Chapter 2

On Sunday, Chloe got ready in the dorm.

A sequined dress, loose curls, lashes curled high and long.

I waited until it was time, picked up the gift on my desk, and prepared to leave.

Chloe saw me and called out.

“Wait. Where are you going?”

I said nothing.

She looked me up and down.

“Oh, I get it.”

I instinctively hid the box behind my back.

She took a step toward me.

I stepped back half a step and pressed my hand over the box, afraid the corners would get damaged.

“So that’s why you were putting on makeup and a dress the other day. You wanted to go to the campus prince’s birthday party.”

The other two roommates came over when they heard her.

“No way. She has no shame.”

“If she goes, won’t she ruin Caleb’s mood? Who wants to see a pig on such a happy day?”

“And what is that gift? It looks so cheap. He’ll probably throw it in the trash right in front of her.”

“He wouldn’t,” I argued softly.

“He’s a good person.”

Chloe laughed.

“He only gives you the time of day because you went to the same high school. He’s being polite. Otherwise, do you think you’d ever get near him?”

“He’s Caleb Grant. He can have any girl he wants. Why would he need someone like you?”

“If you had any sense, you wouldn’t go. Otherwise, you’ll drag everyone down with you.”

I took a breath.

My voice was louder than before.

“I promised him I’d go.”

Chloe stopped blocking me.

She turned back to her mirror and kept applying mascara, tossing me a look through the reflection.

“Fine. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

I ignored her, opened the door, and left.

When I found the party room, there were already more than twenty people inside.

People were chatting, singing, and laughing.

I stood at the door for a while.

It had not been shut completely, and laughter spilled out in waves.

I looked down, straightened my clothes, and hugged the gift box a little tighter.

For this plush rabbit, I had spent two nights choosing fabric, redone the face three times, and pricked my fingers with the needle seven or eight times.

I took a breath and pushed the door open.