"So, where's the Halloween party going to be this year?"

"It seems the club owners backed out, so it's no longer available for the thirty-first. At this point, it's going to be really hard to find a good place. The party is on Saturday, and all the venues or clubs are already booked."

The news makes an irritated huff escape my lips. Faye and I walk together to our next class, considering possible options to solve the hosting issue with the Halloween party. It's one of the big events at Hayden, one of the wildest parties, and, of course, more than enough of an excuse for everything to go crazy. Imagine a luxurious club in New York, the college kids of the world's elite, practically unlimited alcohol and drugs, and money, lots of money.

The result is pretty obvious: the most epic party with no consequences afterwards.

But now we don't have a club, and I can't help but curse the stupid tradition of changing the Halloween party location every year, supposedly to make the party even more amazing. The organizers are the seniors, and the only rule is that absolutely everyone, without exception, must be invited. That way, there's no stupid bias based on popularity, personal grudges, or any other nonsense like that. I wish it were like that for all the parties, but you can't expect the elite not to be elitist, right?

"Well, those senior idiots better hurry up and find another place because I can see us without a Halloween party, and if that happens, heads will roll," I grumble, annoyed at the possibility of missing out on the party.

"They said they're open to suggestions; they seem pretty desperate to tie up all the loose ends as soon as possible."

I see Nate and Jordan approaching us from ahead, probably to join in on the festival of criticizing this year's organizers and their blatant incompetence in such a simple task. Even though both are seniors, they're not part of the group in charge of organizing anything.

"Have you heard about Halloween? If there's no party, I know several people who won't make it to the end of the year, at least not alive," Jordan says with a scowl.

"And they're asking us to bail them out, for God's sake, we're in New York, not in some godforsaken town. Are there really no more nightclubs available?" Nate adds.

"Apparently not, at least not exclusive clubs worthy of a Hayden party," Faye replies sarcastically.

"Look, the party is happening, no matter what. I don't care if we have to fly to the damn Maldives and back the same day, whatever needs to be done, will be done. The way they're making it sound, it's like none of us have the means to resolve a situation like this."

My words earn three nods just as the bell rings to signal the start of classes. The four of us scatter like ants, each moving at our own pace depending on how quickly we need to get to our classes. I've got criminal law, one of my favorite subjects, so I rush before the professor walks in. I take my classes too seriously to be late without a justified reason.

"Alright, everyone, today we're going to start by distinguishing between the difference between first-, second- and third-degree murder. Does anyone know?" Ms. Johnson begins the class.

I can't help but let out a small sigh, slightly annoyed because it's information I already know. That's why I can afford not to take notes on everything and only note down additional things I may have missed previously. While I'm paying attention, another part of my mind is thinking about all the possible ways to solve the Halloween party problem.

I'm engrossed in the explanation of the differences between the types of murders when I feel a slight vibration next to my arm. I take a quick glance at my phone screen, assuming it's the girls' group chat or maybe the one we have with Nate and Jordan, but I'm surprised to see a notification from the Halloween party organizers' Instagram profile:

Ladies, gentlemen, and everything in between, we bring you excellent news: we have the location for the much-anticipated Halloween party! You can start celebrating, and rightfully so because it's the best location the party has had in many years.

The name of the club is the renowned, famous, and super-exclusive... Club Apollo!

That's right, we've managed to secure a venue worthy of this epic party. Get your best and sexiest costume ready, and we'll see you on Saturday!

My eyes widen in surprise as I read the name of the venue where the party will take place, and I can't help but check the date to see if it's April Fool's Day. But no, we are in the end of October obviously, and it seems like a serious announcement, so I can only wonder: what did they do to secure such a great place in such a short time?

The Apollo is one of the largest, most luxurious, and exclusive nightclubs in New York. As far as I'm concerned, they don't even take reservations, and you need a ticket for every night, which, of course, is also not easy to get. Apollo wasn't an option for the Halloween party considering all this, and now it turns out they secured it just four days before the event.

How the hell did they manage that?

•

As Cady Heron said in Mean Girls, Halloween is the one night a year when girls can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it. Although, at Hayden, any chance to criticize others is always welcomed. It's a university that exudes hypocrisy, where a girl can dress as a sexy nurse and still criticize the one dressed as a sexy cop. As for me, I don't care at all what they might say about me. I wear what I want all year long, and what a bunch of idiots say isn't going to change that.

For today's party, I didn't put much thought into it and decided to go as a Playboy bunny. A black corset that gives me an incredible cinched waist, black fishnet stockings, thigh-high platform boots, bunny ears, and my best blonde wig, long and straight down to my waist. I opted for simple makeup that highlights my red lipstick and a white fur coat before heading out to catch the Uber to the venue.

The Apollo is a club located on the fiftieth floor of one of Manhattan's central buildings. It's a semi-covered penthouse with an indoor bar area and a huge outdoor section where all the partygoers can easily fit. The girls and I arranged to meet at the entrance, so I'm not surprised to see Gigi dressed as one of the Fembots from the Austin Powers movies and Brooke dressed as Cruella de Vil, wearing a faux fur coat that reveals a spectacular cleavage.

"Wow, Alexa, you really went all out with your costume, huh?" Gigi jokes, making me laugh.

"I told you I didn't want to overthink it, and the Playboy bunny always works. You guys look amazing."

"And here comes Barbie!"

The shout is immediately followed by arms wrapping around the three of us. I'm not surprised to see Cher when I turn, nor by her Barbie costume. She looks spectacular, really sexy in a pastel pink latex dress, killer platform shoes, and a wig down to her waist.

"Of course, Barbie has to go as Barbie, how original!" Brooke teases her before hugging her back.

"I have to make it clear that there's no other Barbie at Hayden besides me, so anyone better not have copied my costume."

"It's a pretty common costume, Cher, so be prepared."

The voice comes from behind us, and when we turn around, we see Faye, our redheaded friend, with a blood-red wig, two shells as a top, and a tube skirt with shiny green scales.

"The pot calling the kettle black," Cher responds with a laugh before hugging her. "You do realize that Ariel is the main go-to costume for redheads?"

"Well, are we going to keep dissing each other's outfits, or are we going to get into the party?" I ask, trying to drag the girls inside the huge building.

After a chorus of squeals from my friends, we finally enter and walk to one of the six elevators, which opens almost immediately for us. The fiftieth floor is the top, and at the door, two bouncers are finishing dealing with a group of Hayden students.

"IDs, please," one of them demands in a monotone voice.

In less than two minutes, they find our names on the list, and we finally get inside.

The Apollo is even bigger and more luxurious than I imagined. A huge bar snakes along the entire left wall, stocked with thousands of bottles of any alcohol I can think of. There are couches and small tables around the dance floor, but the most striking feature is the two stripper poles on a kind of stage at the back of the room, their metal gleaming every time a light hits them.

Half of the club's right side is open to the exterior, where there are hammocks, sofas, and even Balinese beds in a beach-style setup. Although almost the entire university is already at the club, the place doesn't feel crowded at all, and we easily make our way to the bar and order several shots for each of us.

"Wow, this place is huge," Faye mutters, looking around like a kid in a candy store.

"The owner of this place must be loaded; everything I see must have cost a fortune," Brooke adds.

When the bartender places the small glasses in front of us, we toast and down them in one go, letting the alcohol start to take effect. The sensation is delightful, the music enticing, and an idea quickly pops into my head.

"It's my moment!"

My high heels don't stop me at all from running towards the stage and climbing up the stairs. I'm not surprised that the stripper poles are empty; it's still early, and the girls at Hayden need more than a few shots to loosen up.

But not me.

At that moment, I hear the first notes of 6 Inch by Beyoncé, the perfect song to dance to. I grab the pole and start moving slowly and sensually, immediately attracting a lot of attention from the crowd. I hear whistles and applause, but I'm already lost in the music.

As The Weeknd starts serenading us with his silky voice, I slowly slide down until I'm spread-legged on the floor, winking at one of the guys watching from the front row, who blushes furiously. Laughing, I grab the metal pole with one hand and lift my leg to my head, starting to spin, twirling until I end up hanging upside down just by my legs. I'm grateful the wig and bunny ears are securely fastened because otherwise, I'd be making a fool of myself right now.

I let myself slide down slowly, ending up on my knees and shaking my butt to the beat, which elicits all sorts of comments. When I stand up laughing, I give a mocking bow before descending the stairs, prompting boos and pleas for me to come back.

"Wow, bunny, I didn't know there was anyone at Hayden who could move like that."

A voice I know very well comes from behind me, and I can't help but frown, confused, until I finally realize what's going on: the lights are dim enough for him to mistake me for just another blonde because of the costume I'm wearing.

"Would you like a picture for ten bucks? Or maybe a video, but I charge more for those," I say as I turn around, the most wicked smile on my face.

Ace Hale's face is priceless as he realizes I'm the one repeating those words he said to me just seconds after we met. It's the first time since I've known him that I've seen him at a loss for words. He just stares at me, as if he can't quite believe the person under the wig is me.

"What? Speechless, Hale? Seems like my ass can paralyze men."

"Hey, hey, tone it down; I wasn't stunned by your ass. I was just shocked at how bad you look as a blonde."

His quick comeback makes me laugh derisively before I place a hand on his chest and stroke it, feeling his heartbeat beneath the fabric of the robe he's wearing. His outfit vaguely reminds me of something, but I can't quite place it.

"'Oh, bunny, you move so well. While I was watching, I was thinking about how good you'd look doing the same on my d-...'" My loud imitation of his words is interrupted when he raises his voice to cut me off.

"Hey, hold on, I never implied I wanted you on any part of my body!" he huffs before grabbing my wrist and flashing that signature smirk that shows he's regaining control of the situation. "Besides, you should respect me a little more. After all, you're my bunny."

"What the hell are you talking about, you piece of..." His finger presses against my lips, silencing me as he points with his other hand at two words embroidered in gold thread on his maroon robe.

Hugh Hefner.

"Come on, pose for me, and I'll put you on the November cover, sweetheart," he laughs, just to provoke me.

"Just because you're dressed as the old guy who used to own Playboy magazine doesn't mean you are him. Although, on second thought, I wish you were because then you'd be dead and buried by now."

"Oh, please, don't say such sweet things to me, bunny," he says with a smile, as if I hadn't just wished him dead. "After that beautiful speech, you must be thirsty. Let me buy you a drink."

"You'll have to buy me more than one to stop me from ripping your head off every time you call me bunny. You'll have to empty your bank account on drinks if you want to placate me."

Ace signals to a bartender, and I'm surprised to see how he rushes over to serve him, even though the bar is surrounded by people demanding to be served. Does this guy really have some sort of magnetism that makes everyone inevitably attracted to him?

"Well, tough luck, bunny, because I'm not planning on spending a single dollar tonight."

"Oh yeah? And how are you going to pay, with Monopoly money?"

The bartender sets the drinks in front of us, and I'm surprised to see that not only does he not ask Ace for payment, but he also thanks him before moving on to other customers.

"Why the hell would I pay when that same money is going to end up back in my pocket?"

I stare at him, speechless, processing his words and everything that just happened until I finally put it all together.

"You're the owner of the Apollo?!"

"Among many other temples of the party, that's right," he confirms before taking a sip from his glass, as if he was casually telling me the time.

"But it's one of the most exclusive clubs in New York and you... Well, you're you!"

"I don't know if insulting the owner of the place you're in is the smartest thing to do, but the truth is you're not Einstein either. We can't expect the impossible."

I can't help but give him a playful punch on the arm, which only makes him laugh as he drinks.

"Hey, I put on a show for free and everyone had a blast! You should be paying me, especially since you've enjoyed it more than anyone!"

"That's not part of the business, bunny. The fun is in putting up some stripper poles so anyone who wants can dance for the rest. That way, I save on male and female strippers. Plus, I got to see you dance for free."

His charismatic smile makes me lose myself in his gorgeous features, completely forgetting the short distance between us. The crowd around us means our chests are practically touching, but I don't care at all. The alcohol lowers my defenses and those damned blue eyes aren't helping either.

"Isn't it really hot inside? Let's go outside."

He nods at my suggestion and wraps an arm around my waist, holding me protectively as he guides me outside. There, he takes advantage of one of the huge Balinese beds being free to lie down and literally drag me on top of him amidst deep laughter.

"What? Are you still hot?"

The way he practically whispers the question in my ear only makes me feel even hotter, but I lie and shake my head.

"The truth is, you have a very nice club. I like the idea of having beds here."

"Wow, so direct. Out here, with everyone watching? I didn't know you were into that, Arden. Not that I'm going to complain, though..."

"Don't be an idiot," I huff, slapping his chest before letting myself fall onto it. "Just be a good pillow and shut up."

"At your service, Your Majesty."

Under my ear, I can hear the rhythmic beat of his heart, a surprisingly pleasant sensation. I'm about to close my eyes, caught in relaxation, when an image in the distance catches my attention.

"Aren't those Brooke and Gigi?"

Ace turns his head to look where I'm pointing, frowning since it's a rather secluded and dark corner. From where he's lying, he can make out the pastel pink of Gigi's little dress, but not much else. I, on the other hand, have a better view.

And I'm seeing two of my best friends making out like there's no tomorrow.

"Your friends seem to be having a great time. Don't you feel like following their example?"

"Shut up, I'm freaking out!" I scold him, my eyes wide as saucers still fixed on the pair. "Brooke and Gigi are lesbians? But Gigi tells us every two seconds how hot you are, that can't be...!"

"Damn, and you're telling me this now? That little blonde is pretty hot, I wouldn't mind..."

"Stop joking for a damn minute in your life!"

"Okay, okay, relax!" he complains, hugging me tighter in an attempt to calm me down, which works. "You know bisexual people exist, right? Or maybe they're drunk and felt like making out. Or they're lesbians, who cares about what they like?"

"The problem isn't whether they're lesbians or not. What would hurt me is if they've been keeping that secret, plus hiding that they're together if they are. We would all support them, no question. Whatever they decide to be, we'll stand by them," I mutter, pouting, hurt at the thought that my friends don't trust me.

"Hey, Alexa, calm down," Ace responds, gently stroking my back. "I understand you might feel hurt, but everyone has their own timing. If they're not ready to come out, you can't force them. Don't worry, if they know you all support them, I'm sure they'll soon tell you what they need to tell you."

Finally, I turn my head to look at him and find his blue eyes full of sweetness. His expression calms me, and I end up smiling and throwing myself into his arms again, thinking I wouldn't mind staying like this all night. And so, while Ace cradles me in his arms, I open my eyes and look back at my friends, reflecting.

At that moment, Gigi and Brooke separate, and the latter opens her eyes, which, as if drawn by a magnet, lock onto mine. Her expression goes from calm to completely terrified in just a few seconds, as if she'd been caught doing something she shouldn't.

Oh God, how am I going to handle this?

Hi!

This one was intense, wasn't it? 😅 well, don't relax just yet because chapter 12 is also coming strong 😇

I'll be reading you! ❤️