Torn Between Choices

When the music stopped

Dora's POV

The car stopped in front of a large iron gate that led into a massive mansion. I couldn’t help but wonder why they would choose such a venue for this kind of party. It felt more like something students would host, certainly not at her parents’ house, of all places.

Anna and I stepped out of the car and made our way toward the entrance after signalling to the gatekeeper and presenting our tickets.

“We’re here!” Anna squealed excitedly.

“Yeah,” I replied, my voice betraying my nervousness. It was my first time, after all.

We walked into the party hall.

The music was loud, lights flashed across the room, and bodies moved in sync with the rhythm. The atmosphere was alive, too alive for someone like me.

The moment I stepped onto the main floor, I felt it. Eyes turned in my direction, and suddenly I became uncomfortably aware of myself. Whispers followed, glances lingered. I was the centre of attention, and not by choice. My appearance drew stares, and despite myself, I felt both shy and exposed.

What I wasn’t prepared for, however, was Natasha’s reaction when she realized she hadn’t invited me.

I lowered my gaze to the floor, pretending not to notice the attention as people continued dancing around me.

Natasha and Ethan were nowhere in sight. I moved toward a corner of the room, watching others laugh and dance while my eyes scanned the crowd, searching for Anna.

Where could she have disappeared to?

The shyness crept in stronger than I expected. I had thought I was ready to have fun, but I had clearly underestimated how introverted I truly was. I stood there with my arms crossed, my eyes drifting across the room once more, this time searching for Ethan. I could really use some company.

I noticed a figure in a shiny red, sleek, curve-hugging party dress with a bold deep V-neckline and a low-cut back. The dress clung perfectly to her body, catching the light as she moved.

Then it hit me.

It was Thessa.

“Thessa?” I whispered, already walking toward her, uncrossing my arms.

She was lost in the music and didn’t hear me.

“Thess!” I called again, louder this time but still careful not to draw attention.

She turned around and froze.

The shock on her face mirrored my own.

Without giving her time to react, I grabbed her arm and pulled her outside.

“How—?” The words barely escaped me.

“What are you doing here?” she snapped.

“Does Mum know?”

“You didn’t tell me you were coming,” I said angrily. “You hid it from me.”

“Oh yeah?” she scoffed. “Guess who’s been up all night talking to her dearest cousin.”

She leaned closer and lowered her voice.

“Listen, I want to have fun tonight, and I don’t want anyone ruining it.”

Then she said the words that made my blood run cold.

“I put some pills in Mum’s drink. She won’t wake up till at least nine tomorrow morning.”

She glanced around quickly, checking for eavesdroppers.

My pupils were constricted. I couldn’t speak. Thessa had always been reckless, but this?

Before I could respond, she walked back inside.

“And don’t you dare act like you know me till tomorrow morning,” she added over her shoulder, sashaying away as if nothing had happened.

I returned to the house just as Raynolds took the stage. His voice was smooth, soothing.

Is he single?

“No,” I snapped myself out of it. It’s Ethan or no one.

After his performance, Natasha appeared on the main floor in a stunning red gown; signature corset, heart neckline, off-the-shoulder drape, and a dramatic floor-length skirt that sculpted her figure perfectly. Bvlgari jewellery glittered against her skin, paired with a bold red lip.

As she climbed onto the stage, eyes followed her everywhere. Most of the girls looked at her with envy. Natasha was perfection: Her confidence, her elegance, her wealth.

She welcomed everyone with a short speech and raised a toast. Soon after, the real party began. Everyone went off to change into pool outfits.

That’s when I understood why she chose the mansion.

There was a massive pool beside the house.

Everyone gathered at the pool.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have a swimsuit, and I was a terrible swimmer.

The hip-hop music was loud, nearly deafening.

Some people danced in the pool, others sat at the edge taking pictures, drinks in hand. A few were already drunk.

Thessa was in a bikini, dancing freely with a drink in her hand, completely unbothered. Seeing her like that stunned me.

She didn’t even look my way.

I had never felt so distant from her.

I stood at a corner, trying to disappear, scanning the crowd for Anna since Ethan was still nowhere to be found.

Then I realized both Thessa and Anna were gone.

“Hey.”

The voice sent a shiver through me.

I turned.

Ethan. Bare-chested. Completely unfair.

“Um… hi,” I muttered.

“I knew you’d come,” he winked. “How about a swim?” He reached for my hands.

“I—I can’t swim. And I don’t have a swimsuit.”

“It’s fine,” he said easily.

We talked for a few minutes, shouting over the music. I was already smitten.

“So…” I looked toward the pool, avoiding his eyes. “Why did you and Natasha break up?”

My heart pounded.

“Well,” he smirked, stepping closer, his eyes fixed on my lips, “that’s nothing you should worry about.”

My breath caught.

Suddenly, footsteps rushed toward us.

The music stopped.

Every eye turned in my direction.

“Hey! High bun!” a voice called out, sharp with anger.

Natasha stormed toward me, jealousy burning in her eyes.

“What the hell are you doing at my party? And with my boyfriend?”

She yanked Ethan behind her.

Phoebe stood beside her.

Anna and Thessa were nowhere in sight.

I stood frozen, dumbfounded. I waited for Ethan to say something, but he walked away.

“Oh well,” she sneered. “Since you’re that stupid, how about we go for a swim?”

She snapped her fingers.

Phoebe and Natasha’s friends grabbed me.

I screamed.

Laughter erupted. Phones went up.

Someone uploaded it instantly: #LoserRuinsTheCelebrityParty

They shoved me into the pool.

I struggled.

“She can’t swim, you evil witch!” someone screamed.

Anna.

She jumped in and dragged me out.

I sat at the edge, soaked, shaking, tears burning my eyes. Rage built inside me, but I couldn’t move. Everyone would protect her.

“That’s for ruining my party, silly,” Natasha said before walking away with her minions.

Phoebe and I exchanged a brief glance.

Anna wrapped an arm around me and wiped my tears.

Thessa’s POV

After the dance, I went looking for Ethan.

After the little time we spent together, I knew he wouldn’t resist me.

What was I doing? Seducing my junior?

I didn’t care. I loved him.

I heard noise coming from the pool but ignored it. Natasha was probably having one of her episodes.

Drama queen.

Then I saw Ethan heading toward the back door.

“Hey,” I called softly.

I sashayed toward him, swaying my hips, my red bikini hugging my caramel skin perfectly.

His eyes followed every step.

Just as I planned.

“Um…” he breathed.

“I know,” I winked.

I leaned closer to him. He pulled me in, and I kissed him.

Footsteps.

I broke away instantly, my heart racing.

It was Rose—clearly drunk.

She mumbled incoherently, swaying on her feet. Anger flared inside me. That moment had been mine, my chance, and she had ruined it.

Ethan stepped back. Without a word, he slipped a card into my hand and walked away.

“Rose!” I rushed toward her as she staggered and collapsed onto a chair. I knelt beside her.

“Ahhh!” she wailed, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Shhh,” I whispered sharply, pressing my hand gently over her mouth. “Do you want to draw attention to us?”

Footsteps again.

“We have to leave.”

That was when I saw Anna and Dora. Both were drenched. Dora looked especially shaken and fragile.

She couldn’t swim.

“What the—?” My voice failed me.

Guilt slammed into my chest. What if Rose had seen everything? I didn’t trust her, not in this state. One word from her and everyone would believe I had forced myself on Ethan, that I was shameless enough to chase my junior.

The noise from the pool echoed in my head.

Was Dora the one they were mocking?

What had happened while I was gone?

And why had Ethan walked away the moment Rose appeared?

“You evil witch! Where were you?” Dora screamed.

Anna grabbed her tightly, stopping her from lunging at me.

Jealousy surged through my spine, sharp and unwelcome.

“We need to leave. Now,” Anna said quietly.

I looked at her, silently asking why.

“I’ll explain later,” she replied.

We called the driver and left the party.

As the car moved, the same questions replayed in my mind.

Why did Ethan leave when Rose came in?

Was he ashamed of being seen with me?

Or was I simply not worth claiming?

I stared down at the card in my hand as cool night air rushed through my hair.

And for the first time that night, I felt something worse than humiliation.

Uncertainty.