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This chapter's song
Pretty Girls by Britney Spears feat. Iggy Azalea
"All around the world, pretty girls Wipe the floor with all the boys Pour the drinks, bring the noise We're just so pretty! All around the world, pretty girls Jump the line, to the front Do what we like, get what we want We're just so pretty!"
***
Alyzza and Alanis are on the latter's mother's car. The good news is that they get to go to the Karaoke Night party organized at their favorite club. Though, there is also pretty bad news: Alanis' mother has agreed to let them go, with the only condition that Ainsley goes too. Result? Neither Alanis nor Ainsley are happy. The former is forced to deal with the latter, who, anyway, doesn't want to go to that party.
Indeed, Alanis is barely retaining herself from insulting Ainsley because there is Alyzza and also because her mom would only mortify her. Right. Ainsley is too perfect to be reprimanded, or at least according to poor Alanis.
And Ainsley is barely retaining herself from belittling Alanis because there is Alyzza, who would naturally side with her friend, and also because her step-mom would advise her to be nicer. Right. Alanis is Delaynee's daughter, and being nice is the least Ainsley could do, or at least according to her.
The three girls are feeling pretty uncomfortable as of now, and, the more they approach the party venue, the worse. Delaynee can easily feel this, but can't do anything to have her daughter and step-daughter get along without hurting anyone, or at least now.
At last, she just says, "Here we are. Now, please, be responsible. Don't get hung over and don't start a fight. Ok?"
"Ok," replies Ainsley showing the most stitched smile ever. On the other hand, Alanis just nods without being too convinced. Delaynee notices this, but, again, she doesn't say a word about that.
Eventually, Alyzza pushes the two girls in the club before waving goodbye to Mrs Penland, who, by the way, is leaving, much to Alanis' relief.
***
"Is everything ready?" asks Aaleiyah quite calmly, in spite of wanting to seem pretty impatient. "The party is about to start."
However, she is getting no answer from the impatient owner of the club, who, instead of even bothering paying attention to her, is just minding his business: checking the mic and jack, the lights and that everything else is spot on.
"Peter! I asked you a question!" says again Aaleiyah. "Is everything ready?"
"No, it isn't!" answers the man named Peter with an annoyed tone. "And, next time you ask that, I'll usher you out, ok?"
Aaleiyah just shrugs and turns her back at him, before muttering under her breath, "Try to kick me out, and I'll make sure your fucking club shuts down. I have no problem finding somewhere else for the party." Though, he just ignores her. Actually, she doesn't care as long he doesn't kick her out of the club. Peter Levin can be mean, and, when he's into one of his "mean" moments, nobody else can stop him.
The girl returns to what she was doing before. She checks again her laptop, hoping to find some interesting notifications. 'Nope. Just ads. I hate ads.'
Advertisement has piled up in Aaleiyah's mail inbox, much to her annoyance. Moreover, the presence of Peter is hurting her nerves. 'Why on hell aren't the party attendants coming?' she is thinking, but is laughing softly at the same time. Peter isn't very impressed by this. He keeps giving her fairly snide looks, but she blatantly ignores him. Then, he rolls his eyes in distress and frustration.
'I hate him!' she says again all by herself. His seemingly lack of interest towards anyone is getting on her nerves, and will definitely get on anyone else's.
Lastly, Aaleiyah, like she wants to annoy him or anything, stars humming quite cheerfully. The man is fuming, but he is barely retaining insults for later. Then, the girl's phone is buzzing. The girls must be coming.
***
Alyzza, Alanis and Ainsley have finally come in. The latter has prevented the others from entering immediately because of a little spat between step-sisters, but that was not enough to turn into a fight.
Aaleiyah stares at them and then exclaims, "At last! I was about to call you!"
"Yeah, I am sorry," replies Alanis, obviously throwing a menacious glare at Ainsley, who, anyway, is ignoring it, and then shaking her head.
However, Aaleiyah whispers in Alyzza's ear, "It seems as Peter is a bit psychic today," and Alyzza comments, "Huh. It's obvious. He's always psychic."
"Shhh! He's in the surroundings," warns Aaleiyah, and then whispers again, "He's in a very bad mood today. He must have argued with his ex-wife."
"Really? Has he had a wife?" jokes Ainsley, laughing softly but loud at the same time. Her stepsister is rolling her eyes and crossing her arms, visibly annoyed. Alyzza and Aaleiyah are laughing instead. But the Penland girl shrugs and goes on, "I thought he was built in a lab!"
This time everybody laughs, except for Peter. He just groans and returns to his job. Maybe he didn't even pay attention to what those girls said about him. 'Never mind. Let's go back to work.'
More people are about to come in, and Aaleiyah must go to say hello to at least some of them. Alyzza and Alanis follow her, whereas Ainsley stays behind to dance and chat with some of the guys inside, all while asking for a drink.
Meanwhile, Aaleiyah is waiting for an important phone call. "Who are you waiting for?" asks Alyzza out of the blue.
"That Tracy Adair?" exclaims Alanis. She is a great fan of that singer. She has been raised in this town and has started her career when she was still at middle school, but after graduating, she, instead of going to college, chose to go to Los Angeles to follow her dream. Now she is about to release her first album.
Back to the conversation, Alanis is still fangirling, when she is rudely interrupted by her stepsister. "Come. There is a guy I want to introduce you."
"But..." Alanis tries to protest, but there is nothing much she can do, because Ainsley is forcing her to the dance floor, without her consent. Alanis is anything but into guys. She finds them to be all gross and sometimes a little arrogant. Moreover, she doesn't like Ainsley's attachment to guys at all.
At the same time, Aaleiyah and Alyzza are both checking the phone. The former is still waiting for a call, a text message or an email from Tracy. The latter is doing something no-one else ever suspects...
