Ignorance Is Bliss

4 . Edwin

We didn't have trouble finding the house. In fact, we could hear the blaring music from a mile away. I wondered how I'd never been in this neighbourhood before. Compared to mine, it looked way cleaner and the houses all bigger. The party took place in something that didn't quite look like a villa, but nowhere as small as mine.

I tugged at the neck of the sweater that I had chosen to wear, starting to regret the decision of not dressing up. Apart from wearing a suit, I didn't exactly have anything that screamed party. Raven on the other hand was wearing a strapless black dress with matching heels. She fit perfectly into this scenery. Anyone standing next to her wouldn't even realise I was there at all. As much as I hated that, she did look stunning. Still, she kept on asking me whether I liked it or not. Did she not look in the mirror before she left?

Raven grabbed hold of my wrist and tugged me in direction of the house.

"Come on, we're already late!" she complained.

"That's the point," I explained. "Only losers show up early."

Raven rolled her eyes at me.

"Says the person who literally shows up one hour before anything starts."

I smacked her arm playfully, as we neared the entrance.

"Shut up. I don't do that anymore."

She looked at me from the side. I could see how she was eyeing my outfit with distaste.

"Why aren't you dressed up?"

I scoffed.

"I am."

She tried hard not to laugh at that.

"Why? Don't you like it?"

"Of course I do. It doesn't matter what I think anyway. You're gorgeous with or without fancy clothes."

I couldn't help but smile at that backhanded compliment. Raven didn't seem to notice my amusement.

"Aren't those too heavy?" I asked her, nodding to the pack of wine bottles Raven insisted on taking with her. She shrugged her shoulders, but I could see that her knuckles were turning white, the tighter she gripped the plastic. Raven hated admitting that she couldn't take on the weight anymore. Be it with her problems at home or a pack of red wine.

Once we reached the front door, I raised my hand, but let it fall again.

"Do we need to ring the bell?"

She shook her head. "I doubt it."

Without hesitating, she opened the door. The booming music and chatter welcomed us in. More people had come than I thought. That many, that it took us ages before we even got to the living room.

With a subtle glance to the side, I noticed Raven running her hand through her hair. It didn't escape me, how she seemed to be searching for something. That little minx. Who was she planning to see?

A girl strutted towards us — well towards Raven to be specific — and enveloped her in a hug. From the miniature party hat that was strapped to her head, I figured she was the party girl. Her face was caked with makeup, she would've looked better without. I was jealous of the red flowy gown she was wearing. Was this who Raven was here for?

"Happy birthday," I shouted to her over the music.

She gave me a warming smile, that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Thanks."

Her gaze went to Raven and she raised her brows. "Raven, I didn't know you were bringing someone with you."