Do you have other friends? he asks. But Harry is on the same team as Olly and will probably stop talking to me. Ava will probably still be my friend. You dont mean Oliver Kingsley, do you? You know him? I ask, turning to look at the stranger, taken aback by how beautiful his green eyes were. Were kinda mortal enemies. He winces. Mason Cooper? I frown, looking him up and down. Oliver and Mason have been enemies since freshman year. Theyre both the quarterbacks on the school teams that absolutely hate each other. Were rivals in everything. Every sport, academics, the graduating numbers, how many teen pregnancies happen. Everything and anything. No one knows how the feud started; all we know is that we hate each other, and thats the way its been for at least fifty years. You probably dont want to hear this, I mumble, looking down at my feet. I kinda like hearing how much he fucked up. Mason chuckles. I go to Ridgewood, I add, looking back at him. And I go to Greendale, he replies in a duh tone. We probably shouldnt be talking, I state. Probably not. But you need someone to talk to, and I need a distraction. He shrugs indifferently. What do you need a distraction from? I ask before I can stop myself. Youre a cheerleader, right? he asks, changing the subject. I sigh, wondering if I should just quit the team when school starts. I hate it. I only joined because my mom was in cheer and wanted me to. And its not like shes ever home now or comes to watch me, I babble. Oh god, and being on the same team as LeahI couldnt handle that. Id want to punch her in the face every chance I got, I groan, and Mason laughs. Its not funny, I snap. Its not, he agrees quickly. Im laughing because I thought you were quiet. I purse my lips together and quirk my head to the side. Ive seen you at games before. You never really talked with the others, he explains. Because they all suck! I exclaim, and he laughs again and agrees. Anything else you need to get off your chest, princess? I think Im good. I shake my head. What about you? Want to spill some secrets or have a full-on emotional breakdown in front of me to make me feel better? I ask. Maybe next time. Next time? My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. I have to go. But you can text me if you want to talk, he states, handing me a black iPhone. I look at the phone then back at him. Is he serious? Youre supposed to put your number in, he says slowly, and I roll my eyes, punching my number in. Want me to walk back with you? he asks, slipping his phone into his basketball shorts. Im about to tell him Ill be fine, but when I look around and notice the sun is getting lower in the sky, I quickly agree. I hate being outside at night by myself. Ive watched one too many true crime documentaries. How long were we talking for? I ask, falling into step with him. About twenty minutes, he replies. Thanks for listening, I whisper. Anytime, princess. He smiles sadly, kicking a rock with his sneaker. If you want to talk, Im a good listener as well, I offer, sensing something is bothering him. Like I said. Maybe next time. He shakes his head as we reach our cars. Thanks, Mason. I smile, opening my door. Oh, my names Lily, by the way, I say, turning around. He nods, opening his door. I feel my cheeks start to blush, so I jump into my car and peel away. Once Im home, I kick off my shoes and flop down onto the sofa. I should probably call Ava. I grab my phone from my purse and go to call her, but instead, I find myself dialing my mom. It rings two times before Im sent to her voicemail. Not even my own mother wants to talk to me. I look at myself in the reflection of the black screen when it lights up with a text. Mom Im eating dinner. I sigh to myself as I read her text. Dad has always traveled for work, and Mom used to stay home with me, but as soon as I turned sixteen, she started going on trips with him. It feels like theyre away more than theyre home nowadays. I dont know when I fell asleep, but Im woken by a vibration against my head. It takes me a moment to realize its my phone ringing. Hello? I answer, my voice heavy with sleep. Did I wake you? A male voice comes through. I crack one eye open and pull back my phone to see an unsaved number. Who is this? I ask, sitting up on the sofa. Hey, I say, looking at the time. 12:06 a.m. Sorry, he mutters before the line goes dead. I frown at my phone wondering what just happened. I bite my lip as I think about calling him back. I mean, he let me bitch and moan to him for an hour today. Its the least I could do, right? Not giving myself a chance to talk myself out of it, I call him back. Look, Im sorry. Go back to sleep, his voice comes out soft yet strained. Ive already slept three hours, I say, getting up and heading to the kitchen in search of food. Its only midnight, he chuckles. In case youve forgotten, I have had a very emotional day, I reply, finding a frozen pizza and chucking it in the oven. Fair enough. Do you want to come over and eat pizza? I offer, sitting down at the counter. Theres a pause, and I check to make sure he hasnt hung up again. What flavor? he finally replies. Pepperoni. Text me your address. I quickly pull my phone away from my ear and send a text to him. Ill be there soon, princess, he says almost immediately after I hit send. See you soon, I whisper. Holy shit. What the hell am I doing? Why am I inviting Mason Cooper over to my house? If Harry or anyone from school finds out, my life will be made a living hell. My internal freak-out doesnt last long as Mason texts to say hes outside. Why didnt he knock like a normal person? I go open the front door and see him standing on my porch dressed in a black hoodie and basketball shorts. Wheres your car? I ask, peering over his shoulder to look down the street. I live two streets over. He half-smiles as I open the door wider for him to come inside. Sooo…, I draw out as we sit next to each other at the counter, pizza in the middle of us. You feeling any better? he asks, grabbing a slice. I do, I answer honestly. Crying and sleep seemed to help. Im more angry than sad now, I add, taking a bite of my slice. I think you were pretty mad before. He smiles down at me. So are you going to be the stereotypical cheerleader and plot your revenge? He clears his throat, and I scrunch my eyebrows. Revenge? Sounds like itd take too much time away from eating and sleeping. So no revenge? he asks, raising his eyebrows. Im just going to forget it happened. I sigh, knowing its easier said than done. So is there something you want to talk about? I ask, finishing the last slice of my pizza. Id rather just be distracted. He sighs, and I notice dark circles under his green eyes. Do you want to go swimming? I ask, standing up. At the lake? he questions with an amused smile. I have a pool. I dont have any swim trunks, and I dont think you want to see me naked. Ive never been skinny-dipping, I say, biting my lip nervously. You havent? He gapes at me. All my friends have, but Olly always said it would make me seem like a slut, I mumble, feeling myself blush. Hes an idiot. Mason snorts, rolling his eyes. So, what, all your friends went skinny-dipping while you were in a swimsuit? he questions. I sat on the shore, I mutter, wishing I never brought it up. Well, come on then, princess. Mason smiles, standing up. Are you serious? Im not getting naked in front of you! I gasp, looking at him with wide eyes. Its not like Im going to look. He rolls his eyes, and for some reason I feel slightly hurt. Live a little, he adds, pushing his lips together. Unless youre a chicken. He smirks. Im not a chicken, I state confidently, standing up. Ill believe it when I see it, he singsongs. Come on, I demand, stomping toward the kitchen door. You might want to get towels for afterward! Unless you like running around your house naked! he calls after me. I turn around and stomp past him, not saying a word, and grab two towels before shoving them in his arms and stomping outside. Once Im outside standing at the edge of the pool I dont feel as confident as I just did. You promise you wont look? I ask quietly as I feel Mason come and stand next to me. I promise. Youre not going to tell anyone, are you? I add, turning my head to look at him. If I did, Id be admitting to being with someone from Ridgewood. Thats social suicide, and I actually want to enjoy my senior year. I take a deep breath, closing my eyes as I reach for the zipper on the back of my dress. I struggle to reach it and huff. Im about to just pull it over my head, but instead I feel Masons fingers brush my bare skin softly, goose bumps breaking out on my skin, then he slowly unzips my dress. I let it drop to the ground and pool at my feet. Masons hands touch the middle of my back, giving me a small fright, then I realize hes undoing my barely-there strapless bra. Once my bra has joined my dress, I take another deep breath and slide my panties off. I look to my left to be greeted by Masons chest. His eyes are focused on the pool in front of us. Ready, princess? he asks, turning his face to look at me. True to his word, his eyes dont stray further than my face. Im ready, I say and grab his hand. Three, two, one, he counts down quietly before we jump into the cool water. Title: Couture of Vengeance Author: CrushReel Genre: Romance, CEO, Modern, Revenge, Mansion Status: ongoing In "Couture of Vengeance" by CrushReel, Winona Jensen finds herself betrayed by an impostor, Amelia Jensen, who cunningly infiltrates their family through deceit and manipulation. The story unfolds on Winona's wedding day when Amelia orchestrates a scandal that shatters Winona's marriage and exposes her true intentions. Set against the backdrop of familial deception and romantic turmoil, this novel delves into themes of betrayal, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of justice. Winona's struggle to reclaim her rightful place as the heir while navigating treacherous relationships in a lavish mansion captivates readers with its intricate web of lies and secrets. What sets "Couture of Vengeance" apart is its gripping narrative that seamlessly weaves together elements of romance, CEO dynamics, modern intrigue, and vengeful schemes. As the tension escalates between the characters, readers are drawn into a world where appearances are deceiving and loyalty is a rare commodity. For those seeking a riveting blend of romance and revenge in a modern setting, "Couture of Vengeance" offers a compelling read that promises twists at every turn. Available to read at CrushReel for those eager to uncover the hidden truths lurking within the walls of the Jensen mansion.