STRANGE LOVE | RAFE CAMERON |

CHAPTER 7: | I'M NOT YOUR ENEMY |

Allison stood in her bathroom, the soft glow of the vanity lights reflecting off the mirror as she meticulously applied the finishing touches to her makeup. The anticipation for the Midsummer Party buzzed in the air, but beneath the surface, her emotions were tangled in a web of confusion and excitement. The elegant dress she wore hugged her curves in all the right places, accentuating her natural beauty with a hint of understated sophistication.

When she finally stepped back into her room, she found Kie sitting on her bed, already dressed in a lovely purple gown that flowed around her like a cascade of twilight. Tiny flowers adorned her hair, giving her an ethereal, almost otherworldly beauty.

Allison couldn't help but gasp in admiration."Wow, Kie, you look beautiful," Allison exclaimed, her eyes wide with genuine awe.

Kie's head turned toward her sister, a smile blooming on her lips as she took in Allison's appearance. The short, elegant dress Allison wore was the perfect blend of chic and sexy, enhancing her already striking features.

"No, look at you, you look beautiful," Kie countered, her tone filled with sisterly pride.

Allison returned the smile, a rare moment of mutual appreciation between them.

She stepped closer to the mirror, turning slightly to admire her reflection. "Thank you," she said softly, her voice tinged with a hint of self-consciousness that only her sister would notice.

Kie, however, wasn't in the mood for the festivities. She let out a frustrated sigh, her earlier excitement dampened by the thought of what the evening would entail. "I can't believe my parents are making me go to this stupid thing," she grumbled, her tone thick with disdain.

Allison shrugged, trying to be optimistic. "It can be fun," she offered, though she knew better than anyone how these parties could be—stiff, pretentious, and filled with people who barely noticed each other, too consumed by their own self-importance.

Kie, however, wasn't swayed. "No, trust me, it can't," she insisted. "Too many kooks in one place can never be fun." The finality in her voice left no room for argument.

Just as the tension between them threatened to resurface, they heard Kie's mother's voice calling from downstairs, a sharp reminder that the party awaited them. The sisters exchanged a knowing look before heading out, both bracing themselves for the night ahead.

・ • ・ • ・

The Island Club was a dazzling spectacle, the grandeur of the event amplified by the warm, golden lights that adorned the venue. Everything was meticulously arranged, from the tables overflowing with gourmet food to the soft strains of music that filled the air. It was the kind of party where appearances mattered more than connections, and everyone was eager to show off their best.

Kie's grip on Allison's hand tightened as they arrived, her anxiety palpable as she scanned the crowd. "Our boys are here," she said, her eyes lighting up as she spotted Pope and Jordan working at the food station.

Kie wasted no time, dragging Allison toward them with a mischievous grin. The two boys had their backs turned, and focused on their tasks, giving Kie the perfect opportunity to tease them. She leaned in, adopting a playful British accent. "Excuse me, sir. Do we have to shuck these ourselves?" she asked, her voice dripping with faux sophistication.

Both boys turned around, their faces set in annoyed expressions that quickly morphed into laughter when they realized who it was. Allison, catching on to Kie's game, joined in with her own terrible British accent. "Because it might mess up our costumes," she added, trying to suppress her giggles.