If Leanne Lockridge can easily see the difference between an ordinary girl and that self-centered, arrogant and vain brat like Landry Page, then I should be worried. She has never been interested in anything but provoking me, skipping classes and hating on professors.

Chances are that she, like me, is trying to redefine her priorities.

Or maybe she just wants to be my friend.

Okay, maybe I shouldn't worry about this too much. There's a party I need to keep under control.

***

Between random dances, pop corn, pizza and booze, I believe the only thing that's missing to make this party somehow unforgettable is a group picture. I mean, not that I want to take Instagram by storm and become a top notch influencer. I just want to share this moment as much as prove that I can have fun with other people.

Even if it means embarrassing myself.

As soon as I'm ready to gather some of the other invitees for the photo, Tom approaches me out of the blue. I mean, why the heck is he even interested in talking to me? He usually hangs around just with his band or his sister.

"Hi. You wanna take a pic?" he asks, much to my confusion. Why would he want to spend some alone time with me just to get a selfie? Deep breaths, Lucy, you're hyperventilating.

I wear on my biggest and least sincere smile and approach him for what seems to be the most traumatic selfie I've ever taken.

He shows me the final result and then posts it on Instagram. At this point I hope that no-one leaves any malicious comments under the picture. There's no chance that I go unnoticed since he tagged me. This means that I can't hide anymore.

I've just experienced social exposure like (almost) everybody else.

***

"Lucy! Guess what? Your selfie with Tom got over five thousand likes in, like, fifteen minutes!" Preslei is more excited to me to find out that I, Lucy Pena, an ordinary girl whose primary interest is the next release on Netflix, am on my way to become popular.

Popularity, however, doesn't last forever unless you're a celebrity. Or you're Landry Page.

Enough talking about her! This is about you, Lucy! Enjoy the moment!

Wanting to take my newfound status of "not a useless midge anymore" seriously, I start doing something I was supposed to do at the very beginning of this party: mingling in.

Tom and his bandmates (who, somehow, managed to sneak inside without me noticing until, like, now) are looking for something to make music. A console, a guitar, a piano, anything. Needless to say, their search won't take them anywhere. I don't have anything of that stuff, nor do I have a hi-fi stereo system. I only have my phone and, at most, my laptop to play music.

I guess it's time to ask someone for some little favors. After all, there's nothing wrong in doing so, right?

I approach Leanne, hesitating as I tap her shoulder. "Could you do me a favor, please? I remember you once said you have some instruments, am I right?"

She shakes her head, sticking her tongue before saying, "Actually, no, darling. Those weren't mine. I rented them from the music shop. Though, I overheard someone from Landry's clique saying about owning a set of instruments and a console," she explains. "I could go and ask the girls for cover-"

I cut her off. "Thank you, I mean it, but I don't know if it's exactly a good idea..."

"Save it, Lu. I'm going to get those instruments for you," she insists. Then, she turns to Nikki and Claire. "Girls, I'm on a mission. I'll be back soon. Don't scare the newbie, please." She bolts out of the house before I can even ask her why she called me a newbie. She's right, though. I've been at the bottom of the social chain for too long and it's high time I start showing interest in talking to other people and, why not, parties.

Before I can even think of why I'm losing my reputation as a midge, I hear a knock. I'm sure my parents are back. The party can't end just yet. There's a lot more to do and I want to have fun in a different way than usual for once in my life.

As I open, I'm shocked to see Adrian Duffy at the threshold. He's part of Landry's clique. He's dating one of her minions. What is he doing here?

When he asks, "Is the party here?" I'm dumbfounded. The last thing I expected from him is to show up here, with his friends as well! I mean, how can I, Lucy Pena, who stood at the bottom of the social ladder until a few minutes ago, be interesting enough for guys such as Adrian, Harry Burdette and Dylan McInnis? I'm sure there's a mistake here.

"Ehm... Guys, why are you here?" I ask back, betraying a feeling of uncertainty.

"Preslei and Tom told us you're throwing a big party, and so we're here," is Adrian's answer. Before I can even tell them that their visit caught me by surprise, they just bolt in and head to the kitchen, leaving me to chase after them.

"Okay... I guess I have no other choice than letting you in. Come on, drinks are in the kitchen. Don't do things you'll regret." Have I just said this shit? What the heck! I facepalm myself at my stupidity. I've just flushed my chances of being taken seriously by the cool guys down the toilet. Now, Adrian and his friends will use this as a way to earn extra brownie points with Landry, so that she can shit on me further...

Okay, I guess I'm wrong. They are saying shit indeed, but not on me. They're talking about the queen bee herself.

"Did you see how she walked on those heels last Wednesday? Like, she looked like she was fucking constipated!" says Harry, holding a bottle of beer and swinging it at an annoyed Dylan. "Like, come on, everyone knows she's Bigfoot."

I notice that, while Harry is commenting on how ungraceful Landry looked when walking on those heels that Wednesday, Adrian is proudly holding his iPhone X and doing an Instagram live. He makes silly poses as he says, "And this is only 1% of how she actually is! Even her parties are bullshit! This is an actual party, do you agree?"

Dylan adds, averting his gaze from Harry. "Lucy Pena is indeed a lucky girl! From tomorrow, I need everyone lining up to become her friend. It's a statement!"

Okay, this is definitely proof I'm becoming popular. I'll need help from Preslei, Leanne, Tom and the others on how to handle this shit. I mean, you don't get popular overnight by just throwing one party... without putting in the hard work.

My phone's ringtone distracts me from my thoughts. Dad. Perfect, I'm going to be in huge trouble. I'm sure someone talked about this party to their parents, who, in turn, must've shared it with mine... Oh shit...

"Dad... Hi... Listen, I can explain..."

Dad cuts me off from the other side of the line. "No explanations, Lucy. When did you mean to tell me you were throwing a party?" I freeze. After this, I will be grounded for a whole year. Worse still, he continues, "I'm talking to you, young lady. What were you thinking?"

"I... I... The point is, I-"