I haven't seen Jake all day, and he was missing from class. I wonder whether he's taken the day off to sleep considering we stayed up late last night. It's getting harder to avoid thinking about him. I'm having lunch with Trish in the cafeteria when we're approached by Ivory. She's holding a stack of pink sticky notes with an address scribbled messily on top of it.

"Hey, guys! There's a party at mine tonight. You're both invited," she says before handing me the note. It's Friday afternoon, and the excitement of an entire weekend break is lingering in the air. I take the note from her, already knowing I won't be able to attend. Trish grabs hold of my arm to stop me, and she turns to Ivory with a beaming smile on her face. "We'll both be there." Trish tells her. Ivory claps her hands in excitement before bouncing over to the next group of students.

"You know I won't be able to go, right? My Mom will never let me." I say to her, preparing her to be disappointed. Trish pushes out her bottom lip before widening her eyes. It's impossible to resist her puppy dog face.

"It's your birthday tomorrow, and I won't get to see you. If we go to the party, we can celebrate when the clock strikes twelve."

I'd completely forgotten it was my birthday tomorrow. I've been so busy drowning in darkness. I shoot an apologetic look at Trish, hating that I'm always disappointing her because of my parents. "I can't go." I repeat my words for a second time. If Trevor finds out I went to a party, hell will break loose. Trish slides my phone toward me with a determined look on her face.

"Call your Mom, and tell her you're spending the night at my house. Come up with your best excuse," Trish persuades me. I chew on the inside of my cheek while contemplating her idea. It would be nice to attend a party for the first time, and it would feel like a personal birthday celebration. I can't remember the last time I'd had a good night with Trish without worrying about all of my worries. I deserve to have a night off.

"Okay, I'm doing it." I pick my phone up before calling Mom. Trish grins when she realizes I'm on board with her plan. She crosses her fingers on both hands for good luck. Mom answers the phone, and her voice fills the line.

"Emily? Is everything okay? You never call me."

"Yes, everything is fine. I have an exam due next week, and I need a study partner. Do you remember my best friend, Trish? She's awesome at Math, and I need all the help I can get. I was wondering if I could stay over at her place tonight." I ramble on, becoming more and more nervous with every passing second. If Mom is in the presence of Trevor, I know the answer is going to be an immediate no. To my shock, Mom agrees.

"Sure, you girls have fun." Mom says. My eyes grow wide with shock, and I feel a wave of excitement flood through me. I'm going to attend my first ever party! Trish watches my reaction closely, and she begins clapping her hands with celebration. "Thanks, Mom. I'll be back first thing tomorrow morning."

I end the call before looking at Trish in disbelief. "She said yes," I breathe out in awe. Trish squeals before lunging forward to embrace me. "I can't believe this! I'm going to part-ay with my best friend tonight!"

*

I head over to Trish's house after school. I can't remember the last time I felt genuinely excited for an event. There's an extra spring in my step, and I can't seem to shake the excited flutters filling my stomach. I'm sitting cross legged on Trish's bed while she scans through her wardrobe. Clothes and hangers get tossed to the floor while she searches for the perfect outfit.

"I can't believe I'm going to my first party. Do I even know how to dance? What if I make a fool of myself in front of everyone?" I ask Trish. She pops her head out of the wardrobe before giving me a reassuring smile.

"You'll be fine! You're getting pre-party jitters, but it's normal. Once you have a drink to loosen up, you're going to have the best time. Ivory is known for throwing kick ass parties." Trish tells me. She pulls out a short black dress before holding it up against her body. "What about this? It could be cute for you."

"I can't wear that, I'll freeze to death." I tell her, shaking my head in protest. Trish drops the dress to her bedroom floor before disappearing inside her closet. It suddenly dawns on me that I'll probably end up wearing a dress tonight. I can't wear anything too revealing if I want to keep my bruises covered. I remember the bruises running up and down my arms, and along the side of my thighs. My heart skips a beat in panic.

"Do you have anything less revealing?" I ask her. Trish re-appears holding an even shorter gold dress covered in sequins. I stare back at the dress in horror.

"How many stripper costumes do you own?" I tease her. Trish releases a dramatic gasp before scanning over the dress.

"Yeah, you're right. It is a little too sexy, right?"

"Definitely. I want modest but cute." I advise her. The dress is tossed onto the pile of clothes before she disappears into her closet for a third time. "Can I find my own dress?" I ask her, wanting to find something to cover the worst parts of my body.

"Sure, get in here." Trish's voice floats out from inside her never ending closet of clothes. "Is anything off limits?" I ask before searching through the racks. "No way. Take whatever you want, girlfriend. Tonight is all about you."

I settle on a cute baby blue blouse and denim jeans. Trish opts for a skin tight black mini dress that highlights the incredible shape of her body. I gawk at her appearance when she walks past me. "Wow, you look incredible." I tell her, feeling slightly envious of her confidence. How does she do it? It's probably easier to feel incredible when you're not covered in years of abuse. She stands in front of the mirror before tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder. Her eyes connect with mine through the glass, and she senses the sadness consuming me –

"We both look hot. Your shirt compliments your eyes perfectly." Trish tells me. Her words raise my confidence slightly, and I manage a small smile in response. She walks over to me before brushing my dark behind my ear. Her voice softens when her eyes linger on my face.

"You're so pretty, Em. Like naturally beautiful. You don't need makeup, seven pounds of hairspray or revealing clothes to look good." Trish surprises me with her words. My features soften, and I turn around to give her a quick hug. "Thanks, Trish. You always know what to say to make me feel better," I murmur. She slides her arm around my waist before guiding me toward her makeup desk.

"Please let me do your makeup. As naturally beautiful as you are, I want you to look extra hot tonight for your man." There's a begging tone to her voice, and I laugh at her in response. "My man?" I question her. She grins at me before pushing down on my shoulders to get me to sit in her makeup chair.

"Mr Melvin," she smirks, her brows dancing at me in a suggestive manner. I don't respond, but my cheeks burn a little brighter due to her words. "I doubt Jake Melvin is going to be at the party," I tell her. She flips open her eyeshadow palette before giving me a stern look. "You don't have to limit yourself to Jake Melvin. You can get any boy you want."

She begins working on my face. My thoughts turn toward the party, and I silently hope Jake is going to be there. I haven't spoken to him since he left my bedroom this morning. I'm slightly disappointed he didn't call or text, but I'm trying not to overthink it. Maybe sneaking into a girls bedroom with a stuffed animal is something he does with all of his friends...

*

My nerves begin to increase on the Uber ride to the party. I feel my hands growing clammy with moisture, and my legs bounces up and down with tension. "I had no idea I would feel so nervous going to my first party," I mutter to Trish.

"Relax. You look incredible," she tells me. My dark hair is curled in soft waves, and Trish aced my makeup. I'm sporting a sexy smoky eye with a pale nude lip. I observed myself in the mirror longer than usual when she was done. It's strange to see myself with so much life in my appearance, even if it is a mask. Trish flips open her bag before rifling through it. A mischievous smirk takes over her lips when she pulls out a miniature bottle of gin. She tosses it toward me before gesturing for me to drink it.

"It'll help with your nerves, trust me." Trish tells me. I screw the lid off before giving the liquid a wary sniff. The strong chemical scent mixed with a hint of berry instantly throws me off, and I scrunch my nose up with protest.

"Do people drink this for fun?" I question her before taking a small sip. The disgust on my face deepens, and Trish's laughter fills the car. "Alcohol is the key to having fun if you're anxious. It works for me."

"Do you get nervous?" I ask her, feeling surprised at her honesty. "Yes, sometimes."

Trish usually walks around with an air of confidence, I never would have guessed she feels anxious from time to time. I toss the bottle toward her, and she finishes off the rest without grimacing at the taste of it.

"Parties like this are usually safe, but never leave your drink unattended. If you're not sure about it, dump it and make a fresh one," Trish tells me firmly. I nod my head in agreement. "Do you have any other advice for me?" I ask, wanting to know everything before the Uber reaches Ivory's house.

She smiles before reaching forward for my hand. She gives it a gentle squeeze of reassurance, and I feel my worries slowly beginning to fade. Her next words sit at the forefront of my mind, and I feel determined to follow her advice.

"The most important piece of advice I have for you is to have fun. Dance like nobody's watching. Let's make your first party a memorable one."