Page 21 of I Despise You
Chapter 8
“WHY AREN’T YOU DRESSED?” Vanessa’s brow furrows when I open the door.
I look down at my pajamas and raise an eyebrow at her. “Why should I be dressed?”
It’s almost midnight, and even though it’s Saturday, I’m actually looking forward to going to sleep and getting some rest so I can study in the morning.
My best plan to defeat Chase so far is to do my best academically while trying to find something that I can use against him. And even though it seems like the time is running out, I know I have to be patient.
“Um, aren’t you going to the party?” she asks, disappointment in her voice.
She’s wearing a shiny gold cocktail dress and matching high heels, a small black purse in her hand.
“What party?” Our school has a strict policy against parties or us going out anywhere without permission.
I don’t think they’d let us throw a party so late at night. A school dance at some reasonable hour and under supervision, sure, but anything else, never.
“Wait, you don’t know?” She enters my room as hushed voices fill the dark hallway, and she closes the door.
“There’s a way to get off the campus. If we follow the hallways that aren’t used, we can get out. A really nice club is just down the street. Everyone’s going. It’s like a mass sneak-out.”
“A mass sneak-out, huh?” That just doesn’t sound good.
“Don’t worry. We’ve done it plenty times before. Never got caught.” Her lips spread into a small smile. “We just have to avoid the guards, and their schedule is so ridiculously predictable.”
“I’m not really up for a party.” I scratch the back of my head.
Going to a party and sneaking out sounds fun, but if anything goes wrong or if we’re caught, I may lose my chance to get the scholarship. I can’t afford to lose so much time at night and sleep all day either.
“Come on!” Vanessa clasps her hands. “Please. It’ll be fun. I promise. You can’t miss this!”
“I’m tired, and I have a lot of homework—”
“Pfft, there will be plenty of time left to sleep and do homework tomorrow. School isn’t just about studying. It’s supposed to be fun too.”
“Uh-huh. I’m just not a party girl, but you should definitely go and have fun.” I give her a smile.
“I’m not going anywhere until you get ready and come with me.” She places her hand on her hip, narrowing her eyes at me.
“So you’re just going to stand here forever?”
“If I have to.” She lifts her chin. “Seriously, Lil. You don’t want to miss this. If it wasn’t a good party, no one would be risking getting caught just to go to it.”
“Are you sure everyone’s going?” I eye her carefully.
If Chase is going, then it may not be a bad idea for me to go too. A photo of him taken at a forbidden party probably won’t be enough to do him any real harm, but maybe I get lucky, and he gets drunk and does something stupid.
Vanessa nods. “Yeah.”
“Even Chase?”
“Why are you asking about that asshole?”
I shrug. “I just don’t want him anywhere near me. That’s all.” It’s easier to lie than explain the truth.
“Oh.” The tension leaves Vanessa’s shoulders. “He’ll be there, but the club’s huge, so it won’t be hard to avoid him. And you have me to protect you. I’ll kick his ass if he even looks at you.” She grins. “So, are you coming with me?”
“Yeah, okay. You convinced me. Just give me a moment to get dressed.”
