Alice is popular, boys love her, and even girls love her. And so does her best friend, Irene.
....friends to lovers angst with the pressure from overbearing parents to self discovery
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Raymond has a glint in his eye, hope, wishing, something shiny and new. Irene's never seen him look at her like that before.
"Let's go do something," Raymond suggests.
Irene gives him a weird stare, "We are..?"
He rolls his eyes and laughs, "No I mean- really, something fun, like crazy or-"
"Raymond, seriously, this was nice but going out and getting drunk doesn't sound ideal to me right now." Irene dismisses as if she's already ready to leave.
"I heard Lila got into Penn," Raymond says, the same glint in his eyes.
"Okay?" Irene questions.
"Expensive college acceptance, with an expensive party to go with it."
"You're saying you want to go, to a party LilyEriksen is hosting? How would we even get in?"
Raymond grins, "I got an invite, with a plus one."
Irene's eyes widened, okay, now she was intrigued. Lily Eriksen is easily the richest and one of the most intelligent girls in Pennsylvania at 18. Popular for the sole reason of being rich. Her parties were to die for. Professional DJs, a secluded house, dress codes, and caters at the ready for her every demand. Her parents were businesspeople, and Irene's parents dreamed of being like them. Even Lily had shares and managing in a couple of businesses herself. She goes to a private religious school. But her boyfriend, Luca Macal, attended Raymond and Irene's very own school.
"You... were invited?" Irene asks.
Raymond nods and he hasn't stopped smiling the entire time, "From Mr.boyfriend himself. He wanted me to bring Alice but I think it's only because his friend thinks she's hot shit," Raymond might have angry words but he isn't angry when he says them, he finds it amusing. "Plus, Alice has been a royal pain, if you can agree. So I think you, my best friend, should go with me."
"Did you plan this when you came to my house this morning?"
"No, not really, I honestly didn't want to go but I think with you, it will be fun." Raymond's smile is contagious, it's warming and gentle. Easing you on. Irene can't help but fall for the convincing face.
"I don't even know what I'd wear..."
"Oh come on, I'm sure your mom has something you could wear?"
He did have a point, the woman never stopped shopping and had the fashion sense of a 19-year-old model. Irene paused for a moment, to really think this over. Did she have anything better to do? Was there any real reason to say no?
"Fine, but we're sticking together the whole time and no drinking. You have to drive me home."
