TASTE OF YOU . . . percabeth

eleven

AS EMMY RODE in the limo with her so called friends to homecoming, she was prepared for the onslaught of boredom that was coming.

She probably shouldn't have poured money into the dance if it was going to be as boring as last year's was, but it was worth it to get Annabeth that ticket, even if she hadn't known that at the time. However, there was already a party planned at Emmy's club, whether it's an afterparty or if they'll ditch homecoming to go have some fun. Probably both, to be honest.

She just had to get her homecoming queen crown, and then they'd dip if it was boring. Simple.

She felt a nudge and looked over to see Kylie, sitting on her right as always. Pretty in her pink dress and silver makeup, she gave Emmy a grin. "Alright?" she asked quietly.

Emmy nodded, a slight dip of her chin, reaching out to grab a flute of champagne and raising it. "I'm just ready to be crowned queen and go to the club after that."

As expected, the people in the limo all whooped, and those with glasses — whether there was water, champagne, or something else in there — clinked them together and drank. Emmy drank enough to lower her inhibition by just a hair.

Eventually, they made it to the doors of the school and piled out of the limo, walking up the steps to the school.

"I can't believe it's held at the school," Paisley something-or-other said in disgust. "Why can't they hold it off-campus?"

"They didn't want to spend more money to hold it off campus," interjected Ali. She was part of the student council team, but she hadn't had much of a hand in homecoming. Still, she'd watched the people who had handled it. "Next year, donate more money."

"Yeah, we should," agreed James, looking at Emmy. "We have money to spare, don't we?"

Emmy would've rolled her eyes, but instead she was fishing in her purse for her ticket as the doors opened in front of them. "You would know about money to spare, James, wouldn't you?" she said, her voice impossibly smooth — and devoid of emotion. "Especially since your parents aren't hosting that boat party anymore. Oh, speaking of which, you all are invited to my yacht birthday party next month."

Cheers came up from everyone except for James as they made it to the door, most of the group scrambling to find their tickets and show them to the people checking. As if they needed checking. They're the most well-known students in the school.

Emmy and Kylie were the first two in, because they were smart enough to find their tickets beforehand. And that was why Kylie was Emmy's best friend. That, and Kylie was the most fashionable and most interesting out of the rest of them. Maybe Ali would've fit that list too, but she's too engrossed in her studies to care or to be a better friend than Kylie.

Kylie scanned the room, her eyebrows raising. "Are you spending the entire dance with your girl?" she asked.

"She's not my anything," corrected Emmy, her eyes on Kylie. "Annabeth's her own person."

"So you're hers, then?" Kylie still wasn't looking at her.

"Are you implying something?" Emmy said lowly.

Finally, Kylie turned to her, a wicked smile on her, perfectly punctuated with her matte lips. "You like her," she said. "Don't worry, I'll cover for you. We just have to talk about it later. Since, you know, you're spending all your time with her now."

Emmy sighed. "I'm sorry for not hanging out with you as often—"

"You're happier with her," Kylie shrugged. "I don't care that much, anyway." Emmy knew that was a lie, but then Kylie pushed Emmy, and she nearly stumbled on her heels. Kylie smirked at that. "Just go talk to her. I've got you."