sunlight shines directly into my eyes and I groan, rolling over. It's way too early. I sit up, stretching with a little squeak. As I look around the room which is clearly not mine, I remember where I am. As much as I'm enjoying this king sized bed, I should probably leave. I feel like I've already kinda overstayed my welcome since they don't actually need me until 10am and it's currently 6am.

As I'm about to get ready, I get a message from Margot.

Hi Elena, I hope you are well!

Just wanted to let you know my husband is off for the day and is planning to take Jacky out, so you have the day off! I hope you enjoy it!

p.s, I've asked Parker to relay a message to you :)

Margot

I get up, pulling on a t-shirt and shorts from my back pack. I'll shower when I get home. I step out in the hallway to go to the bathroom and brush my teeth. The house is eerily quiet, and I realise I've never actually been here before my usual time. I don't know the routine, or if the Ashfords' are even here. I'm about to spit my toothpaste out when the door pushes open.

In front of me stands Parker, completely naked apart from the towel wrapped around his waist. I quickly look away, spitting the toothpaste from my mouth into the sink.

"You're still here." he leans against the doorframe, crossing his arms.

"Yes. I was just leaving." I avoid eye contact as I rinse my brush, and then my mouth.

"What's the rush?"

I glance up at him briefly. Is he saying that in general? Or because he wants me to stay?

"I have... homework." Ugh, homework Elena? Is that the best you could do?

"It's summer break." he raises an eyebrow.

"Extra curricular." I shrug.

"Mm." he smiles a little.

"Uh, I'm gonna... go." I give a tight lipped smile before walking over to the door.

Parker doesn't move, and I stand in front of him expectantly.

"Mom told me to invite you to this cocktail party my parents are hosting tonight." he says.

I can't focus on anything with him standing in front of me like this.

"Tonight?" I repeat and he nods.

"Okay."

He looks at me for a moment longer, before moving out the way. I squeeze past him, making my way back to the spare room to grab my stuff. Cocktail party? I don't own cocktail party attire. What even is cocktail party attire? Do I dress casual or classy? What the hell, I needed at least 2-4 business days of preparation for this.

I shove my bag into the back seat of my car, getting in the front and closing the door. My own house is just as eerily quiet if not more when I finally get home, and the feeling of loneliness returns. I hate living here on my own, but I'd never admit it to Dad because he'd feel like a bad parent. Well he is for leaving me in the first place but whatever.

I'm not even sure what to do with myself. If I slept at home, I wouldn't have got up until at least 8. I decide to have a shower first, and then make breakfast; pancakes with syrup and coffee, which may or may not be one of my only specialities. It's quite nice, I usually just have a coffee and call it a day.

After, I head up to my room, pulling open my closet. Not a single thing in here says 'cocktail attire'. The cargos, sweatshirts, graphic tees and mini skirts look back at me. I look down at the beat converse on my feet. Ugh.

On the contrary, I have the cutest black corset that I got a couple weeks ago and haven't had the chance to wear. I could pair it with a skirt and maybe my docs...

Just as I'm about to try the outfit on, the front door knocks. I frown a little since I'm not actually expecting anyone.

I pull the front door open and my face drops.

"Surprise!" my best friend grins at me on the doorstep.

I scream, throwing myself into her arms as she laughs.

"Bela when did you get back!" I squeal, letting go of her.

"About an hour ago." she closes the front door behind her as she steps in.

Isabela Ortega has been my best friend since we were 7 years old. She went to Spain for the first month of summer to stay with her family, and it's the loneliest I've been since... well when she went last summer.

"What have you been doing without me then, ms girl?" she sighs, flopping down on the sofa.

"I'm actually recently employed." I tilt my chin up.

She spins around, her curls bouncing. "Who would employ you?"

"What is that supposed to mean?" I mock gasp and she raises her arms in defence.

"I'm babysitting." I pout.

"And they're letting you look after their kids?" she narrows her eyes so much that they're barely open.

"Yes." I huff. "The Ashfords' are family friends."

Bela stops.

"Ashford?" she repeats.

I nod.

"The Ashfords?"

I nod again.

"As in Parker. Parker Ashford?"

I nod, a smile etching onto my lips as her eyes widen.

"What the hell!" she squeals, standing up and lobbing a pillow at me. "Why didn't you tell me?!"

I laugh, catching it and throwing it back.

"You were enjoying your holiday."

"This would've made it a lot flipping better!" she throws the pillow again and I let it fall to the ground. "Have you guys made out yet?"

"No!" I screw up my face. "He's an ass."

"But he's hot."

"Yeah, and an egotistical jerk." I press my lips together.

"But he's hot." she says, slower this time.

She's right. But no. "Whatever, more importantly, I need your help." I put a hand on my hip.

She gives me a toothy grin. "Outfit?"

"Outfit." I grin back.

I turn on my heels, laughing. I run up the stairs as I hear Bela run up after me. Once we're in my room, I lay the outfit out on the bed.

"Are you kidding me?" her jaw drops as she holds up the corset. "This is gorgeous!"

"Are you sure? Do you think it's too much for a dinner party?" I wince a little.

"No! It's giving Dracula's hot daughter." she nods slowly, pouting.

"Okay, I'm definitely gonna go with something else." I laugh.

"Alright, so how long do we have to get ready?" she claps her hands together.

Oh. I realised I didn't even ask. "I have no clue."

"Okay." she nods affirmatively. "So, according to my history with cocktail parties, it will probably begin at about 6pm, but people that attend cocktail parties arrive fashionably late, so probably around 6:30, so you should be there at around 7pm."

I blink at my friend.

"What? You never watched 'Come dine with me'?"

"The British show?" I narrow my eyes. "Don't they have a set time they have to arri-"

She presses her finger against my lips.

"Hush." she squints her eyes and twists her mouth to the side. "So that leaves us with... two hours."

"What?" I scoff. "Babe I don't know if your maths is off but thats at least ten hours."

"Yeah." she says in a 'duh' tone. "Eight hours of best friend time."

I grin at her. Gosh I missed my friend so much.