The Art Of Seduction ✓

|29| Mask

Quick and early update loves. 

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  "Masked, I advance." 

-Rene Descartes  

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"FIFTH DECEMBER HUH?"

"Yeah, here's an invite."

Her fingers held the blue envelop, running her fingers round the edges of the envelope. "Fancy," She said approving as she opened the blue envelope, to see a card that my dad's company designed for me. It was simple, but stunning, a high-fashioned sketch of me, looking very much like a model with the words in elegant cursive.

You're invited.

To Ambers 17 th Birthday Bash this 5th of December.

Her manicured nude nails flipped the card to the back, where the details were written in the same cursive. 

"Not a club?" Rekha said, amused.

"I need to shag Kaden," I said calmly, ignoring the weight in my chest as the worlds left my lips. "I need him both drunk enough and a private place to shag."

Rekha winked at me, "Still pretty pricey to rent out a pent house."

"You know money was never an issue for me." I said, "Do you want to go dress shopping today after school." Following Rekha as she walked to her class, which was a little bit out of my way but I wanted to stay out of my house, put some space between Kaden and I because I couldn't afford to have the mask I had crumble.

Kaden was the sort to crumble the mask I built. 

"I'm so sorry Amber, but I don't think I can. Kaden, Joey, Cassian and I are going to visit Daisy today."

"Oh," I said. 

"Do you want to tag along?"

Kaden was there. 

"I need to start working on the party," I said hoisting my bag as we reached the classroom. "I'll see you later."

"You sure?" Rekha asked. 

"Positive." 

"I'll see you then," She said. 

"See you," I echoed, walking away.

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I WASN'T GUILTY. Which meant, I shouldn't have froze when I spotted Satriyo and Tassia sitting together. I glanced around, wondering where Tallah was. She didn't seem to be around the cafeteria today. Saying bye to Rekha, I made my way to the table I usually sat.

The dark skinned girl's nose was hidden in the crook of Satriyo's neck. Everything about the way her fingers were possively on his arm, face sucking the skin on his neck and the way her body was draped over his screamed possessive. Tassia wasn't stupid, she knew she was being watched by the whole cafeteria. Frankly, I couldn't wait for a teacher to break them up.  

I bit my cheek, resisting the urge to ask where Tallah was.

Grace bundled up like the sun shining, lips set easily into a wide grin. "Hey Tassia, Satriyo, Amber!" She said, sitting beside me, across Satriyo. Her blue eyes flickered to me, "When's cheer going to start again?"

"The coach is trying to find a place for us to practice."

Grace nodded, "Great, I can't wait to practice." 

I glanced at her tray which was easily very empty save a slice of apple pie and a bowl of fresh green salad, no sauce. "So how are things with you and Kaden?" I asked, ignoring the couple.

She shrugged, "Nonexistent." Then a grin settled on her lips like one of a cat. I knew what she was thinking of but I didn't want to hear her word it out. 

"So who are you going to go out with to the Winter's ball?"

The silly smile was still on her lips as she answered, "Some Lacrosse player, hopefully."

"Who?"

"Satriyo and Tassia." I jumped recognising a voice I loathed, all too well. The loud chatter of the cafeteria made it impossible for anyone to hear Mr Richard arrive. My eyes quickly went to him, trying hard not to glare because he was the sort who would punish me for looking at him wrongly. Satriyo and Tassia broke apart just as hastily, with Satriyo grinning lazily and Tassia with her eyes wide and innocent.

"I'm so sorry sir," She said, smiling. She batted her eyelids, a hopeless thing really as Mr Richard was possibly asexual. No female charm could help Tassia no matter how hard she tried.

The teacher glanced at her impassive, "I'll see you both at detention." His fingers held out two pink slips of paper to Satriyo who took both papers handing one of the brightly coloured slips to a frowning Tassia. He turned around the minute Satriyo took the paper, walking deeper into the cafeteria. Silence settled in as the two glanced at their papers.

"Detention isn't so bad," Grace said kindly. 

"You wouldn't know," Tassia bit back, rolling her eyes. "He didn't even put us at the same time. How is that fair?"

"It's okay babe." Satriyo's arm snaked across Tasia's waist, pulling her closer to him, as he leaned in to whisper in her ear. My eyes met Grace. 

Grace was pretty, with clear skin, a tiny nose with lush lips with always the perfect shade of lipstick on. She pulled a face, which Rekha would disapprove of, but it made her far more prettier than before. She looked more relaxed when she did that. I returned it with a smile. Grace wasn't like anyone here.

She was so friendly, so caring. I could see why Kaden liked her. "Do you want to hang out later?" I asked her. "I'm going dress shopping for my birthday."

"I need to get a dress too, but what do you wear at a glow in the dark party?"

"Something that will get you noticed," Tassia said, moving away from Satriyo, amused. She regarded the two of us like she was above us. I ignored my irritation at the girl. "Why the bizarre theme anyway?"

"It's fun," I said defensive. "It's better than a cliche Gatsby themed one."

Tassia rolled her eyes, her last summer's birthday was a Gatsby themed one which was far too overplayed. Grace watched our exchange amused. "Did Tallah say she was skipping lunch?" Grace asked after a beat.

"She didn't say anything," Tassia said, frowning. She glanced at her watch, "Odd, she didn't even show up for lunch."

"There's still a bit of time, maybe she's held up," I said glancing at the clock across the room. Wondering if like Mr Richard she had come in but seeing Satriyo with Tassia so casually wrapped up with each other had sent her away.

Tallah felt guilty.

It was so easy to see in the way she left Tassia, spending time with me. Or the way she didn't look at her twin in the eye when she had done something she shouldn't have, or how her fingers tightened when she saw Satriyo with Tassia. 

If it were anyone else, I was sure Tallah would let Tassia know Satriyo was a scum. But this lay deeper because she was equally to blame. It took two to tango. 

Tassia glanced at me, then she turned back to Satriyo and they were talking amongst themselves again.

Grace glanced at me, eyes sharp as glass enough to make me feel a little unhinged. Then she turned to her phone, eyes body relaxed as she ate her meal. I turned to my meal but I had a distinct feeling I was being watched. I looked up, scanning the area around me till my eyes meet grass green eyes. His lips curled up.

I glanced down quickly.