“They slipped away for some foreplay. They’ve been doing that for almost two years.”
I scowled at Poppy’s answer, but Amelia quickly changed the subject.
“Don’t worry about it, June. You should only think about William now. That was a clear declaration that he made outside my house,” she whispered, hoisting up my cleavage and showcasing my curves. “Let’s go.”
“No, wait,” I whined, looking at myself in the mirror.
I didn’t feel like myself. I’d insisted on leaving my hair loose, but Amelia had the last word on the clothes and makeup.
“Let’s make a deal. You can keep your tennis shoes on if you at least put on some mascara,” she declared, coming closer to me.
I let her put it on, but now I didn’t even recognize myself. I looked like one of those bimbos that my mom gave death stares to in the grocery store for extra reward points.
“You look so hot. What are you afraid of?” Amelia tried to console me.
“I don’t really feel—”
“You don’t feel comfortable dressed like a guy magnet,” Poppy said.
“You really know how to boost someone’s ego,” Amelia teased.
“I would’ve said ‘turn on’ instead of ‘attract’ but I controlled myself because of June’s sensitivity.”
“Thanks, Poppy, I appreciate it,” I quipped sarcastically.
“Did you memorize the drink rule, June?”
“I don’t think I’m gonna drink, but thanks for the tip, Amelia.”
“And don’t eat any candy if they offer it to you,” added Poppy.
“Candy? Are we in kindergarten?” I exclaimed, making them laugh. I didn’t understand why they were laughing, but I got a weirdly anxious feeling when they got serious.
“Seriously. Be careful.”
I thought about my mom again and the umpteenth lie I’d told her to be here.
I’m gonna study at Amelia’s, I have so much to catch up on . . .
After all, what could go wrong? I had my answer as soon as we got out of the bathroom.
The living room I’d seen ten minutes ago was unrecognizable. There were people everywhere, the music was pounding, and I could barely hear Poppy a few inches away from me. William’s house looked like it’d been invaded by an army of ants.
And here I thought it was gonna be a chill night.
“Everything okay, June?” I read Poppy’s lips.
“I had to tell a few white lies to come to the party. My mom thinks I’m studying at Amelia’s,” I whined, mildly afraid.
“And I imagine that she believed you. Also because who wouldn’t study dressed like that.”
That grating tone made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
Amelia stared furtively at James Hunter as she ran her fingers through her dark hair.
“Come on! June looks great,” Poppy shot back, while I felt so dejected that I couldn’t even reply.
“You look great, sweetheart,” James whispered, biting his lip. His intense cologne burned in my nostrils. I wondered how he had the balls to talk to me about clothes given that his outfit left a lot to be desired. He was wearing sweatpants and an unzipped blue hoodie.
