Chapter 12: New Year

Time passed quickly, new year is here. We have vacations for two weeks, I was sitting in the balcony reading a book when a text popped on my screen.

"Hey!!!"

"Lia?!"

"Answer!!"

"It's urgent!!"

Marina flooded my screen with messages.

"What?" I answered.

"Will you go with me?" Does she think I can read her mind through the screen.

"Where?"

"To the new years party we got invited, it's in a big mansion in the mountains."

"We got invited and I don't know?"

"Someone from our school invited us, it's a vip party, it'll be fun."

"Let me guess is that someone, Hazen or Alex?"

"That doesn't matter, think about how fun is it going to be."

"No. I'm not going."

"Please Lia, please??"

"No no. I am not going."

—-

And here I am waiting outside Marina's house wearing a simple black dress with my hair tied in a ponytail ready to go in the party.

"Lia!!" She yelled excitingly coming downstairs. "You're the best, thanks for coming."

"I had to, you emotionally blackmailed me."

"I'm sorry, but I had no choice, well don't worry i'm sure you'll enjoy it."

She didn't know what I went through to get my mom's permission.

"My mom said I had to be back at 10pm and she agreed just because you are going to be with me."

"10pm? but I thought we would be there till 1am at least, that's when the actual new year party starts."

"Yeah why not, let's stay till 3am if you want." I said sarcastically. "And plus i'm going because you told me, I am not interested in this new year party."

"Alright alright, fine." Marina said putting her hands up.

"Wait, why are you wearing casual clothes?" I look at her up and down.

"Oh don't worry they told me that they will dress us up."

"Why? do they think we don't have clothes?"

"No, they said everyone will dress up in a- well I don't remember where exactly but yeah and someone will come pick us up."

"Huh?! Who and why, wait, what if all of this is a plan and we are actually getting kidnapped."

"Relax- oh look here it is." Marina looked behind me a car drove towards us.

—————

We walk inside a luxurious building were they will get us ready.

"Hello, i'm Natalie i'll be doing your makeover." A tall and beautiful girl walked towards us.

"Hi, i'm Lia."

"I'm Marina."

We introduced. She led us towards another room which was filled with beautiful dresses.

"First, choose a dress that you'll be wearing and according to that we'll do your make up." Natalie showed us a few dresses but my eyes were fixed on that dark blue dress as soon as I walked in.

Marina rapidly walked towards a purple dress.

"I like this one." Marina pointed at the dress.

"Great, here you can choose the heels." Natalie showed her the heels that were displayed.

I look at that dress thinking if I should wear that one or not. "Did that one caught your eye?" Natalie noticed me staring at that dress. "Uh, yes it looks pretty." I fidget with my fingers.

After we chose the dress and matching heels she led us towards a makeover room. "Can you do a simple make up look on me?" I asked. I want to be able to wash it off easily once I go home. "Yes, of course." Natalie smiled, she did my make up as for Marina another lady was doing her make up.

A sudden thought popped in my mind, do we have to pay for this? I want to ask but I feel too shy. I still don't want to go, I already met two spoiled rich kids, what if all rich people are like them? I sighed internally, I can't stop stressing. Calm down it's just a party not your wedding, why are you getting nervous. I tried to calm myself. Marina looked like she was enjoying every moment of it.

———

"Is she ready?"

"No sir, almost done."

I heard behind the door. I know that voice. I couldn't hear it properly. The door opened a girl came in, looking slightly stressed and in a hurry. "He's here, hurry." Saying that to Natalie she left.

I lightly frowned in thought. Is someone waiting for Natalie?

"Your make up is done, you should wear the dress and get ready quickly, he must be waiting for a while."

Huh? who's he? and why is he waiting for me?

I walked in a changing room putting my thoughts aside. I somehow put the dress on and crouch down to put the heels on, I almost hit my head as I tripped slightly. I don't ever wear heels, it's gonna be hard to walk in this they already feel uncomfortable. I walk out and wait for Marina.

"She already left." A staff said as they saw me waiting outside the changing room were Marina went in.

"Oh, ok." I said smiling. I go outside the make up room thinking she will be sitting on the couch instead I found someone else, the owner of the voice that sounded familiar.

"What are you doing here?" I ask. It was obvious that he was also going to the party.

He smiled almost a smirk as he looked at me slowly from down to up, his legs crossed, leaned back, his arm was resting on the sofa back, his head slightly tilted. "Let's get going." Hazen got up.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Are you always this clueless?" He grabbed my hand and started walking.

"Wait! wait! I don't want to go with you and where's Marina?!" I ask freezing on the spot, even though he could still walk because I have the strength of a mosquito.

"She has already left for the party." He said walking again with my hand in his hand. I walk, my mind was processing all this.

"Wait!" I freeze again, he softly sighs and slowly looks back.

"Now what?"

"Did you invite Marin- I mean us in the party?"

"Yes. Done? let's g-"

"No, wait." Hazen walked towards me.

"I want you to meet someone and she's here especially to meet you, so let's not waste time." He practically dragged me out as we reached his car I froze thinking who wants to 'especially' meet me?

"You overthink a lot, don't you?" He said standing to the other side of the car.

"I was not, I was just thinking- wait you know how to drive?" I said surprisingly.

"Yeah? isn't that a rare talent?" He's too sarcastic. I just asked because- yeah it was a dumb question. I rolled my eyes at him and without thinking I sat in his car.

He started the car and I realised that I was in his car, sometimes I think i'm too stupid or maybe I have some brain damage.

"No!" I shout. He turned his head quickly to me. I looked at him and cleared my throat, I definitely look stupid to him right now.

"I don't want to go." I said getting scared of what might be there in the party. I reach my hand to open the door, it's locked, I slowly look back at him.

"Open this."

"No."

"Hazen, open the door."

"Don't wanna."

"I want to go home."

"Go."

"I can't if you don't open the door."

"Then open it."

"You've locked it."

"Did I?"

"Open it or-"

"Or?"

"Or i'll break it." I can't even if I try.

He scoffed crossing his arms over his chest and looked at me as If was going to give him a presentation.

"Do it."

I swallow, look around and then look back at him. "I can't."

"Great, so we'll be going."

"What do you mean? You can't force me." I say bravely even though inside I was scared as if I was sitting with a ghost.

"Maybe I can." He starts driving.

"Look if you don't stop I will.." I look around and find nothing. "I will…" I think, nothing's coming to my mind. "I will bite you." I splurt without thinking.

He chuckles lightly. "Go ahead."

Now I feel embarrassed. I am silent. I don't know what to say. It's alright Marina will be there and once i find her I will- I'll do something but I don't know what.

The whole ride was awkward and silent so I decided to talk. "Uh you said somebody is here to meet me, who is it?"

"You'll see."

No point of asking. I'll just shut my mouth.