Natalya
I can’t help but think my friends will call me insane as I walk down the corridor toward Azira’s room. I chickened out on inviting them to go out tonight over dinner, deciding to spring it on them at the last minute.
My heart pounds erratically against my rib cage as I get closer to her room, knowing she’s going to question me about my crazy decision to go out with Alexander and his friends.
The same people who kicked me to the curb six years ago. I’m about to knock on the door when it swings open.
Azira’s eyes widen when she sees me. “I was coming to your room!” Her eyes drop to the dress I’m wearing and her brow furrows. “Going somewhere?”
I nod. “Yeah, and so are you.”
She raises a brow. “Where?”
“Out to town, with Alexander.”
Her mouth falls open and she just stares at me in silence for a few beats. “You are joking, right?”
I shake my head. “No, why not? It’s been ages since we had a night out.”
Her mouth hangs open. “Because Alexander is an asshole.”
“He’s also the only person who can get us out of here without being seen.”
Azira sighs, as it’s the truth. He has connections locally to get a vehicle and to get the guards at the gate to look the other way. “Have you told Adrianna?”
“Not yet.” I glance at my watch. “Get ready. We have an hour.”
She looks like she wants to argue, but she rolls her eyes. “You can be so demanding, Natalya.”
I laugh. “I’ll tell Adrianna.”
“I’ll find a dress and then come and get ready in Adrianna’s room.” Azira pouts. “You know I don’t enjoy getting ready on my own.”
“Fine. Hurry, though.”
Azira arches a brow. “It would have helped if you’d given us a bit more warning.” She turns and goes back into her room to find an outfit.
I swallow hard, guilt coiling through my gut. I’ve known since the library, but didn’t know how to bring it up. The encounter with Alexander in the library has been replaying on repeat like a broken record in my mind. It’s hard to think of anything else.
After a few minutes, she returns with three dresses, making me sigh. “You realize you can only wear one, right?”
Azira shuts her door and gives me a pointed look. “I couldn’t decide which.”
“Come on, let’s get Adrianna.” We head a few doors down to Adrianna’s room, which is the largest of all of ours.
I knock on the door, and within a minute, she opens it, her brow furrowing. “What’s up?”
“We’re going out.”
“Where?” she asks.
“Town,” I say simply, pushing past her. “Azira wanted to get ready in here.”
Azira clears her throat. “Town with Alexander Morales and his group of asshole friends, she forgot to mention.”
I turn as she throws down her dress and strips out of the loungewear she’s wearing.
Adrianna’s eyebrow arches. “And why the fuck are we going out with them?”
Azira rolls her eyes. “Don’t even go there. Just pick a dress and let’s party.” I’m thankful that’s the end of the discussion as Adrianna shakes her head and walks into her closet, searching for a dress.
I take a seat on the sofa nearby, resting my head back as my stomach continues to churn. If Alexander continues like this, pushing me into awkward situations, it’s only a matter of time until my friends get fed up. The last thing I want is to lose any of them because of him.
Azira is in her dress in minutes, and it’s utterly breathtaking. She always has the most beautiful dresses. It’s a lilac maxi dress with a high neckline that gives it an elegant air and a split right up her right leg, with the fabric gathered in at the waist. “Wow, you look gorgeous,” I say.
Adrianna nods. “Doesn’t she always?”
Azira’s cheeks redden as she shakes her head. “You two are just being nice.”
“No, if I was a dude, I’d definitely fuck you,” I say.
Azira laughs. “Don’t be an ass, Nat.” Her attention moves behind me to where Adrianna is clutching hold of a red dress. “Let’s see then. What are you going to wear?”
Adrianna holds it up, making Azira wolf-whistle. “Now, that is hot as fuck.”
Adrianna rolls her eyes. “I haven’t even put it on yet.” She strips and then slides into the dress, turning. “Nat, can you zip it up?”
I nod and walk over to her, zipping her into the mid-length red dress, which, as Azira said, is hot as fuck. It has a plunging neckline that leaves nothing to the imagination and Adrianna has the breasts to pull it off, with off the shoulder sleeves and a tie waist.
Azira sits in front of the mirror at Adrianna’s dressing table, doing her makeup, and Adrianna disappears into the bathroom to do hers. As always, Adrianna is quicker. Out of all three of us, Azira always takes the longest. Finally, after about thirty minutes of waiting, she stands. “Ready.”
“At last, now we need to get Eva ready.” I give Azira an irritated look. “Let’s hope she doesn’t take as long as you.”
Adrianna looks skeptical. “She isn’t going to want to go out with the three bitches.”
“None of us do, but we won’t tell her they’re coming.”
Azira makes a tutting sound. “So devious at times, Nat.”
I smirk and nod toward the door. “Come on, or we’ll be late.”