Unlucky: Luxury And a Lies

Chapter 41: She's Getting On My Nerves 2 POV's: Unexpected Tutoring

As we entered the grand house for the Halloween party, I found myself in a sea of masked faces. The atmosphere was reminiscent of a masquerade, and I couldn't help but feel like I surprisingly fit right in. It was a peculiar feeling – on one hand, the masks allowed us to be whoever we wanted for the night, but on the other hand, it meant that anyone else could do the same.

With my mask securely in place, the surroundings took on a slightly surreal quality. The dim lighting, along with the heavy boots I wore for my costume, made me feel even taller and more imposing. The house itself was extravagant and luxurious, matching my expectations for Mabel's residence. I imagined she must be over the moon to host a party in such a splendid place.

Old habits die hard, they say, and I decided to make my way to the kitchen. It seemed like a good place to hang out for a bit, maybe allowing things to unfold before the night took an even more interesting turn. The party was just beginning, and I was ready to see where the night would take us.

I took a sip from the cup of water I had fetched from the fridge, the cool liquid refreshing in the midst of the Halloween party. The kitchen was a temporary haven, a quiet escape from the vibrant chaos of the masked partygoers.

As I stood there, I noticed someone entering the kitchen. I squinted in the dim light, trying to make out the face behind the mask. To my surprise, I recognized her voice. "Haerin?" I asked, curiosity piqued.

She turned toward me, a soft smile on her lips. "Oh, hey," she greeted me. "I didn't know you'd be here. How'd you know Mabel?"

I removed my mask, allowing my face to be seen. "I'm just a plus one. Hanni brought me here," she explained, her gaze shifting away warily.

I nodded, understanding that not everyone was here by choice. "So she's here?" I inquired, eager to locate.

Haerin nodded, her eyes focusing on the floor. "She's upstairs, I think," she offered.

I moved closer to her, grateful for the information. "Thanks," I whispered softly into her ear before putting my mask back on. With a polite nod, I left the kitchen and headed upstairs to find Mabel.

I made my way through the crowd on the stairs, I wanted to know something. But I also didn't know what Mabel's costume was. It was a game, an intriguing puzzle with an unknown solution. As I ascended the staircase, I tried to be respectful, knocking on a few doors in search of the minx.

Then, in the distance, I spotted someone dressed in a nurse's outfit. It was a costume that suited Mia perfectly, I thought, so my plans had changed, and I decided to approach her. I whispered her name, "Mia," only to have her turn around.

"Nice try," I heard, and my heart skipped a beat. I immediately stepped back and removed my mask. "Mabel?" I asked, taken aback by the unexpected encounter.

She smiled, her gaze wandering up and down my costume. It was an unsettling coincidence that we both chose costumes that concealed something about ourselves. "Still the gloves? Hm," she noted.

I grumbled, growing annoyed. "Give it a rest," I replied sharply.

Mabel seemed unfazed and mischievous. "What, you no longer want my pity?" she mused. I clenched my fists, frustrated. "I never wanted or needed it," I argued.

Her red lips curled into a sly smile. "Maybe if you showed me what was underneath, I'd leave you alone," she whispered. I shook my head, refusing to give in to her taunts. "We both know that's not true," I retorted. Mabel's mention of my hands angered me; it reminded me of my insecurities, my fears.

"Does your lover know what you're hiding? Or what happened—" She didn't get to finish her sentence. I couldn't stand her insinuations. I pushed her against the wall, glaring at her with intense frustration. She wouldn't dare say more.

"You really had that pent up, huh?" She smiled, provoking me further. "You're really getting on my nerves," I growled.

But then, she said something unexpected, something that left me taken aback, confused, and angry at her. "And you look incredible tonight," Mabel stated, her flirty comment stirring emotions within me, including an unexpected attraction.

- (Jacks POV:)

The skeleton makeup transformed me into someone unrecognizable, and the layers of my costume made me feel a little overheated. Mia had worked her makeup magic on my face, and I found myself lingering in the corner, wishing I could be home alone rather than surrounded by people who didn't seem to care about my well-being.

Mia, ever the social butterfly, approached me and asked, "Hey, you wanna dance?" I quickly shook my head. Dancing wasn't my thing, and I preferred to be left alone. Let them enjoy their party; I'd be content in the corner, away from the chaos.

As I stood there, I observed a boy who had clearly overindulged and was now hunched over, struggling with what was in his cup. I couldn't help but wonder why I had even come to this event. The thought of being alone and far away from this commotion was quite appealing.

Lost in my contemplation, I accidentally bumped into someone, and they managed to catch me. "Woah, careful," a voice said. I turned around and gasped—it was Zack. He squinted, trying to make sense of the person behind the skeleton makeup. "Jack?" he said, recognizing me.

I nodded, feeling a bit awkward. Zack's clown makeup somehow managed to look cool on him. "Cool, you look awesome, dude," he complimented, nudging my arm. I managed a shy smile in response.

We chatted for a while, and I sipped my juice from a plastic cup. Zack leaned in closer, his voice hushed. "Say, do you want to check upstairs with me?" he suggested. My watch beeped, indicating the time, and I nodded, deciding to go along with his proposal.

We ascended the stairs, and I followed Zack mindlessly, the atmosphere noticeably quieter on the upper floor. "Much quieter, right?" he remarked in a hushed tone. I nodded, appreciating the escape from the overwhelming noise below.

As we walked further down the hallway, Zack broke the silence. "So, you're pretty smart, right?" he asked. I shrugged, not entirely sure where this conversation was going. "I wanted to ask the other night, but I was too scared," he continued, scratching the back of his head.

Curiosity piqued, I encouraged him to continue. "Ask what?" I inquired.

"Could you tutor me for the English test?" Zack blurted out, his voice a mix of hope and uncertainty. "Mr. Rhodes said I'm nearing the bottom of our set," he confessed.

I widened my eyes in surprise at the unexpected request. "Okay," I stammered, caught off guard by the suddenness of it all.

Zack's face lit up with gratitude. "Really? Thanks, man," he said, patting my back in appreciation. I almost choked on my own surprise, not used to this kind of attention.

"So, when can we start?" Zack asked, eager to begin. I thought for a moment, contemplating my schedule. "Maybe Thursdays," I suggested.

Zack nodded enthusiastically. "Thanks, you're the best," he whispered before turning to walk away. I was left standing there, processing the unexpected turn of events. "You coming?" he called back to me, and my heart leaped at his words. I quickly nodded and responded, "Coming!" before following him.