I touched his bicep. It was so incredibly hard.

It's been about a week since I last saw him. We text almost every day and call every other night so it's fine.

Also, college starts tomorrow and I'm pumped. Rina and I went clothes shopping and there were so many cute stationery items that I wanted to buy the entire store.

Felix called this morning. Who knows how he got my number? I've learnt not to question the ETF's ways. Basically, he invited me to a supposedly totally-not-illegal party. He said that there would be a lot of cute guys and also a whole lot of food.

He had me at food.

He also promised me that I'd get home before midnight since tomorrow's the first day of college and I don't wanna miss it.

"Have you decided on what you're gonna wear tomorrow?" Rina irons the clothes that she bought specially for tomorrow.
"Not yet. Still stuck on what I wanna wear tonight" she rolls her eyes.

"Don't tell me you're going to that shady-ass party. I can sense something bad's gonna happen" she doesn't seem to be a fan of Zane and his cult. I don't blame her, though. He has never bought her Icees.

"You're not coming?" I jump on the bed and spread my arms and legs, making a snow angel without the snow.

She scoffs "No. I'm not"
"Felix's gonna be there"
She snaps her head in my direction and I close my eyes, sticking out my tongue. Maybe if I pretend to be dead she won't blow.

"Felix? Why do you think I care that he's gonna be there?"
I shrug.
"You might not, but trust me, the poor guy must be dying to see you"

"Are you insane?" She hangs up her clothes. "I have Mal"
It comes out in almost a whisper but I hear it.

"Rina, I feel like we should tell them about this" I bite my nails. If Ria could see me right now, I just know I'd be getting a death glare.

"No. I can't risk Mal or Tyril getting hurt. You heard what he said. If Zane finds them, he's gonna kill them both" she says, anxiety clear on her face.
"But don't you wanna know what he did to piss him off so much?"

She shrugs.
"Don't care. It doesn't give him the right to kill anyone"

I guess that's true.

I check the time on my phone and quickly jump off the bed when I realise that I have about half an hour to get ready. That includes a shower, shaving, exfoliating, dressing up, doing my makeup, my hair, taking a million selfies and sending them to mom to ask how I look and so much more.

"I gotta get ready!" I run into the bathroom and take a quick rinse, shaving as quickly as I can and accidentally cutting myself. "Trea, calm down. There's still twenty minutes-"

"Twenty minutes! I'm not gonna make it!

I rush to my bedroom and take out literally every single one of my dresses. At times like this, I wish I was at home just so I could raid my sister's closet. Eventually, I put on a floor-length dark green silk dress. It's colour kind of matches Zane's eyes. Oh well.

Felix told me that it was gonna be a very formal party and that I should try to be as extra as I possibly can. Obviously, I'm not gonna wear a tiara as he suggested, but I do wear my hair in a half updo with a pretty silver tiara-looking clip on top.

He would be proud.

I wear my makeup as light as I can and after spraying some mouth freshener on my tongue, I run out. Then, I rush back in because I forget the perfume part.

I check off everything I need.
Phone, check.
Keys, check.
Purse with wallet, check.

That's pretty much it.

I say goodbye to Rina and give her a tight hug.
"If any one of them tries anything on you, give me a call" she explains. I nod.

I hop into my car and start driving towards Zane's restaurant. He texts me the directions.

Me: Thanks, blossom.

Zane💚 : Don't call me blossom.

Me: Okay, blossom.

Zane💚 : And don't fucking text me while driving.

Me: Sorry, blossom.

I laugh to myself and put my phone back in my purse.

I reach Hades. I know. The stupid name makes me cackle every time. I don't dare to laugh in front of Zane, though. Poor guy must've spent all night coming up with the name.

I walk out of the car, bumping my head on the way. I quickly check for any signs of hairstyle mess up in the rearview mirror and sigh when I don't spot any.

While making my way to the entrance, I take out my phone.

Me: Where are you guys?

Felix🍧 : Top floor. How are you dressed?

Me: Formally.

Felix🍧 : Good. I won't let you enter unless you're dressed like a Christmas tree.

Me: I'm dressed better than most Christmas trees, I pinky promise.

I walk upstairs to the topmost floor. They should've added an elevator to this thing. This is hurting my knees.

When I reach the top, I bend over and rest my hands on my knees. Stupid. Freaking. Stairs.

I look around. The top floor is completely different from the bottom one. Downstairs, everything's all neon and bright. Here, it's more classy and chic. I kind of like this more since it isn't hurting my eyes.

"I knew you would look good!" Felix walks over to me. Indeed, he's dressed formally.

He wears a tuxedo. Not just any tuxedo. It's bright blue and it's topped with another coat on top. Wow. Fashion Icon.

My eyes find Bianca as Felix and I walk towards the others. I mean, of course she would be the first person I look for. I need to know what she's wearing.

I'm not disappointed.

A red fur shawl is draped around her shoulders, her neck adorned with a massive necklace. Her dress is the colour of red wine and her heels are the size of my middle finger.

She's so swag.

"You're so pretty" I look at her in awe. Her long hair is tied in a tight bun, with two strands open in the front. She turns her body towards me and tilts her head.

"Thank you?" I notice the rings on her fingers. Almost every single one has a ring on. Then, I look at mine.

I hate necklaces, rings, bracelets, anklets and all that stuff. It makes my skin itchy and uncomfortable. So, my hands feel bare.

Felix pokes my shoulder. I turn to where he's pointing and spot a gorgeous woman talking to someone.

Wait, no. That's not just someone. That my someone.

I almost drool when I look at Zane. He wears a black tux. No, seriously. It's as black as it can get. Not even the shirt is white. He looks like the grim reaper.

A hotter version of the grim reaper.

Fun fact: I used to write fanfics about the grim reaper when I was twelve. When I reread what I'd written the other day, I shocked myself. There was no way that stuff was appropriate for a twelve-year-old.

But, grim reaper aside, Zane has a drink in his hand, making him appear cooler than he actually is.

"Who is she? She's so glamorous" I whistle lightly. Felix makes a weird face.

I shrug.
"Every girl's got a little bit of lesbian inside. I mean, how can you resist women?"

"That's Roxy Rivera. She's the daughter of one of Elias' close associates" I scrunch my eyebrows.

"Elias? As in Zane's dad?"
He scoffs.
"Yes, smarty-pants"

"You dare use my own spells against me" I pause "What's your last name?"

"Almanzar"

I clear my throat
"You dare use my own spells against me, Almanzar?"

He rolls his eyes.
"I don't even wanna know what that means"

I catch Zane's eye from across the room, and he takes a full moment to trace his eyes from my heels to the tiara-shaped clip on my head.

Ultimately, he walks over. As he comes closer, I notice something I've never noticed before.

"Since when are your ears pierced?" I point at his cross-signed earrings. They're hot.

I've got issues.

"Since I was a foetus" he smirks. I gasp

"Are you drunk?" I point at the drink in his hand. He grins, then shakes his head.

"As sober as can be" okay, definitely a little tipsy.

I look towards Felix. "What kind of drunk is he?"
He thinks for a short moment before responding.
"You'll see"

The glamorous girl- Roxy, walks over as well. She eyes my outfit and smiles.

"Astraea? I've heard a lot about you" she remarks, her eyes still on my dress. I start getting a little self-conscious but then shake my head and reply.
"Hopefully all good things" I smile.

She eyes me again, something darkening in her expression.
"Oh, trust me. Nothing but the best"

Her lip piercing grabs my attention and I have the urge to tug at it for fun.
I quickly swipe left on the idea when Bianca grabs her arm, leading her away from the group.

My jaw almost falls to the floor.

"Are they....?"
Felix sneers.
"Nah. Bianca's straight"

The soft music just now seems to reach my ears and my head automatically bobs to the sound. Before long, Zane extends his hand.

"Can I have a dance?"

.

A/N

I wanna fit so much in just one chapter but I know anything over 1600 is out of my comfort zone 😩 I just feel like it gets boring and I love short chapters, okay?

Anyway, Bianca's a champ. Roxy is...Roxy. Felix is pleasant and Zane's the love of my life.

Be sure to vote, comment and tell me what you think!

-Author.