When the welcome party was announced months ago, I had no interest in ever making an appearance. Waste of time, as I had thought.

I look down, my sketchpad on the dresser adorned with more than dozens of designs of dresses I have made in the last couple of months. It's a journal-sized book convenient to carry with me everywhere so I can draw anytime my imagination strikes or if I have spare time when I'm not making and serving coffee at Starbucks.

I finish dressing up in a red short dress from one of the few that I have, clip my hair back, and put on some makeup to look representable. Grabbing my sketchbook and phone, I impatiently wait for my cab to the party.

.....

Lin wang and I collide as I wriggle my way through the crowd of students to the other corner of the hall where my destiny resides.

"You made it," she smiles at me kindly, her camera in her hand.

"You knew I had to," I say in response. "Nice job with the party."

She rolls her eyes but grins anyway. "We all did."

I shake my head. "I barely helped," I tell her honestly. Ruby Bell and her team, including me, organized the whole party. The most work I did was submitting the listing of the event to Mr. Lexington. "Thanks for not nagging me."

She pulls an arm around me. "You've already got so much going on." she guides me ahead. "Come on, Mr. Lexington is talking to Miss Lawrence. Your cue is up."

I take an exhilarating breath, and squeeze my sketchpad in my hand, reciting positive affirmation in my head.

The party continues, red-blue lights beaming in every direction, and students jampack the hall in groups here and there, giggling and chatting. I swipe a look around at Ruby's work but my eyes briefly meet James standing on the stairs, surrounded by his fan club of girls. He shoots me a wink as if I hadn't blatantly rejected to be his date when he asked me two days ago.

Withdrawing my eyes, I disappear from his sight.

Near the refreshment table, Ruby is in deep conversation with Mr. Lexington and Lin wang leaves my side to click his pictures. I look out, finding Miss Lawrence at the other side of the table in the presence of one and only Lydia Beaufort.

My stomach coils. I turn back on my heels, hiding my sketchbook before Lydia can see me, blending in the crowd.

Lydia Beaufort is not a pleasant person to know and she intimidates me a lot more than her brother. Like me, she has a knack for fashion design and seeks Miss Lawrence's appreciation and validation.

Miss Lawrence is one of our newest sponsors specializing in the Fashion industry, seeking out talented and potential interns to work under her. One letter of recommendation from her is my one-way ticket to a scholarship, not to mention a golden chance to be one of her limited interns. Hence, my sole reason for attending this party.

With longing in my eyes, I twist my head and take a look at them once again.

Lydia doesn't need a scholarship when there are several better candidates than her but that wouldn't stop her from using her influence.

Twice had Miss Lawrance made an appearance at the school and twice I had missed my chance to show her my work. Lydia and her minions always surround her, not giving anyone a chance to even greet her, especially someone like me, powerless and lower class.

I don't like her. I think any girl who has ever dated her brother likes her either. She's highly protective of her twin for some reason.

Cursing, I decide to find Lin and request her to hide my sketchpad in her camera bag.

"Hey," I hear a voice behind me.

I droop my shoulders, already consumed with anger when I aggressively spin, almost stumbling into James since he was standing too close to me.

"Woah, woah, woah," he catches me by my arms, holding and steadying me in place. "What's up?"

I can barely keep my emotions in check. "Did I mention how much of a creep you are?" I jerk his hands away. "Why do you always have to sneak up on me like that?"

It amazes me how my harsh words never affect him. Or maybe he's that good at pretending. "And what would you have done had you seen me coming, Maeve?"

I'd run. But I keep my lips zipped.

"Thought so," he speaks my mind.

"What do you want now?" I just grasp the fact that I'm channeling my bitterness against her sister to him.

Lydia! A red alert lights up in my head. I shouldn't be seen with James at all. Not when I'm competing with her for Miss Lawrance's attention. She'll assume I am a slut opportunist, a shallow piece of gold digger. I think of Ruby who had fallen victim to Lydia's attention after a rumor of her dating her brother surfaced in the entire school, and a chill spread down my spine.

"A, I'm still waiting for your thank you and B, come dance with me." He puts his hands out for me. "Chop chop,"

I shake my head, unable to measure his limits. "You're impossible." .

"Come on, Maeve," he urges me again, not taking the hint that I want nothing to do with him. "Just five minutes."

His voice makes my heart flip and for a second I do consider what it would be like to forget all my troubles and just let him take me away, dancing in his arms. It's surreal and foolish.

No, I don't wanna be another Ruby Bell.

"When hell freezes over," I tell him and his face falls, and despite telling myself it's a facade, I feel him genuinely hurt. But then he blinks and smirks, dissolving my absolve.

"I was aiming for burning up the dance floor actually," He cocks his head. "I'm more of a sunshine guy, you know."

I almost smiled, taken by his response.

His eyes sparkle at my reaction and his grin widens. He holds my hands and I snatch them back but move my body at the music just so it would seem we're blending with the theme and vibing rather than coupling. "Consider it my thank you." I tell him after a few seconds before buckling up my stance, ready to run away from him again when the music changes, shifting the energy in the room and students start cheering at something.

An outrageous, loud, and vulgar song booms in the hall and we both turn our heads at the source of the commotion.

..........

Hey, I forgot to post Lydia's aesthetic in the last chapter. For those who've missed it, I'm attaching it right here which will be removed after a while.

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