Star Night Party (1)

Hydro was still offline as the week was almost over. Oxy and Selena tried to call but their calls were never connected.

"Maybe there's no signal there. What kind of city is Vaskulaz anyway?" Selena wondered curiously.

"I only know that the city is across from our island." Oxy shrugged.

They had just arrived at school and were walking in the corridor, to their class.

"Shall we try to visit that city?" Selena suggested.

"Maybe something happened to Hydro. Maybe he starved to death in his room, and his parents weren't home because they were on vacation or something. We have to save him if something like that happens to him."

"I'm not sure I can be allowed to go out of town without a guardian." Oxy was worried about Selena's wild imagination. "And I hope Hydro is okay. You're exaggerating, Selena."

Selena looked disappointed. "If you're seventeen, will they allow you?" she asked. "I'd like to take you to see my city, Arterio. There are lots of good restaurants."

"I'm not sure Grace will allow me," Oxy looked hesitant. Grace was so paranoid if Oxy went around, the mother often asked Darren to check on Oxy's whereabouts. That's why Oxy always entered the same school as Darren, which irritated Darren so much because he had to take care of Oxy who was not even his sibling.

"Well, you should try to convince your mother." Selena stepped in front of Oxy and walked facing Oxy, so it was like she was walking backwards. "I'll help convince your mother..."

Brugh!

Selena's words were cut off when she bumped into someone with her back.

"Oops, sorry." Selena immediately turned around and Oxy gasped to see who was hit by Selena.

Argen raised an eyebrow when he found them.

"It's okay," Argen said to Selena. His tone was friendly as usual. "Hi, Oxy."

"O-oh, hi." oxy stammered in reply, She hoped Argen would not greet her in front of Selena. She could feel Selena's sharp glare on her. Selena could have easily guessed the changes on her face.

"And you too, new kid," Argen greeted Selena too.

"I have a name," Selena said. "Selena."

"Oh, sorry. I didn't know your name. Hi, Selena."

"And who are you?" Selena asked. She dared to ask back the coolest senior in school, even in front of so many people in the corridor.

"There's no way you don't know us," the gang members went closer.

"Why should I know all of you?" Selena asked back to them.

Oxy immediately hooked Selena's arm, asking her to stop.

"Tch, this new kid is brave, huh?"

Argen turned to his friends, he gave a shake of his head, as a warning that he would take care of this. The two of them backed away, still shaking their heads.

"Beautiful girl, but crazy," they said and laughed.

Oxy held back the movement of Selena who was irritated by the taunts of the two seniors.

"Sorry about them," Argen apologized. "My name is Argen."

"Oh, I remember now. You're the senior!" Selena nodded in understanding or she pretended to understand. Oxy suspected that Selena was deliberately making this conversation longer. "Oxy, you never told me if you know Argen."

Oxy felt her face heat up. What-are-you-doing, Selena?

"Yes, we know each other," Argen answered. "She's the sister of Darren Jane, one of my members in the basketball club."

"Oh!" Selena nodded, looking satisfied.

"Sorry, I should have known you. But I'm new here. And..." Selena put her arm around Oxy's shoulder. "I Only know Oxy."

Argen smiled. "Yeah, I could understand. Some people took a long time to get used to the new place."

"Well, good you could understand me." Selena winked. "So, Argen, you must have come to the Star Night party, right?"

"Maybe," Argen looked doubtful, even though yesterday he seemed to convince Oxy to come. "What about you two? Will come?"

"Yeah, of course!" Selena exclaimed before Oxy could say anything. "Of course, both of us will come."

Argen smiled. "Great."

"Argen, you know, I think you would great with a dark blue suit. It suits your eyes," Selena suddenly said, then winked again.

Oxy couldn't lift her face. Selena... you...

While Argen froze, looking confused by Selena's suggestion. "Thanks, good advice," he said.

Then the ringing of the bell rang throughout the building.

Oxy had never been so happy hearing the bell sound.

"See you later then," said Argen. "See you later, Oxy."

"Ye-yeah. See you later." Oxy replied shyly.

After Argen walked away, instead of rushing to class, Oxy immediately dragged Selena to the toilet.

"What-are-you-doing?!" Oxy hissed at Selena.

Selena just laughed. "So he is your prince? I thought I will have a hard time guessing!"

"You said you didn't know him? What a liar!" demanded Oxy. "You're just playing with him, aren't you?"

"Well, I wanted to talk with him for you. If he hadn't greeted you, of course, I wouldn't have seen your cute reaction."

"Come on!" cried Oxy annoyed. "Don't tease me! And you even giving Argen advice about that suit!"

"If he listened to my advice, You two will match at the party." Selena giggled excitedly. "Alright, even though your prince is one of the members of that annoying popular gang, he seems like a good boy. But still, you have to be careful."

"Argen is different," said Oxy, stepping out of the toilet. Selena hastily followed.

Now they might worry about being late for class. The teacher would be irritated by their tardiness and kicked them out of class.

Luckily they were let in by the teacher. After sitting down, Oxy suddenly thought of Mr. Dome's flash drive.

"What?" Selena asked, noticing Oxy who was busy looking for something.

"Have you seen your father's flash drive?"

Selena shrugged. "Aren't you the one who always carried that thing?"

"Yeah, I remember it was still in my pencil case, but it's gone now."

"Since when?"

"I don't know, I just remembered now." Oxy was feeling anxious. "Gosh, what if someone found it?"

"I don't think it will be a problem," Selena asked. "Even if someone found the flash drive, they still don't know how to open it, right? You've saved the file on your laptop and sent the file to Hydro for decryption."

Oxy stopped looking. Maybe Selena was right. She didn't need to panic having lost the flash drive.

But she was sure she still saw the flash drive in her pencil case yesterday.

--

"Oh, I didn't expect you to finally make it to the party, honey!" Grace seemed happy to help Oxy get dressed.

"Mom, I can do it by myself," Oxy scared that Grace would make her look ridiculous. Unfortunately, Selena couldn't dress up at her house but promised to pick her up.

"Don't worry. I tell you, I ever worked at the salon when I was in college. I was very good back then. And don't worry, I'm still good as before."

Oxy was scared to open her eyes to see her face in the mirror. If she looked silly, she wouldn't attend the party tonight.

"Come on, baby, open your eyes." Grace sounded impatient.

Oxy was forced to open her eyes. And she was surprised when she saw her reflection in the mirror.

She couldn't believe what she saw.

She thought she would see a ridiculous face but she was pleased with the color of her face, looked polished and smooth.

"Oh dear, you have grown up. My dear daughter is no longer as small as she used to be." Grace hugged Oxy tightly.

"Mom, I don't feel confident," Oxy couldn't help to admit it.

"Why? You already look perfect, why do you feel that way?"

"I don't think so."

"Let's prove it. Darren!"

Oxy widened her eyes in surprise. "Mom!" She said in a panic.

But Darren had appeared at the door in just one call.

"What's wrong, Mom?"

"Darren, take a look at Oxy, doesn't she look beautiful?"

Oxy panicked by Grace's question. Grace shouldn't have had to call Darren.

Darren, as usual, looked so charming, especially tonight he was wearing a suit with a bow tie. He must have had a new girlfriend from one of the popular girls at school.

Darren leaned against the bedroom door, his arms crossed. His black eyes scanned Oxy.

"Well, she doesn't look bad," Darren commented.

"Oh, come on, Darren. Oxy looks so perfect!"

"Well, good. Hope she will find her Prince tonight." Darren said sarcastically then went away.

"Darren is just shy to compliment you," Grace was too positive.

"Well, will your friend pick you up? Otherwise, I'll just drop you off."

"Oh, you don't have to, Mom. She will come."

The sound of the car below seemed to indicate Selena's arrival.

"I have to go," said Oxy. She stood up and took her handbag and jacket.

"See you later, dear." Grace kissed Oxy's forehead gently. Oxy smiled widely, then nodded.

"Thank you, Mom. See you later!"

Oxy went out and met Darren who was standing in the corridor.

"Hey, princess," Darren called, with a mocking face. "Have a good night. I have good advice for you." He said. "Just go home before something bad happen to you."

Oxy rolled her eyes and then walked past him.[]