Friday arrived faster than Chelsea expected.
All week, the thought of Marcus's party lingered in the back of her mind.
She had almost convinced herself not to go.
Almost.
But Adrian's voice kept replaying in her head.
"Don't come if you're scared."
Chelsea stared at her reflection in the mirror that evening and sighed.
"I am not scared," she muttered.
Her room was quiet except for the soft sound of music playing from her phone.
On the bed behind her were three outfits Mia had forced her to try earlier that afternoon.
Mia had been far too excited about the party.
"Chelsea," she had said dramatically, "this is a social event. You cannot show up looking like you're going to the library."
Chelsea rolled her eyes just remembering it.
But eventually Mia had helped her pick something simple.
A fitted black top.
Light denim jeans.
And a soft jacket.
Nothing too flashy.
Nothing that screamed for attention.
Chelsea grabbed her bag.
"Fine," she murmured to herself.
"I'll go."
Meanwhile, across town, Marcus's house was already full.
Music thumped through the walls.
Lights glowed in every room.
Students filled the living room, laughing, dancing, and talking loudly.
Marcus stood near the kitchen counter, greeting people as they arrived.
Leo was already dancing terribly in the middle of the room.
"Leo!" Marcus shouted over the music.
"You dance like a dying robot!"
Leo pointed at him.
"You're just jealous!"
Ethan leaned against the wall quietly, watching everything like usual.
And Adrian sat on the back patio.
Away from the chaos.
He held a drink loosely in his hand, staring out at the dark yard beyond the lights.
Marcus stepped outside.
"You hiding?"
Adrian shrugged.
"Observing."
Marcus smirked.
"You waiting for someone?"
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"Who?"
Marcus grinned.
"You know who."
Adrian took a sip of his drink.
"You talk too much."
Marcus laughed and headed back inside.
But Adrian's eyes drifted toward the gate anyway.
Just in time to see someone walking up the driveway.
Chelsea.
Chelsea stopped at the entrance, suddenly unsure.
The music was loud.
The house was packed.
Students filled the front yard.
Some were dancing.
Others were laughing loudly near the porch.
Chelsea hesitated.
Maybe this was a bad idea.
Then Leo spotted her.
"CHELSEA!"
Half the party turned.
Chelsea closed her eyes briefly.
Fantastic.
Leo ran over dramatically.
"You actually came!"
Marcus followed behind him, smiling.
"Glad you made it."
Chelsea crossed her arms slightly.
"You people are very loud."
Marcus laughed.
"Welcome to a party."
Leo gestured toward the house.
"Come on!"
Chelsea stepped inside cautiously.
The energy was overwhelming.
Music blasted through speakers.
Lights flashed.
Students were everywhere.
It was chaos.
Marcus leaned closer to her.
"Relax."
Chelsea looked skeptical.
"That seems unlikely."
Leo grinned.
"You'll survive."
Across the room…
Several girls immediately noticed Chelsea.
One of them whispered.
"Is that the nerd girl?"
Another nodded.
"The one Adrian's been hanging around with."
Chelsea felt the stares.
She ignored them.
But someone else noticed too.
Vanessa.
She had just arrived.
And the moment she stepped into the house…
She saw Chelsea.
Her eyes darkened instantly.
"So she came," Vanessa murmured.
One of her friends leaned closer.
"Do you want us to do something?"
Vanessa smiled slowly.
"Oh, we will."
Her gaze moved across the room.
Until it landed on Adrian standing near the patio door.
Watching Chelsea.
Vanessa's smile disappeared.
Meanwhile, Chelsea stood near the kitchen with Marcus and Leo.
Leo handed her a drink.
"Relax," he said.
"I don't drink," Chelsea replied.
Leo blinked.
"…Seriously?"
Chelsea nodded.
Marcus laughed.
"Man, she really is the responsible one."
Chelsea took a sip of juice instead.
"I prefer staying conscious."
Leo shrugged.
"Fair enough."
Suddenly the music shifted louder.
Students started cheering.
Leo ran toward the dance floor.
"Time to embarrass myself again!"
Marcus shook his head.
"That guy has no shame."
Chelsea laughed quietly.
Marcus noticed.
"You're having fun."
Chelsea hesitated.
"…Maybe a little."
Marcus smiled.
"Good."
Then he glanced toward the patio.
"Adrian's been watching you since you walked in."
Chelsea froze slightly.
"What?"
Marcus grinned.
"Don't tell him I said that."
Chelsea turned slowly.
Across the room, Adrian leaned against the wall.
His expression calm.
But his eyes were definitely on her.
Chelsea's heart skipped.
Adrian quickly looked away.
Like nothing happened.
Chelsea frowned.
Why does he do that…
Outside the house…
A black car slowly pulled up.
Ryan and Cole stepped out.
Vanessa waited near the porch.
Ryan walked over.
"You called?"
Vanessa nodded.
Her eyes flicked toward the house where Chelsea stood inside.
"Yes."
Ryan smirked.
"What's the plan?"
Vanessa's voice was cold.
"We ruin her night."
Inside the party…
Chelsea had no idea.
But trouble was already walking toward her.
And this time…
It wasn't just rumors.