"Okay…" I pressed my hands together, clearing my throat. "Can you please drop me off at Aviva's?"
Daisy already knew what that meant. She smiled before I even finished.
"So you can fake a study session," she completed for me, nodding like she was granting permission.
"Go on. I need to get ready anyway."
Of course she did. Daisy treated every date with Xavier like she was attending a royal ball. She really liked him.
The next day came faster than flipping a page in a book. My chest felt tense. I just hoped everything would work out.
Lunch was painfully quiet. No one said a word.
As soon as I finished eating, I excused myself and went straight to the library. Being there always reminded me of the journal… and how the heck that Jinx guy even got into our mansion. Sure, the house was ancient. Dad always bragged about how old it was, older than Big Ben, but still. Did that mean witches and wizards were real? Jinx's journal made it look like it. The questions kept tumbling through my head like marbles.
I checked my phone. Four already?
Great. I had spent too long overthinking.
I left the hidden room, shut the secret door tight, then hurried to my room to change. I'd been lazing around the whole Saturday in baggy clothes and unbrushed hair. Not cute.
I slipped into a short white pleated skirt, a dark blue turtleneck, black ankle-high leather shoes, and white stockings with little blue dots. Decent. Cute. Innocent enough to fool a suspicious father.
The bikini went inside the shopping bag, hidden under a stack of books. A genius masterpiece of deception.
Backpack on, I headed to the living room. Dad was talking to Bluebell, Britney was buried in one of Dad's travel books, and Daisy and Mom were laughing about something sweet.
"I'm heading to Aviva's to study," I announced.
Both parents turned. Dad's eyes narrowed immediately. Mom's, of course, softened.
"Be home soon," Dad said, his voice clipped. Then he eyed my backpack. "What's in the bag?"
I let out a tiny laugh. "Books. What else?"
"Then you won't mind if I check?"
Oh no.
Oh no no no.
I gulped so hard it hurt.
He stood, took the bag, and began searching. The first book landed on the table. Then the next. His hand moved toward the last two, the ones hiding the bikini-
Then Daisy swooped in like my guardian angel.
"Okay, Dad, time's running. I have to drop Fiona off now."
Dad shifted his eyes to her.
"And why does she have a driver?" he asked.
"Because I'm stopping by Xavier's. I forgot something at his place," she said, all smiles.
Dad exhaled, handed my backpack back, and that moment honestly felt like being reborn. He had been acting so on-edge since returning from his trip, like something bigger was bothering him.
"You're getting too fond of that boyfriend," he muttered.
Daisy just smiled and pulled me away. Once outside, I whispered, "Thank you, Daisy."
"You can thank me later," she replied. "Now go."
She called the driver.
"James! James!"
He rushed over, handed her the Bentley keys, and she dismissed him.
We drove quickly to Aviva's mansion. We lived in the same estate, so it didn't take long. When we reached the golden gates, Daisy honked and the guards let us in immediately.
Aviva's home was stunning, almost prettier than mine. Glass windows everywhere, flowers blooming like they owned the place. Her dad stood beside her, hands in his pockets, expression sharp enough to cut steel.
"Good day, sir," Daisy and I greeted.
"Fiona," he said. "I hear you and Aviva are studying?"
"Yes, sir."
Aviva avoided my eyes because she knew she lied too.
"Don't be late," he said, patting her head lightly before leaving in his car.
The moment he left, Aviva exhaled dramatically.
"Thank goodness you came! Dad almost called your dad to confirm the study session!"
She greeted Daisy, her Korean accent slipping through in the cutest way. Daisy smiled and told her she'd covered the lie.
Then she sent us off.
"Let's go party like crazy!" Aviva cheered, shaking me until I almost lost balance.
She told her butler she had to grab something from my house and then we were out of the estate, heading straight for the beachside party.
After a few turns, Aviva stopped in front of a beautiful beach house. The gate opened automatically, revealing rows of expensive cars. Rich brat central.
We hopped out, grabbed our bags, and entered. Two bulky guards stood at the door, but they didn't stop us.
Inside was classy, green cushions, wooden tables, little statues. Warm but expensive.
"We need a bathroom to change," Aviva said.
We found one easily. Golden taps, polished tiles, everything shining.
"Caesar's parents must be cool," I said.
"Nope. Strict. But this house? It's his. So no parents, no rules."
Lucky him.
We changed, wrapped towels around our waists, and headed to the backyard.
Music boomed. People danced. Some girls basically glued themselves to boys. It made me cringe.
The theme was Hawaiian. Tiki statues, flower necklaces, sandy beach. The ocean breeze hit me and I felt alive for a moment.
"Coconut drink, miss?" a waiter offered.
Aviva grabbed hers instantly.
I took mine once I realized it wasn't alcoholic.
"Bar?" Aviva suggested.
We sat on the tall stools.
"What will you have, ladies?" the bartender asked.
"Tropical Heaven," Aviva said.
I stared at her. "We can't drink alcohol."
Too late. She was already sipping.
"This isn't my first drink," she shrugged.
Of course.
She finished, then suddenly got up.
"I'll be back!"
And she disappeared.
Yeah… her dad definitely knew her too well.
"One glass of hibiscus wine," a familiar voice said beside me.
Twilight Fall.
Of course.
He stood there in a loose floral shirt, buttons open like he was purposely trying to distract people.
"I thought you said this party was complete nonsense," I said.
His eyes snapped to mine. Cold. Annoyed.
"Cat got your tongue?" I smirked.
"You seem to struggle with minding your business," he replied sharply. He downed the entire drink in one go.
Before I could roll my eyes, another voice came from my left.
"Coconut drink, please."
Frederick.
He wore the same outfit as Twilight, except green floral patterns that matched his eyes.
"Frederick? You came?"
"I didn't want to. But life brings you to places you're not meant to be."
His eyes flicked to Twilight's, and the tension was thick enough to cut.
"Come join me and my friends?" he offered.
"I can't. I'm waiting for someone."
He looked disappointed, but kept trying.
"Just a quick chat?" He placed his hand over mine.
Twilight immediately stepped closer.
"As you can see…" he said coldly, "she wasn't talking to a log."
He moved to stand in front of me, glaring at Frederick like he wanted him gone immediately.