Pulling out a cigarette, Dave headed to the porch. He called out “It’s not a request” before closing the door behind him.

My mouth fell open. Brent wasn’t serious, was he? A full glamor to wear to Sloane’s party? If I wasn’t on an immediate hit list, I would be in this thing.

I put it on.

The bodice was form fitting and accentuated my body. Beading and sequins were embroidered down to the waistline. Looking in the mirror, it reminded me of the dress I wore to the first party where he put me on his motorcycle. This one was a matured version.

With a full, flared skirt, I felt like I was wearing a waterfall of sunshine. It matched my golden hair.

The back plunged down and pearls dripped in a line down my back as the only thing that sat across my skin. A full open back with a line of pearls felt like his style.

But the full open back made me feel like there was an invisible target painted there.

I did my best with makeup after a semester’s worth of tutorials and Kelly showing me what to do. Full glam was my armor for the evening.

At the party, my breathing was shallow. If anyone paid attention, they’d see my chest rising and falling irregularly. Fear and anxiety could be easily smelled on me.

Eyes fell to me and fake smiles were plastered on faces. With my ‘continue as normal’ orders, I made fake friends all around and even fell into step with Sloane on occasion on campus. Lunches with fake friends and small talk was life for a while.

“Hey, bestie!”

I smiled. “Hi, Sarah. How’s your riding lessons?”

She gripped my arm and laced it with hers, handing me a drink. “So great! How are you and Alexander?”

“Mm, he’s still trying to take me to meet his parents.”

Being normal meant letting people think what they wanted about me. I loathed Alexander, but the narrative he and Sloane painted was that I moved on from Garrett to Alexander.

A narrative that wasn’t the worst to have since it tied me in with meetings about families linking together and the drugs they passed around. It allowed me to learn about my surroundings without being marked an enemy. Garrett was nowhere to be found lately and sometimes I wondered if he was all right.

Never getting an answer on what side he was truly on put me on edge, but if there was no sign, I’m sure that meant he was at least still alive out there.

“Baby girl,” a voice cooed from behind me. His hand firmly on my lower back. “You look absolutely divine in that dress.”