The voice was sugary-sweet in that annoying way Riley recognized instantly.
She slowly lifted her eyes.
Brianna.
Of course.
Bianca stood there with her perfect curls, perfect lip gloss, perfect everything, smiling like a cat that finally cornered a mouse.
"Didn't expect to see you here," Brianna said loudly enough for the people around to hear. "After all… yesterday was kind of humiliating. For you, anyway."
Riley swallowed, her pulse hammering. Jake stepped closer, slightly in front of her.
"Back off, Brianna," Jake said. "She bumped into you, not stabbed you."
Brianna shot him an annoyed look. "Relax, Jake. I'm just saying hi to your… friend." She dragged out the last word like it was a joke.
The girls behind her snickered.
Riley clenched her hands. She wasn't about to give Brianna the satisfaction of seeing her flinch.
"Move," Riley said quietly, trying to walk past.
Brianna stepped right in her way. "Aw, come on. Don't run away. Aren't you supposed to be owning it tonight? Isn't that why you're glued to Jake already?"
Riley froze.
Jake's eyes darkened.
"I said back off," Jake repeated, his voice louder.
The blasting music stopped as everyone stared at them.
Brianna rolled her eyes. "Please. The whole party is literally watching her make a fool of herself with you. One rumor and she attaches herself to the source? Kind of desperate, right?"
Murmurs started spreading around them. Phones lifted as people laughed.
Riley felt her throat tighten but forced her face to stay blank.
She wasn't going to give her what she wanted. Her eyes went to Liam, who was staring at her. Maybe Liam was right. She had to stand up for herself. Staying silent wouldn't do anything for her.
"Desperate?" Riley said, crossing her arms. "You're the one being desperate. You're angry, or should I say jealous, that the rumor wasn't about you and Jake, isn't it?"
Jake stared at her, surprised. He never expected Riley to speak up, but he was glad she did.
"Me? Jealous? Of you?" Brianna chuckled. "You must be delusional. I could never be jealous of someone like you."
Riley took a step closer. "Then tell me. Why do you keep finding trouble with me over these rumors? Others don't, but you do. Trying to bring me down, embarrass me… If it isn't jealousy, then would you mind telling me why?"
Everyone went quiet as they stared at Brianna, waiting for an answer. It turned out the party had just gotten more interesting.
Lily and her friends at the back watched the show.
"Well, this isn't what I planned, but I like it."
Brianna glared at Riley, feeling everyone's eyes on her. "Because I hate you, and I'm sure everyone else does," she blurted out.
Riley flinched.
Brianna smirked, sensing she had the upper hand. "I'm sure your mama hates you too, because who would like a girl like you? Don't you ever think about your poor mom who has to go through ridicule and embarrassment because of you? Sure, your sister doesn't go through that, but what about your mom?"
Everyone started to murmur, some snickering.
Riley's eyes slowly dropped as she uncrossed her arms, her chest tightening. Her eyes stung, but she held herself back from crying. Was it really that obvious? Everything Brianna said was, unfortunately, true.
She bit her cheeks. Everyone does hate her. They do.
But she never did anything except dress like this. The more she thought about it, the angrier she felt.
"Watch your mouth, Brianna. Don't include her family in this," Jake said, glaring at her. "And I'm not part of the people who hate her."
"Yeah, you don't get to speak about my sister like that," Lily said, stepping in.
"Riley is right. You're jealous you aren't the one hanging around Jake," Alex added, who had been watching quietly.
Riley lifted her head, looking at them, tears threatening to fall. Not everyone hated her. She had them and....
Brianna glared at them. "This is so heartwarming. Your friends are protecting you. Pathetic. You can't hide from the truth just because you have three blinded buffoons."
Suddenly, another voice cut in.
"That's enough, Brianna. You're being childish," Liam said, walking toward them.
…And she had him.
He stepped closer, eyes locking on Brianna like she was an annoying assignment he didn't feel like dealing with.
Brianna blinked, taken off guard. "L-Liam… hey."
He ignored her completely. His eyes moved to Riley for one brief second before she quickly looked away.
He looked back at Brianna.
"You're embarrassing yourself," Liam said. "Why does it matter to you who hates her? You said everyone hates her, but none of them behaves like you. Yours is filled with hatred, jealousy, or maybe you're just immature."
A wave of whispers rippled through the crowd.
Brianna's face turned red with anger as she struggled to find a reply. "I-it isn't like that. You can't..."
"Sure," Liam said. "Keep telling yourself that."
Brianna clenched her fists, glaring at them, then turned around and walked away.
The room fell quiet as everyone stared.
Mia clapped her hands. "Come on, this is my party, and I don't want it ruined. Put the music back on."
"Are you okay, Riley?" Lily asked, turning to her.
Riley nodded. "Yeah, I am. Thanks for standing up for me, guys."
"There's no need to thank us. We're your friends," Jake said, ruffling her hair.
"Stop that," Riley said, smacking his hand away. "But seriously, thanks."
"You looked cool defending yourself. You should do it more. Douchebags like Brianna deserve that," Alex said with a smile. "Your response agitated her enough to make her say all that stupid stuff."
"I guess you're right," Riley said with a small smile. She glanced at Liam, who was standing there quietly as the others spoke. She took a deep breath and turned to him. "Can we talk?"
The others fell silent. Liam stared at her, wide-eyed. He hadn't expected that.
"S-sure," he replied.
Riley led him outside the house. They stood facing each other.
"You know what you said yesterday was pretty harsh," Riley started. "But it was the truth, and it really hurt."
Liam flinched. "I'm really sorry, Riley. I should never have said that. Seeing you being treated like this made me snap. I was already having a bad day at home, and I took it out on you. I was stupid. You're not a boy, and I actually like the way you dress. I just blurted it out..."
Riley watched him ramble. "It did hurt badly, but you were right, I needed to stand up for myself. I forgive you."
"Please forgive me, I will— wait. You forgive me?"
Riley smiled. "Yeah. But if you ever give me advice like that again, I'll never forgive you."
"You know I won't," Liam said with a smile. "You're pretty scary, you know. And you looked really good standing up for yourself."
"Seriously?" Riley said, rolling her eyes. "Let's head back inside. The others are waiting."
"You owe me a dance," Liam said, staring at her.
Riley looked at him, confused. "No, I don't."
Liam shook his head. "Yes, you do. You danced with Jake, so you have to dance with me."
Riley stared at him, dumbfounded. "And who decided that?"
"I did." Liam grabbed her hand, pulling her back into the house.
"Let go of me, Liam. I don't want to dance. I'm a bad dancer," Riley said as he dragged her along.
"You're a bad liar. Besides, I saw you dancing."
Riley sighed, accepting defeat as she let him pull her inside.
Maybe this party wasn't so bad after all.