Collision of two worlds

The invitation

Chapter 7 —

(Faye's POV)

It had been two weeks since the dodgeball fiasco.

Two weeks since Sierra and her two minions, Maddie and Amber, had decided I was their new favorite target.

Honestly? I was proud of myself. I didn’t cry, didn’t hide in the bathroom, didn’t even let them see me flinch after that whole scene. I walked out of that gym with my head high — sweaty, exhausted, but victorious in my own way.

Sierra had been pretty chill since then, surprisingly. Maybe she got bored. Maybe she found a new victim. Or maybe, just maybe, she realized I wasn’t the easy pick she thought I was. Either way, I’ve been doing my best to avoid her — not because I can’t stand my ground, but because I just… don’t like drama. I prefer peace. A quiet hallway, some background music in my ears, and absolutely no confrontation.

And for the most part, the past two weeks have been normal.

Classes, assignments, endless coffee runs.

Ava and I have gotten closer — not besties-close, but the kind where you smile at each other in the hallways, share inside jokes during government class, and talk about how your brain stops functioning every Monday morning. She’s chill, easy to talk to. Maybe a little too outgoing for my pace, but she means well.

Mia and Lily, on the other hand, have been my constants. Lunch together every day, gossiping about random things that don’t really matter, laughing way too loudly, getting side-eyed by other tables — the usual. Our friendship is the warm kind. The kind that feels like sunshine.

And that’s where today begins. Friday afternoon.

Cafeteria buzzing like it always does. Laughter bouncing off the walls, trays clattering, music leaking faintly from someone’s AirPods. I’m halfway through a slice of pizza that’s way too greasy when Ava waves from across the room.

“Faye! Mia! Lily! Come here for a sec!”

Her voice cuts through the cafeteria noise, and people actually look. Because, well, Ava Preston calling someone across the room? That doesn’t happen often unless it’s important.

Mia practically jumps up from her seat. “Oh my God, what’s happening?”

I shoot her a look. “You don’t even know what she wants yet.”

“Yeah,” Lily adds softly, tucking a strand of chestnut hair behind her ear, “what if it’s trouble?”

“Please,” Mia scoffs. “It’s Ava. Trouble’s fun when it comes with her.”

And before I can even argue, Mia’s dragging both of us across the cafeteria to Ava’s table — the “it crowd,” as people love to call them.

Ava grins as we approach, her curly chestnut hair bouncing as she turns. “Finally! You guys took forever.”

Sitting with her are Orion, Preston, and Dustin. The trio that practically runs the senior class — effortlessly cool, untouchable, the kind of people teachers pretend not to notice breaking rules (not that they do) because they’re too charming for detention.

“Okay,” Ava says dramatically, placing her soda down, “you three are coming to the party tomorrow.”

Mia lights up instantly. “Party? As in… a real party?”

Dustin laughs. “What other kind of party is there, Hayes?”

“The kind with cake and no beer, Hale” Mia shoots back.

Everyone bursts out laughing, even Preston — well, more like a quiet smirk, but for Preston, that’s practically hysterical laughter.

I cross my arms. “Wait, hold on. What party?”

Ava leans forward, eyes twinkling. “Ethan Cross is throwing one tomorrow night. You know, football captain? It’s the first party of the semester.”

I blink. “Ethan Cross? The one who almost broke a window in gym class?”

“Exactly him,” Dustin says, grinning. “But hey, he throws a mean party.”

“And by ‘mean,’ he means chaotic,” Preston mutters.

Mia’s practically bouncing. “We’re going. Obviously, we’re going.”

Lily looks uncertain. “I don’t know… parties aren’t really my thing.”

Preston glances at her, his voice calm and deep. “You should come. It’ll be fun.”

And just like that, Lily’s cheeks turn pink. “I… guess I could.”

Mia smirks. “Uh-huh. Thought so.”

Then everyone looks at me.

Ava’s eyes are sparkling like she already knows I’m going to say no.

“I don’t think so,” I say, shaking my head. “Parties aren’t—”

“Optional,” Ava interrupts. “Come on, Faye! You need to live a little.”

“I’m alive enough, thanks.”

Dustin chuckles. “Come on, blondie. You survived dodgeball. You can survive one night of bad dancing and loud music.”

I open my mouth to say something, but then my gaze drifts — and lands on Orion.

He’s been quiet the whole time, leaning back in his seat, one arm draped casually over the backrest. His red-and-black hair falls slightly over his eyes, and he’s just watching. Not judging. Not mocking. Just watching.

When our eyes meet, he arches one brow. A silent challenge.

Oh, so that’s how it is.

My brain screams don’t do it. But my pride? My pride has other plans.

“So,” I say, trying to sound casual but failing miserably, “when’s this party again?”

Ava’s face lights up. “Tomorrow night. Ethan’s house.”

“I’ll be there,” I blurt out before I can stop myself.

The words hang in the air for a moment — and then chaos.

Mia squeals, grabbing my arm. “Yes! Finally!”

Lily gasps, her eyes wide. “You’re going?”

Dustin laughs and claps me on the back. “Didn’t think you had it in you, Faye. Don’t bail on us now.”

Preston gives a small approving nod, his amber eyes glinting.

And Orion? He just smirks. The tiniest lift at the corner of his lips, but enough to send a flutter through my chest.

What have I done?

As the conversation drifts to outfits and rides, I sit quietly, poking at what’s left of my pizza. My mind’s a storm of regret and adrenaline. I’m not the party type. I don’t do loud crowds, dancing, or small talk with people who probably don’t even know my name.

But one thing about me — I don’t back down from a challenge.

---

That night, I tell Mom about the party while she’s drying dishes in the kitchen.

“A party?” Her eyes light up instantly. “Oh, that’s wonderful, honey!”

“Mom,” I groan. “It’s just a party.”

“It’s not just a party! It’s your senior year! You need to make memories, meet people, have fun—”

Dad walks in right on cue, raising a suspicious brow. “What’s this about a party?”

Mom beams at him. “Our baby got invited to a senior party tomorrow night!”

Dad frowns. “Senior party? As in, high school party? With music and—”

“Teenagers,” I finish for him. “Yes, Dad. Teenagers.”

He crosses his arms. “Absolutely not.”

I sigh. “Dad, come on.”

“You don’t know what goes on in those things. I was your age once.”

“Yeah, back when people thought disco was cool,” I mumble.

Mom laughs, patting his shoulder. “Relax, she’s going with her friends — Mia and Lily. You’ve met them. Sweet girls. Responsible.”

He looks between us for a long second before groaning. “Fine. But I’m driving her there.”

Mom nudges him playfully. “Oh, let her breathe a little.”

He points at me. “No nonsense. You hear me?”

“Yes, Dad,” I say, smiling.

When I finally escape to my room, I flop onto my bed and stare at the ceiling, as the rain drizzles gently against the window. Mango jumps up beside me, his golden fur brushing my arm.

“Guess who just made the biggest mistake of her life,” I whisper.

Mango stares at me, unimpressed, and lets out a low, judgmental meow.

“Yeah, I know,” I sigh. “You don’t have to rub it in.”

He curls up beside me anyway, like he always does, his tail flicking lazily. And for a moment, everything feels soft again — quiet, safe.

Tomorrow’s going to be chaos. I already know it.

But tonight… tonight I can pretend I’m ready for whatever’s coming.

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