Page 30 of Unwritten Rules

“Welcome to the world of the wealthy, babe.” A strange look played on her face while she stared blankly at her plate. Whatever was on her mind, it seemed bothersome.

“I guess,” I said, trying to fake a chuckle.

Her head turned to look at the clock and she dropped her fork, standing up with urgency. “I just decided that we are going to that party. Come on, let’s get you dressed.”

“Uh, no. Did you not just hear about my phone call?”

She grabbed my arm and dragged me into my room, opening the closet to throw absolutely everything out of it in search of the outfit she wanted me to wear. One that would get me the most attention.

She held up a couple of things. “Oh yes. Put these on.”

A strapless taupe-colored tulle dress was shoved at me with white bowtie-backed heels. I held up the little dress and wondered what that would even cover on my body. I cringed. “Are you sure I should wear this...thing?”

“Duh,” she moved to leave my room to dress herself. “It’s the afterparty of course.”

I shimmied into the dress and stood in front of the mirror. Fidgeting too much, I adjusted the hem of the dress about fifty times. Wearing dresses like this was foreign to me–too flashy and form-fitting. It was like I was an imposter pretending to be some other person I wasn’t–a fish out of water.

If you’re going to flop, at least do it with some sparkle, I thought. Smoothing the fabric over my hips, I took one last glance in the mirror before heading out.

“Here goes nothing,” I said to myself.

?Chapter 9

Fallon

Ifound myself standingin the middle of a crowded party feeling out of my depth, my red plastic cup my sole companion for the moment. I tried to feign the confidence I’d seen Kelly wear on multiple occasions, but my smile felt fake.

Maybe having a social life wasn’t for me.

A hand grabbed my arm and tugged me out of the room.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

Kelly smiled at me. “To the bar, silly.”

There was a very familiar baby pink dress leaning against the counter, a half empty glass in her hand. Sloane looked impeccable while surrounded by her entourage and swooning freshman wannabes who hung onto her every word. What kind of power did one have to have for people to cling to you like an idol?

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