Chapter 1

“Will you please come with me?” pleaded my now very annoying best friend.

Ava Abner has been my best friend since elementary. We showed up to our first day of school in kindergarten and noticed we were using the same backpack and sat next to each other at lunchtime. We’ve been close ever since that day, we’re practically sisters.

I pulled my attention away from the computer screen that displayed the unfished homework that I was trying to complete, “No Ava.”

“You’re going to pass up on going to one of the most popular shows ever!?” Ava asked as if the fact that I was denying her offer was ludicrous. She groaned and put her hands on my shoulders. She lightly shook my shoulders back and forth, “The show’s shadow dancing performance was one of the things everyone on campus has been raving about Cassie!”

I sighed, while she looked at me with pouty lips, “I have to finish this if I want to pass this class.”

She pulled her hands away and threw them in the air, “You’re the smartest person in the class and It’s impossible for you to fail!”

Pointing out the obvious to her, “I’m smart because I study and pass classes because I do my homework.”

Ava rolled her eyes, “Anyways, it’s your duty as my best friend to come with me.”

I chuckled, “My duty?”

Ava put her hands on her hips and nodded.

I raised an eyebrow and stared at her, not saying anything. I knew I was going to give in, even though I shouldn’t. Ava always went above and beyond for me many times, so I’d do the same for her even though they were always things that brought me out of my comfort zone.

She pouted and then interlaced her hands together in a begging motion, “Pretty please Cassie.” 

I threw my head back, and groaned; sighing, “Fine.”

Ava let out a squeal in delight and hugged me, almost knocking me off my chair, “THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! You are the best!” She then ran out of my room and to hers, “Now get dressed!”

I stood up to put on a simple pair of dark denim jeans and a red blouse. Grabbing the clothes and putting them on my bed, I address the outfit.

Shrugging, “It looks good to me.”

Ava walked into the room and gasped. “No,” she shook her head. “You are not wearing that!” She grabbed the clothes off my bed and put them back in my drawer. “The place is fancy Cassie, and there are going to be a lot of handsome wealthy men there.”

I tilted my head in surprise, “Why would they be going to this thing? I’m sure they have better things to do than show up to a shadow dancing performance.”

She grabbed my hand and pulled me to her room. Letting my hand go once we were in her room, she headed to her closest searching for clothes. “The women go because of the amazing show and wealthy men that are there.” She then stuck her head out of the closet, and snickered, “and the men only go because of the many women that are there.” She titled her head, “It’s almost like a rendezvous spot I guess.” Then stuck her head back in her closest in search of something, she had yet to find.

This place almost sounds like the old Maria.

 “Got it!” screamed Ava. She held up a golden lace halter bodycon dress. The back of the dress was backless, leaving only two strings tied in the back to cover it. It screamed sexily and I’ve never worn anything like this before. Ava always had great taste in clothes so I’m not surprised that she had this sexy dress in her closet. 

I looked at the dress she held up, “If I wear that, I’d look like I’m trying to find a wealthy businessman to stick my claws into.” I gave her a deadpan look, “Which is something I do not want Ava.” I crossed my arms against myself, feeling self-conscious at the thought of wearing the dress. “Plus, in all honesty, I don’t think I’d do that dress justice.”

She gasped as if what I said was the most absurd thing, “Okay, first of all,” she put up one finger, “I am going to say this with an unbiased opinion.” She then put up another finger, “You are one of the most beautiful women I have ever met. So, you would do this dress justice and more! You have no idea how beautiful you are,” she emphasized the word no, “and how many men have asked me for your number.”

I rolled my eyes and put my hands on my hips, “Lies get you nowhere in life.”

She laughed, “Yes they do!” then put on a serious face, “and I’m not lying Cassie. I’m being serious.” She sighed and looked at me with a soft smile, “I wish you would be more confident in yourself and see that you are beautiful.” Then put her hands on her hips, “Besides…how do you think I got us entrance to this thing!? Lucas only gave me these tickets because I said that you’re the one that wanted to go but hasn’t been able to because tickets always sell out quickly.”

I gasped, looking at her in disbelief. I shook my head at her, grabbed the nearest pillow, and threw it at her. “Ava Abner!” I scolded in disbelief.

She laughed and looked at me unapologetically. “You’ll thank me someday.” She grinned and threw the dress at me, making it land on my head. “Now go get ready.”

I grabbed it off my head and gave her a scolding look. “Lucas better not think he’s getting something more from me other than a thank you.”

She nodded her head in a promising look, “Don’t worry, I will distract him from approaching you” she put her hand over her heart, “Girl scouts honor.”

I raised my eyebrow, “You weren’t in the girl scouts!”

She snickered, and waved her hand in a shooing motion, “Whatever. Now go get ready!”

I narrowed my eyes at her and grabbed the dress admitting defeat. I looked at it as I walked out of the room and to mine that was across hers.

“I’m going to look like a gold digger,” I grumbled to myself.

Ava shouted out loud across the hall, “No you won’t!”

I rolled my eyes in disagreement but didn’t reply. Grabbing a robe from my room, I headed to the bathroom to take a quick shower before slipping on the dress, along with doing my hair and makeup. I always feel refreshed after a good shower. I didn’t know what time this thing started so I made sure not to take my sweet time. After getting out of the bathroom, I threw on the dress as carefully as I could without ripping it. Not wanting to spill any of my makeup on myself while I got ready, I threw another robe over me to cover the dress.

I’ve done my makeup many times before, so I didn’t need any help from Ava. My hair on the other hand was a different subject. There were times when it became an enemy and would never cooperate with me. I would try my best to make it look cute and well put together, but it would always come out frizzy or the curls that I had put would never hold. Whenever Ava helped me with it, my hair seemed to work well with her. That or she had magic and somehow used it with my hair.

I chuckled to myself at my overdramatic thoughts and started on my makeup. It wasn’t until I finished when Ava walked into the bathroom.

“Do you need help with your hair?” she asked, leaning against the frame of the door; already knowing my answer.

I nodded and held up the hair curler in my hand, “Please.”

She snickered, and grabbed the item from my hand, and got to work. Thirty minutes later, I walked out of the bathroom, makeup done, hair done, and ready to go. I grabbed my clutch bag along with my sandals that matched the outfit from my room. Slipping on the sandals, while I waited for Ava.

“Cassie! You are killing me!” groaned Ava as she saw me. She shook her head in exasperation and disappeared into her room.

“What?” I asked, with confusion.

She came back out with beautiful gold leather heels that hand ankle leather straps and matched my outfit perfectly.

“Ava, you know how I am with heels. I’m clumsy and will fall flat on my face.” I said with a firm shake of my head.

Ava held out the heels “These have a 4” block heel and will make it easier for you to walk. The insole is cushioned so it won’t be painful like the other one you tried on in the past.” She pushed them towards me and shook them, “At least try them on.”

I reluctantly gave in and slipped them on. After strapping on the heels, I stood up and rocked back and forth to test out how they feel. They seemed fine to wear. Just to double-check how I’d do in this, I walked back and forth in front of the door. Surprisingly these felt easy enough to walk in.

I admitted, with surprise, “These are cute and comfy.”

Ava let out a squeal, happy that I gave in.

“You look stunning!” she said with awe. She wiped a fake tear and touched her heart, “I feel like my little is all grown up. Now it’s time for you to fly and show those beautiful wings to the world.”

“Oh, my goodness,” I laughed.

Then a pouting look took over her face, “Now I look like a peasant standing next to you,” she said as she looked down at her red dress that hugged her curves.

I scoffed, “You’re such a liar! You know you’re beautiful.”

Ava knew she was attractive. Her long black hair that was now curled and gray eyes made her all the more beautiful in that dress. She was confident about who she was and what she looked like. That was one of the things I loved about this girl.

She was awesome, and an even better sister that I’ve never had but always wanted.

She chuckled and looped her arm around mine, and led me out the door of our dorm room. We both lived on campus and loved it. It was different not living with my parents, and while it felt like freedom, I couldn’t help but miss my parents and little brother Adam.

“I already called us an uber. They should be here in a bit,” said Ava as we got into the elevator, leading us to the lobby. Just like she said, as we got out of the building our uber driver pulled in. “You’re going to have so much fun!” she said with a wide grin.

On the outside, I smiled in response as we walked to the Uber driver. On the inside, I couldn’t help but get a weird feeling that something life-changing was about to happen.

Which made me even more nervous.