Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
JAIN
“ Y ou can’t even tell. You look beautiful,” Sarah murmured as we walked in, her hand gripping Kate’s tightly.
“Everyone is staring at me like I’m the high school dropout,” Kate began, her voice cracking as I stopped, turning her around to face me.
Her eyes were beautifully made up with subtle glitter, just visible through the navy and gold mask.
“Kate, who gives a shit? You’re doing this for you . You will take your exams because you will work hard for yourself and your baby. You’ve got us, your family...but most of all tonight, no one can see who you are through your mask. So, relax.”
Kate sighed, her hands protectively covering her stomach.
“Well, I better get a juice, rock and roll. This will probably be the first party I’ve ever been sober at,” Kate mused as I chuckled.
She looked beautiful, and I was sad that she didn’t feel it. Her dress was incredibly flattering to her ever-growing bump, layers of silk gathering at her waist disguising her pregnancy.
I opted for a stunning soft grey dress with a saucy thigh split, revealing my freshly tanned legs—God bless, fake tan. I loved the fact that the dress was high-necked and long-sleeved. My mask was a large cream and grey sequin job- with elaborate feathers that Sarah had cleverly wound into my hair, gathered in a soft bun at the nape of my neck. My eyes were ringed with heavy black glitter shadow, making them stand out despite the mask.
As I gazed around the room, I was amazed to see how many seniors had gone all out. I couldn’t tell who anyone was, and this made it all the more exciting. My breath hitched in my throat when I saw a man watching me as he sipped his drink. He was wearing a simple shirt and waistcoat combination, but it was the silvery black mask that caught my attention. It reminded me a little of the phantom of the opera, but the way the lips curled up beneath it told me that this guy was familiar to me.
“I’m going to pretend we didn’t argue earlier. Would you like to dance?” The voice beside me surprised me, and despite the mask, I knew it was Harley.
He held out his hand, and his eyes shone with such hope I couldn’t say no. I cautiously smiled as he swept me onto the dance floor, leaving Kate and Sarah smiling at each other stupidly.
Some things never change.
He drew me close to him, my hands around his neck as we slowly danced, his hands sitting respectfully at my waist.
“Is there really someone else?”
His whisper made me itch my neck as I shrugged apologetically.
“Yes, but it’s early days, so I’d rather not talk about it.”
Harley’s hold stiffened, and my eyes travelled around the dimly lit room. It would’ve been romantic if it weren’t for the fact I was dancing with Harley.
“Right. Is he here tonight?” Harley asked gruffly, his tone revealing the raw annoyance in his voice.
A female voice interrupted us, and I turned to see a girl glaring at me from behind the mask as she smiled at Harley. He raised his eyebrows in question as she held out her hand, offering him a dance wordlessly. He looked back at me, and I stepped backwards, reassuring him that I was okay.
I was more than okay; I was grateful.
I weaved my way through the dance floor, taking care not to step on toes or fall into anyone. I spotted Kate and Sarah, and I made a beeline for them.
“Ms Martin.” I heard a voice murmur from beside me, my heart soaring when I realised who it was.
“Mr Silver,” I breathed, my body trying to press against him instantly.
He wore a white shirt, complete with braces. His sleeves rolled up, revealing his glorious forearms, which made me almost delirious with lust when he folded them before me. His mask was pure silver, and I couldn’t help but shake my head.
Of course, it was silver.
“You look... breathtakingly beautiful,” Evan whispered as he maintained the distance between us.
My tongue flickered out and licked my painted lips quickly before his gaze hardened. He glared at someone behind me, and I couldn’t help but turn to see who it was.
“Who is that?” I mused, cocking my head to the side as Evan sighed with irritation.
“Don’t play games, my dear. I saw you staring at him earlier. ”
“As if. I don’t know who it is,” I scoffed, peering at the figure who was now gazing back at me.
“Evan! It is you hiding behind that silver mask, isn’t it? You look dashing—” Vada stopped mid-spiel when she saw me, her beady eyes narrowing as though she had just found pigeon shit in her chips. “Oh! Jain, I just need to borrow Mr Silver for a mo.” She smiled thinly before dragging a reluctant Evan along beside her.
He made a face at me before turning to follow Vada. I scanned the room for the mysterious figure, but he had gone.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d swear you were looking for me.”
My heart dropped at Arden’s voice, but he was still as gorgeous as ever. When he pulled me into his arms, it felt natural. I backed away with alarm, my eyes searching the room for Kate.
“Arden, how have you been? Come to terms with the fact you’re going to be a daddy?” I said as he let out a chuckle.
“You don’t get it, do you? You’re no fucking saint yourself.”
Something about his voice, the way I knew whatever he was alluding to held substance, made me feel slightly sick.
“Get what? That you fucked my best friend?”
“Jain!” Sarah interrupted breathlessly, sending daggers with her eyes to Arden, who simply looked away. “Kate isn’t feeling well, so she’s going home. I’m going with her. Did you want to come too?”
Arden gazed back at me, and I knew I had to find out what he was on about.
“Not if you don’t need me.”
“Harley’s coming. He is worried about her,” Sarah murmured, gazing back at the doorway anxiously .
“I’m good. Are you sure she is okay?” I checked, not wanting to stay if Kate was ill.
“She is fine, just more sickness. I’ll text you—how are you getting home?” Sarah demanded, frowning as she sent Arden another dirty look.
“Not with him , but I’ll be fine,” I muttered, smiling at Sarah, who was walking away.
“Call me if you need a ride. I’ll order you a cab.”
“Arden. No bullshit. What do I need to know?” I hissed as he slipped his arms back around my waist. I gritted my teeth as he smirked at me, dipping his head towards my neck as I froze. If Evan saw—
“Mr Charter, none of this, please; this isn’t your bedroom.” A voice snapped, and I groaned inwardly.
Evan was already there, his eyes burning into Arden’s as Arden laughed.
“I know that, Sir, because if it were, she wouldn’t be still wearing that dress,” he said with a smirk, goading Evan.
I realised what Arden was doing.
“Mr Silver,” I began when Arden pulled me closer to him.
I shoved him away, but not before Arden addressed Evan.
“Aren’t you supposed to be babysitting us kids?”
I panicked, especially when I saw the other teachers begin to pay attention. I couldn’t do anything that would incriminate Evan, so I helplessly stood as Arden muttered his final attack.
“Or is it that you just prefer fucking them ?”
Arden raised his eyebrows before glancing at me to gauge my reaction. My features were frozen, my heart pounding in my throat.
I then saw Evan smile, leaning forward to a surprised Arden as Evan spoke in his ear.
“Nah, it’s just her. Not them . Work on your plural versus singular, Mr Charter.”
Arden frowned, his eyes turning to me triumphantly.
“You left me for a fucking teacher?” Arden hissed before I sprang back to life.
“No. I left you because you’re a cheating scumbag.”
Arden rolled his eyes before looking back from me to Evan, his smile widening.
“Whatever you say, babe.”