Page 37 of Unmasking My Dark Knight

“Ew! Thirsty much? He’s too old for you. It’s gross.”

“Not even! Remember when Daisy dated Timmy? She was a freshman, and he was a senior.”

“Yeah, but they were at least going to school at the same time. Not to mention, those two literally grew up next door to each other. It was bound to happen. My brother is literally saying sayonara to his entire high school career. You do know he’s leaving for Dartmouth next week. Right?”

Tallulah sighed obnoxiously. “What’s the point of even telling him I’m crushing on him if he’s going to leave? I get your point.”

“I just saved your heart!” I booped her nose. “You’re so lucky to have me.”

“Whatever,” she said, deflated. I felt kinda bad. “Ready to go join everyone at the party officially? That pool is bumping,” she said.

She and I had been up in my room, getting our bathing suits on, while the entire senior class and cheerleaders were at the pool having—what they considered—fun. From up here, it did seem fun. My mami set up the entire backyard to appease his favorite band, which would be making a surprise appearance. There was a large disco platform beside the pool, and different beams of colorful lights circulated and bounced off all the dancing bodies. It did kind of feel like we were in a movie, which made sense, given the Castellanos were local celebrities.

I peered out at all my subjects, and among everyone dancing at the pool, I noticed him… of course I did; I had a crush on him since the first moment I laid eyes on him. My eyes were basically magnets for him; it was so embarrassing.

“Maybe you should go tell your crush you’re digging him. I heard he’s moving to the city, but he’ll still be here in Pennsylvania,” Tallulah suggested.

“As if. I would never.”

“Too old, right?” she said, making fun of me.

Now it was my turn to sigh. “I never said I liked Ro. He's not my type. And Gustav isn’t your type either. I don’t know why you even like him.”

“You didn’t have to tell me anything; your longing and pining stares in his direction out of your balcony window say it all. If only you had an endless rope of hair for him to climb.”

I clicked my tongue. “Oh, shut up.”

“Oh, Romeo, my Romeo, where art thou?” She giggled like a fiend.

“You’re so not cool right now, Tal.” I shoved past her to get back inside.

She followed me.

“Come on! I know how much you love your literary classics; I thought it’d be a funny joke.” She was basically wheezing at this point. “Stop being so sour. There’s a freaking party downstairs!”

“Not funny,” I yelped, putting on my little red heels. “Here, put these on,” I told Tallulah, trying to get an outfit ready for her.

“I have my own shoes,” she said.

Tallulah was precious and super humble. She couldn’t afford the same clothes as me, and deep down, I think she was embarrassed to ask to borrow my fabulous designer outfits—poor thing.

“I don’t see you wearing a custom St. La Vie bikini like me? Here, at least take the top. My brother deserves the best dressed at his party.”

She rolled her eyes. “Snob.”

“Wench,” I said with a big smile. We occasionally said things to each other like that. It was a small way for us to say truce.

“By the way, I talked to your mom, and she’s allowing us two drinks max as long as we don’t leave the party.”

“Which ones?” I asked.

“She bought Mike's Hard Lemonade just for our cheer crew! Also, she said not to bother with the whiskey, 'cause those are your dad’s and it’s too masculine for us.” Tallulah laughed as she relayed the information.

Whiskey? Ew. Another point for Mami, she was right about that. I much preferred my drinks when they matched my colorful outfits. Mike’s will do… for now.

Tallulah and I took the elevator down to grab our drinks in the kitchen. When we arrived, the butler’s pantry was filled with staff putting together hors d'oeuvres for the party. Senior guys were coming in and out of the house, laughing, drinking. My nose scrunched. They acted so uncivilized, I hated all the guys at my school. None of them could ever compare to my historical romance book boyfriends–especially Roman Knight. Nobody could.

“Also, your mom said to keep it discreet because your dad said no to drinking.”