Chapter 36

Audrey

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, trying to decide if the red crop top I was wearing was too much or not quite enough. Behind me, Avis and Tina were already halfway through their second round of tequila shots, giggling as they chatted animatedly about. the upcoming party.

"Does this lipstick shade go with my eyeshadow?" Avis asked, turning this way and that in the vanity mirror.

Tina pursed her lips. "I'd go with the other shade, but that's just me..."

"No, no, you're right," Avis said, grabbing the other lipstick. "The purple is much better."

As Avis touched up her makeup, Tina turned to me. "Are you almost ready? You've been staring at that shirt for five minutes straight now."

"I guess..." I tugged self-consciously at the tight fabric stretching across my midriff. "You really don't think this is too revealing?"

Avis snorted, meeting my gaze in the mirror. "You do realize we're going to a party, right? Not church?"

Flashing her a withering look, I moved away from the mirror and nodded, turning my attention to my hair. "I just... don't want any unnecessary attention," I muttered, shivering.

Tina and Avis exchanged apologetic looks. "Because of the video that was circulating last night?"

I froze, my stomach twisting into knots. The memory of that massive tarantula falling on me was still so visceral, it made me want to vomit. "That's part of it," I grumbled.

"Yeah, well, it got taken down anyway," Avis huffed, just as angry as I was. "A bunch of people reported it as harassment."

Tina nodded, giving my arm a squeeze. "Linda's friends' Tik Tok accounts got taken down, too."

I let out a shaky breath, trying to push the whole mortifying incident from my mind. At least that was a reassurance; Linda and her friends thought that their sick 'prank' would

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Chapter 36

laughing stock, but it just infuriated

lowering her voice, "what happened with you and

her chair. "You said you had to go and grade papers, and you

your phone

coat of lip gloss. "We just... graded papers. That's all." Tina and Avis exchanged disbelieving looks. "Is that really all?"

ordered us a pizza.

You two clearly have a lot of

be hot,

that, finally having to laugh at their shamelessness. "Goddess, you two are out

much more had happened, and yet so little at

desk-the sound of his voice when he caught on to my prodding, the tiniest smirk

had gone too far, of course. Even now, I regretted accepting that whiskey

off, shaking my head at my friends as I pulled my hair up into a messy bun. "Seriously, guys. He's

don't know about that," Avis murmured, biting her lower lip and squirming in her chair. "Some men just get

I exchanged incredulous looks at the rare display

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14

of town, I could feel the heavy bass thumping against my chest. Colored lights flashed through the house, bodies writhing and silhouettes stumbling in and out. We hadn't even made it inside yet. and already the energy was

whole school is here,"

Tina grinned and looped one arm through mine and

house toward the backyard, I could already see that dozens of people were milling around

the air was thick with the sharp t**g of beer and weed, laughter and

gonna need another shot before we get into that madness," Avis laughed, gesturing toward a table where a group of rowdy

my stomach watching them, but I

sure-but I had never so much as seen anyone smoke weed

because Tina leaned in close so I could hear

brave smile and shook my head, allowing her to lead me over toward the bonfire. Despite the

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