Chapter 43
The teens finally make it to the event after spending a few hours chitchatting amongst each other and the wait staff at the restaurant. They push the doors open, revealing a magical scene of tall twisty trees adorned with whispy bunches of leaves that are illuminated with pastel purple and blue fairy lights. There is a clearing at the center where a DJ table is disguised as a giant tree stump. Behind him, hanging from a few tree branches is a projector screen that plays images of butterflies and doves. Lighting the path to the already crowded dance floor are little bunches of glowing mushrooms. If it weren't for the few tables littering the space between the trees, the fake forest might have been mistaken for a true magical paradise.
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All six of us waste no time getting to that dance floor. Arms drape up over shoulders, hands plant themselves at our waists. We dance the night away. If I weren't on a mission, I would be enjoying myself. I would be dancing and smiling and forgetting every worry I have. Unfortunately, I can't focus on anything other than how incredible Foster's eyes look, matching his tie, purple and blue lights reflected against his cornea.
Jake tries to reel me into a conversation. I hear bits and pieces about how beautiful I am and how happy he is to get to share tonight with me. I want to smile and listen and feel drawn to him the same way I feel towards Foster. He has been nothing but sweet and kind to me, a true gentleman, but I just can't feel any real attraction to him. I want to pretend like this is real for me too but I can't, not when the guy of my dreams is within arms reach, but lightyears away at the same time.
A small selection of fast-paced upbeat songs breaks up the slow dancing. I breathe a sigh of relief from the interruption. I was beginning to feel suffocated by Jake's stares and comments. I make my way to Micah and Claudia. The guys fall back, heading to wherever to get refreshments and to sit back and watch us gals have fun together. I check the time. It's almost time. I am so close to accomplishing my goal, of breaking up the two lovebirds. I excuse myself from the dance floor, shuffling towards the doors that lead to the foyer. On either side of this space are hallways leading to restrooms. I position myself a few feet away from the hallway that leads to the women's restroom, the only true escape that Claudia will have from what's about to go down. Knowing Foster, he will chase after her, leading him straight to me. I lean against the cold concrete walls and wait for shit to hit the fan.
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At precisely ten, the music cuts, and a video projects itself onto the wall. Micah and C stop dancing and turn to see what is going on. The audio for the video isn't there, but the video shows Claudia, prancing around, shaking her ass, and swaying around a room seductively, entirely in the nude. Her whole body is on display for her classmates and teachers and whatever other adult is chaperoning the event.
How the hell did this happen? She remembers the sleepover and the drinking but at no point did she ever stand in front of a camera during her strip tease dare. She had been coherent the entire time, not a single drop of alcohol had touched her lips, so how was this happening? She looks to Micah for answers only to find Micah in just as much shock. Whistles and cheers from some of the males send her running. She has to get out of there. She can't handle the amount of attention that was on her.
Why did so many people have to see her like that? What was Foster going to think? She pushes past the crowd of students that are between her and the exit. Comments like 'nice tits' and 'gorgeous ass' are being thrown in her direction. She is trying her best to tune it out, but the tears are already flowing. She is confused, angry, and terrified of what Foster is going to say.
Foster looks up from his phone when the music cuts out. He too is confused at what is being projected onto the wall. Once he realizes what is going on, anger fills his entire being. He wants to kill someone, but he knows he needs to find C first. He doesn't want to leave her alone during this. He is going to figure out who is behind this, but for now, his first priority is finding his girlfriend and making sure she is safe.
Foster spots her right as she bolts through the main doors of the ballroom, into the entryway. He tries to catch her, but she is in the women's restroom before he can get to her. Foster searches his pockets for his phone, realizing he left it at the table. He was going to go back for it to try and contact C but as he is turning away, someone catches his arm.
Julia grabs onto Foster's arm, trying to get his attention. He didn't even notice her standing right beside him. She hugs his arm against her chest and feigns a worried expression, trying to get him to pay attention to her. "What's wrong Foster? Is everything okay?" Julia presses her breasts further into him. She has him exactly where she wants him, now she just has to keep him here.
"Let go Julia! I need to get my phone." Foster tries to pull away, but Julia is really holding on.
"What's happening? What are you so worked up for?" Julia keeps up this charade, pretending she has no idea why he is furious and that she isn't aware of what had just happened in the gymnasium.
"Seriously, let go. I need to get my phone so I can call C. Some asshole leaked her nudes to the entire school. What kind of monster does that?" Julia is slightly angry that he cares so much but doesn't let it show on her face.
"Oh no! Who would do something like that?" Julia pulls him closer to her, losing her balance as she does so. She begins to fall and Foster being the nice guy that he is, catches her. Foster has Julia by the waist, his face dangerously close to hers. Julia sees C exit the restroom out of the corner of her eye and forces her lips onto Fosters. Foster's eyes widen. He tries to push her off of him, but she holds him in the kiss long enough for C to see what is happening. She lets go of Foster, pleased with her work. Things were going swimmingly.
Foster notices C right as she is escaping a second time. Fuck. He manages to get Julia off of him. "Where are you hurrying off to? You don't want to have some fun with me?" Julia tries to convince Foster to stay but he shoves her away from him before bolting after C, hoping his long legs would get him to her as soon as humanly possible.