Chapter 2The Red Flag Party

Early the next morning, I went straight to the department office.

The hallways were mostly empty, as everyone was already packed and leaving for the holidays.

When I knocked and walked in, my academic advisor, Professor Miller, was organizing holiday safety forms.

She looked up, surprised to see me.

"Mia? I thought you weren't flying out until the 4th?"

I placed an early departure request form on her desk.

"The host university just notified me that I can move into the student flats early. I'm flying out tonight."

Professor Miller flipped through the paperwork.

"This is very sudden."

"I want to get there early to help set things up."

She looked at me intently.

"You aren't going to Seraphina's party?"

My fingers twitched slightly.

"You know about it?"

"She texted me last night asking if she needed to register an off-campus group event. I told her no, since it's just a hangout at her house. I did ask her to send me the guest list, though."

Professor Miller glanced at a spreadsheet on her computer.

"Everyone else in your class RSVP'd 'yes.' You're the only holdout."

I lowered my eyes.

"I just want to get a head start on my program."

I didn't vocalize my suspicions.

Because I couldn't articulate them clearly.

Someone suddenly acting friendly isn't a crime.

Taking phones at a party could easily be explained away as a game.

A sleepover, an open bar, a chartered bus—individually, any of these things could be seen as generous and accommodating.

I had no evidence, and I didn't want to be the paranoid buzzkill raining on everyone's parade.

Professor Miller signed the form.

"Alright then, have a safe flight. Text me when you land."

"Will do, Professor."

The moment I stepped out of the office, my phone started buzzing continuously.

Chloe had sent a voice memo.

"Mia, Seraphina keeps asking us why you aren't coming. She asked if she did something to offend you."

The second message was from Harper.

"Mia, are you seriously not coming?"

"Literally everyone is going. The driver is her family's private chauffeur, it's 100% safe."

I stood in the stairwell, listening to the audio messages, feeling a chilling cold wash over me.

Chloe called me directly.

"Mia, don't be such a snob."

"I already changed my flight."

"But don't you feel super awkward? The entire class is going, and you're the only one opting out."

"If it's awkward, it's awkward. I can't just abandon my study abroad program."

Chloe sighed heavily.

"Sometimes you are just so cold."

I didn't argue.

After hanging up, I went back to the dorm to finish packing.

Chloe sat on her bed, watching me.

She pursed her lips.

"Mia, do you look down on us? Do you think we're stupid for jumping at the chance to go to a rich girl's house?"

I zipped up my suitcase.

"No."

And I meant it.

I didn't think they were stupid.

When someone beautiful, incredibly wealthy, and usually unapproachable suddenly extends a hand and says, 'Let me show you my world,' most people would be tempted.

It's not stupidity.

It's just human nature to want to be seen, accepted, and treated like a VIP.

I just couldn't afford to take the gamble.

I didn't have a wealthy family to bail me out if things went south.

Chloe muttered quietly:

"Seraphina said you'll regret it if you don't come."

I paused.

That phrase again.

I threw my backpack over my shoulder.

"Then I'll regret it."