Chelsea Mueller - Prom House

I WAS not prepared for a house this swanky . As I stood outside on the wide, wraparound porch, I couldnt help but gape at the glamorous dark paneling and white trim. Rentalsespecially party rentalsusually came with shabby carpet and dripping refrigerators. Judging by the exterior, this Jersey Shore mansion was none of that. It was movie-level luxe, and I was staying here with my friends for an epic prom weekend.

Yes! I whispered.

My best friend, Aubrey, who had been standing shoulder to shoulder with me, opened the door without knocking. I stepped forward to catch the door before it closed behind her, the porch planks creaking in my wake. Crisp, cold landscaping lights shot up from behind the green bushes, illuminating the commanding white columns at the front of the three-story house.

Kylie, you coming? Aubrey had both hands wrapped around the crossbody strap of her overnight bag, like her clothes were about to make a break for the beach.

I shrugged my considerably lighter bag higher on my shoulder and walked inside. This place is ridiculous.

Right? Even in the low light of the huge foyer, I could see that Aubrey was beaming. Her auburn hair was pulled tight into a perfect ballerina bun, but she sauntered toward the living room with the grace of a newborn giraffe.

Watch the

The tip of her shoe snagged on the rug, and she pitched forward. The sofa caught her before I could.

Rug? Her laugh was clear and high. Nothing was going to ruin this weekend for her.

I needed to get in the same mindset, even if this plush furniture and the wildly ornate candlesticks sitting on the mantel above an oversized fireplace made me feel even more out of place. My house had a standard stoop, not this wraparound porch fanciness.

Who rents out a party house and leaves so much breakable stuff? Overly trusting adults, I guessed.

Aubrey shrugged. People who have money to burn.

People ready to make a quick ten grand off seniors. Aubreys boyfriend, Cam, sauntered into the house behind me. He let out a low whistle at the interior.

You mean like ten thousand dollars? Even saying that number aloud made my throat squeeze.

Wait, so Kylie didnt front the cash? Cam didnt bother disguising his sneer. Hed buzzed his hair a couple weeks ago, and it somehow made him look meaner.

Aubrey planted a fist on her hip. Dont be a dick.

What? Im kidding. He rolled his head from side to side, like he was preparing for a fight. Kylie, the house is covered. Dont freak.

Thats not an apology, Aubrey muttered.

This was supposed to be our first weekend of freedom. But within seconds of stepping inside this incredible party house, Cam and Aubrey were already sniping at each other.

Babe.

Dont babe me.

He shuffled closer to her. His shoes screeched against the hardwood floor. Let it go, Aub. You wanted to do this.

He cradled her face in the palm of his hand, and I had to look away. This is what they did. A fire-and-ice routine that left her crying every other weekend. Jabbing at each other until he made promises he wouldnt keep. I started toward the stairs. Aubreys pouty I wanted to have the prom you promised me followed me, but I didnt look back to see if she was caving to his dimples.

This rental was the most secluded house Id ever seen on the Jersey Shore. We were out on the end of a long road and right up next to the beach. Which was great, knowing how loud we could get when we partied, but I wasnt supposed to be alone here with just Cam and Aubrey for company. Especially not when they were already going at it.

Liam? Holli? Rory? I started shouting my other friends names to see who might call back. A precursor to the round of Marco Polo wed most likely play in the pool after we got back from the dance.

Noah told me hes already here. Hes probably staked out primo digs upstairs. Cams voice was raspy behind me. I turned and found him and Aubrey standing at the bottom of the stairs; Aubreys cheeks were heated. That resolved itself quickly. She pulled her phone from the front pocket of her oversize weekender. A swipe and a trio of taps later, she announced, Dani and Hudson are already here somewhere, too. Rory is stuck in traffic, and everyone else is in her car.

Everyone? The tightness in my chest tried to strangle the word. Seven of our friends were joining us for the weekend: Noah, Dani, Hudson, Rory, Holli, Vic, and

Aubrey got a dimple in her cheek when she smiled. Even Liam.

Oh, good. Though I could tell my cheeks were burning, Aubrey didnt call me out. Liam was my boyfriend, but we hadnt been dating long, and I knew clingy wasnt a good look. He thought hed be here first.

Aubrey darted past me. Did anyone call dibs on rooms beforehand?