her room then I closed my eyes, picturing myself as Catherine. I imagined the feeling of having an exciting birthday party surrounded by friends, being the

nice looking as Matthew. As I admired the dress, I realized I'd rather spend my birthday with Matthew than invite the whole class. I didn't like any of them anyways, they w

empowering to stand up to Catherin

esent

reality. "You should have done what earlier? I'm talking you, but you

e smile on your

realized that the scene I had thought

with you" Catherine

were saying?" trying to hide my d

Catherine asked angrily. "Didn't

pretended to have heard her but didn't. She hadn't taken it wel

ng again right?" Catherine said, "

ded a

ark would be at th

ould have been so impolite to wake people up for something as a birthday party. I planned to check back

d said he'd make su

and there daydreaming, get back to wor

ty, but I still saw the anxiety etched on her face. She's clearly still hopin

f Mark doesn't come, Catherine would kill

d as I picked up the thing

t getting caught by Veronica. I was currently trapped between a r

rfectly. She had already made it clear to everyone that there'll b

ement for what you'd feel i

especially me. I was the most clumsy but given the entire major task. It felt like Catherine

elt like my life depended on it. I just kn

d enough. Mark's house wasn't far, I just had to be quick. I

ds, the door opened, and I found myself face-to-face with the ring leader. I

I help you

calmly, avoiding his gaze in the

or Mark," I

im for?" He asked,

ith the question?" But respond

spit it out. I'm all ears. I really don't

ning out of time here, I should be t

rry, but I'd like to t

ell, you are looking at

shock. "You're Mark?

living in this house ex

re always teasing every girl they see pass by them. It seemed fitting, giving his personality, that he wo

"Well, Catherine....", but he shut the door in my face as soo

essage yet. Don't you know it's rude to slam the

e door, " Well, I know what you want to

't attend Catherine's party, things would go terribly wrong for me. I walked back to the door and knocked agai

Don't you have any man

ft we with no other

birthday parties, but can you please just

gly unimpressed. "And why shou

take pity on me. "I know you don't h

eps inviting me every year," Mark sa

dy have my parents nagging me about it, a

rents, should I now liste

you calling a m

rine is your villain. You should go, I do

o to the party and confront her, tell her to stop sending invitation

Put an end? Are you silly

sted in finishing. Don't you know her expectations would on

nion, so please take your dumb advice

mstances, I just had to plead with him. "It's not my place to

y was piqued. "

imagine anything going well today if you don't c

ollowed, "So you'

ent as the ans

in. "Look, Mark, I don't have the time to keep up

be there?"

to join the party

couldn't care

iate. "Then I won't go,"

I said. "You have to come: I

hoice, Minion. You can't make me,"

me. I had no idea what to do next, an

and called out to Mark. "If I join th

Mark looked at me suspiciousl

"Fine, but you can't go back on

as casual. "Sure,

f fun at the party than face consequences of Mark not showing up. The thought of being humiliated

t help but feel angry at

liated, but that was what I should expect from him