Once Upon A Bet

/2/ Summer plans

Dedicated to AshDreamer1 for being the first comment and vote ever in Once Upon A Bet <3

"Nova Jensen?"

I looked up from the pamphled I was eyeing dully at the sound of my name and instantly wished I hadn't. Dalia Verlinni stood barely a few feet from me, among the rest of contestant in this joke of an auction.

Of course.

I want to kick myself for not having thought of her being here. This was exactly the kind of events she fits in perfectly. One of the major differences between us while growing up. She was a perfect lady naturally. I knew my mother secretly wished I was more like her... well, now, at least. There was a time I was like this, even if the mere thought of it ignites my vomit reflexes. 

By the way her warm brown eyes scanned me up and down I could tell she was both curious and shocked to see me here after so much time.

"So it's true then." she muttered almost to herself and shook her head, painting a bright million dollar smile and eying me disgustingly nicely and attracting attention of some of the other girls hiding behind the curtain for this humiliation to begin. "Oh my God. So you're really back. When I first heard it, I was sure it was just a rumor. It's so good to have you back-" and she stepped as if to hug me, but halted in her tracks when I matched it backwards. Giving her my best are-you-crazy-look.

"Yes, I'm back. Excuse me." and not sparing her another glance I sidestepped her and moved to the other end of the backstage, leaning against the wall next to a tall slim girl vaguely familiar.

Under any other circumstances, I would be highly ashamed for being this rude, but this was Dalia. She proved what kind of friend she was indeed when everything blew up two years ago. Our life-long-friendship didn't matter when her name was at risk of being tainted. When I was put in the center of the spot. When I was the butt of the joke.

My fingers tightened on the pamphlet I was pretending to read instead of noticing the weird glances from some of the girls back here. Dalia stood awkwardly for a second, her cheeks blushing in embarrassment and maybe even hurt by the scene she herself had created -as if hadn't expected this reaction from me! With one last bad concealed look, she finally joined a red haired girl she was talking before.

"You got some nerve." the brunette by my side whistled almost impressed and I frowned at her, defensively.

"What?"

But she only perked one brow at this, baffling me. "Chill, girl. I just had never seen anyone dismiss Miss Sunshine like that before. Don't that bought you a one way ticket to hell or something?"

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "Look around. I'm about to be auctioned to the best bidder. Aren't I already in hell?"

"True. But think about the excitement of all these people fighting to get you first." she touched her chest dramatically and dropped her head back with a groan. "So romantic."

My lips pursed. "More like bloody ridiculous."

I eyes the brunette girl, watching her carefully. She was really pretty, her dark skin and thick long hair made her exotic yet her features were conventionally pretty. She was taller than me, and slender like a model. I wouldn't be surprised is she was. But there was also something else, the scratching feeling in the back of my mind. I knew I'd seen her before, but I couldn't place her.

"And here I thought I was the only rational one." she joked and the corner of her lip twitched upwards. "I like you." She stated and then turned her body so she was facing me still leaning against the wall. "I'm Avery by the way. Avery Starlan."