“Okay, fine. He can come.” I act as though I have a say in the matter, although I’m certain I would have needed to ask Richard to call Philip personally to keep him from attending this party.

We stop to pick up a couple of pizzas on the way back to campus, and then Philip drops us off outside Kennedy Hall with the steaming boxes and a promise he’ll be back for us at 11:30.

Katie and I head back into our room and put on comfy sweatpants before hunkering down in her bed to eat the hot pizza and start an episode of the reality television show she’s obsessed with. The series is terrible but extremely entertaining, and before we know it, it’s already almost eleven. We both leap out of Katie’s bed, cleaning our greasy hands and mouths on the napkins from the pizzeria.

Katie heads into the bathroom first, and I busy myself by plugging in my curling iron and twisting portions of my blonde hair around the barrel. I went to the salon to get my roots touched up earlier this week, and the newly lightened strands shine under the light from my desk lamp.

Katie re-emerges from the bathroom just as I’m brushing through the curls I’ve created.

“All yours,” she tells me, heading over to her own dresser.

I clip back my freshly styled hair and walk into the bathroom to finish getting ready. I head back into the room just in time to see my phone light up with a text from Philip. It’s already 11:35.

“Philip’s here,” I inform Katie as I pull the clip out of my hair. She’s changing into the red dress.

“I’m almost ready,” she replies.

I grab the bag that contains my new outfit and quickly change as well.

“Ready!” Katie caps the small cylinder of lipstick she just applied.

I grab my phone and slide it underneath my top into the waistband of my skirt. Katie slings a small crossbody bag across her chest, and we’re out the door.

The cold air hits us as soon as we step outside. Neither of us bothered with a jacket, and I’m grateful it’s a short trip to the black sedan already pulled up alongside the curb.

Philip turns in the driver’s seat as we climb in, studying first Katie’s outfit, then mine. “That’s what you’re both wearing?” He sounds horrified.

“You look nice too, Philip,” I reply caustically.

“Are you sure you don’t want to change and put on something…warmer?” he suggests.

“We’re sure.”

“It’ll be hot inside,” Katie adds.

Philip lets out a long sigh, but pulls away from the curb and follows Katie’s directions to the edge of campus.

A few minutes later, he turns the car onto Fourth Street. It’s immediately evident which house is our destination. Philip parks as close as he can to it, and the three of us clamber out of the car.

Philip casts another disapproving glance at my outfit, but doesn’t say another word about my attire as we approach the big blue house. Smart choice. It’s not even midnight yet, but the front yard is crammed to capacity and littered with empty plastic cups, bottles, and cans. As we approach, I see a short girl with red hair stumble off the porch.