Fallen

22. Party

Both Ivy and Harper spent an unreasonable amount of time to get ready. But this was really important to Harper; Ivy would be there, and Harper had to look good for Ivy. Yet, little did she know, Ivy was thinking the same thing.

Harper took a very long and eventful shower. She shaved pretty much every hair she could find, used her fancy body scrubs she was gifted for Christmas last year, she washed her hair with shampoo twice, and used a ton of conditioner. When she finally got out, the bathroom mirror was fogged. Harper scoffed, wrapping a towel around her body and head, grabbing her skincare and then going to her bedroom. She plopped down on her chair in front of her vanity, then took the towel off of her head, squeezing out any remaining water. She dried off her face, then applied her makeup. She admired herself for a moment, trying to make sure she looked the best she could. She walked to the closet, grabbing a salmon-pink corset dress from her hanger. 

She threw it on herself, standing in front of the mirror and smoothing out the creases and wrinkles. Harper gave herself a nod of approval, then got on her shoes. She looked in the mirror again, having doubts. Maybe she was trying too hard, maybe everyone would make fun of her. Harper sighed, then went downstairs. 

"Dad, I'm ready to go.." Harper mumbled softly. 

"Okay. Er- Nick's gonna take you, I'll pick you up." Charlie 

"Yeah. Okay." Harper smiled, fiddling with her handbag. 

Once in the car, Harper popped her airpods in her ears and tuned out the real world. 

Meanwhile, Ivy was trying to tune out her father and mother arguing, like they had been for the past hour. Ivy rummaged through her closet, eventually deciding on black pants, a white tube top, and a black blazer. Ivy did her usual makeup, though she did add some dark glitter eye shadow, that was her attempt at trying. Once ready, she hurried down the stairs. 

"Dad, can you drive me to the party?" Ivy sighed, hoping Ben had heard her over the shouting. 

"What party?" Ben scoffed, turning to his daughter.

"Rosie's party? I literally told you about this a few days ago..and I reminded you about it earlier." Ivy groaned softly. 

"Well excuse me for having a fucking life!" Ben scoffed. "Fine, whatever, I'll take you since it'll get me away from your mother." He sneered, yanking the car keys and storming out the door. Ivy followed behind, her head hung low. 

Ivy threw herself into the passenger seat, slamming the door behind her with a loud smack.

"Don't you fucking slam my door." Ben snarled as he got in, slamming the door himself.

Ivy refrained herself from letting what she truly wanted to say come out of her mouth, knowing it would just do more bad than good, so she remained silent.

The drive to the party was silent, the only exception being Ben hollering at slow cars along the road. Once he parked, Ivy opened the door and stepped out of the car.

"What time are you picking me up?" Ivy questioned.

"I don't really give a fuck what time you come back but if it's past midnight, you're walking home." Ben said without much care, and Ivy nodded, not bothering to waste her breath saying goodbye before she headed inside.

Ivy crossed her arms, trying to distance herself from the people as she entered the venue, which was already filled with people dancing and drinking, along with colorful lights that made it hard to see.

"Oh my god, you're here!" A voice exclaimed. Ivy was suddenly yanked towards Rosie as she was embraced in a short hug.

"There's drinks in the kitchen, I think someone brought alcohol, hah. Everyone is in the main room, dancing haha, come join us, it's fun!" Rosie insisted, though she didn't wait for Ivy as she stumbled back to the dance floor.

Ivy glanced around, then bumped into someone.

"Watch it-" she snapped, then her eyes met Harper's.

"Oh. You're here. Hi." Ivy said, her mood changing slightly.

"Yeah. I am." Harper confirmed, taking it all in. "It's really crowded." She added.

"Yeah." Ivy agreed.

"Where's.. Uh, where's Rosie?" Harper asked, fidgeting with one of the rings on her fingers.

"Dancing I think. Oh- you don't have to see her. She'll probably kick you out.. I think she's drunk anyway." Ivy shrugged, mumbling an excuse so Harper wouldn't think she was very desperate to not hang out with Rosie.

"Okay." Harper nodded with a sigh of relief.

"I'm gonna get a drink." Ivy said, walking away. Harper wanted to follow, but people jammed in the way, blocking the view of where Ivy went. Harper sighed, walking around. She got lost in the crowd on the dance floor. She attempt to maneuver her way out of the sea of people, until she felt a vice like grip on her arm. She turned to face the person, and it was none other than the birthday girl herself, Rosie.

"Well well." Rosie smirked. "I don't quite remember inviting you." She said, gently moving Harper over to a corner, where it was slightly less crowded.

"Well I don't remember you specifically saying I wasn't welcome." Harper taunted back.

"Aw.. I know a nerd like you has probably never been to a party, but that not really how it works.." Rosie said, surprisingly calm, but Harper knew any second Rosie would break and lose her cool.

"I'm not here to bother you, Allen." Harper sneered, using Rosie's last name.

"You mean you're not here to punch me again?" Rosie asked innocently, then gave a wicked smirk as she could tell Harper's confidence dropped. "Yeah, that's right, don't think I forgot. I think it's time for my revenge." She said menacingly as if she were a movie villan.

"Karma's a bitch, Nelson." Rosie whispered in the girl's ear as she prepared to raise her fist. Yet, as if she had spider senses, Ivy shoved Rosie away from Harper.

"Back off, you dickhead." Ivy scoffed, grabbing Harper's wrist and pulling Harper behind her body in a small gesture to protect her.

"Why are you always defending her?! Why are you obsessed with the gay nerd?!"

"I'm not- I'm not obsessed, you're just being a bitch and I'm fucking sick of it!" Ivy snarled, tugging Rosie's bleach blond hair, then stomping away. Harper ran after Ivy, scared Rosie would punch her if she stayed too long.

Harper caught up to Ivy, and followed her into an empty room upstairs. Ivy sat down, so Harper did the same.

"Thank you." Harper whispered.

"Cheers." Ivy scoffed dryly, the smallest hint of a smile on her face.

"Really. Thank you." Harper emphasised, wanting Ivy to know how much it truly meant to her.

"You're welcome." Ivy said softly. The girls sat in silence for a minute, only the faint sound of the music from down stairs could be heard. Harper's face lit up when she recognized the songs as one of her favorites.