Meredith took a deep breath before exiting the limo, following Lily's lead. They'd arrived at a luxurious mansion in the middle of the city. She was used to the party scene, but for some reason she was feeling more anxious than excited. She'd had ample time to think during the ride over, and she couldn't stop imagining any number of worst-case scenarios.

Relax. It's not like anything bad's going to happen, she quietly reassured herself, then did a series of breathing exercises to calm her nerves.

“Relax,” Lily muttered as if reading her mind, then slipped a silver silk mask adorned with crystals into place. She gave Meredith a light nudge, urging her to put on her mask, too.

“Do we really have to?” she asked, suddenly feeling unsure and reluctant.

Masks weren't exactly the first accessories she'd have picked out. But part of her found the idea appealing. Concealing their identities meant they could dance and drink with abandon, hiding behind the guise of anonymity.

“Yep. I told you, some very famous people are here. No one's allowed in without a mask, and that's pretty much the only rule for tonight.”

She rolled her eyes, but Meredith obliged and followed suit. The mask covered more than half of her face. She startled slightly when she saw a masked usher approaching them, but then she realized the mask rule applied to the staff as well. They're really taking this whole anonymity angle seriously, she thought.

“Good evening, ladies. Your names, please?” said the usher after taking a small, polite bow. He stood expectantly, holding a clipboard to his chest.

“Lily. Lily Waldorf,” her best friend said taking the lead, gripping her wrist to emphasize they were together. “And Meredith Fields.”

After a few moments of scanning the names on his clipboard, the man nodded and smiled at them. Despite his mask, Meredith could tell he was attractive, making her feel less anxious and decidedly more excited about what the night had in store for them.

It’s going to be an interesting night, she thought with a smile on her lips.

“This way please,” the man spoke in a louder voice as they stepped into the mansion.

Booming music reverberated throughout the halls, and the air smelled like booze. Looking around, Meredith saw people getting into cozy booths lined up like tiny turtles. As she stole a glance at a couple on her right, she caught a glimpse of both a tiny couch and bed within the plush enclosure.

The center of the large ballroom was packed with sweaty bodies gyrating to the heavy thumping bass of the music. She blushed when she realized most of the women were wearing much less than her and Lily. Some were even wearing what appeared to be nothing more than strategically placed strips of leather and latex, and she tried desperately not to stare.

Be happy you’re in a dress.

A masked waiter passed them by, and Meredith was more than happy to quickly down a shot of tequila. A little liquid courage couldn't hurt, right? She turned to ask Lily if she wanted a shot, but her friend was nowhere to be found. Looking around, she slowly realized Lily was already dancing with a masked stranger, looking for all the world like she was having the time of her life.

Damn Lily.

“Hey!” Lily called out, waving at her as if she'd only just now remembered they'd come to the party together.

Meredith pointed at herself with a wry grin before shaking her head. Dancing while sober was something she had never done in her entire life. She wasn't up for a dance – not yet. Maybe after a few more shots she'd be ready.

She staked out a seat at the bar, content to sit and just observe her surroundings for the moment. Her eyes never left Lily's figure as she gulped down shot after shot of vodka.

Damn, girl. You know how to drink, she thought, praising herself.

When the alcohol finally hit her, Meredith was more than ready to party. She rose from her seat and grinned when a tall blond guy made eye contact with her and took her hand in his, pulling her toward the dance floor.

“I’m Luke,” the blond guy introduced himself, resting both of his hands on her waist before they moved to her back, caressing her skin.

“Meredith,” she said, moving closer to him and dancing seductively, pressing her body to his.“It’s nice to meet you, Meredith,” he whispered huskily.

Meredith moaned when she felt his hand slip under the hem of her dress. She knew he was crossing the line when he touched her bare ass, but she loved what he was doing. The shots had made her bold.

“It’s nice to meet you, too,” she murmured as she rubbed against him.

Pulling Luke even closer, she caressed his hard chest, enjoying the feel of his strong muscles underneath her hands. She felt like she was close to shedding her inhibitions, but in a good kind of way.

Just when she was about to suggest moving to a booth to continue their fun in private, Luke was pulled away by another stranger. A woman wearing a red leather corset, black satin thong and black fishnets shoved him down onto the nearest chair before straddling him and giving him the bitchiest lap dance she had ever seen, glaring at Meredith when their eyes met. Luke, on the other hand, looked more than happy to be in his current position.

I should have known he was taken, she thought glumly as she marched back to her seat from earlier at the bar.

Her eyes roamed over the crowd as she searched for Lily, but she couldn't find her. Her best friend was probably already having the time of her life. At least one of us is, she thought.

Just then, Meredith realized that over half of the females in attendance were wearing nothing but lingerie.

“Unbelievable, right?” the female bartender said after noticing Meredith's obvious staring. She poured her another shot of vodka without prompting. Like everyone else, she was wearing a mask.

“Are they hired performers? Or are they guests?” Meredith asked, genuinely curious.

“Everyone here except for the staff and security are guests,” the bartender answered with a knowing smile. Meredith could tell the woman knew exactly what she was thinking.

“So these women are basically taking advantage of the masquerade to hook up,” she said haltingly, since she'd just pieced everything together. She remembered the furnishings she'd noticed earlier in the booth, and blushed.

“You bet.”

She tipped her shot back, wincing as the vodka burned her throat on the way down, warming her chest. She looked back at the writhing throng of people on the dance floor. These women were from prominent, wealthy families, just like her.

Her gaze came to rest on Luke, who was now making out with the woman from earlier. She grimaced when she saw the woman openly caressing the evident bulge in Luke's slacks.

Fuckers.

“I did not bring you here to watch couples making out,” said a familiar voice at her side. She swiveled around to find Lily, looking like she'd just come down from heaven.

Maybe she really had.

“Where were you?” Meredith asked, looking closely at her best friend's face.

“Somewhere over there – having a little taste of heaven.” Lily had a sly smirk on her face.

Rolling her eyes, Meredith examined Lily carefully. If she was already trashed, it was going to be a real buzzkill. Lily glared at her.

“Mer, will you just relax and enjoy yourself already? What's so wrong about kissing a few guys and having some fun? Besides, you're wearing a mask. You could finally have sex without anyone even knowing who you are,” Lily said matter-of-factly.

“I was enjoying myself. But someone stole my guy from me,” she retorted, crossing her arms across her chest as she remembered how easily Luke had been whisked away.

“So steal him back. Whoever she was, I know she's got nothing on you. Be confident. And follow me,” Lily said with a wink. She downed a shot of tequila before taking Meredith by the wrist.

Meredith found herself being dragged into the crowd once more, dancing with Lily like there was no tomorrow. Her best friend was right. There was nothing to worry about. All she needed to do was let loose.

Tonight, she could be the most carefree version of herself.