Page 97 of Hate To Love You

Ellie is the opposite of us both. She’s shy and reserved. She’s quiet and doesn’t draw attention to herself. The only time she’s ever done something remotely out of her comfort zone was when she kissed that guy to piss off her brother.

She has no reason to be shy or self-conscious. She’s gorgeous, and she’s sweet. She’s a catch, and I wish she could see it like everyone else can.

Lainey takes a look around my room and grimaces.

“It’s a mess in here! You were supposed to be packing, not throwing all of your shit on the ground,” she lectures. Mom mode activated.

“Sorry, mom,” I tease, rolling my eyes.

“What are you wearing tonight?” she asks, walking into my closet and pushing things around as she examines my clothes.

Finally, she pulls out a small blue dress with the tags still on that I’d completely forgotten about. I bought it last semester for the Fire and Ice dance, but I never went.

“This is perfect. This is what you’re wearing,” she directs, handing me the dress. “Get dressed. I’ll do your hair and makeup.”

With that, she walks out of my room, leaving me to change. I shake my head and chuckle to myself as I put the dress on.

Lainey did my makeup and curled my hair. When I look in my mirror, I don’t even recognize myself. The light blue dress hugs my curves perfectly. The plunging neckline shows off my cleavage, and the hem of the skirt lands just under my ass cheeks.

I honestly might as well not be wearing anything at all. I don’t know what I was thinking when I bought it. This is way out of my comfort zone.

But admittedly, I do look hot. The dark eyeliner and mascara make my blue eyes pop, my cheeks are a dark pink color, and my lips are a nice shade of red.

Walking out into the living room where Ellie and Lainey sit on the couch, and Damian sits in the corner in his normal chair, my face heats with embarrassment as they all turn to look at me.

“Wow, Gwenny. You look… wow,” Damian says, his mouth practically hanging open. I look down my body and then back up.

“You think?” I ask shyly. I do think I look good, but it’s always good to hear it from other people. Especially the people closest to you that you know won’t lie just to make you feel good.

“I knew that dress was a good idea,” Lainey squeals, patting herself on the back for her wardrobe choice.

Laughing, I agree with her. “Yeah, it was a good choice.”

“Ryker is definitely going to be drooling tonight,” Ellie teases with a wink. I roll my eyes.

“Oh, shut up,” I tell her with a small smile because honestly, I like the thought of Ryker drooling over me.

Damian jumps up from his seat, clapping his hands together and heading for the front door.

“Alright, let’s go party people!” he exclaims, opening the door and heading out with the three of us following right behind, and for the first time, I feel excited to be going to a party.

Chapter 45

Guinevere

The Elite mansion is full of rowdy, drunk kids and the vibes are unhinged. Everyone is excited to be leaving for winter break, and it shows. I’ve never seen the mansion this packed. It’s like a can of sardines.

I’ve been looking for Ryker since I walked in, but I can’t even see in front of me because of the bodies at all sides of me. I hold Lainey’s hand as Ellie holds Lainey in a human chain as we weave through the people. Damian follows closely behind me. When I look back, he is scanning the room as if he’s looking for someone, but I don’t know who he’d be looking for.

When we finally make it to the kitchen, Ellie grabs us all some drinks. She hands Lainey and I seltzers and then gives Damian a beer. We clink our drinks together in the air.

“Cheers!” we say in unison.

Half an hour later, I still haven’t been able to find Ryker, and I’m beginning to have a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach. Where is he?

I’m starting to feel a buzz, and I’ve only had two seltzers. Lainey is ahead of Ellie and I by at least three drinks, so she’s having a blast as she dances with one of the Elite freshmen. I think his name is Teddy. He’s sweet, and it doesn’t seem like he’s been totally corrupted by the Elite yet.

Teddy is handsome. He has dirty blonde, shaggy hair and warm brown eyes that made you feel safe and comfortable. I’m not worried about Lainey dancing with him, although I have feeling someone won’t be happy about it if he sees her.

---