Julie sat quietly at the cafeteria table, her friends chatting animatedly around her, but her mind was a million miles away. She tried to focus on the conversation, but the events of the past few days swirled in her head like a storm she couldn't escape. The mysterious blue-eyed stranger—Lucas—his words from the forest, the magnetic pull between them… and now, the job at the library. The idea of having to make a decision by Monday weighed heavily on her. She didn't know who to trust, or what to make of any of it. Was it all just a strange coincidence, or was something deeper at play?
"Julie!" Samuel's voice cut through her thoughts, his concerned expression pulling her back to the present. "Are you okay? What happened at the library? It's fine if you didn't get the job, we can figure something else out."
Julie blinked, realizing she had been lost in thought for far too long. She looked at Samuel, his face full of concern, and it took her a second to process what he had said. "Oh, no, it's not that," she quickly replied, her voice clearing as she shook her head. "I did get the job, actually. I start Monday."
Her friends immediately brightened. Misha's eyes lit up, and Rebecca grinned.
"Seriously? That's amazing, Julie!" Misha exclaimed, reaching over to give her a playful shove. "You're going to be so great there!"
Samuel's face softened into a smile. "I knew you'd get it. I'm proud of you."
Julie felt a rush of warmth at their support. Despite their wealth and status, her friends had never once made her feel inferior. They respected her decisions, her independence, and for that, she was thankful. It was one of the things she cherished most about them.
"I'm really excited about it," Julie said, her voice soft with gratitude. "Thanks, you guys. It means a lot."
Misha, ever the planner, immediately shifted the conversation. "So, girls' night at my house, then! I've got everything planned for tomorrow. It's going to be perfect!"
Julie blinked, momentarily confused. "Girls' night? When did we decide on that?"
Misha looked at her in disbelief. "You seriously don't remember? I texted the group. It's my parents' anniversary tomorrow. We're having a party at my place, but I figured we'd do a little sleepover before it. We can get ready there, have fun, and then head to the party together."
Julie furrowed her brow. "I don't remember any of that. Are you sure?"
"Of course!" Misha grinned, completely unbothered. "I told everyone in the group chat. It's going to be so much fun. And my parents are super chill, they're going to love you, Julie. You'll see."
Julie hesitated, feeling her heart flutter nervously at the thought of being around so many people, especially in such an unfamiliar setting. "I don't know, Misha. It seems like it'll be a little... awkward for me. I've never been to your house before, and I've never really been to a party like that."
But Misha wouldn't let her off the hook. "No way. You're coming! It'll be a blast. My parents are amazing, and I swear, they'll love you more than they love me when they meet you." Misha grinned mischievously. "And don't even get me started on my older sister. She's always wanted a sister like you. She'll want to replace me with you!"
Rebecca laughed softly, nodding her approval. "You're overthinking, Julie. Seriously. It's just a party. We'll have a great time. And Misha's right. Her parents are the coolest."
Julie chewed her lip, looking at her friends' excited faces. She felt a mix of anxiety and reluctance building inside her. She didn't want to disappoint them, but at the same time, the idea of attending a fancy party with people she barely knew made her stomach twist.
Misha's voice softened, as if sensing her hesitation. "Come on, Julie. Don't you trust me? It'll be fun, and you'll have a great time. Just give it a chance."
Julie sighed, feeling the weight of Misha's words pressing on her. "Okay... Okay, I'll go. But only because you really want me to."
Misha's face lit up, and she immediately began planning every detail in her mind. "Yes! You won't regret it, I promise! We'll have so much fun, and if you need a dress, I've got plenty you can borrow."
Julie felt a wave of uncertainty rush through her. "I don't even have a proper dress for something like that, Misha. And I can't just buy one at this point."
Misha waved her hand dismissively. "No worries! I've got you covered. You'll look stunning in anything I give you. Trust me, everything will be perfect."
Julie smiled weakly, her mind still swirling. She had a feeling she'd be out of her depth, but she couldn't bring herself to disappoint Misha. "Alright, I'll go. But I'm still not sure about this whole party thing."
"Don't worry, it'll be great," Rebecca reassured her. "Just think of it as a chance to have some fun before the craziness of the party starts."
Julie reluctantly agreed, but doubt still lingered in the pit of her stomach. She didn't belong in that world, but for some reason, she couldn't bear to let her friends down.
---
Meanwhile, across town, a lavish invitation arrived at the Ravenscroft mansion. The Smiths' anniversary party was coming, and the invitation was addressed not just to the Ravenscroft family, but also to Lucas, the crown prince of the vampire kingdom.
Lucas stood in the grand office, his thoughts still consumed by Julie. His trusted man had just given him an update on her whereabouts—she had gotten the job at the library and had visited the principal's office earlier that day. And now, it seemed, she was going to stay over at her friend's house for the weekend.
Lucas didn't know what to make of the situation. He had to focus on his royal duties, on the growing threats of dark witches in Guensville, but his mind kept drifting back to Julie. He needed to know more. The feather he had found in her room, the strange pull between them... There was something about her that was far more than human, something ancient and powerful.
As he received the invitation to the Smiths' anniversary party, he couldn't shake the feeling that this event, this gathering of powerful families, would bring them all closer to a revelation—one that could change everything.
With a sigh, Lucas instructed his man to continue keeping an eye on Julie, to report every detail. He wasn't ready to claim her, but he knew she would be a part of his world, whether he was ready or not.
---
Later that evening, as Julie prepared for her weekend at Misha's house, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She glanced at her phone, seeing another message from Misha about the sleepover plans.
But Julie couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to all of this—more to the party, more to Misha's insistence, and more to the strange connection she felt with Lucas. There was something bigger, something darker, lurking beneath the surface of this seemingly perfect world.
And Julie had a feeling that this weekend, at Misha's house, would be the moment when everything began to unravel.