you're next | dolan twins

t h i r t e e n

I slip the long red dress over my short torso, causing it to fall down to my feet. I haven't worn it in almost a year, but it is my only option. I didn't have time to spend hours at the mall looking for the perfect homecoming dress.

Last year it was all I cared about, but the more tragedies I face, the more I realize I was so focused on materialistic things. My life consisted of keeping up with my "popular" status. Now, all I care about is being grateful for another day on this Earth. This is the first time that I apply heavy dark makeup around my eyes.

Makeup used to be what I lived for, but now I always leave the house with barely any on. I finish off the look with putting Red Revenge around my lips, causing me to stop and think about Amanda. She should be coming tonight. I try to push my best friend to the side as I stare at the broken girl in the mirror.

My brown hair is neatly curled and my heels make me a few inches taller. I'm pretty short, standing at the average height of five foot two. I grab a shawl to throw over my shoulders before heading out of my room. It's almost October, so the air gets cooler by the day.

My phone lights up with a message, probably Ethan telling me he's here. I furrow my eyebrow in surprise when I see it's from Amanda. My thumb clicks the message to read the text.

amanda:
there's no place like homecoming. see you there..

I gulp so hard I feel like I'm about to choke on my salvia. Chills take over my pale skin as my hands shake at the thought that this psycho goes to Marshall High.

"Rachel! Ethan's here." My mother yells from the hallway.

I throw my phone in my clutch and walk out into the living room. Ethan is dressed in a suit and his hair is pushed all the way up.

He gives me a small smile as his eyes roam my body. "Wow, you look amazing."

"Thank you." I quickly stammer as my stomach turns.

"You always look beautiful in red. It's your color." My mother compliments as she smiles at me.

Robert nods in agreement as he looks back at Ethan. "Have her home by eleven, and no funny business." He points to him. I roll my eyes at his attempt to be a father figure. Sure, he's been in my life for three years now, but I would never consider him a father.

"Of course." Ethan nods as he looks back at me. "Ready?"

I nod my head and walk toward the front door. After my mother and step dad yell more goodbyes, I head over to Ethan's BMW.

"Your mother's right, red is definitely your color." Ethan eyes me again as I slide into the passenger seat.

"Thanks." I force a smile as I put my seatbelt on.

"Are you seriously still mad at me?" He mumbles as he turns on the engine. "I said I was sorry."

"It's still the thought of it. You knew going to another party made me uneasy, yet I show up to it and you're drunk off your ass." I shake my head back and forth.

"Rachel, I'm sorry. It was a dumb thing for me to do." He pulls out of my driveway and begins to drive toward the school.

"Whatever." I mumble as I look out the window.

"I'm trying to make up for it by having a nice homecoming."

I don't respond, I simply nod my head and let the low sound of the radio drown out my thoughts. Moments later, he pulls into the parking lot and opens up the door for me. I get out of the car and look up at the school.