Taming the Beast
Chapter 13 (Caroline)

(Caroline's POV)

I walked to the door with Preston on my hip and swung the door open to find my two friends practically bursting with excitement. Stacy was dressed in a tight silver strapless dress and red pumps. Ariana had on a classier royal blue halter dress that flowed to her knees and matching wedges. I sighed and rolled my eyes. It didn't take a genius to realize that they were up to something.

"Mary!" Preston squealed and reached for Mariana. I smiled and let him shift into Mariana's arms. She smiled.

"Hi baby," she said as she and Stacy walked inside. They dragged me up to my room with Preston in tow. Stacy automatically started plowing through my closet as Mariana sat on my bed and played with Preston.

"What's going on?" Danny said from the doorway. He was dressed in his decorated black police uniform. That was Danny's job. He was a police officer for our little town. I shuddered at the thought. I really hated his job. It was dangerous and I didn't know what I would do if I lost Danny too. There was a plus of never getting speeding tickets though. I only shrugged.

"I have no idea," I answered.

"We're going to Duncan's party, duh!" Stacy said, coming from my closet with a black, one-shoulder dress. The strap was made of a light layer of tulle that wrapped down the dress. Stacy got the dress for me for Christmas last year. I started shaking my head.

"I have to take care of Preston tonight," I said, gladly giving my excuse. Mariana snorted in a laugh.

"No you don't," she said. I looked to Danny for help. He only shrugged.

"I was just about to drop him off with our neighbor, Mrs. Piggens," Danny said. I glared at him.

"Thanks Danny," I scowled at him as he picked Preston off of Mariana's lap. I groaned as Stacy squealed and dragged me towards the bathroom. Danny closed the door behind him.

After showering, Stacy and Mariana stuffed me into the black dress. It hugged my curves like you wouldn't believe. I was surprised that it even covered my whole butt. The black heels they paired it with made my legs look long. Mariana started on my hair while Stacy started my makeup. Stacy only put a layer of mascara on and a honey colored eye shadow that just made my eyelid look sparkly. After a tiny bit of blush and red lip stick, Stacy was satisfied. Mariana finished up and I was finally allowed to look in my full length mirror. I gasp as I checked out my entire body. I looked fantastic. They really worked their magic on me this time. Mariana straightened my normally wavy hair and it hung bone-straight all the way down to my waist. It was sleek and shiny. There was a waterfall braid starting at my side part and going all the way to the back on my head into a pair of nude bobby pins.

"You look so hot! Oh my God! Keegan is going to be all over you when he sees you!" Stacy gushed. My eyes widened as my head snapped to her.

"That's why you guys did all of this?! You're pushing me at Keegan? He's dating Natasha!" I yelled at her as she pushed me out of the door. I watched as Mariana grabbed a clutch and my phone. "Sweetie, you are so much better than her. She's a bitch," Mariana said sweetly. I couldn't help but to laugh at that. Stacy shoved me in the car and climbed in after me. We pulled up to a house that was buzzing with students, alcohol, and energy. Stacy pushed me from my lower back as Mariana dragged me from my wrist. I groaned and let my head fall back as we entered the house. The music blasted me where I stood. It vibrated through my whole body. My best friends dragged me straight through to the kitchen. It was much quieter in there. Stacy let go of her hold on my back and shoved a red Solo cup in my hand. She pointed a candy colored nail at me.

"Drink," she ordered. I sighed and gave one last pleading look to Mariana. She only smirked and crossed her arms as she waited. I shook my head and looked at the clear-brown liquid in the cup. It was actually pretty full. I swirled it timidly.

"I'm going to regret this later," I muttered before I downed the whole thing. Stacy put three shots in front of me next. I drank every single one of them down. I could just imagine letting my mind be free for one night. For one night, I wouldn't mope over someone who wasn't mine to begin with. For one night, I wouldn't worry about mothering a kid who wasn't mine to begin with. For one night, I wouldn't think about my parents. For one night, I would actually have fun.

I felt eyes burn into my back. I knew who it was before I even turned around... and I didn't want to turn around. Mariana was standing in front of me. She noticed him first too and tried to get me to look with her eyes. I only shook my head; making me dizzy in the process. I was a light-weight, so I was pretty tipsy, edging on drunk. I giggled and reached a hand on the counter to steady myself as everything started moving slower. I slowly turned and saw Keegan looking at me with a look that I could only describe as sympathy. I didn't want his sympathy. I noticed Natasha hanging on his arm. She had on a red dress with a plunge neckline. It hugged her very thin frame and ended right under her butt. Her thin legs contrasted against the dress. She had on black strappy heels and her hair was up in a high ponytail. Make up caked her face. She looked like a model, and it made my heart sink. I looked behind to two of them to see the rest of the guys. When I saw them, I smirked and walked over to Gregg who was the closest. I stumbled a little but he caught me. He chuckled and secured his hands on my waist as he steadied me.

"Whoa there," he laughed. I smiled and put my hands on his shoulder. I could feel Keegan's eyes on me but I didn't care anymore.☐☐

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