Okay, folk, today is the day. I lay on Tia's couch, staring at the ceiling for a while before realizing I had to get up. I heard sounds coming from the kitchen, and I sat up, arching an eyebrow and looking over at Tia 

in a deep sleep on the floor. I got up and headed to the kitchen, peeking inside and watching Tia's uncle making breakfast.

 

"Are you going to come in, Steven, or are you going to stare at me," Mr. Jones said. So I walked into the kitchen, sat at the table watching Mr. Jones cook, and started playing with the ends of my sleeves.

 

"Um, Mr. Jones, can I ask you something?" I asked.

 

"Is it about tonight, Steven?" He said.

 

"Yes. Do you think I should go?" I said.

 

"Listen, Steven, do not let fear control how to live your life," Mr. Jones said, placing a plate of pancakes in front of me.

 

"But what happens if I have a terrible time?" I asked.

 

"Then you have a terrible time, but at least you went there and experienced it. Isn't that what matters?" he asked, handing me a fork and knife. So I gave him a warm smile beginning to dig into my breakfast.

 

"Thanks," I said with a mouth full of food.

 

"No problem," he looked up at the doorway and smiled. "Oh, looked who decided to grace us with her presence," Mr. Jones said as Tia shuffled into the kitchen.

 

Tia was never a morning person, which meant her speech was limited to grunts, moans, and many glares. Fortunately, Mr. Jones knows how to keep the tiny beast at bay. Tia slipped into the chair, and her uncle placed her favorite color-changing mug filled with her favorite coffee and a plate of bacon and eggs. Tia grabbed the cup and took a long sip sighing happily, sinking into her chair slightly. Tia looked at her uncle, placing the cup down and making grabby hands to the man. He laughed, walking over to the fridge reaching inside to grab a bottle of hot sauce, and handing it to the girl. Tia smiled, started to dose her eggs with hot sauce, and took a large bite with sheer happiness.

 

"Are you ready for tonight?" was the first thing that Tia said to me before continuing to eat her breakfast.

 

"Well, good morning to you too, and yes, I am," I said, smiling at Mr. Jones. The older man nodded, poured himself a cup of coffee, and patted Tia on the head before leaving us.

 

"Well, at least someone is excited," Tia said.

 

"Is it because Mason is coming with us?" I asked.

 

"I don't know why you invited him," Tia said, taking another large sip of her coffee.

 

"Well, it is not just for you. I need the support just in case you leave me," I said.

 

"Why would I leave you?" Tia asked, peeking over her cup with an arched eyebrow.

 

"Well, Caleb might whisk you away for something," I said, and Tia scoffed at me, taking another sip.

 

"You know that is not going to happen, right?" Tia said.

 

"And how do you know that?" I asked.

 

"Because there is going to a bunch of people going to be there, and I can tell you that he wouldn't even notice that we are there," Tia said.

 

"Maybe you are right," I said, playing with my food, a bit disappointed that he might not notice that we were there.

 

"Hey, come on, let's finish up here so you can help me pick out an outfit for this party," Tia said, and I gave her a small smile.

 

The rest of the morning went as planned. Tia and me looking for an outfit for her and finally settled on a black body con dress with some red shoes and accessories. After that, she took me home so I could get ready. As I was leaving, she reminded me that I had to tell Mason that we were meeting at my house and that we were going at eight since the party started at 7. Tia said that the party doesn't start until 8, whatever that means. So I walked into my house and was attacked with questions from my sister.

 

"I thought you were coming home tonight?" Nina asked.

 

"Well, I did text you that I was sleeping over at Tia's," I said, closing the door and walking into the living room, spotting Nina's best friend, Gwen.

 

"Hey, cutie," Gwen said.

 

"Hey, Gwen," I said.

 

"So, what time are you leaving tonight?" Nina asked.

 

"Well, Tia and Mason are coming around 8, and we are heading out then, so 8, maybe 8:05," I said.

 

"So that gives us five hours to get ready for this party," Nina said.

 

"Nina, it is 3:00. We have time," I said.

 

"No, we have to find the right outfit for you, and on top of that, we have to style the mess on your head," Nina said, and Gwen nodded, agreeing with Nina.

 

"We are cutting it pretty close, Steven. We have a lot of work to do," Gwen said, tying back her long black hair.

 

"Okay, Gwen, you get the kitchen ready for his hair and nails, and I will get the outfits ready for him to try on, and you, mister, I want you in the shower now," Nina said, and she and Gwen were off. It is just a house party. I don't know why they are making it such a big deal. So I heard Nina yelling at me from upstairs, and I sighed, dropping my stuff on the couch and heading upstairs to get ready.

 

You know, sometimes my sister was crazy, but there was a method to her madness as I was in my room looking at myself in the mirror. I thought that she was going to dress me in something crazy. Still, it was just a casual pair of black jeans with a light grey button-up opened, revealing a plain white shirt underneath, and the shoes were grey with black and white paint spatters on them. I will ignore that my sister destroyed my grey sneakers because they look fantastic. I ran my hair through my hair and smiled because Gwen outdid herself. She trimmed my hair and styled it to the point where it was wavy and tame. I looked like a cooler version of myself. I gave myself a sad smile knowing that dream was just that, a dream.

 

"Damn, Nina and Gwen did a great job," I turned, looking at Tia standing in the doorway in her dress.

 

"Oh hush, you are here early," I said.

 

"Yeah, I thought I could ask Gwen to do my makeup," Tia said.

 

"Well, she might have some time," I said, and we walked out of my room and headed downstairs to the kitchen. We walked into the kitchen and saw Gwen and Nina in an intense conversation but stopped when we walked in.

 

"Are we interrupting something?" Tia asked, and Nina huffed, crossing her arms.

 

"Just some business problems," Gwen said.

 

Nina and Gwen have a small business that targets hair, makeup, and wardrobe called Midnight Angel. They started their business when they were freshmen working in Gwen's basement, and now they are well known throughout New York. The goal is to own a store they can call their own, but they are slowly making their way. They have to get over the hurdle of getting their licenses, and Nina is getting her degree in business and management.

 

"So what is the problem?" I asked.

 

"Someone made an appointment for their birthday, and she requested a dress, but she has been giving me problems," Nina said. But, oh yeah, did I mention that Nina is stupidly talented in fashion design? She taught herself, and I have to admit it is pretty cool.

 

"Well, the sooner we fix this dress, the sooner she is out of your hair," Gwen said, and Nina sank into her chair.

 

"Well, if you are not too angry, do you think I could steal Gwen to do my makeup?" Tia said, holding up her makeup box.

 

"I just noticed, dang mama, you look hot," Gwen said, looking Tia up and down.

 

"Are you trying to impress Mason?" Nina asked, smirking at her.

 

"N- No, shut up," Tia said.

 

"Mason, who is Mason?" Gwen asked.

 

"A guy she has been crushing on," Nina said, and Gwen gasped loudly.

 

"I thought you only had eyes for me," Gwen said dramatically, holding her chest.

 

"Shut up and do my makeup," Tia said.

 

"Alright, come here, sweetie," Gwen said, getting out of her chair. She gestured for Tia to sit in her chair, and Tia hopped in, and Gwen went to work.

 

"So," Nina said, smiling at me.

 

"I like the outfit," I said.

 

"Well, I would have done better if I had more time," Nina said.

 

"That was my fault Mason left pretty late last night," Tia said.

 

"He was there for movie night. You know I am starting to think you are making me jealous," Gwen said, applying eyeshadow to Tia.

 

"If I can roll my eyes, I would," Tia said.

 

"So, are you ready for tonight?" Nina asked.

 

"Yea," I said.

 

"Are you sure? Because Gwen and I can tag along," Nina said.

 

"Oh, don't you dare. This is my sweet baby's first party, and on top of that, it is with the popular kids. I have never been so proud of my sweet Stevie," Gwen said, walking over to hug me.

 

"Okay, I get it. I am a weird loner that doesn't go to parties. And to put your mind at ease, Caleb only invited me because he wanted to get closer to Tia," I said.

 

"You know I am starting to feel some type of way because these men have a chance with you, and I don't," Gwen said.

 

"Because she doesn't date annoying girls," Nina said. Gwen pouted and went back to doing Tia's face. I laughed at Gwen's antics and was happy that Nina had a best friend like her.

 

After Gwen finished Tia's makeup, Mason came a bit after, and his jaw was practically on the floor when he looked at Tia. He stumbled, telling Tia that she looked incredible. Tia blushed, earning a playful glare from Gwen, saying something about those two getting a room. Tia rushed out the door, pulling Mason out with her, me, and Nina, laughing at the two. After leaving and saying my goodbyes to my sister and Gwen, we were off to the party. Mason offered to drive because he was not planning on drinking, but I think it was to guarantee he was conscious enough to ensure no guys hit on Tia. The drive wasn't bad Tia and Mason were in a heated debate on who would within a fight, Godzilla or King Kong. So I tuned it out, stared out the window, and let my thoughts drift to Caleb. I wondered what he was wearing and what he would say if he saw us. I would have to see.

 

"Steven," I heard Tia say, pulling me out of my thoughts and looking at the pair staring at me.

 

"Y- yeah," I said.

 

"Are you alright?" Mason asked.

 

"Yea, I am right. Why?" I asked.

 

"Well, we were calling you for a  bit, and you were not answering," Tia said.

 

"Oh, I'm sorry I was lost in thought. What's up?" I said, and the pair shared a look.

 

"We are here, man," Mason said and looked past mason, and I saw a house's front lawn a few feet from the car.

 

"Okay, well then, let go in, shall we," I said.

 

'Yea, let's do it," Tia said, and we all got out of the car.

 

As we walked up to the house, I heard the muffled music, and the house was dark, with only colorful lights coming from the window. The closer I got to the house, the more the nerves were getting to me because maybe everyone was right. This was not my scene. So I shook my head, pushed down all those negative thoughts, and pushed forward. What was the worst thing that could happen?