Page 14 of HER SISTER

"Ana?"

"Hm?" I hummed out as I finished lining my lips.

Mya suddenly emerged into my bathroom, "Do you think this outfit is cute?" she questioned, clearly unsure about it.

She was wearing a cropped graphic tee with white flare pants and matching short heels.

"So cute," I said, smiling as I met her eyes again.

Mya frowned, "You don't think it's too basic?" she asked as I applied my lipgloss.

I shook my head, "We're going to a party, so I think it's perfect," I said, knowing that basic was a good rule of thumb.

I mean I'm wearing a denim strapless top with a matching skirt that remained purposefully folded over at my waist. It was basic, but still had a little depth.

Mya nodded as I ran my fingers through my wavy dark hair that cascaded down my back, "You're right, this is perfect," she agreed, earning a smile from me.

"Are we meeting them there?" I questioned as we both exited my bathroom.

Mya nodded, "Yeah, but we can take some shots before we go," she said as I slid on my black wedges.

"Sounds fun," I said, feeling entirely excited for my first party at UCLA.

Last night's kickback at the beach managed to get even more fun after the sunset.

More people managed to join us at the bonfire we had made, which easily turned the intimate gathering into a small party.

Even if Cam and I seemed to be in our own world, it was still a nice vibe.

"I say we do tequila tonight—since we had vodka last night," Mya suggested as she exited my room toward the kitchen.

I shrugged, "It's up to you," I said, following behind her into the open kitchen.

Mya laughed, "Don't tell me that—because I'll really have us drunk before we even get to the party," she joked as she opened the freezer.

I laughed with her, "Yeah, I definitely gotta be careful with you."

—

When we arrived at the large Hidden Hills house—the party was already in full swing.

Honestly, it was hard to actually find our group of friends with how packed the mansion seemed to be.

But eventually, we made it to one of the many kitchens that they were in.

"Finally!" Damon called out as we made it over to them.

Mya rolled her eyes, "You need to specify which kitchen next time," she retorted as I walked over to Cam.

Damon held his hands up defensively, "How was I supposed to know this house had multiple kitchens?" he questioned her as Frankie began pouring us all a round of shots.

Unlike last night, Arielle and Marco were here, and clearly ready to let loose.

Cam smiled down at me, "You look cute," she said, sliding her arm around my waist.

I felt a smile grow on my face as I leaned into her touch, "Thank you," I said shyly, causing Cam's amused smile to grow.

She tucked a piece of my dark hair away from my face, "I was seriously so bored without you here," she said.

My smile grew deeper as she leaned down to press a brief kiss to my cheek.

I had already had a couple of shots, so small actions like that seemed to affect me even more than they already did.

I pulled back slightly from her, "I'm sure you were fine," I joked as I stared up into her eyes.

Cam shook her head, but before she could say anything else, Mya was passing us both a filled shot.

"Cheers to an incredible night," said a girl that I've never seen in my entire life.

I laughed slightly to myself, clinking my shots with everyone else before throwing it back.

However, when I caught sight of her familiar face in the living room—I practically choked on the burning liquid.

She looked as attractive as ever, her shiny dark hair was down with a middle part and she wore a baggy graphic tee with ripped black jeans.

The chains hanging from her neck practically shined under the dim lights along with her rings.

"You okay?" Cam asked, laughing slightly to herself, which easily made me realize I was still coughing.

I nodded a few times, pulling my eyes away from Mili—whose attention seemed to be on the familiar brunette named Alyssa.

"I'm good—totally good," I assured Cam as I met her light eyes.

Cam nodded, clearly still amused by me, "Was the alcohol a little too strong?" she teased me.

I parted my lips dramatically, "Uh no—I just... It just went down the wrong way," I quickly thought of a lie, hoping to keep the mood light.

Cam's amused smile only grew as she slid her other arm around my waist, pulling me into her body entirely.

I felt a loose smile grow on my face as I peered up at her, "You're very clingy, you know?" I teased her.

Cam shrugged, "I can't help it—especially with how good you always look," she said, and almost as soon as she said it—my body was flooded with warmth.

However, that warmth was easily sucked away when I naturally looked past Cam, meeting her dark eyes that already seemed to be on me.

It was odd to have her attention after so long—I mean, I hadn't seen her since that night in the elevator a couple of weeks ago.

She and Alyssa were gone when I woke up the morning after.

It seemed like she was purposefully putting space between us, especially since she had been inviting Mya over instead of coming over to our place.

I felt my entire body burn up under Mili's dark eyes that managed to openly trace my face before dipping down to my body.

Suddenly, it felt like I couldn't breathe.

Like air was somehow nonexistent.

But after a second, I managed to suck in a deep breath—especially when Mili's eyes diverted away from me.

"Ana?" I could hear Cam's distant voice call out, but all I could focus on was Mili, who seemed to be leaving the room.

I suddenly looked back to Cam, "Sorry, I zoned out there for a minute," I forced out, taking a step away from her.

Cam nodded, laughing to herself, "Yeah, I could tell," she joked.

I forced a loose smile even if all I could think about was Mili and where she went.

And before I could think about it, I said, "I have to use the bathroom really fast."

Cam nodded, "Need me to come with you?" she instinctively asked, and there for a second, I hated how nice she could be.

How fucking perfect she was.

I shook my head, "No-no I should be all good," I assured her.

Cam analyzed my face for a moment, easily making me wonder if she knew the real reason why I was breaking away from everyone.

But I was easily proven wrong when she said, "Okay, but text me when you make it there or if you need anything at all."

I smiled at how worried she seemed to be about me.

"I will," I assured her, pecking her cheek before walking past her and our friend group which seemed to be in a full debate about polar bears.

As I walked through the thick crowd—I managed to tune out the loud music, thinking back to Mili.

I mean why am I even following her right now?

Definitely the alcohol.

I shook my head to myself, it's still very stalkerish of me.

Clearly, she wants to be left alone.

But even still, I made sure to check every room that was seemingly occupied with couples or crying best friends.

Eventually, I found myself on the third level of the house where the music still seemed to rattle the halls.

This level seemed to be entirely empty—which is why the bedroom door that was seemingly open managed to catch my attention.

I hesitantly walked over to the tall door, pushing it open further—but when I was met with a dark and empty room, I felt something inside of me sink.

It was odd... I don't know why I was so disappointed.

I shouldn't even be looking for her in the first place.

My eyes shot over to the open window of the bedroom, hearing some sort of wrapper crinkling.

I furrowed my brows, hesitantly walking toward the open window that allowed the moonlight to shine in.