Chapter 22

"That's what life is all about: Let's have a party. Let's have it tonight."-Lilly Pulitzer.

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The sun was beating up and warming my skin but me, Sam and Penny were patiently waiting for Isa to finish practice so we could go home. Penny wanted to cover herself or go to a shed but I convinced her this will tan our skin. Who hates good, old natural tan? Isa made her way towards us. We were surrounding her car like vultures.

"We can go." Isa grinned. I saw an evil glint in her eyes. But she didn't say anything, even when we were on the road. I was getting agitated.

"Spit it out Isa." I groaned.

"Spit what out?" Isa acted coy.

"Whatever you are planning." I saw Penny and Sam at the back. They were doing their homework's as if nothing is going on.

"I know how we could get into Justin's house." That caught Pennie's and Sam's attention. "There is a party at his house today. We can go and plant the devices." Isa smirked. Justin, like all the rich kids in school, throws parties frequently. His pirates were legendary, not like Benjamin's but still it is huge, as I heard. Not everyone can get in though.

"We don't have an invitation, how would we get in?'' I asked my concern. Isa laughed at me.

"It's a teenage party. There is no invitation." she paused for a moment. "Besides, Justin invited me himself. You guys can get in with me." I remember when Justin invited her. How can I forget?

"I don't know," Penny hesitated. "Why don't you just go alone. You don't need us."

"Pen Pen," Isa glanced at her with the rear window. "We stick together. We started together, we finish together." That eased Penny's concern a little, as she gave Isa a smile. Friendship is really important to Penny. "Besides you guys need to live and relax a little." Isa winked at me. Live a little.

I have never been to a party. I think you figured that by now, and obviously I don't know what to wear. The outfits I googled for parties are provocative. I don't even own that kind of clothes, even if I want to wear it so I did what any girl in my position would do. I asked for help.

"Cassi sorry to say this, but your clothes suck." Isa's voice filtered through the phone. I heard shuffling which means she is also getting ready." But don't worry. Wear what makes you comfortable. We don't want Justin to see you all sexy." I signed and wore my usual outfit. Isa already had the car started when I went out. She is dressed in denim short and white sneakers with a cream colored sweater. Wouldn't she be cold? But I refrained from asking. We made our way to pick Penny. Her father was home today so she didn't have to worry about her brother. Penny emerged from her house after a few minutes we parked outside her house.

"What did you tell your dad?" Isa asked her, once she strapped her seat belt.

"I told him I would go to a friend's house." She shivered from the cold. She wore a pink wool sweater, black ankle dress, and brown sneakers.

"Penelope Smith, you are a bad girl." Isa teased. Penny blushed and ducked her head to read a book she brought with her.

"You know you can't read that in the party" I asked.

"Why?" Penny looks genuinely curious.

"It's a party. It will be chaos." Isa answered her question

"In that case, I should finish reading this chapter before we reach there." Penny immersed herself in the book after that, holding a light above her head to see the words in the darkness of the car.

"I am here." Sam announced, getting at the back behind Isa. She wore a military oversized jacket, black ankle boots, and black Jeans ripped at the knee.

"What does Mrs. Reid say about you partying?" Penny asked, her eyes still on her book. Sam shrugged.

"She doesn't know." Sam's mom was strict, but in an adorable way. Shelly Reid is obsessed with her daughter. I am for one thankful that my parents were pulling an all-nighter today. My mom would go waco if she knew her to-be doctor daughter was going to party. But this is the least bad thing I did in the past few days.

"All the horsemen are bad asses!" Isa shouted, and blared Rihanna's music loudly. I am sure it is illegal but Isa didn't care, singing along. Suddenly the radio was turned off. Penny returned to her seat, adjusting her book and lighter as before.

"I am reading." was what she said before we asked her why she cut the music off.

Justin's house was as big as I remember, and I can't believe I am about to get in. We parked our car across the street with the guidance of a boy I don't recognize. I am sure he is a fresh man, trying too hard to get Justin's favor. Isa fluffed her hair and renewed her lip gloss before she left the car. She casually snatched Penny's book from her hands and threw it inside the car before locking it. Penny huffed in response but didn't say anything. It is Isa's way of taking revenge against Penny for the music incident a few minutes ago. I swallowed the lump in my throat before I willed my legs to move. The whole street was littered by teenagers and red solo cups.

"Hey baby," someone whistled when we were at the compound. Isa winked at the boys who catcalled her, and we heard howling before the voice was swallowed by pop music from inside the house. I was hit by alcohol and sweat smell when we passed the front door. Many teenagers filled the house, most drunk. They were dancing in the center of what used to be the living room. In the kitchen snacks and drinks were served, which I knew were chips and a fruity looking beverage. I faintly smelt alcohol in the drink so I didn't dare take a sip. I don't want to be distracted from the mission. My heart stopped beating and squeezed painfully when I saw Justin from afar, his front glued at Tiana's back. He was teaching her pool and he seems to have a good time, laughing uncontrollably when she misses the ball. My eyes started to search for my friends before I lose it then and there. I saw Sam standing at the corner of the kitchen and I sighed in relief. She was observing her surroundings attentively, students making out in every corner and girls twerk at the center. There was Malina Winters between the girls who were jumping on the table with only their bra on. I thought she was a good girl. Well you will never know. Every one here was a savage either drunk or on the way to get drunk.

"They are disgusting." Sam said, pointing to the girls stripping on the table. They sure are but they are also free. They can be what they want to be in here, and no one would judge them. It's their natural habitat and they are enjoying themselves. My gaze rested upon Justin and Tiana, who are too close for my liking. Last year in school Justin kissed Georgina after he won his game, and I puked in disgust. I have never been to his game after that. What he did sliced me open and bled my heart. The saddest part was I had no right to feel that way.

"Come," I heard the unmistakable soft voice that can only belong to Penny. She was pulling Isa, who had a solo cup in her hand. Penny reached where we were in much difficulty since Isa stopped in every step to sip from the cup. "We need to do what we came here to do before she gets drunk." Penny pointed to Isa.

"You don't know how to have a fan." Isa said, trusting the empty cup to my hands to fumble with her belt bag. She retrieved 3 recorders and gave each of us one.

"I would do his bed room." I rushed out. I needed the destruction from the show Justin and his new 'Girlfriend' were giving everyone. Isa shrugged. "You Pen Pen the living room, and Sam the game room."

"What about you?'' Sam asked. Isa grinned at that.

"I would bless you. Go kids make mama proud." I rolled my eyes, making my way to the stairs. Of course Isa wouldn't do anything when she came here to have fun. The first floor also accommodated many students. I started to open room after room. I knew when I reached Justin's room I would know it. I found couples in several of the rooms I investigated. I never knew Adriana West was with Matthew. I shivered. At the end of the hall, I came face to face with a black door and I held the handle to open it.