If Sandra didn't talk Lorraine out about the school prom, Aubrey wouldn't be sitting here in her mother's red dress, enjoying the prom night. With a glass of coke in her hand, she's watching her best friend dancing with his girl. The couple sways to the music in each other's arms under the ballroom light.

Lorraine was adamant about Aubrey not going to prom –she still is. But after Sandra talked to her, her adoptive mother finally agreed to let Aubrey go with a few conditions. Aubrey needs to be where Bob can always see her, the dress doesn't show too much skin, and Bob's mom will have to pick her up at ten o'clock. Aubrey can't thank Sandra enough for this.

The last blackout attack was just a few days ago but Aubrey managed to fight it. Ever since Sandra brought up the possibility of paranormal involvement, Aubrey protects herself with more prayers and meditation. Things have been going well so far. Moreover, Sandra and Pastor Marlon have always been there to watch over her.

The pastors, whom Lorraine and Pastor Marlon talked to the other day, are coming to visit her on Tuesday. Aubrey's anxiety has gone through the roof every time she thinks about the appointment. But for now, she wants to enjoy the prom night. She wants to have a good time with Asher. Only, instead of sitting at the designated table with her, the boy is now standing in his usual group on the other side of the room.

Asher needed to talk to them and asked if she wanted to come along, but she refused. Aubrey doesn't know how to blend with the group. They always talk about things that make her uncomfortable, and she doesn't know how to respond to those inappropriate questions. She tried last Friday when they hung out in that abandoned house, and it was torture.

"Glaring at his friends won't automatically make them go away, you know?" Britney, who is now standing next to Aubrey's table, smirks at her. Her electric-blue gown brings out her azure eyes, complimenting her strawberry blonde hair that is pulled into a messy bun. Her three squad members line up behind her, mimicking their queen's expression.

"I'm not sure I'm following you?"

"Gosh, she's so dumb. No wonder Asher ditches her here alone," says the girl in red, rolling her eyes before crossing her arms against her chest.

"I still don't get why Asher asked her to come to prom with him," adds the chick in a royal blue dress. Her fake blonde hair stays rigid when she shakes her head.

"I told you why. I dared him to ask her, and he's too proud to turn down the challenge. You see, he just wants to get back at me for leaving him and dating Sebastian. Now he's trapped in his own game." Britney laughs, followed by the trio snickering happily. Britney snaps her finger at them and the laughter dies down.

"He must have come to realize that the princess he's bringing has turned to a frog." The third girl cackles, but her laugh sounds almost like a strangled noise. Her floral green gown is painfully too tight, prompting Aubrey to hold her breath just by looking at it.

Britney's hips sway as she takes a few steps toward Aubrey. "Seriously though, you can't have Asher's if he's still hanging around with his rubbish friends. They are all trouble, and Asher is too dumb to see it."

Noticing Asher's ex is now standing too close to her, Aubrey straightens her sitting posture. "I don't think I need dating advice from you. What do you want, Britney?"

"Straight off the bat, I love this." Britney purrs as she plops down on the seat next to Aubrey. "I want to make a deal."

"A deal?"

Britney looks at the trio and jerks her head to them. The girls nod before begrudgingly leaving her and Aubrey alone. "Here is the deal. I'll help you make Asher yours if you promise to shut your mouth about what you know."

Aubrey raises one eyebrow, trying to follow where Britney is getting at. Then the scene after her school clinic visit rushes back to her mind. The next thing she sees in her head is the image of a leather bondage harness. Britney is wearing it in front of her daddy's friend; a friend who happens to be one of the most important people in town.

Stolen story; please report.

Aubrey frowns, thinking how this image was planted in her head. The memory is specific and feels somewhat real, but it's not hers. Convincing herself it must have something to do with the paranormal thing, she shakes her head. Whatever Britney did isn't her problem.

"I'm not making any deal with anyone, Britney. I'm sorry."

"Are you saying you don't want Asher?" Britney narrows her eyes on her. When Aubrey doesn't respond, Britney smirks. "So, you're okay if I seduce him so that he can go to my place tonight after the prom instead of going with you? Is that what you want?"

"I don't think he will do such a thing to disrespect her prom date."

Britney bites her lower lip, holding her laugh. "You know he won't be able to reject me, right? He never could, and never will."

A stinging jab hits Aubrey's chest. Jealousy creeps in, waking up the familiar rage within her. "I believe he still has self-respect."

Britney cackles in a high pitch as she shakes her head. "My god. Now I know why he hasn't dropped you yet. You're so naive and gullible, yet you're not clingy like his other typical toys." The laughter disappears all of a sudden, replaced by a mischievous face with a pair of piercing eyes staring at Aubrey. "He will ditch you as soon as he's done with you, but I know something about him. Something you can use to tie him around his neck and he won't dare to leave you. Ever."

Aubrey clenches her jaws. The impulse to throw lethal words at her is boiling inside her, creating familiar nausea she is now attempting to suppress. She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. Help me, Father, fill my spirit with love and peace. Protect me, Holy Spirit, shield me from harm. Guide me, Lord Jesus, don't let me walk into this trap.

Aubrey opens her eyes. "Thank you for your concern, Britney. But no, thanks."

"What do... wait, your eyes..." Britney blinks. "I swear I just saw they changed color. Maybe it was the light. Anyways, suit yourself." She stands up and looks down at her with a sneer. "Don't run home and cry if he doesn't leave the prom with you tonight."

Britney spins around and is about to walk away, but she stops and turns on her heels to face Aubrey again. She knits her eyebrows, looking hesitant for a split second. "How did you know, by the way?" When she sees Aubrey's blank expression, she adds in a low voice, "About Mr. Portland and me."

Before Aubrey has a chance to answer, Asher strides toward them and stands behind Britney. "What's going on here?"

Britney's uneasy expression is instantly replaced with a flirty smirk. She turns around and rubs Asher's arm. "Hey, handsome. We were just trying to make friends. I hope you don't mind."

Asher's eyes follow the movement of Britney's hands. Her delicate fingers are now crawling to his chest before she leans into him. "Why don't I believe you?" Asher says, smirking back at her. The boy doesn't even bother to detach himself from Britney's willing body.

The girl giggles, wrapping her hands around Asher's neck. "Okay, you got me. We did talk about something important."

Their faces have become dangerously close. His eyes twinkle under the glowing ballroom light. "About what?"

"Why don't you find out while we're dancing?"

Watching the pair, Aubrey's stomach churns. The stinging sensation from Britney's words about Asher not being able to reject her hits her. Apparently, Britney was right.

Not able to see the intimate gesture before her eyes, Aubrey gets up and runs to the exit. She needs fresh air.

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Aubrey doesn't know how long she has been sitting behind the big tree in the schoolyard. When footsteps create crunching noise on the gravel, she turns her head to check. The last person she wants to talk to comes into view.

"Aubrey, there you are!" Asher calls.

"Leave me alone."

"Aubrey." Asher sighs. "Why did you leave the ballroom?"

Aubrey scoffs and shakes her head in disbelief. Is he plain dumb or just playing it?

"Did you get mad because Britney was trying to mess around with me? It was just a game, Bree. You know how she is."

"Do not Bree me. The name's not for you. And I saw it myself, Asher. The way you look at her says enough. I should've known that this is a joke." The words taste bitter on Aubrey's tongue. She gets up and looks him straight in the eye. "You're not over her."

Asher opens his mouth before closing it again, unable to deny her.

"I've been so stupid thinking that you might like me after what happened in that house." Aubrey shakes her head. "I let you kiss me. My first kiss."

"Aubrey..." Asher steps closer, reaching out to her but Aubrey takes a step backward.

"Don't touch me!"

"Please let me explain."

"Bob is right all this time. I don't want to have anything to do with you ever again," Aubrey says, feeling the growing anxiety as the commotion they're creating now starts to attract people's attention.

After giving Asher a hateful glare, Aubrey turns on her heels and is about to run inside to find Bob. It's when the unexplained rage bursts inside her, coursing her entire veins. The lightness in her head is starting to take over his ability to process things, prompting her to lean on the tree for balance. Rubbing the back of her heavy neck, she's trying hard to fight the urge to faint.

"I know Britney and I have so much history together. She's just... familiar, but I swear I'm not planning to get back to her. That girl is toxic. On the contrary, I think I kinda like you and wanna see where this is going."

After a few seconds of uncomfortable silence, Aubrey finds herself turning her head and flashing a seductive smirk toward the boy. "Me too."

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