NO LONGER INVISIBLE GIRL.

NORA'S POINT OF VIEW.

If hell had a dress code, it would look exactly like the napkin-like contraption Asher Collins forced me into.

Red.

Short.

Sinful enough to make saints look away.

Seductive enough to get the attention I desired….especially from the one guy I’d spent more time than I could count looking at.

I stood in front of the mirror in the small room my new fake boyfriend took me to for ‘touch-ups,’ staring at a girl I barely recognized. I was fully glammed up; I knew how to do my makeup myself….but seeing my reflection, I couldn’t help but feel like a fraud.

‘You’re no longer Nora Macie; you’re officially Nora Feathers, the daughter of a widowed merchant from Australia.’ Asher’s words from earlier echo in my mind, reminding me of the façade I’d put on the second I walk through the doors of the currently booming party on the other side of the street.

“Are you done yet?” Asher yelled from where he stood outside; his voice adding another layer of tension in my bones as I tried to inhale clean breaths.

The dress was tight-fitting, clung to the curves I'd spent the entire year hiding from everyone at school on the orders of Asher’s mother. The fabric dipped dangerously low at the back, the front cut just enough to show cleavage I’d spent my entire teenage life hiding beneath oversized sweaters and uniforms.

I looked… visible.

And for some reason, that scared me more than the thought of being caught by Asher’s father, or the unreal student body at Riverbroke High.

“Yes…I’m done.” I whispered, more to myself, making do with the fact that I was no longer Nora Macie, but now Nora Feathers.

The second I stepped out, Asher didn’t waste a second; he grabbed me by the arm and walked us over to the mansion glistening with party lights and booming with the sound of loud music.

“Remember, when we walk in there, the whole school will know I am no longer with Lydia, and now with the mysterious new girl at school. You must keep your head high, walk straight, and accept the jealousy, or the hatred, or the acceptance from different crowds in there.”

I gave him a nod in response, but he wasn’t satisfied. “Words, bunny.” He held my chin up so we maintained eye contact.

“Yes, I understand.” His eyes darkened instantly, reminding me of the way he looked that night, six months ago, as he rammed his….no…..focus, Nora.

I shook my head; the feel of the cool air against my skin caused goosebumps, but I wasn’t going to let it stop me.

“I’m ready, Asher.” He smirked and led me through the doors, simultaneously killing off Macie and bringing in Feathers.

“Relax,” he said softly, eyes flicking over me with slow, deliberate appreciation as we approached the doors. “You look exactly how you’re supposed to.”

Like prey…..

I swallowed, bracing myself for their cat-like eyes. “People are going to stare.”

“That’s the point, bunny.” He stared at me for a second, making me gulp at the intensity of his gaze.

“Don’t,” I whispered. “Please don’t do that thing where you pretend this is normal.”

His jaw tightened just a fraction. “This is normal tonight. Smile, take my hand, and let the world choke on it.”

I hesitated for half a second too long, so Asher stepped closer, lowering his voice so only I could hear; the guards at the door already regarded us with curious stares. They knew who Asher was….but they had no idea about me. “James Porter is already inside.”

My breath caught in my throat immediately, and before I knew it, I slid my hand into his.

That did it… the moment our skin touched, I felt a spark.

“Good evening, Master Collins.” The guards bowed their heads, and just before we entered, Asher regarded them with a stern expression. “This is Nora Feathers; she is my girlfriend. I expect you to treat her with the respect you’d treat me with.”

“But sir….what about Lydia?”

“We broke up, end of story. Tell no one at home about this.” He commanded, walking us ahead before they could process his instructions.

The second we stepped into the rave, heads turned, as everyone’s eyes turned to us instantly. I was no longer in my blonde hair, but Asher had made me put on a blonde wig, contacts that turned my blue eyes black, and gave me a whole new look.

I could practically hear their thoughts, because they didn’t bother hiding them.

Asher Collins. With her?

My heart slammed against my ribs as we descended the long flight of steps. The music throbbed louder, and the flashing red and violet lights almost blurred my vision, as bodies moved in synchronized chaos. Yet, Asher didn’t slow; he didn’t hesitate. He was used to this life; this buzz….it was his kingdom for fucks sake.

He walked straight through the crowd like a king returning to his throne, dragging me into the center of it all, not bothering to spare anyone a glance as he led me to the center, where everyone had formed a circle already.

“Holy shit…”

“Is that…who the hell is that?”

“No fucking way….Asher Collins with a new girl….this is crazy!”

“Ouuu, Lydia’s gonna be pissed. Someone tell her now!”

I couldn’t fucking breathe.

His hand slid from mine to my lower back in a soft, yet firm, claiming way, his fingers drumming softly on the spot where my back met my ass. Every step pulled me deeper into the spotlight I’d spent my entire life avoiding, as the throng of sharks circled me, waiting for blood.

“Keep your chin up,” he murmured. “You’re doing perfectly.”

Perfectly exposed, if that’s what he means.

We stopped near the bar, and that’s when I saw her.

Lydia.

Our eyes met once, and for some reason, I was drawn to look away; to break eye contact with the school’s queen whose single word could turn me into a social pariah. I flinched before I could stop myself, and Asher noticed, because he whispered, his palm flat on my lower back now;

“Don’t look away,” he said quietly. “Let her see.” And even though I wanted the very opposite, I obeyed his instruction and kept eye contact with the queen of Riverbroke High.

Her gaze dragged over me slowly in a cruel and assessing way before flicking to Asher. He smirked at her.

And then, because he was a monster, he pulled me closer, until my front pressed against his, a groan spilling from his lips as his arm wrapped around my waist, tugging me flush against him. My breath hitched as his lips dipped close to my ear.

“Time for the performance.”

Before I could ask what he meant, he turned, lifted my chin with two fingers, and before I could fucking utter a word, he crashed his lips to mine in a crazy, intense kiss. It wasn’t a gentle one. Hell, it wasn’t fucking rushed either. He took his time because he wanted everyone to see it, and for some reason, he wanted Lydia to see it most especially. I couldn't hear anything except the buzz in my ears as I kissed him back. Or, I tried to. Because he was too intense for me to catch up.

The crowd erupted around us.

Their gasps, cheers, and shouts filled the room as the music died down, and I heard my name, or speculations of what my name was, on strangers’ lips. My knees went weak as Asher kissed me like he wanted to erase the space between us, his hand firm on my waist, as his thumb brushed the bundle of nerves on my wrist.

I couldn’t help but moan at the intensity of it all, my legs turning too weak to keep me up, but he held onto me so I wouldn’t crumble.

When he pulled away, his forehead rested briefly against mine as we heaved heavy breaths, our eyes locked in on each other.

“There,” he breathed as if he'd run a marathon. “Now everyone knows.”

I was shaking, yet I turned….and that’s when I saw him.

James Porter stood near the edge of the crowd, frozen mid-step, with eyes that locked in on us.

On me…..But his expression wasn’t disgusted….It was stunned.

My chest tightened painfully at the sight, hope blooming in my heart at the thought of this actually working. Asher followed my gaze and flashed me his signature vicious smirk, as he whispered;

‘Hook. Line. Fucking Sinker, bunny……let the games begin.”