Chapter twenty-two

The Cage's clubhouse was a long way from the Reed's home, but we arrived right on time in Ian's car. He'd offered to drop us off—well, after being dragged out of bed by Stacey. His first word when he saw me had been, "Wow." He gushed, eyes twinkling, "You look… amazing, Mira." He then turned to Stacey, all dolled up in a cute pink leather dress that was half as long as mine, with matching knee-high boots. At least she had some coverage. "What did you do to her, Stacey?"

"Offered my well-deserved, skillful service," she twirled and held me close, waving her hand in my face like a wand. "This here, oh fashion-daft one, is my incredible masterpiece!"

Ian nodded, barely taking his eyes off me for a second. "Good. Really good. You look nice, Mira." I tugged at my dress and forced a smile.

"So, are you driving or not?"

Ian's eyes brightened. "Do I have a choice?"

"Absolutely not. Off to the carriage, pumpkin!" Stacey yelled, holding out her purse. "Our Cinderella awaits!" Ian chuckled, heading back into his room for his keys. He came back out in a rush and headed to his car, beeping his sedan open. We climbed in, and he gave us a ride, chattering all the way about music and indie rock. I listened to the soft lull of his voice; at least it helped calm the nerves threatening to pop through my heart.

Standing outside Kimberly's porch and watching Stacey talk with some friends before we made our way in, my heart was jumping in shivers. When she finally waved them away and walked up to the door, my feet were practically frozen to the floor. Stacey stood back and stared at me.

"What are you doing?"

"Trying to figure out an emergency escape?" She let out a sigh and stomped over to me, grabbing my arm.

"There shall be no escaping and no emergencies, Mira. I'm trying to help you live your life since you obviously don't know how to, so give me some credit here and show the world my incredible masterpiece." She gave me a look, and I gulped. "Is that okay?"

"I guess." Her gaze went stern.

"Mira, don't try to run or do anything stupid."

"Not-running or doing anything stupid is my middle name," I huffed. She stopped walking and spun me around to face her.

"Mira, it's just a party. Stop freaking out." She rubbed my shoulder softly. "Deep breaths, Mira. You look amazing tonight. Guys are gonna be licking floors just to talk to you…"

"The exact thing I've been avoiding all my life."

"Well, you can't," she looked down at me, "and that's an order. Now, are you ready?" I exhaled.

"When you are." She smiled, linking arms with me.

"Let's do this." She pushed the doorbell, and the door flew open. Josh's bright, warm face popped up, and he let out a low whistle, gazing at me.

"My God, is that you, Mira?"

"Maybe?" He gasped, shaking his head in some kind of daze. "You look terrific." I smiled, rubbing my sweaty palms against my sides.

"Thanks."

"And Stacey, dazzling as always," He said, pushing the door a tad wider. "Come on in." We stepped into a barely lit room, booming with loud pop music, and couples in various stages of making out on the walls, couches, even on the floor. Disco lights swirled on the ceiling above, and I looked around, nearly blinded by the smoky, hazy effect in the room. It was too… loud. There were just too many people, half of whom were gaping at me. People I'd never spoken to before waved at me and beamed as I made my way in, with Stacey hanging onto my arm. She nudged me, and I looked at her wide, beaming face.

"See? Everyone's staring at you. I told you, Mira. You're smashing hot. No one could really see it, that's all." I nodded and gulped even harder when a few jocks perched around the bar winked and made eyes at me. Stacey giggled, and I looked away.

"No way," someone gasped, coming up from behind us. Lucy danced up to our faces, gaping and squinting at me. "Is that Mira?" She turned to Stacey. "What the hell did you do to the poor girl? Cake her up for two hours?"

"Three, actually."

"Little wonder why your butt looked a little squished from behind." I went red.

"Is it bad?"

"You look like a hot, smoking bitch, Mira. I can see every boy in the room drooling over your legs."

"Lucy, stop that," Stacey whispered. "You're embarrassing her."

"Well, she's got to know the truth…"

"The drinks at Bar 1 suck… what the F?" Katya gasped, running her eyes over me. "OMG, Mira, you look… amazing."

"What I said," Stacey chimed in.

"She still looks like a bitch," Lucy mumbled, and Katya slapped her arm.

"Ignore Lucy. She's just a bit high. Believe me, you look great, Mira. Great job, Stace." Stacey did a dramatic bow that looked impossible to pull off in those clothes.

"As always."

"You're so doing my makeup for Halloween. And homecoming. Don't forget that."

"You bet I won't," Her eyes twinkled as she rubbed her index finger over her thumb, "For a fee."

"You little thief," Katya said, beaming. "Gotta go," she added with a wink. "Hot date at my table." Stacey leaned forward, eyes brimming with curiosity.

"Tell me all about it."

"Later." Katya skipped off, and Lucy shot us a look.

"Meet you on the dance floor."

"There is no dance floor," Stacey said, and Lucy winked.

" Yet" She trotted off, and I watched her leave, my heart plunging into deep depths. I'd felt so relaxed with them around, and now I was left with Stacey, whose exaggerated comments on how the boys were reacting to my look left my tummy in rumbles.

I rubbed my clammy palms against my dress, trying to adjust my eyes to the poor lighting and loud music.

What was I even doing here?