Purée

Losses

### Chapter: Party Prep and Unwanted Persuasion

After some time had passed, Mattheo casually asked me to accompany him to a party. I tried to ignore his request, burying myself deeper into my studies. Just as I was about to lose myself in another page, Mattheo abruptly closed his book. I glanced up from my work, only to see Pansy stroll in with a determined expression.

"While y'all are buried in those books, there's—"

"Answers that never end, so goodbye," I interrupted, cutting her off before she could finish. "Both of you."

Pansy's eyes narrowed playfully. "Girl, don't shut me down like that. You need a break from your brain." She pulled out a striking black dress from her bag, the kind that would make anyone look twice.

I sighed heavily. There was no use arguing with her—she was as relentless as she was fashionable. "No," I said firmly, taking the dress from her and setting it aside. I picked another dress from the pile and closed the bathroom door behind me.

In the bathroom, I quickly slipped into the dress. It clung to my curves and was adorned with ruffles at the sleeves and hem. The tight fit emphasized my figure in a way that felt both provocative and chic. I glanced at myself in the mirror, trying to ignore the nagging feeling of being put on display.

When I re-emerged, Mattheo looked at me with a mix of surprise and approval. "Alright, I'm leaving. Chill your ass, love," he said, a hint of amusement in his tone.

"Excuse me, what?" I asked, baffled. I walked over to the door, which was now firmly closed. Turning to Pansy, who was barely containing her laughter, I said, "First he asks me to go to the party with him, then you storm in like some kind of bodyguard. I just—ugh, I can't even..."

Pansy, still giggling, threw her hands up in mock surrender. "You're letting him get away with this?"

"Who do you think I am?" I retorted. "I'm not going to just cave in. I'm planning on seducing him and then humiliating him in front of everyone. My style of revenge."

I flashed her a confident smile before turning on my heel to face the mirror again. The tight, black dress fit me like a glove, highlighting my curves and the ruffles adding a touch of drama.

"That's only if I don't interrupt with Spin the Bottle," Pansy said with a mischievous smirk. "And it just might randomly land on you both."

"Don't you dare be happy about this," I said, pointing at her playfully.

"Oh, I am, and you're joining," Pansy said, her smirk widening.

"Nope," I replied firmly, not about to change my mind. Once I was fully ready, we both headed out of the common room. The corridor was quiet, and I braced myself for the evening ahead, wondering what other surprises were in store.

### Chapter: Spin the Bottle Shenanigans

The throbbing beat of the music pulsated through the room as I danced in the center of the crowd, my hips swaying rhythmically to the song. Hands brushed my waist and I let myself get lost in the movement, enjoying the sensation of being at the heart of the party. Suddenly, I felt someone getting too close behind me. I turned around to find Riddle, already quite drunk.

"Done staring?" he slurred, eyeing me with a mix of annoyance and something else I couldn't quite place. I tilted my head and smirked, trying to gauge his intentions. No, don't assume he's got a crush on you just because he's drunk.