CHAPTER 51: GIRLS’ NIGHT

Catherine’s POV

"So girls?" she started after a while, flashing her queen-bee smile. "You know what day it is, right?"

I nodded and answered in my head. "Friday?"

Her girls giggled, exchanging glances like I’d just told the world’s dumbest joke, before saying it out together, "girl’s nightttt."

My forehead creased, and I waited for any of them to give an explanation.

Sasha leaned forward. "Today is the last day of November which means we girls hang out tonight."

"Oh." I forced a smile, pretending I knew what she was talking about. "What kind of girls’ night?"

"It’s our little tradition," she said, drawing out the words like honey. "At the end of every month, we celebrate. Music, food, stories, drinks and," Her lips curved. "Some secrets, too."

Zoe clapped softly. "It’s the best part of the month. We’ve done it for, like, two years straight."

Ria added, "Everyone in our circle looks forward to it."

"And now," Sasha said, turning her sharp brown eyes on me, "since you’re officially one of us..."

I blinked. "I am?"

She smiled wider. "Of course, Catherine. You didn’t think being friends meant we’d not include you in our activities, did you?"

The other girls laughed again, but Sasha’s tone softened a little as she said, "You’ll be joining us tonight."

My stomach tightened, for some reason I felt unsettled. Wasn’t it all going too fast? But what could I do?

"Sure," I answered carefully, trying not to sound too eager or too hesitant. "Where are we doing it?"

Sasha’s lips pursed in mock frustration. "Well, that’s the problem." She tossed her hair over her shoulder and sighed. "My parents are having some high-profile guests over tonight. You know how these business people are. Which means I can’t use our house."

Zoe groaned. "Not again."

"Can’t we use Rina’s?" Mia asked.

Rina shook her head. "My house is too small and besides, my dad’s home. He hates people staying over."

Mia winced. "My parents would lose it if I threw a party. They check my room every two hours."

Sasha drummed her fingers on the table, then turned her gaze back to me. "What about you, Catherine?"

"Me?" My voice came out a bit too high. "Uh- -I don’t think..."

"Come on," Sasha cut in smoothly. "You live at the Vaughn mansion. It’s huge and perfect for a small girls’ night. We’ll clean up after ourselves."

My heart skipped. "I don’t know if that’s a good idea," I said quickly. "I’d have to ask first."

"Ask?" Sasha raised her brow. "Who?"

"Julian," I said before I could stop myself. "He—um—he’s sort of the one who decides things like that."

The moment his name left my mouth, Sasha’s eyes lit up. "Perfect."

"No," I said immediately. "Not perfect. He’ll probably say no."

"Then convince him." She pointed suddenly toward the corner of the room. "Oh, look. He’s right there. You can ask him now."

My head snapped in that direction, and sure enough, Julian was standing by the vending machine, scrolling through his phone like he had no care in the world.

"Go on," Sasha urged with a smile too sweet to trust. "Ask him. I’m sure he’ll listen to you."

The other girls were all watching me with expectant grins, waiting to see what I’d do. I hesitated, then muttered, "Fine," under my breath and pushed myself up.

I could feel Sasha’s eyes on me as I crossed the room. Julian looked up briefly when I stopped beside him, but he didn’t say a word. His gaze flicked over me once, before he pocketed his phone and turned toward the door.

"Julian," I called but he didn’t stop.

"Julian!" I repeated, a little louder this time, earning a few stares from nearby students.

He exhaled sharply and kept walking out. I turned helplessly to Sasha and her girls, who were all gesturing for me to follow.

"Unbelievable," I whispered, pressing my lips together before trailing after him.

By the time I got out to the hallway, I couldn’t see him. "Julian?" I called.

Before I could take another step, a hand shot out from one of the empty classrooms and grabbed my arm, pulling me inside. I gasped and nearly stumbled, but his perfume hit me before my eyes adjusted.

"Julian!" I hissed, clutching my chest. "You need to stop doing that."

His face was without any expression. He just stood there, with his dark and tired eyes fixed on mine. "What do you want?"

Straight to the point not acting like a moron today. Nice!

I straightened my shirt and said quickly, "I wanted to ask if I could host something. Just a mini hangout for me and my friends. Nothing crazy."

His brows drew together. "Friends?"

"Sasha and the girls," I said, trying not to sound defensive.

He let out a humorless laugh. "You are now friends with Sasha? Very typical."

I frowned. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," he muttered, crossing his arms. "You can do whatever you want. You don’t have to ask me."

"Yes, I do," I argued. "It’s your father’s house, and you act like you own it."

He gave me a look that made it seem like I was talking nonsense. "If you’re waiting for my approval, then fine. Do whatever you want."

"Julian, don’t be rude."

He scoffed softly. I rolled my eyes and turned toward the door but his voice stopped me. "I was actually thinking you wanted to apologize for what you said before."

"Apologize for what?" I asked through gritted teeth, "if anyone deserves an apology, then that’s me."

"Really?" He scoffed and shook his head like I was unbelievable, "you are so selfish."

Selfish? That’s rich coming from him.

Before I knew it, he was out of the room.

When I finally stepped back into the Cafeteria, Sasha and her girls were at the far end, waiting like a panel of judges.

"Well?" Sasha called.

I forced a smile I didn’t feel. "He said yes."

It was easier to lie than explain that he hadn’t really given an answer.

Her grin widened. "That was fast." She slipped her arm through mine, giggling. "You’re going to love tonight, Catherine."