His Mission (HIS SERIES Book 1) by SAKINA HUSSAIN (each kindness read aloud TXT) 📗

"I'll ring around to see who can make it."

Jake nods at me, dropping my hand to let me walk back to my room. I close my eyes and inhale deeply, rubbing at my temples as I go.

*****

Within a few hours we had around fifty friends coming over. . . And that isn't including the plus ones. I groan at myself in the mirror, tugging at my pyjamas. "I didn't even want this party," I mumble unhappily, a permanent scowl on my face.

"It is pretty random, isn't it?" Ivory replies, bouncing on her heels as she searches through her closet. Music plays quietly in the background and I simply watch her as she chooses an outfit.

"We definitely need a good party to forget about everything though," she adds and I nod grimly, my hands tracing over the white plaster on my stomach.

"I didn't mean what happened isn't important Em." Ivory quickly adds, sounding apologetic. I shake my head, stopping her.

"I understand, don't worry," I respond, giving her a warm smile. Maybe a party surrounded by laughter and friends is exactly what Jake needs.

"What are you wearing?" Ivory asks, holding a pretty lace shirt against her body. I shrug and throw myself backwards on her bed, looking up at the ceiling.

"I have no idea," I respond. I close my eyes and sigh contently, burrowing myself into the blankets. If I could just lie here for five minutes, I could probably drift off. . .

"Emily, wake up!" Ivory laughs, throwing a simple casual red dress my way. I groan as it falls over my face, practically suffocating my oxygen supply.

I pick it up and examine it.

"This will do," I sigh, pushing myself up off the bed and away from the warm cuddly blankets that are screaming my name. There's no time for blankets, the party is due to begin very soon. Just the thought of it is exhausting but I can't expose the lie now.

I'm already in too deep.

Chapter Forty Eight - Party time.

I'm ready in just under half an hour. The before and after transformation is pretty impressive, even I have to say so myself. I've changed out of my pink pyjamas and I'm now wearing a red dress with a scoop neck and long sleeves.

My legs are bare and I take a moment to gaze at them. They aren't covered in bruises or cuts for the first time in years however if you look closely, you could still see the scars. I wear nude heels on my feet and decide I'm happy with my entire outfit choice.

My hair is pulled down from my usual messy and is now curled to perfection, framing my face prettily. I wear a dark smokey eye with a nude lip and when I glance at myself in the mirror, I have to do a double take. I barely recognise the girl staring back.

The last few weeks consisted of me makeup free, messy hair and lying around in jogging bottoms. So this is definitely a change. Ivory grins widely at me from behind —

"You look hot."

"Thanks, it's a little much for a house party though, right?"

Ivory shakes her head. "No, we told everyone to dress up. No casual outfits tonight."

The door opens and Trish walks in, her blonde curls bouncing on her shoulders. She's wearing a bright pink sparkly dress with sky high heels, just her usual attire. She squeals when she lays eyes on me, pulling me into a tight hug.

"You look amazing Em!" She says before giving Ivory a hug. I smile back at her, examining her once again.

How did I manage to have two beautiful best friends?

"You look great too. Girl, you're body is smoking." I compliment her and Trish beams back at me, winking. She lifts her finger and places it on her hip before making a sizzling noise. All three of us burst out laughing, taking one another's hand as we make our way downstairs.

The music blares through the room loudly and I grimace, walking over to the speakers to tone it down a little. Within minutes the living room and hallway are packed with people I recognise and some I don't. I haven't seen Jake yet and keep peering over crowds of people to try and spot him.

I sigh, not catching a glimpse of him and walk back up to Ivory and Trish who are talking to another girl from college. I join them, handing Ivory a drink I'd picked up for her.

"Thanks babe," Ivory grins knocking the drink back easily.

"Go easy, we have all night for that." I chuckle, shaking my head at her. I take a sip of own drink and looked around distractedly. The place is packed full of people and there's still no sign of Jake or even Tobias for that matter. I shrug it off and instead let myself be dragged by Trish towards the circle of people dancing. Ivory follows us giggling and throwing her arms around everywhere. She's the heart and soul of every party and knows it as she thrashes her arms around to the music, swaying her hips.

"Dance Em!" Trish demands, bouncing up and down as the beat blare: from the speakers. I hold my drink tightly before finally letting loose, my hips swaying to the music. I close my eyes and lose myself into the drowning sound of people laughing, chatting and dancing.

Within seconds I'm beaming from ear to ear as a sense of freedom washed over my body. I'm actually having fun and it feels amazing. Any painful memories are pushed right to the back of my mind and I focus on having a good time with my girlfriends.

The song ends and I groan loudly, Trish and Ivory are equally as disappointed. We wonder over to