furiously.

"Hey, why haven't I seen you until now?" Evie asks cheerfully when she finds me.

She cleans up really nicely and has a mood that I lack.

"I guess I'm invisible," I mumble.

"What?" she asks, confused.

I choose to ignore her and focus my gaze on the perfect couple with their crowns, dancing in each other's arms.

"You look pathetic," she remarks.

"I am pathetic," I say just as Arlen shows up with a polite smile and offers to go for a photoshoot, which I reject without hesitation, insisting on isolating myself from everyone.

The dance continues, and the hall keeps getting crazier. As I observe the event from a distance, my eyes wander towards the back, where I spot Lord Zachary arguing with Quinn.

I shoot up from my seat, my vision somehow blurred; I make my way in their direction, where low murmurs of "leave me alone" reach my ears. I'm not letting him bother her tonight. Not this time around.

"She said leave her alone, don't you understand?" I boldly throw at Zachary.

He quickly steps away from her and smirks at me. "Oh, or what, little girl?"

He's so infuriating. "Or this will be the last time you try anything like this, for I'm absolutely going to the principal and reporting you for making girls uncomfortable and for domestic violence towards women."

"I see you've got a big mouth," his lip curls up.

"I see you have a small brain," I fire back.

He stares at me for a while before turning away with a smile.

"Are you okay?" I tilt my head towards Quinn.

"Yes."

"What did he want?" I ask, concerned.

"He was asking for a textbook." She blinks away. I suddenly know she's lying, but I don't push further.

With a smile, I pull her back onto the dance floor just as my phone vibrates.

There's a text from Leigh displayed on the screen, which brings a genuine smile to my face.

"Come to the music studio."