Page 102 of The Darkest Note

“We were never together,” I grumble.

“Doesn’t matter. In their minds, you were with the god of Redwood Prep. And since he was close enough with you to let you play in their band yesterday, people are assuming you’re the one who rejectedhim.”

“Do people have nothing better to do than gossip?”

“Rich people? No.” She shakes her head.

I slide the invitation toward her. “You want it?”

“Only if you come with me.” She pouts. “I have a pair of vintage pilot pants that I got at a thrift store and I haven’t found a place to wear it yet.”

I look over her dark eyeliner and black lips. “You’d really go to a party? Voluntarily.”

“You think I can’t?”

“No, I mean…” I frown. “I don’t mean to offend.”

“You didn’t.” She laughs. “I go for free food and drinks. Duh.”

I laugh.

Serena grins at me. “Have you everbeento a rich people party?”

“Not really.” Breeze was always hopping from one rager to another, but I doubt our neighborhood parties are anything like a Redwood Prep bash.

“I’ve been to a few. I always take plastic containers and empty water bottles. If I organize well, I can have bomb lunches for an entire week.”

“Serena…”

“Hm?” She licks her fingers.

I want to ask her why she never has food for lunch, but I decide not to go there. We’re friends who hang out, but we haven’t gone that deep yet.

“Nothing.”

She grabs my hand. “You’ll come with me, right?”

“Just to get some food and go?”

“Absolutely. Did you think I’d actually spend time there?” She sticks out her tongue as if it’s a disgusting thought. “I’ve been with these snobs for four years. They only get more obnoxious when they’re drunk.”

I think about it. I have the night off anyway and I was planning to spend it with Breeze. But I know my best friend would kill me if I didn’t take an opportunity like this.

“Okay.”

“Yay!”

“Just in and out, right?” I clarify.

“Just in and out.”

* * *

I regret it the moment Serena slows her beat-up motorcycle in front of a mansion. Lights are on in every window. Music’s blasting. People are spilling out of the front lawn holding red cups.

They’re all dressed beautifully in retro hairstyles and dresses. The guys are in oversized tuxedo jackets. The girls are wearing boa feathers and long gloves.

“I’m starting to regret not putting more into my costume.” I look down at the silver dress that Dutch bought me. I’m wearing it because I have literally nothing better in my closet. I paired it with a fake ostrich feather coat that I borrowed from Viola’s closet. I’m also wearing a headband across my forehead.

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