Page 41 of Pretty Little Fears

Shakingmy head,Icome back to the present moment.Hisstalker tendencies have no place here tonight.I'mbeginning to like his attention too much, likehimtoo much.

Givingmyself a once-over,Irub my hands down the material.Iturn to see myself from behind.Asmall smile forms on my face asItake in my final appearance.Ifeel good, andI'mexcited to spend some time with my roommates.

Ileave my room and find the other girls ready in the kitchen, laughing and talking.Aspenis preparing a round of pregame shots, andVerena’sbloodshot eyes light up when she sees me.She’sstanding at the island where all of her smoking essentials are laid out in front of her.

Wehaven’t spent too much time together, but the fact that she’s excited to see me feels nice.Shesteps out from behind the island and walks over, giving me a small hug.

“HeyBlair!”Hereyes roam over my outfit. “Whoa, you look hot.”Shecompliments me.Smilingback at her,Isay thank you while walking toAspenwho hands me a shot of who knows what.Scanningthe room,Idon’t seeLorelei.Iwouldn’t mind if she didn’t join us, but part of me feels likeI’mjudging her without having ample time to get to know her.

“IsLoreleijoining us tonight?”Iask the girls and look back down the hallway, towardsLorelei’sroom.

Justthen, her door swings open and she steps out, making her way into the kitchen.Shelooks like an actual angel in a cream colored minidress and matching strappy heels.Thetop half of her coily hair is in a soft ponytail, while the bottom half of her curls cascade down her back.Shehas on dainty gold jewelry, similar to the piecesI’mwearing.Hersignature ruby red lipstick isn’t making an appearance tonight andIhave to say it was a good choice.

Instead, a dusty pink gloss lays on her lips and a light coat of mascara completes her look.Myfirst thought is how incredibly stunning she looks, but then she opens her mouth andIam brought back to the harsh reality ofLorelei.

“Missme?”Shesays with a smirk.

BeforeIget the chance to respond,Verenacuts in.

“Thereyou are, gosh you took fucking forever!Iwas so close to calling campus security on you.Would’vehad your very own ‘Missing’ poster, you little attention whore!”Sheshouts with a laugh.Loreleisticks out her tongue and walks over toAspen, who has finished pouring our shots.

SinceIhaven’t heard a single person speak about the disappearances,Itake this moment to see how the girls are feeling about it.

“Dothey freak you guys out?Thedisappearances?”Iask before my doubts get the better of me.Loreleiscoffs and shakes her head dismissing my question.Shetakes back her shot and grabs the bottle, pouring another.

“Ithought tonight was supposed to be fun, why are we talking about sad shit?”Shegroans.

Bitch.

Mymouth opens to respond but nothing comes out.Aspengives her a soft slap on the wrist and brings the remaining shots over toVerenaandI, at the island.

“It’sdefinitely weird,”Aspenreassures me. “Moreand more students are disappearing left and right.Justremember to always be prepared and carry protection!”Sheadds a wink to the end of her sentence and lets out a giggle.

Rubbingmy arm with one hand, she grabs her shot in another and raises it.Verena,Lorelei, andIfollow suit.

“Toshaking ass and getting smashed!”Aspenchants.

“Whoo!”Verenashouts.

“Girl’snight!”Isay in a singsong tone, attempting to lift my spirits.

“Aspen, please never say that again.”Loreleigroans and throws back her shots.

Verenaorders a car, we grab our bags, and head out into the night.

Wearrive atSinner’sChild, a well known club that the students ofBlackwoodfrequent.Gettingout of theUber, my jaw drops onceIget a good look at the club.I’mstaring at the sexiest buildingI’veever seen in my life.

Thecolor of the brick is extremely dark, as dark as the almost midnight sky.Adeep purple carpet is rolled out and black velvet ropes line the rug.Abroad man wearing a tuxedo and an earpiece, presumably security, stands in front of the door.

“IDsplease.”Hedemands as we approach him, his voice low and stern.

Myface reddens with embarrassment asIrememberI’mnot old enough to be let in.Istand there fumbling with my purse, hopingIcan sneak in behind the girls.

Verenanotices and whispers in my ear, “Youjust need your schoolIDas proof that you attendBlackwood.Breathe, little one.”Shechuckles and takes my hand in hers.Ihand myIDover to the guard, giving him a friendly smile.Hereturns my card with a nod and we step through the doors.

Immediately, my nostrils are hit with the smell of alcohol, sweat, and cologne.Thisplace smells like money and seduction.

Theclub is dark and mysterious, with the exception of the dimly lit bar and the colored strobe lights that reflect over the building.Theambiance of laughter and joy permeates the room.Ican feel the vibrations of the base deep in my bones.Thehigh volume of the music smears a smile on my face.Ilove it here already.

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