This World That Divides Us

CHAPTER 9

I wouldn't use the word 'unconventional' to describe Rafe's party. More like 'unbelievable'. I get the fact that money isn't a concept to these people, but how the hell am I seeing what I'm seeing? First of all, his house is pretty much equivalent to the size of Kensington Palace. The party is completely outside, but even the outside is bigger than my current house combined with my old house in Chicago. There's a massive white tent that covers the huge property, a DJ that I'm pretty sure is David Guetta, a freakin' stage, where Rafe, Jack, and Johnny are standing, and a long bar – one on each side of the room. Outside the tent, there's an oval-shaped pool and a cabana, but everyone's too busy on the dance floor. Oh yeah, there's one of those, too.

"Your face says it all," Molly chuckles.

"Is this real?"

"Mhm. Crazy, isn't it?"

"Thank God you convinced me to wear the diamond earrings." I'm partially kidding, partially serious. Serious because everyone here is decked out to the nines, but kidding because I've never actually worn them before tonight, and never plan on wearing them again.

"Told you so," she proudly says. "Wanna get a drink?"

"Sure."

It's safe to say that all of Sinclair Prep is here. Molly and I make it to the end of the bar, and I use the little space in front of me to plant my elbows down and lean my body forward. When I look into the room, I see Jordana and her clique on the dance floor.

"What can I get you girls?" the bartender asks.

"Tequila soda," Molly answers as she starts swaying her body to the music.

"Uh. Iced tea."

"Long Island?" he asks.

"Huh?"

"Long Island iced tea?"

"Is that like a green tea?"

"She'll have a club soda. No alcohol," Molly says. 

He gives her a curt nod, and me a baffled look. "FYI, a Long Island iced tea has, like, every kind of alcohol in it. It'll mess you up after a few sips."

"Oh my God," I shriek.

The bartender hands us both our drinks and Molly scans the room as I sip on the thin black straw that's in my cup. "See Henry anywhere?" she asks.

"Oh, so now you're curious?"

"No, I don't care," she says, but I can tell that she's lying.

My eyes skim the room and manage to find Jack again. It's like they automatically detect his presence and have to take him in.

"How drunk are they?" I ask Molly, tipping my head in The Royals' direction.

"Jack and Rafe? Heavily, probably. Johnny actually doesn't drink. Jack can hold his liquor really well, but Rafe's a disaster when he's not sober."

"Do his parents know that he's having people over?"

"Do they know?" Molly chuckles. "They encouraged it. Who do you think paid for everything?"

My phone beeps with a text and it's from Henry.

Henry: Just walked into the back. Wru?

Me: Come to the bar that's closer to the stage.

"Henry," I explain, holding my phone up to Molly.

"I think he likes you," she says as she chews on her straw.

"As a friend, yeah, maybe."

"Not as a friend."

I can sense a bit of disappointment in her tone, so I ask, "Do you like him or something?"

"Who? Henry?" she laughs. "Yeah, right. I've known him my entire life. He's a great guy, but I'm not his type."

"What makes you say that?"

"Look at us, Anastasia. I give off 'IDGAF' vibes and he's Mr. Perfect."

"Opposites attract, Mol."

"We're too opposite to attract one another. Trust me." She looks at me and presses her lips together. "You're more his speed."

"I don't think so."

We both don't say anything for a few seconds after that until Molly breaks the silence. "Heads up. Here he comes."

Henry approaches us wearing jeans and a white button down. His brown curls look like they have a bit of gel in them, and he looks freshened up.

"Hey, guys," he greets us, coming in to hug me first and then Molly. He notices the drink in her hand and then says, "I need one of those."

"Well, good luck getting a spot at the bar," she says, turning to me. She grabs onto my hands and waves them back and forth. "Let's dance."

"No way," I state. "Plus, the floor looks crowded."

"That's when it's the most fun. C'mon, Stassie!"

"If you don't follow her, she's going to nag you until you do," Henry warns.

"Bite me, Astor."

"Just say where, Lawson."

"I'll go if you come with us," I tell him, and he drops his shoulders down, but sports a closed smile on his face.

"You're really going to make me do this?"

"If I have to suffer from total humiliation, then so do you."

"Those the rules now, huh?" he asks, and I just nod. He lets out an exhale and then says, "Fine." And the next thing I know, the three of us are dancing.

The DJ is playing a remix of 'Give Me Everything Tonight' and the dance floor is chaotic. It doesn't take long for someone's back to graze mine, so I turn my head around and immediately know who the culprit is when I spot long red hair. Jordana.

"You guys are hogging the dance floor. Move," she snickers.

"Ignore her," Molly says, waving her hand down.

I'm trying to look anywhere that's not at Jordana, but that's hard to do when she's standing right in front of my face.

She suddenly tucks her hair behind her ears and composes herself, which must mean that Jack's approaching.

And speak of the devil. He's wearing a light-gray crew-neck top and beige pants. He looks really good. It's no doubt that he's a gorgeous guy, but that doesn't take away from the fact that his personality isn't.

Just as he's about to pass her, Jordana stops him, voluntarily wrapping her arms around his shoulders. But he sighs, quickly dropping them down and using his hands to peel hers off his body.

"Jordana..."

"Just one dance, Jack."

"No."

I swear I see her lips quaver when she asks, "Why not?"

"Because I don't want to."

"But Jack..."

"We're done, Jordana. Over."

I'm halted from watching more when Henry gently tugs my arm and pulls me closer to him and Molly. Henry's staring at my features, so I mask my curious expression with a bit of a fake smile and then turn my head back around to look at Jack and Jordana again. They're still standing there, and she's still nagging him. Only this time, his eyes are on me.