Merry Christmas everyone! ❤️🎄💚 I hope you enjoy this double update! 😘

I pull my peacoat tighter around me, the brisk fall air turning my cheeks rosy red. Autumn in New York is probably my favorite season. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy summer just as much as the next person, but I'm a true fall baby at heart. The leaves, the colors, the vibes...I adore it. The only thing that sucks is the temperature.

"What's taking her so long?" I grumble under my breath, bringing my hands up to my face and blowing on them for warmth. Finally a cab pulls up and Vienna hops out in a rush.

"Sorry I'm late! Traffic is crazy downtown and it took me forever to get a cab."

"Charles and I could've just picked you up."

"Don't worry," she slams the taxi door closed after paying the driver. "You can drop me off after."

Charles is waiting on the curb and opens the door for us as we approach. I have never been more thankful for heated seats. It's freezing outside. The fall fundraiser is this weekend and today Vienna and I are going shopping. Our first stop is Saks on fifth avenue.

"I'm gonna need a little help here," Vienna says as we enter the luxury department store. "I'm not used to dressing for events like these."

"You mean events where you can't wear anything with a hole in it? What about those holiday parties your dad makes you go to for his work?"

She rolls her eyes. "That doesn't count, because I always wear the same black dress my mother says is appropriate for a 'girl my age.'"

"So twelve then?" I tease.

"Shut up."

I've been to Saks enough to know the layout of the store like the back of my hand, and I lead Vienna to the dress section. I already have an idea of what I want, and I'm hoping I can find a dress that matches the visual in my head or is at least close to it.

"What the hell is this?" Vienna holds up a gaudy pink dress. "There is such a thing as too much glitter."

I take the dress from her and hold it up against my body. "What do you think?"

"I think it looks awful and you should put it back immediately."

Laughing I hang the dress back up. "Hey, you never told me about your rave date with Danny. Don't think I've forgotten."

"As I haven't forgotten about yours either."

"Nice try, but I asked first. How was it?"

Vienna wordlessly flips through the racks.

"Hello? Am I talking to a wall here?"

She purses her lips. "Promise you won't freak out."

"I promise...to not promise that."

Vienna rolls her eyes. "Anyway, so you know we've been talking for awhile now. Like, before I even introduced him to you at the party. And I always thought he was cute you know, but decided we'd be better off as friends. Of course that didn't last as my feelings for him developed into a crush but I wasn't ever sure if he liked me back-"

"Please get to the point already."

She shoots me a look. "He ate me out."

I blink. "I'm sorry he what?"

"He ate me out. As in his mouth was-"

"I know what it is," I cut her off. "I just...need more context."

Vienna takes a deep breath. "So he picked me up, and we drove to the rave, yada ya boring stuff. The first thing we did when we got there was go to the bar and order some drinks. Well, he ordered them. Anyway after some shots we went to go dance, then we went back to the bar for more drinks. But I didn't want to drink too much and turn into a sloppy, drunken mess, so I cut myself off. When we went back to dance again, that's when things took a turn."

"Took a turn how?"

"I mean the entire thing took a turn. More people started coming, and the party got wilder. I can't explain it, it was just...insane. There were flashing strobe lights, paint, and someone on stage had one of those confetti blowers or whatever and started blowing confetti into the crowd. Danny and I were dancing really close, like impossibly close, and there was all this heat and sexual tension. Then before I know what's happening he pulls me into an empty hallway. And I'm like 'what are you doing' with my heart beating in my chest and my palms are clammy and I'm a nervous wreck because he's giving me this look. Next thing I know he says 'fuck this, I can't just be your fucking friend' before he kisses me. We start making out and then boom, he goes down on me."

I think my jaw hangs slack a little. "Wow."

"Yeah, I know," Vienna blows out a breath. "I told you, anything can happen at these things."

"So then what happened after?"

"Would you think I sounded crazy if I told you I was there and even I don't know what the hell happened after that? I mean, it's kind of a blur. He took me to the bathroom, helped me clean up, and then he took me home," she bites her lip. "I haven't talked to him since. I'm kind of scared I fucked things up."

I furrow my brows. "Fucked things up how?"

"I don't know. I just feel like we had a really good thing going and now our dynamic is all messed up. I swear, sex ruins everything. Those few minutes of pleasure are not worth the suffering after."

"I think you're reading too much into it."

"Maybe, but I really like Danny," Vienna sighs. "I'm just afraid that he doesn't feel the same way."

"Well you'll never know unless you talk to him. Just be honest about how you feel. If Danny is even half the guy you say he is then he'll understand."

"I hope so," she says. "Anyway, enough about me. Tell me about your date with Winston."

"Well it wasn't nearly as exciting as yours but..." my voice trails off as something sparkly catches my eye.

"But what?" Vienna probes.

Oh. My. Dress. 

"Hello? You were sayi-" Vienna stops when she sees the dress I'm holding up. "Woah. Kennedy, you have to get that dress. It's freaking perfect."

Perfect doesn't even begin to describe it. The dress is long sleeved with a deep v-neck, asymmetric fringe hem, and long slit on the side. It's sexy yet elegant and perfect for the theme of the party.

"I'm going to try it on," I announce. "Did you find anything?"

Vienna holds up a gold kimono style dress. "Just this. And honestly, I think it's the one."

I nod. "It is, and it's beautiful. Come on, let's try them on."

We try on our dresses, and luck must be on our side because they fit perfectly. Then in true girly fashion, we each gush over the other and get in an argument about who looks better.

"RIP my bank account," Vienna says as she hands the cashier her card. "And we still have to buy shoes and accessories too."

"Think of it this way," I grin. "It's for a good cause."

...

As the end of the week approaches, the school becomes abuzz with talk of the speakeasy party. All anyone can talk about is who's wearing what, who's going with who, and who's going in general. Every day I've had at least five or more people approach me, begging for the answer to the riddle so they can get in. When I refuse to tell them, they'll try prying it out of Isiah, Luka, or Svetlana. People are getting so desperate they're starting to pay others for the passcode. I think most of the students have forgotten it's a fundraiser at this point, but I'm not complaining. This is exactly what I wanted. Not only will pretty much the entire school be there, but also their friends and their friends friends. Which means more money.

It's great really.

We're basically gonna have people pay for everything. Drinks, food, etc. But the gambling stations we'll have set up, those will be the real money shakers. Because if there's one thing I've learned, it's that people with money have less to lose. That, and the thrill of betting—the stakes being raised to sky heights—is equivalent to that of crack to a junkie. Plus it's all going back to the school anyway.

"I don't have a dress yet!" Tiffany whines at lunch. "What are you guys wearing?"

Chloe shakes her head and Vienna mimes a zipping motion across her lips.

"Seriously? You guys won't even give me a hint?"

I shrug. "Just get something....I don't know, twenty-ish."

"What about dates? Do you guys have those?"

Vienna snickers. "You do realize this isn't prom right? It's a school fundraiser."

"That doesn't matter," Tiffany slaps her hand down on the table. "It's still an event, and I still need a date."

"I'm going with Cole," Naomi volunteers unhelpfully. "He asked me last week."

"Not. Helping."

While the girls continue to bicker I get a text message from Winston. Tuning out of the conversation I look down at my phone. 

Winston: so, bad new and good news. Which one do you want first?

Me: bad news. Always

Winston: okay, so my sister kind of got wind of your fundraiser party and she's decided to crash with a couple friends

Me: do they have money?

Winston: more than they know what to do with

Me: then I don't see the problem. Tell her she can invite more people if she'd like

Winston: my sister can be a handful. If she likes you then you're golden. If she doesn't...let's just say you don't want to get on her bad side

Me: Does she know about me...?

Winston: she's got some ideas. And by ideas I mean she hijacked my phone and went through my messages. She's got no sense of privacy. It's quite annoying actually.

Me: ah, I see. don't worry, I'm pretty sure I can handle her. What's the good news?

Winston: I'll be there ;)

Me: that's it? I thought it would be something a little more exciting

Winston: I can definitely show you exciting if you wanna go there

I bite my lip. Lately when we text now he'll send little innuendos and I'll play along.

Me: how exciting?

Winston: well that depends. I'm skilled at tying a tie. I've also been told that I'm very well versed with my tongue

Holy shit. I exhale shakily and cross my legs.

Me: I don't know if I believe you. you'll have to show me sometime.

Winston: name a time and place love

"Are you okay?" Vienna nudges me. "You look all flushed."

"I'm fine," I say.

Me: how about never :)

Winston: don't worry, I'm a patient man

"Kennedy!" Vienna suddenly yells. "I just asked you a question." She squints at me and I clear my throat, tuning back into the conversation.

"Ah yeah, sorry. What'd you say?"

"Silver or gold?"

"For what?"

"For Tiffany's dress."

"Uhhh," I glance at Tiffany. "Silver."

"I told you!" Chloe says triumphantly. "Ha!"

Well. Okay then.

...