She shuts the door before I can protest further, leaving me alone with the clothes. Sighing, I tug off my sweats and slip on the outfit, surprised when I actually like the way the two pieces pair together. I’ve been so indifferent to fashion lately—I’m not even sure what my personal style is anymore besides your basic t-shirt and jeans. I’d give anything for Quinn’s confidence and unique sense of self-expression, but sadly, I don’t possess either.
After lacing up my boots and running a brush through my hair, I meet Quinn out in the kitchen.
“You look incredible!” she says, and passes me a pair of silver earrings and a chunky, layered choker necklace. “Mr. No-Name’s gonna be saying ‘happy birthday to me,’ if you know what I mean.”
I snort, slipping on the hoops. “I’m sure he’ll have much better things to concern himself with.”
“Don’t sell yourself short. You’ve clearly got some level of importance if his roommates felt the need to invite you.”
I shrug. While I understand her logic is technically sound, it’s hard for me to wrap my head around it. It’s hard for me not to doubt it when I’ve been second-guessing everything all day long. “I guess.”
Quinn helps me secure the necklace and then nods at the door. “Ready to go?”
Reaching for my jacket, I sigh. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”
Quinn makes a face at my parka. “You can’t wear a jacket, Ivy. That defeats the whole outfit. Plus, then you’ll be stuck carrying it around, or else have to toss it on some beer-drenched, piss-soaked, basement floor, and good luck finding it again if that happens.”
“This isn’t a frat party,” I remind her. “There shouldn’t be any,” I wrinkle my nose, “piss-soaked floors.”
But even so, I understand her point, and I set my jacket back on the counter. I’d like the second layer of protection between me and the outside world, but I’d hate to lose the jacket if it’s warm inside. Satisfied with my decision, Quinn leads us out of the apartment.
Wes’s house isn’t far from campus, but I offer to drive since I’m not drinking. We park on a side road, two blocks down from the house, and step out into the chilly, night air.
Huddling together, we hurry down the first block, reading house numbers as we pass them by. It’s pointless, though. Once we cross the street, there’s no mistaking which house the party is at.
We come to a halt on the freezing sidewalk, shocked by the crowd gathered on the front lawn.
“I thought it was supposed to be invite only,” I mutter, anxiety creeping up my spine.
“They’re turning people away,” Quinn says, pointing to a group of dejected girls walking away from the house. She snickers. “Suckers. We’ve got the hook-up.”
“Quinn,” I say, my voice wary.
“It will befine.I won’t let you out of my sight, okay? And if it’s lame, we’ll say hello to your man?—”
“—he’s notmyman?—”
“—grab some free drinks, and we’ll dip. We’ll go home and watchThe Two Towerslike the cool people we are. Deal?”
“That honestly sounds preferable right now,” I mutter.
She pats my arm. “I’m sure it does. But we’re already here, and you look amazing. Give it a shot, at least, otherwise all that stress was for nothing.”
I heave a sigh, and we continue forward even though my feet have gone numb. My hands too. But Quinn guides us to the back of the line, and we begin to inch closer to the door.
I’m so focused on the people in front of me that I don’t notice Alexis Cane until she’s practically on top of us. Flanked by her friends, she’s walking away from the door with the same annoyed expression as all the other people being turned away.
Alexis freezes on the stairs when she sees me, causing Madison to barrel into her from behind. Her lip curls, and she gives me a blatant once-over. “You’ve gotto be kidding me.”
My stomach knots at the disgust in her voice. I don’t say a word, but I can feel Quinn’s confusion beside me.
Alexis laughs. “You can’t actually think you’re getting into this party, can you? It’s invite only.”
I shrug, trying to appear nonchalant even though I’m completely on edge. I say nothing in response, not wanting to risk my stutter making an appearance in front of all these people.
Alexis rolls her eyes, shaking her head like I’m a moron, and continues down the steps with her lackeys following behind. She mutters, “Fucking delusional as ever,” before she reaches the grass.
“Who the hell is that?” Quinn whispers, but I don’t get the chance to explain because we’ve just made it to the door.
