Arcade | s.m (✔️)

Fifteen

"Wait so tell me the last part again?"

"Ugh. Okay, so Kate is sort of almost dating Nathan. They share a few intimate moments with each other but before either of them can make a distinct move on each other, they're interrupted by one of us coincidentally. Now she needs advice on what to do." I repeat, and the call is silent for a moment before Cole speaks.

"Number one, you guys are the biggest cock blocks of the century. Number two, get her to meet him some place where none of you will be so there's no blocking. And three, why aren't you talking to all your other friends about this?" My brother questions.

The truth? Because this wasn't about Kate and Nathan, it was about Shawn and I. And as much as I loved Harper and Kate, I just didn't know if I could talk to them about my confusing relationship with the boy they've known their whole lives. So I was currently speaking to Cole about my problem, just not using our names.

"Because I can't talk about one of them in the group if they're not here. Girl code." I answer, like it was completely obvious.

"Oh, yes, of course. How could I forget? Anyways, are you going to that rich girl's place for her daddy's party?"

"Um, Victoria? Well, not actually sure if I can make up an excuse in time. Plus, Ellie has already offered to drive me and the rest of the group, so unless I can get this excuse perfected I think I might have to go." I tell him, and if we weren't on a call and he was in front of me, he would probably be rolling his eyes.

"What time is the fancy masquerade anyways?"

"In about two hours. It's a forty-five minute drive, so I should probably be getting ready in a bit." I say to him, before he quickly responds.

"You can't be late and miss the party on her third yacht! Here, call me tomorrow and tell me all the juicy gossip then. I've got to go anyways, since I got myself a-" Cole pauses, before continuing, "staff meeting to go to. See you later."

As I say goodbye and end the call, I realize something. Cole was a college student who worked part time at Kroger. What type of staff meeting would that be?

Liar. I think to myself, setting my phone in the charger and getting up from my bed. I made a mental reminder to question Cole the next time we spoke.

As I stand in the center of my room, I take a deep breath, waiting for any last minute excuses to come my way before I get ready.

Nothing.

I groan out loud before taking my hair out of the messy bun it was currently in, and walk over to my small closet, pulling out the dress that I secretly adored a lot.

After a well spent hour or so of doing my makeup, putting the dress on, doing my hair, and putting the shoes on that Kate so desperately felt the need for me to wear, I finish it off with silver earrings and a necklace. After I'm completely ready, I stand in front of the mirror and smile.

It felt good to dress up every once and a while. And even if I was going to have the worst night of my life with Victoria taunting me, at least I looked hot walking into it.

"Mary! Your friends are at the door!" I hear, and wonder why I didn't hear a knock before picking up my handbag and walking over to my mother.

"Oh my, girls, you all look so beautiful. Let me just take a picture before you go." My mom urges, and before I can object my friends are already inside the house, camera ready.

After what felt like a hundred pictures later I hug my mother goodbye as she tells me to be safe, and we get into the car, beginning our journey.

"You look so cute, Rose!" Ellie tells me, and I smile at her before responding.

"Thank you! You guys all look great too, seriously." I respond, meaning every word.

"Not as great as those shoes look on you! Didn't I tell you guys! I told you all. I'm such an expert in fashion." Kate states, and I laugh as Harper groans.

"You've watched like, a single episode of Project Runway. Don't flatter yourself."

We all laugh as the conversation continues, talking about numerous things as Ellie drives.

"Shawn's going to get down on his knees when he sees you, Rose, seriously. You look hot as hell." Harper says, pointing at me as her bracelet makes a sound, and Kate nods her head in agreement.

"Super hot. I'm almost scared you'll take every guy and leave me with no chance of flirting tonight."

"The highlight of the night is the flirting?" I question, and they all nod.

"We only went to the last one of these because we didn't want to hurt Vicky's feelings and not show up. But seriously,  if you don't have anybody to make it fun, this thing is the most boring event you'll ever go to. It's so formal, I'm glad we don't have to eat dinner with three sets of forks and crystal glasses of sparkling water." Harper says honestly, and I hold myself from sighing.

"Luckily, you're with the right people." Ellie states, and I smile. Hopefully their shameless flirting with middle aged men and guys from school would give me some entertainment for the night.

"Oh, we're here!" Ellie announces as the GPS tells her to turn right and arrive at her final destination.

I hold my jaw from dropping.

This was not a house. This was a mansion. The exact replica of what any people would think of when thinking "mansion" was right in front of me. I eyed the area as Ellie finds a place to park in the driveway that was big enough to be a parking lot.

"Alright, everyone ready?" Ellie asks, unbuckling her seatbelt as the rest of us follow her actions and get out of the car.

I already felt like I didn't belong here. What type of company did Victoria's dad own?

As we walk to the doors, I almost reach to open them before they are opened by men on the side in uniform, welcoming us inside as I wonder when in my life I would ever go to something like this again.

Taking a deep breath, I walk into the event that I had tried so hard to get away from, hoping for a normal, slightly boring, and non-significant night.

Obviously, my wish would not be granted.