Page 23 of Mayhem

"Put this on. You will look so hot in it.” Evie demands, pointing at the dress in my hands.

I hold it out, and my eyes widen. The dress isn’t something I would ever wear. Evie gives me a look that screamsyou are wearing that tonight.I roll my eyes and walk out of her closet into her bathroom.

I strip out of my clothes, leaving on just my white lacy bra and matching thong. I don’t even think I can wear my bra with this dress. The spaghetti straps are so thin you would see my bra underneath. I sigh and take it off before slipping on the dress.

It’s… revealing and beautiful, but there isn’t much to it. I feel so out of my comfort zone wearing this. I have never been this daring with my wardrobe before. I look at the rose gold mini dress with a tulip hem that stops just below my ass and a v-neckline. I twirl around, making sure nothing is showing. I pull the hem down as low as I can. Every time I do, the top goes down further, revealing more and more cleavage.

“Serena!” Evie knocks. She opens the door before I can answer and stops dead in her tracks. Her jaw drops, and she stares at me. I knew it. I look ugly. I don’t have the body for this dress. I start to panic and try to cover my body. I can hear the things Evan used to say to me in my head, playing on a loop.

You look like you could lose ten pounds.

You don’t have to body to pull off clothes like that.

Don’t show off too much skin. It makes you look like a whore.

Wearing clothes like that is just asking for it.

My breathing becomes choppy. I can’t seem to get enough oxygen into my lungs. I rush over to the toilet. The need to get this feeling out is overwhelming. I bend over and hang my head into the toilet. Evie rushes over to me and squats down beside me. She doesn’t say anything, just rubbing my back. I can feel the tears that are threatening to fall.

I slowly stand up when I feel I can breathe partially normal again. Evie stands beside me and gives me a sympathetic look. She knows how Evan used to speak to me and how he would make me feel. Evie also knows about my battle with anorexia and bulimia because of him. I give her a weak smile as she helps me stand up. Without asking her, she excuses herself from the bathroom, giving me a minute.

I pull my hair out of the bun and fluff it to try and make it look nice before touching up my makeup. When I am satisfied with how I look, I turn around and link arms with Evie. She looks at me out of the corner of her eye. I can see the trepidation in her gaze, but I ignore it. We walk back into her room. Naomi and Grace are sitting on Evie’s bed sitting beside each other.

Grace is wearing a forest green, asymmetrical maxi dress. Her hair was in a sleek bob and a pair of gold heels. Naomi is in a navy halter dress with an open back. They are in the middle of a conversation when we walk in. They are leaning in close, looking at each other with such longing.

“Are we ready to go?” Evie asked.

Both girls jump up from the bed and step away from each other. Both wore guilty and cautious looks. I look at Evie, and she shrugs her shoulders, not knowing what is happening between them.

We all climb into Evie’s car. She and I are in the front, while Naomi and Grace are in the back. We drive out of town and into the middle of nowhere. Evie told me the party was at an old warehouse that the Kings own. They turned it into a place to party and do whatever else they wanted with it. Cops know about this place and what happens during these parties but never step in unless someone gets hurt.

The tension in the back seat is thick. Noami and Grace keep looking at each other and turning away quickly. I can tell they like each other but don’t know what to do with those feelings. Evie and I are going to have to help guide them together. I look over to Evie. She looks like she is thinking the same thing I am. I smile at my friends, who are awkward and cute with each other. I wonder how long they have liked each other.

The drive isn't long. We pull into the field surrounding the warehouse. Cars are parked everywhere, and people are lining up to get inside.

We get out of the car after parking and walk over to the line. A big, burly man stands at the door, letting most people in but turning the odd person away. After the last group of girls goes in, the bouncer yells that no more people are allowed in. Everyone groans, but no one leaves.

Most of the people standing in line, I don’t recognize from school. Some look older like they are in college at least. I hear someone call out my name, catching my attention. I turn around to see a familiar guy. He smiles salaciously at me. He leans over and says something to the bouncer before strolling over to me and the girls.

Odin. He looks so sexy in his distressed dark jeans, white wife beater, and leather jacket. His blonde hair is down in waves with a few braids.

“Evening ladies.” He coos to my friends. He looks me up and down, taking in the dress. He groans and bites his bottom lip. “Serena, you look good enough to eat.” His eyes light up at the thought. I can feel my cheeks getting rosy from his compliment.

“You’re looking not so bad yourself,” I reply, trying to sound snarky but coming off more panting.

“Come on, ladies. You guys don’t need to wait in line.” He ushers us to the door and bypasses the scary bouncer.

At a closer look, the bouncer looks like he is a part of the motorcycle club. He is big, scary, and full of scars. His head is bald, and his eyes are soulless. I can only imagine the shit he has seen. He is wearing a leather cut with a patch on the front that says, Kings.Yup, definitely a part of the MC.

Inside is crazy, with strobe lights flashing and people dancing to the loud music blasting. It's chaos in here. Odin places his hand on my lower back and leads me to a bar. I look over my shoulder to the girls, and they point to the dance floor. I nod my head and walk with Odin. He raises his hand to the bartender, signaling he wants two drinks. The guy nods and turns to grab whatever. The bartender is wearing a leather cut, but the back says prospect.

He walks over, holding two beer bottles, and hands them to Odin before his eyes shift to me. He looks me up and down, licking his lips and not so subtly rearranging his junk.Gross.His gaze makes my skin crawl, and dread fills my stomach. I don’t want to be rude, soI politely smile at him, and he takes that as an invitation.

“Hey, sexy lady. I haven’t seen you around here before. I’m Diesel.” He shows me his yellowed smile and winks at me. “What’s your name?” He leans over the bar, getting closer to me. His eyes focused on my cleavage.

“Taken.” Odin barks. Diesel jumps back, averting his eyes, but not for long. He looks at Odin, then back to me, before he turns and serves someone on the other side of the bar.

“Thanks.” I mouth to Odin. He smiles and hands me a beer.

---