I rise from the velvet bench we shared, going to grab my duffel bag before I head for the bathroom, but her voice stops me in my tracks.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to change in the bathroom.” I wave my bag. “I want my costume to be a surprise.”
“Oh, good idea.” She claps her hands as she jumps to her feet. “I can’t wait to see it.”
“It’s kind of sexy,” I add, frowning. “Probably too sexy.”
“Ooh, I seriously am dying to see it now,” Sylvie says, wagging her eyebrows at me. “Trying to drive my brother crazy?”
“Not even,” I say with a scoff, though that had been my original intent.
I ordered the costume online, before Whit and I ended things. I imagined he’d take one look at me and be unable to resist.
Now he’ll probably be all over some other girl tonight, giving her his undivided attention while I’m standing there looking pitiful with too much skin exposed.
Ugh.
Sylvie offers me a knowing smile and I ignore it, slipping into the bathroom and shutting the door with a quiet click. I remove all of my clothes hurriedly, even my bra and panties. The costume doesn’t allow for any undergarments. I take my time with the fishnet stockings so I don’t snag them, and hurriedly put on everything else, staring at myself in the mirror when I’m finished.
So much skin is exposed. Too much, really. This costume isn’t appropriate for a high school party, I’m sure. But there will be no chaperones or staff on hand to cast their disapproving looks. Whit and Sylvie are Lancasters. They can do whatever they want on campus, whenever they want to.
Taking a deep breath for courage, I walk out of her bathroom and do a little twirl. “Ta da. What do you think?”
I finish turning and face Sylvie, who’s mouth is hanging open as she studies me. “Oh my God, Summer.”
My stomach cramps with nerves. “Is it too much?”
She slowly shakes her head, snapping her mouth shut. “If you’re trying to get someone’s attention, it’s going to work. That costume is a freaking guarantee. And I thought my costume was revealing.”
Sylvie mutters that last bit under her breath.
I go to the giant full-length mirror propped against her wall, noting that it’s one similar to what Whit has in his room, not that I mention it. I tilt my head, studying myself, knowing that yes, I am absolutely pushing my limits when it comes to this costume.
But I look damn good. I stand a little taller, wobbling on the narrow boot heels. I keep myself under wraps constantly, not wanting anyone to notice me, but Sylvie’s right. I’m going to get someone’s attention.
Maybe someone different. Someone new. I don’t need Whit. Not anymore. He has no claim on me.
Of course, deep down I know he’s the one whose attention I’m trying to get. Maybe that makes me pitiful, but I sort of don’t care.
Fuck it. I want all of their attention tonight. Every single boy in the senior class. Maybe the juniors too.
“You’ll get cold,” Sylvie says as she stops to stand beside me, staring at her own reflection.
“So will you,” I tell her. She’s dressed as a dark angel, with skin tight booty shorts and a black corset that plumps up her breasts. Her skin is pale, downright translucent, as I can see the blue veins in her arms. Across the tops of her breasts. Her legs look long and thin, and she’s wearing black sky-high stilettos on her feet. “I love your costume.”
“You look amazing,” she says, her voice almost reverent.
I’m clad in a red-sequined cropped tube top, my belly on display. I thought about wearing red booty shorts, but I upped my game, and am basically wearing red bikini bottoms. It’s skimpy, I’m barely decent, really. Fishnet stockings and thigh high boots complete the look. A golden pitchfork and red sequin horns atop my head are the final touches.
“You’re completely exposed.” She slaps my ass, making me flinch. “Does Whit know what you’re wearing tonight?”
“We’re not—involved anymore,” I say, unsure how to describe us. “We broke it off with each other a few days ago.”
“Huh. We’ll see how long that lasts. He’s going to take one look at you in that outfit and lose his damn mind,” she says with an evil laugh. “Did he break it off with you because of Leticia?”
I frown, deciding to play it off. “Who’s Leticia?”
I turn the name over and over in my mind. Leticia. It’s pretty. I’m sure she’s beautiful. Poised and elegant and polished. She wears twin sets and pearls and is modest. She wouldn’t be caught dead in a revealing Halloween costume that is basically begging for someone to proposition her.
“His future wife. Crazy right? They’ve been chosen for each other since we were all little kids. She’s nice. Pretty. Bland.” Sylvie rolls her eyes, bumping her hip against mine. “Nothing like you.”
“What do you mean?”
“She doesn’t have a personality. She just agrees with all of us. My parents. Me. And of course, my brother. She stares at him with dopey eyes while he barely pays her any attention. It’s pathetic. There’s nothing wrong with her, she’s just boring,” Sylvie explains. “Oh God, I keep running my mouth and hurting your feelings. You probably had no idea Whit has someone else.”
“It’s okay,” I say with a shrug, oddly reassured by Sylvie’s description of Leticia. I’d much rather be the more exciting one. Though I guess Leticia is wife material, while I’m more like, mistress material.
Like my mother.
“I know one thing. Leticia would never wear a costume like you’ve got on. She’s really modest,” Sylvie says.
Just as I suspected.
“And I’m not?” I raise a brow, turning to the side. My butt cheeks are literally hanging out, covered in fishnet.
I sort of don’t give a shit.
“You normally are. You don’t play up your features at all, when every other girl at this school is trying her hardest to make herself stand out. Including me.” She smirks, her gaze meeting mine in the mirror. “But you? It’s like you’re always trying to blend in.”
“Not tonight,” I say.
“Definitely not tonight,” Sylvie says with a little laugh. “You ready to go? I snagged the keys from one of the staff golf carts earlier. Whit loaded the back of it with extra liquor, so we have to bring it out there. At least we won’t have to walk that far in our heels.” She kicks up a foot, a pointy stiletto aimed right at me.
“Great idea,” I say, glancing around. “Are you ready to go?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” She rubs her hands together. “Are you bringing your phone?”
“Where would I put it?” I hold my arms out. There’s absolutely nowhere on my body for me to stash a phone. “I left it in my room.”
“Good idea. Oh!” She runs over to the mini fridge in her room and pops the door open, bringing out a bottle of vodka. “Let’s pre-party first.”
We chug from the bottle, the icy cold vodka slithering through my veins, mellowing me out. Sylvie can’t stop giggling as she sips delicately from the bottle.