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Piper
"You're going."It's the third time Kendall has said it in less than ten minutes. She's thrown clothes at me. Barked orders at Lo and Lex. Now she's stomping her foot and staring down at where I'm lying, tucked under the covers, attempting to ignore her empty threats.
"Again, no."
"Why not?"
Where do I even begin? How about because I know Julian will be there. He has to be. His frat is hosting the party.
Or maybe I don't want to go because I don't have a costume.
Kendall is Black Widow and said Declan was Hawkeye. I tried to explain to her that they weren't a couple, but she protested saying they were best friends and that was close enough. Lo is dressed as Cat Woman which means Finn will be Batman. Again, not a couple, but I didn't even bother to point that out. And Lex is dressed as Wonder Woman. I'm hoping that means Micah is going as Steve Trevor. They were an actual couple.
I could tell Kendall it's because I don't want to put on real clothes. I've been living in yoga pants and t-shirts for days. My hair’s been in a bun on top of my head. And I've barely been out of bed aside from class, which I skipped Wednesday to avoid seeing Julian.
Or I could just go with the simplest answer.
"I haven't showered in two days. My hair is gross. And to be honest, I've never really been a fan of frat parties. So, no thank you. I think I'll stay right where I'm at tonight, but you girls have fun."
Kendall shares a knowing look with Lex, who then looks to Lo. Lo shrugs her shoulders and lets out a sigh of defeat, walking out of the room.
One down, two to go.
At least that's what I think until Lo returns carrying a box with a giant purple bow on top.
"For you," she states, setting it at my feet, forcing me to move if I want to find out what's inside.
Which I do. Badly. Not just because it has a pretty bow either. I love presents.
"Who sent it?"
"I don't know." This from Alexis who looks suspicious as she clasps her hands behind her back.
"Are you crossing your fingers so you can lie to me?" It's meant as a joke, but when her eyes go wide, I realize I called her out.
Forcing myself to a sitting position, I stare down my best friend and ask the question again, keeping my eyes locked on her. "Who sent it?"
"I'm not at liberty to say."
"Lex."
"Just open it, Piper. Damn, you're making this harder than it has to be." She lets out a frustrated breath and leaves the room, Kendall and Lo following her without saying a word.
I drag the box into my lap, pick it up, and give it a shake. It doesn't make much of a sound. Placing it back in my lap, I contemplate throwing it across the room and tucking myself back in. Because I know it's from Julian. Who else could it be?
My curiosity gets the best of me, and I find myself lifting the lid. Inside, purple tissue paper is wrapped around something soft. Unfolding it cautiously, even though I know nothing is going to jump out at me, tears sting my eyes when I realize what's inside. Slowly removing the gold material, I drape it across the bed and let the tears fall.
Julian is going as Thor tonight. I was going to go as Jane Foster. It didn't require me to order a costume because I have plenty of scarves and jackets that I could have made work. Instead, Julian must have ordered me one because I'm staring at the beautiful gold dress that Jane wears when she meets Thor's mother the one and only time.
Throwing back the covers, I hold the dress against my body and spin to face the mirror on the back of my bedroom door. Only, my door is open. And standing in the doorway are my three best friends, their mouths hanging open.
"That's gorgeous." Kendall's the first to comment as she approaches, running her hand down the bodice.
Kendall's always been the best dressed of the three of us. She knows more about fashion than anyone else I've ever met. She doesn't even have to try, and she looks gorgeous.
"Well, this sucks," Lo replies. "There's no way in hell we're going to win the costume contest now. Not with her in that."
There's a smile on her face as she throws a little shade my way. I know she's not serious. Lo doesn't have a mean bone in her body. If anything, she's the most motherly of all my friends. The most caring. She has a big heart, and she's not afraid to show it.
