The World According to Susie

Ch 9: Henrys John's Mansion Party (2)

We sit there in awkward silence for what feels like an eternity, no one saying a word. I panic-drink my Smirnoff Ice, and before anyone can so much as clear their throat, my bottle is already empty.

Georgia catches this and snorts, clearly amused. Vivienne shoots her a deadly glare. "I can grab you another drink if you want," Georgia says with a grin, then adds, "and one for Vivi too, since she's still nursing her first." She plants a kiss on Vivienne's cheek, and I shudder a little—not because I'm jealous (okay, maybe a tiny bit), but mostly because Georgia is such a blatant liar, and Vivienne has no idea.

Suddenly, it hits me: I have leverage over Vivienne. And before I know it, a smirk starts creeping across my face.

"What's so funny?" Vivienne snaps, clearly annoyed.

"Oh, nothing," I say, shrugging dramatically. "I think the drink's just hitting me."

"After one drink?" Vivienne rolls her eyes like I'm the most pathetic lightweight she's ever seen.

"No, no, I pre-gamed." I laugh to myself, knowing Vivienne's clueless about the chaos I could unleash if I felt like it.

"You're weird. I don't even know why Georgie invited you to our kickback with our friends," Vivienne says, her words dripping with snobbery.

Without thinking, I blurt out, "How much of this is actually yours, Vivienne?"

Her eyes go wide as she shoots up from the couch, rage radiating from her. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?!"

Before things escalate, Georgia waltzes back over with two more wine coolers—one for me and one for Vivienne. "Vivienne!" Georgia snaps, setting the drinks down on the sofa like she's the mom of the group.

Vivienne glares at Georgia, clearly fuming. "What do you mean 'Vivienne!'? Did you hear what she just said to me?"

Georgia sighs, handing Vivienne her drink with a forced smile. "Babe, relax. It's a party. Not a court case."

I snicker behind my wine cooler, feeling the chaos start to brew. Georgia throws me a quick side-eye, silently warning me not to push it, but I'm feeling bold.

"Oh, come on, Vivi. It was a joke," I say, biting back a grin. "Just some light party banter."

Vivienne takes a long, dramatic sip of her drink, glaring at me over the top of the bottle. "Party banter? Sounds more like you're just trying to be a smartass."

"Okay, fine," I say, leaning back with a smirk. "You want the truth? Georgia didn't just invite me for the vibes."

Georgia's eyes widen in horror, and she shoots me the kind of panicked look you give when you accidentally spill wine on white carpet. "Susie!" she hisses under her breath, but it's too late. I'm already in too deep.

Vivienne's full attention snaps to Georgia now, her glare somehow intensifying. "What is she talking about, Georgie?"

I almost feel bad for Georgia. Almost.

Georgia stammers, "I—I mean, Henry John really wanted to invite everyone... you know, inclusive party vibes—" She's scrambling, but Vivienne isn't buying it.

"Right," I add, unable to resist. "Because nothing says 'inclusive' like... secrets." I raise my drink in a mock toast, the strawberry blunt and wine cooler I chugged got me feeling a little insane, I dont care if the world knows I think to myself. 

Vivienne's face goes red, and for a second, I think she might actually explode. She slams her drink down on the table with a thud that echoes through the room. "What secret, Georgia?"