The Young and Gifted

16. friends with benefits

Kaura leaned in front of the mirror, touching up the lasts of her makeup. Penelope was laying on her bed, painting her nails a bright red colour. "So what's up with you and Mason?"

"What about him?" She said, cleaning up the smudges of her lipstick.

"Did you see how he protected you when everyone was trying to pin the blame on you for what happened with the Genie bullshit? Usually, Raf and I are the ones to defend you. And the fact that he picked Hope over you," she pointed out, blowing at her nails as her legs swung behind her. "So hot."

"He didn't pick Hope over me," she scoffed, shaking her head with disbelief.

"He did. He had a choice between protecting Hope and he chose you."

Kaura rolled her eyes. "Hope and Mason are like best friends. I am actually shocked. Witches despise vampires but I guess Hope isn't completely a witch. But I do wonder how she got close to him so quickly. They might be friends with benefits, that would explain a lot of things." But then again having a friend from a different gender didn't mean something romantic was happening between.

"Are you jealous?" Penelope questioned, closing the lid of the polish tightly.

"Of course not. Plus we would never work. I am self-destructive. I push people away," Kaura said with a bored sigh. "He wouldn't be able to handle me."

"But I'm still here," Penelope pointed out with raised brows.

"That's because we're both self-destructive. I mean, what's going on with you and Josie?" Kaura fired back.

Penelope pouted. "Nothing. I can't get anywhere near her without having Lizzie around the block. I would like to explain things but I'd rather much do it when the python is not around."

"Understandable. Do you need help taking care of her?" Kaura turned to her best friend, hands on her hips. She wore skinny black jeans and a cropped top.

Penelope rolled off the bed and adjusted her mini dress. "Distract her for a bit. I think this party is the perfect occasion for Jojo and I to have a chat."

Kaura only winked at her.

*

Hope knew she didn't fit in with the party. When Landon told her about it and said that he expected to see her there, she knew that the event itself was out of her element. First of all, they weren't allowed to have parties, especially this late at night but thankfully the witches were willing to cloak it if they had an invitation. Second of all, she didn't know what to wear.

Hope sort of wanted to go to Lizzie and Josie for advice but she didn't want to overstep. If they wanted her friendship, they would have gone to her room. It was silly that she sort of hoped that the time they spent in Kaura's memories brought them closer. It didn't. As for Mason, she knew that he wouldn't be too interested in makeup and clothing fashion. His only goal was to get drunk and have fun. God knew that they needed at least a little bit.

So Hope tried to model in front of the mirror, stressing the hours ticked by about whether or not Landon was going to like it.

Eventually, she settled for a pair of denim jeans and a jean jacket. She walked out of her room with a sigh. She spelled herself so that her footsteps were silent and she made her way to the location of the party itself. It was near the back of the school, where the wolves did all their physical training. Hope wasn't shocked, she heard somewhere that Raf had gathered the party himself.

She walked up to the large tree in the centre and took in the crowd. They all had yellow solo cups, conversing with each other. Faint pop music was playing in the background and as Hope followed it, she was shocked to notice the wilder side of the crowd to be jumping and dancing.

She spotted Mason in the crowd but he was too busy at the chug station to check his surroundings. Kaura and Penelope were somewhere off in the corner while Raf and the pack sang loudly alongside the music. As mentioned, the witches cloaked any signs of the party.

"Hey," Landon greeted from behind Hope. He scanned her with a small smirk. "You look great."

She laughed. "It's casual, but thanks. You look great yourself."

"This is the blandest thing I've ever worn. I know it doesn't say anything but this shirt might as well read 'I'm human, come and eat me!'" He joked and Hope shook with laughter. He led her throughout the party, introducing her to a couple of people who were dying to meet the Mikaelson tribrid.

Meanwhile, Lizzie was frowning at her yellow cup. "I don't understand how people find beer enjoyable. Why couldn't Raf supply something better like whiskey? Vodka? The hard stuff, this is the kiddies pool."

"I actually like beer. And wine. I'm more into the soft alcohol," Josie stated. "I'm actually going to get a refill, be right back."

Lizzie cursed under her breath as she forced herself to drink. Regardless of her distaste, she wanted the influence to give her time for fun. And as she drank from the cup, someone bumped into her, causing the drink to tip and pour all over her front shirt. "You idiot," she screeched. "Do you know how many months it took for my mom to find this shirt?"

Kaura pouted fakely. "Aw, I am so sorry. I'll make sure to push you next time."

Lizzie's nose flared and she clenched her fist. But instead of exploding, she forced herself to take deep strained breaths. "Kaura. I am going to strongly advise that you make a U-turn before things start to look down on you." Kaura only saw the taunt and warning as a proposal. 

~

"On second thought, let the games begin."

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