Page 29 of Hate To Love You

I’m showered, my makeup is done, and the costume Lainey bought for me is on.

I stare at myself in the full-length mirror, already regretting letting Lainey and Ellie drag me to this Halloween party.

The much too small maid’s costume shows off way too much skin. My tits are hiked up, my mid-section is showing, and the skirt is so short, it barely covers my ass. The tall white socks meet my knees, leaving my thighs exposed.

Ellie curled my long brown hair and did my makeup since I can’t really do anything special with it myself.

I toss my hair behind my shoulder, taking one more look at the risqué costume before stepping out into the living room where Haley, Ellie, and Lainey sit. Lainey is dressed like a sexy pirate, and Ellie is a bunny which totally suits her. I’m not sure Holland will be happy when he sees her, but good thing he doesn’t have a say.

Their eyes go wide as their gazes look over my appearance. I suddenly feel extremely self-conscious. Shit, I really don’t want to go.

I run my hands over the soft material of my skirt, fidgeting slightly.

“Damn girl. You look hot as hell,” Haley says, a book in her hands, her pajamas looking much comfier than this costume.

“Really? I feel a bit… exposed,” I say, fighting the urge to tell them there is no way I am leaving the house like this.

Lainey jumps from her spot on the couch, her cute curly pigtails flying behind her. She grabs my hands and looks over my body again.

“That’s the point,” she says with a devious smile on her face. “Oh! I almost forgot. Stay here,” Lainey drops my hands and runs into the kitchen, her stiletto type heels not even affecting her.

A few seconds later, Lainey comes out with a cake, two candles on top, the number twenty-two lit with a flame. Her, Ellie, and Haley begin to sing happy birthday and my face lights up with emotion.

Lainey stops in front of me, my hands together in a praying position in front of my face.

She smiles brightly. “Happy birthday, Gwen. We love you,” she gleams. I stare at my friends, standing in front of me with huge smiles on their faces. I can’t believe they did this for me.

“Oh my God, you guys did not have to do this!”

Lainey shakes her head.

“Yes, we did. We’re your best friends, and you deserve a cake on your birthday.” My eyes well up with tears.

I never make a big deal about my birthday. It’s not a significant day of the year for me, it’s just another day. One where mom calls me and cries over how old I’m getting and sends me some gifts, and my father doesn’t even remember. My birthday also falls on October thirty first, so it’s often looked over anyway.

I can’t even recall the last time he called to wish me a happy birthday. Probably the last year he decided he wanted be part of this family.

I usually don’t tell anyone it’s my birthday, but since I live with these three, they all knew when it was. And I’m kind of grateful they did, because this is seriously one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me.

Ellie runs over to give me a giant hug, and then Haley does the same.

“Thank you guys so much. Seriously, this is amazing. I love you all,” I beam.

“Blow out your candles!” Ellie jumps up and down, clapping her hands like a little kid.

With a chuckle, I blow out the candles, and the girls all clap.

“Okay, okay. Will you guys please tell me where this party is now?” They’ve been really secretive about the location of this party, and I don’t know why. I hope it’s not downtown; I hate going out there.

Lainey shrugs. “It’s not far.”

Ellie and Lainey exchange a suspicious look, while Haley slowly backs away to sit on the couch. Okay, now I’m a bit worried. Where could it be that they don’t want-

Oh, no. No, no, no, no.

“Please don’t tell me it’s at the Elite house,” I say warily.

Lainey sets the cake down on the coffee table and shrugs.

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