Kelly 

Manjari 

X 

For his spendthrift friend, Bassanio, Antonio decided to sign a bond with Shylock that would require him to give a pound of flesh from his b*dy if he failed to pay back the loan. Really! 

This scene got me every time. I wouldn’t mind losing a few pounds off my b*dy, but this was taking it a tad bit too far. 

Shylock’s not joking with you, Antonio! The man hates you, though he’s got good reasons for that, and you’re too cocky to see through his schemes. 

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare. 

That was the play I’d selected for the English assignment that Mr. Crones had asked us to submit by the end of the semester. 

It was Saturday, and I had nowhere to go, so I decided to finally start working on it, instead of procrastinating until a week before the deadline. 

I was going through a summary of the play on my laptop to revisit the plot, rolling my eyes at the tupidity of the characters. 

was already well–versed in this play, as in my previous school, our teacher had wanted us to read it uring the summer holidays. 

eing a literature enthusiast, I was one of the nerds who had actually done that. 

his work of Shakespeare provided lots of political themes that I could work with, like 

iti–Semitism against Shylock, power and wealth in its society, the culture of masters and servants, id obviously, a little feminism by the heroine, Portia. 

was enough for the five thousand words that Mr. Crones wanted from us. 

y phone, lying beside the laptop, rang. I saw Addison’s name before answering it. 

cy.” 

2 

AA 

Emergency calls only 

It was enough for the five thousand words that Mr. Crones wanted from us. 

My phone, lying beside the laptop, rang. I saw Addison’s name before answering it. 

“Hey.” 

25% 18:42 

“Keily, there’s a party at Keith’s house tonight. Be ready. I’ll plek you up at eight,” my cousin ordered from the other end of the line. 

Keith was on the track team with Addison, and from what she’d told me, his parents were out of town most of the time, letting him throw parties almost every other weekend. 

“It’s six already, and you’re telling me now,” I looked at the taskbar on the screen in front of me. 

“No way you’re ditching me again. You guys already went for ice cream without me,” Addison huffed. “I can’t believe I missed the drama between Lucas and James.” 

She sounded angry about the latter part. 

Sadhvi and Addison were close, and I had my suspicions she must have been the one to tell Addison about the spat between Lucas and James over me in the parlor. 

“It wasn’t anything sensational. I’m sure they must be okay by now.” I hope. 

The car ride back to my house with James had been a little better than the one to the parlor. He’d seemed a lot less scary. Hell, he had even asked me if I’d liked my ice cream. 

My simple “Yeah” had been followed by his taunt, “Of course you like cating things.” Even 

in a good mood, I could expect James to be an asshole, but that time, his remark had sounded lighthearted. 

I reckoned his change in temper had to do with Lucas not arguing with him further about dropping me home. He is such a bratty kid. 

“What happened with you, Lucas, and James?” Addison asked. 

“Nothing unusual. In calculus, Lucas went after James when he insulted me.” I toned it down, not wanting to tell her all the details. 

“But this time, it went a little too far, so they weren’t over it by the time we met at the parlor.” 

“James is such a bitch,” she cursed, making me chuckle in agreement. “Sadhvi told me you and Lucas were embarrassed about something… 

Emergency calls only O 

025% 18:42 

I mentally groaned. Sadhvi had made sure to break it down to each detail in front of my cousin. 

Addison was the kind of person who listened to little rumor but never started any. 

Every 

I trusted her, so I shut my laptop and lay down on the bed before starting to narrate the whole incident in calculus class. 

“Interesting, very interesting.” Addison said when I finished, her tone feigning seriousness. “Two young men fighting to woo our beautiful lady.” She was purposely teasing me. 

“Don’t make me regret telling you.” I groaned out loud. 

Addison laughed. “Sorry, but I must hand it to Lucas for standing up for you against his bestie. James deserved it; the guy is always after you. Maybe it’ll put some sense into him.” 

It hadn’t; in fact, I had a feeling it was going to fuel him. 

“One can only hope.” 

“You should try punching James. That will surely work,” Addison joked, and I heard some rustling from behind. 

“I have to go. Be ready by eight and dress cute. Who knows if Lucas really has the hots for you?” 

“Addison!” The line was cut before I could yell. 

I put my phone down and sighed. I looked at my laptop staring back at me from the other edge of the bed. The essay had to wait for another day. 

*** 

After shuffling through my wardrobe for at least half an hour, I finally found a dress for the party. I had tons of casual clothes, but my closet lacked outfits for other occasions. 

It wasn’t like I needed them when I was in Remington. 

The remaining time was spent on showering, putting on makeup, curling my hair, and finally zipping up the dress. I looked at the mirror and saw the end result.. 

My makeup was light, but the lipstick was a bold matte pink, which stood out. My black hair was curled below the shoulders. 

Chapter 5 of 34: Chapter 5 

Emergency calls only → 

௪. 0025% 18:42 

The black dress I was wearing reached a couple of inches above my knees. It had short sleeves and fit tightly around my bust before turning into a flowy skirt. 

I was conscious of my flabby thighs and arms that it showed, but otherwise, it looked good. And the silver pumps that my mother had bought on sale last year went great with it. 

Grabbing my clutch, I skipped downstairs to wait for Addison. After putting in this much effort, I was pumped up for the party. 

Not even the thought of seeing James there dampened it. It wasn’t like I had to sit right next to him, like in the ice cream shop. 

Avoiding him in the big house filled with other teenagers would be relatively casier. 

“Someone’s all dressed up,” my dad commented as I reached the living room. He was preparing dinner in the kitchen, which was open and gave a view of the room. 

“How do I look?” I asked, smiling and giving a light twirl. 

“You look good, so good that it makes me second–guess about letting you go to the party.” 

“Don’t you dare, Dad.” My smile dropped. 

He laughed at me. “Just remember your curfew and-” 

“No alcohol, no grinding against boys, and call you immediately if anything happens,” I completed. “I know.” 

“And stick with Addison; she’ll look after you,” he added before turning back to the stove. 

I frowned. “Thanks for your trust,” I muttered sarcastically. 

Despite this, I decided to help him with small chores while waiting for Addison. Ten minutes later, our doorbell rang, and I opened the front door to a grinning Sadhvi and Addison. 

Sadhvi was dressed in a deep V–necked red top tucked inside denim shorts. She was flaunting her petite figure beautifully. 

Addison was wearing a short dark–blue spaghetti dress, which hugged her lean, muscular b*dy. I was sure she’d be dealing with lots of boys vying for her attention tonight. 

“You look amazing, little sis,” Addison said, looking me up and down. “Looks like you followed my 

advice.” 

Chanter r5 of 34: Chapter 5 

51% 

Emergency calls only 

“Talk about yourself. You two look so beautiful.” 

025% 18:42 

“We know,” Sadhvi and Addison Together, throwing their hair back. I giggled. Their 

confidence wasn’t unwarranted. 

My father, with an apron tied around his waist, greeted the girls. He made sure to tell Addison again and again to keep an eye on me, and she nodded every time diligently. 

“Let’s go. We are already late,” Sadhvi reminded us. 

With a quick nod, I turned back and picked up my clutch, and we rushed out of the house. 

“Bye, Uncle!” 

“Bye, Mr. Harris!” 

“Bye, Dad!” 

The three of us yelled together before slamming the door shut behind us and walking to Addison’s 

car. 

Sadhvi let me take the shotgun seat and settled herself in the back. Addison turned on the music and 

started the car. 

“You look ready to hook up with someone,” Addison gave me a glance, her face split with a grin. 

“Aren’t you supposed to stop me from doing that?” I asked, and saw Sadhvi in the rearview mirror, perking up after hearing us. 

“Dads‘ overprotectiveness toward their daughters is so stereotypical. You shouldn’t let that stop your from getting the guys,” Sadhvi contributed, adjusting her top. 

“Look at me; my parents literally named me ‘virtuous woman.’ And let me tell you, I’m far from that.” 

Addison nodded with a smirk, looking at her friend in the rearview mirror. “Very far.” 

Sadhvi looked away and shifted in her seat. Her movement reminded me of myself when I got uncomfortable or shy. 

“I’m not interested in hooking up for now,” I said, breaking the weird tension. “I just want to have fun and enjoy the party with you guys.” 

75% 1843 

“God, you’re such a kid Rubble Sachet was back “And that is something I admire.” 

Thanks, I gues” 

The en steered into a posh looking neighborhood. My eyebrows raised as I took in the mansions along the lane 

“That one is James’s” Addison pointed to a large house on my left. 

Behind its big iron gate, I could only get a glimpse of a massive garden and a pristine white statue in the middle of a wide driveway, which led to the illuminated front porch. 

But it was enough to know that James Haynes was loaded. “I know, right? My first reaction was this 

1 shut my mouth when I realized it was agape. “What do his parents do?” I asked when we left the house behind. 

“His father runs the business that was pass to him by his father. It’s something related to 

producing parts for everyday machines,” Sadhvi answered. 

“James’s mother is a neurologist. I guess that contributes to their massive income too.” 

I nodded. No wonder James acted like a king; he really was on some level. 

A minute later, we stopped in front of Keith’s place. Although his house didn’t compete with James’s, it fit perfectly in this neighborhood. 

Addison parked the car by the others in the driveway. It seemed enough of a crowd had already gathered. 

“Keith’s rich too, but at least he has a better attitude about it,” she said. She stepped out, and we followed suit. Music blured before we even stepped inside the open door. 

The party had already started. 

I saw familiar faces from our school laughing, drinking, and dancing. The smell of alcohol, different. perfumes, and sweat wafted in the air. 

I bet Keith’s home was spacious, but with so many people, it didn’t seem like it. 

“I’m going to get so drunk this time,” Sadhvi squealed, looking at Addison. “Last time, I had to drive your drunk ass home with only half a cup of alcohol in my belly. I’m going to make 

up 

for it.” 

88% 

Chapter 5 of 34: Chapter 5 

Emergency calls only 

25% #1843 

“If you lose your shit, I’m leaving you here,” Addison frowned. She and Sadhvi took turns being the designated driver for each other whenever they went to parties. Tonight was Addison’s turn. 

I grinned at their banter, but it froze when I moved my head and saw James on the couch. A girl sitting too close to him. 

He took a sip from a plastic cup and nodded at whatever she was saying in his car. My eyes unconsciously raked across his figure. 

He was wearing a navy–blue shirt with the top three buttons undone and black jeans. Everything was casual but definitely expensive, making him look sinfully handsome. 

When the girl touched his shoulder, he gave her a charming smile. I frowned. So his devil half was reserved for me, whereas other pretty girls got his boyish charms. Asshole! 

I shook my head internally and decided to get out of his sight. I was happy and not in the mood to be put down by his rude remarks. But before I could take a single step, his eyes had found me.