Page 102 of House of Bass

“No sex. If you won’t come, I won't have sex with you.”

“How the fuck is that even fair? This can be considered coercion, you know that right?”

Harley shrugged trying not to break by smiling, she could see she was wearing her down. Scarlett rolled her lips and sighed, “I’ll pick you up at eight.”

Harley jumped then slid over the counter and wrapped her arms around her pouting girlfriend. She bit those pink lips before giving her a peck, “We’ll do whatever you want next, I'll even consider the gun range.” She’d been trying to get Harley to go to one for a while and she’d declined every time because what the hell would she need a gun for?

“Fuck, I’m holding you to this.” She pulled her down for a kiss.

“I was kidding about the no sex,” Harley said. “I could never resist you.”

“Damn fucking straight.” For another hour, they fucked in the back.

There were more people at this showcase than she could have imagined. She knew how popular Annabel was but seeing what looked like the whole school show up, with parents, astonished her.

In the back of her mind, she wondered if William and Eleanor would show up, this was a big event for their daughter and despite William’s disapproval it would only make sense to put on appearances.

They entered the hall where the dancers would be performing and the whole room was a marvel. There were snowflakes hanging with white lights wrapped around the room. The stage set was also well done.

Before going to find their seats she decided she’d sneak into the back and look for Annabel. She went round the back with Scarlett trailing behind her holding cakes that Bloss had made. They hit it off so she wanted to wish her good luck.

“Have you seen Annabel?” she asked the first girl she came across, a stage hand in normal clothes.

“Probably in her dressing room,” the girl replied, clearly in a rush as she dashed away.

“Come on, I have an idea where she might be,” Scarlett said, walking ahead. The place was bigger than she could have imagined, they walked round and round until Scar came to a halt. A door with Annabel’s name written on paper, plastered on it.

Harley simultaneously knocked as she opened the door, not awaiting an answer as it flung open. She was met with a screech from the girl next to her, she saw Annabel and Arden going at it, who only just noticed she was there.

“Ohmygodohmygod,” Annabel said in a rush as she hid behind Arden, who stood there brazenly, her cheeks heating up in embarrassment. “Why didn't you knock?”

“I did!” Harley yelled as she slammed the door shut. She shot Scarlett a look, whose face had amusement written all over it, “Not a word.”

“Did you know about this?” Scar asked in hushed tones, and Harley nodded in reply, with a scoff she continued, “Of course, she’s a homewrecker as well as a stuck up bitch.”

Harley glared, “Be nice, you’re a bitch too.” She paced up and down the room as the other dancers, ignoring the weird looks from the other dancers.

“What are you shits looking at?” Scar hissed at them.

Harley couldn't help but laugh at her point being proven, then continues “There was barely a home to wreck.”

“Wrong. You haven’t been around them that long, but he and his actual girlfriend are treated like mini royalty in this place. Their cringe magazine spreads are always plastered everywhere.” Scarlett said in a rushed whisper, “This is chaos in a bottle, it’ll be an absolute mess when people find out.”

Harley sharply turned, “You can’t tell anyone.” Protecting Annabel came first, “Promise me.”

“Calm down, I won’t say anything. I find the whole thing hilarious,” she said, laughing, as the door opened to reveal a flushed Annabel. Harley gave her girlfriend one last look to not say anything mean and they both walked inside and made certain to lock the door this time.

Arden stood there smug and bored, he gave her a nod in greeting. “Banjo.”

“Thorne. Have you both forgotten this,” she pointed back and forth between them both, “ is meant to be a secret? Are your hands incapable of locking a door properly?”

“We forgot.” Annabel pouted, and her other half said at the same time. “Got caught up.” Then they both grinned at each other.

I’m dealing with idiots. Idiots in love, she thought.

“What are you doing here anyway?” Annabel asked, walking back to her boyfriend, who embraced her in a side hug.

“I thought you’d be nervous, so I came to wish you luck but clearly it wasn't needed,” Harley sighed.