Ava and Tracy were standing outside the party, struggling to get in as the security stopped them because they didn't have invitation cards.
"Can you stop this nonsense already? What do you think two beautiful women like us are doing at a party we weren't invited to?" Ava said, her voice calm but laced with irritation.
"Just let us in already," Tracy added impatiently.
Ava leaned in close to Tracy and whispered, "We need to figure out another way to get in."
"How?" Tracy asked.
They exchanged glances as an idea popped into their heads.
"You're a bitch, Tracy," Ava teased.
"A friend of a bitch is a bitch," Tracy smirked back.
They noticed the guards drinking and relaxing by the gate. With newfound confidence, they approached them, leaning in seductively.
"Oh bimbo!" one of the guards exclaimed.
"This is good!" the other guard agreed.
Without warning, Ava and Tracy looked at each other, screamed "Now!" and each kicked a guard in the groin. They quickly dashed into the venue.
"Did they really think I will give them my ass? Fuck them" Ava complained, shaking her head.
"And one of them tried to kiss me!" Tracy added with disgust.
"Ew!" ava frown
"But he's kinda cute, though," Tracy admitted with a shrug.
"Ew! Don't tell me you'd give him a chance. He's not a good guy," Ava warned.
"Who told you there are any good guys out there? They're all the same, babe," Tracy said, rolling her eyes.
"Look, you can have all the one-night stands you want, but I know there are still some good men out there—like Ethan, okay?"
"How can you be so sure?" Tracy asked, sounding bored.
"I know Ethan, okay? He's a good guy. Trust me, bitch."
"I'll believe it when I see it, bitch," Tracy retorted, laughing.
The two laughed together as they made their way into the party hall.
"Jeez, this place looks like heaven," Tracy exclaimed as her eyes darted up and down, side to side, trying to take in everything. She quickly grabbed a glass of wine from a tray with one hand and gestured towards Ava with the other. Ava declined.
"Just don't drink too much, okay? This isn't a club," Ava warned, knowing her friend's wild side all too well. But it didn't bother her because Tracy had grown up in a chaotic household. Her family wasn't as poor as Ava's, but it was the kind of family no one would want to be part of. Tracy's mom was a prostitute who barely acknowledged her father's existence. After all, he was a gambler who never supported them in any way, apart from his physical presence. He spent his days drinking to excess, gambling, and sleeping around, sometimes even passing out in the gutters. Tracy's mom didn't care. "Go f*** your life up for all I care," she'd say, busy managing her small food business while occasionally bringing men home or staying out overnight.
Tracy and her brother? They were just living their lives as they pleased. Tracy wasn't always wild—at least not until high school when she fell in love with a Dutch guy who broke her heart. Since then, she'd decided to sleep with any man she wanted, refusing to let herself get hurt again.
"Bestie, or should I say Miss Principles, I'm not an idiot. I wouldn't come here just to embarrass myself, but I'm definitely not leaving without making one of these rich guys fall for me," Tracy said, brimming with confidence.
"Enjoy yourself, babe. You are a hottie," Ava teased.
"You can say that again," Tracy replied. She was a stunning blonde with golden hair and piercing eyes that could make any man fall for her. She was as straight and sharp as a needle.
"Hey! Over here!" Tracy called out to Ava, who was scanning the room, looking for Ethan.
"Yeah?" Ava responded, turning towards her friend.
"I think that's your Ethan on stage with his mom," Tracy pointed out.
"Wow…" Ava's jaw dropped as she froze, a chill running down her spine. Her heart fluttered, and for a moment, she was speechless.
"Let's go!" Tracy said, shaking Ava with excitement. But Ava stood frozen, staring at Ethan, her eyebrows furrowing in uncertainty.
"Wha-what?" she stammered.
"Let's go meet him!" Tracy repeated.
A sudden wave of embarrassment hit Ava, making her feel unworthy. Fear gripped her heart.
"The scar!" Ava muttered, panicking.
"What scar?" Tracy asked, confused.
"The one on my face! Did you cover it well?" Ava asked, anxiety filling her voice.
"Bestie, come on, you're perfect," Tracy said, trying to comfort her. "I did cover it, and it's just on one side, barely noticeable. And if he's really a good guy and cares about you, it won't matter. You're gorgeous—your curves are perfect, and so is your skin."
"Oh my God, I shouldn't have come. I'm so scared, I can't breathe," Ava said, her voice trembling.
"Calm down! Take a deep breath, then another. We can't ruin our makeup!" Tracy reminded her. "Remember, before we left the house, we knew we wouldn't be dressed like these people because we can't afford what they have. But we're still beautiful. You told me that, so own it!"
Ava let out a deep sigh. "You're right," she admitted with a tiny laugh.
"Hey, you!" a voice called from behind.
Both girls turned and gave a sarcastic smile.
"I'm talking to you two! Who let you in here dressed like that? You think this is a charity or free wine center?" the woman sneered.
They just looked at her in silence.
"We have to keep our cool," Ava whispered.
"I think you should go now," Tracy advised. "He's off the stage, and his mom's not with him."
"Yeah, I can do this," Ava said, taking a deep breath.
"Wait until I call security on you two,"melvis threatened angrily.
Ignoring her, Ava made her way toward Ethan, feeling the stares of people on her as the whispers grew louder. The further she walked, the longer the room seemed to stretch. Her feet began to sweat in her heels, and tension mounted as Ethan smiled at her. She wished the ground would swallow her whole.
Standing before Ethan, she felt her heart sink and a wave of heat spread across her body as her heart raced faster. With her head bowed, too shy to meet his gaze, she struggled to look at him immediately. After a few seconds, she lifted her head and saw that Ethan was still smiling—toward the direction from which she had come.
"Hey, Ethan," she said softly.
But he was too focused to hear her. That's when it hit her: he wasn't smiling at her. Slowly, she turned her head to see a stunning, dazzling woman approaching Ethan. Her heart wrenched, and all hope seemed to vanish, as if she were standing alone in a void. The sight of the woman made her feel the sting of failure and inadequacy, as if poverty and insignificance were written all over her.
Ana had been right—Ethan could never see her as more than just a common friend.
Ethan wrapped his arms around the woman and gave her a perk.
"Ethan!" she cried out without even realizing it.