Bryn took the stairs two at a time, and hurried down the hall until she was locked safely away in her room, the key still firmly implanted in her palm. She opened her hand to look at it again, and then very carefully placed it on her dresser while she headed to her closet. She would call Sarah and tell her she'd heard of another party tonight. Sarah was always up for that. Then they would head to The Palace, and Bryn would casually mention that Cad Dupre came to their holiday party and handed her this key. The elevator would arrive before Sarah could grill her further, and then when the alcohol began flowing Sarah would forget all together. It was the perfect plan, and Bryn felt like her entire body was filled with all this energy she'd never felt before. She wanted to run around the street and scream out loud. She could just imagine how scandalized her mother would be if she did that, but she didn't care too much. She didn't care if everyone on the Upper East Side saw her entering The Palace and headed to the Dupre suite. She was going, consequences be damned.

She searched through her closet for something to wear, but decided nothing she had would do. She wanted to be daring. She wanted to show Cad Dupre that he hadn't been wrong to invite her. She wasn't just a good little society girl who always towed the line. She was crossing the line tonight just by going to his penthouse. She'd lied to her mother, she was lying to Sarah. This felt like the craziest thing she'd ever done before, and she liked it. She wanted more of it.

Bryn made the phone call to Sarah, and as always her friend was up for it. Twenty minutes later Bryn was in the Van Loane penthouse with a big smile on her face. Sarah gave her an odd look but didn't comment, and dragged Bryn right into her closet.

"Okay," Bryn sucked in a deep breath. "Find me something-"

Sarah interrupted her before she could finish. "I know, I know. Not too much. Don't worry Bryn bear. I'm just excited you're so jazzed to do this. Where is this party anyway?" Sarah asked casually as she flipped through the racks of her clothing. She pulled out a few dresses that Bryn shook her head at and kept looking.

"The Palace." Bryn responded just as casually, hoping Sarah didn't start an inquisition yet. Her plan depended on Sarah staying in the dark until the very last minute. Thankfully Bryn spotted the perfect dress before Sarah could ask more. "That one!" She bit her lip to stop herself from smiling like the fool she felt. "It's perfect." She ran her fingers across the soft material with reverence. She was sure she'd never seen Sarah in this dress before, and she was glad. The comparisons couldn't be too damning then.

Sarah frowned. "My mom bought it for me, you can have it." Sarah pulled it down with a careless yank and held it out for Bryn. Bryn took it quickly and walked into the other room to change. Sarah was still in the closet searching for herself. "So, The Palace?" Sarah called out.

Bryn didn't respond, and instead busied herself with undressing, and pulling the dress on. It clung to her in all the right places, and when she looked into the mirror she couldn't really believe it was her. Her mother would gasp and say she looked indecent, but she didn't really care what her mother thought. She was way more interested in what Cad Dupre would say when he saw her tonight. She hoped he liked it. She hoped this was a night she would never forget.

Sarah walked out a minute later, a shorter, more provocative dress on, but Bryn didn't care. Cad Dupre gave her his key card, not Sarah. This was her night to shine, and for once she didn't feel so inferior to her best friend. Sure, Sarah looked beautiful as always, but Bryn did too. And for once she felt like she was – felt like she could do anything she set her mind to tonight. Her mind, as always, was on Cad Dupre. And perhaps she'd manage to keep his mind on her as well. The thought made her smile.

"What has you so happy?" Sarah asked as they headed for the door.

Bryn shrugged, "It's a beautiful night out, don't you think?"

Sarah watched her closely for a moment, before nodding. They didn't speak another word until they arrived at The Palace and headed for the elevator banks. It was show time, and Bryn was prepared.

When Bryn pulled out the key card and slid it in, Sarah didn't say a word. She even managed to stay silent when it dinged, and the doors slid open to the Dupre penthouse. But when Cad Dupre himself nodded at Bryn from across the room of his smoky den, Sarah could no longer hold her silence, and pulled Bryn away from the other party goers.

"What is going on, Bryn!" Sarah's voice was loud, and her face was pinched. Bryn almost laughed, it was one of the only times Sarah hadn't looked absolutely perfect. "B…?" Sarah waited impatiently.

"Cad Dupre came to my mother's holiday party. Some business thing with my father. He invited me to come over afterward to this little… gathering." Bryn decided that sounded better than party, and really since there were only about 10 other people there it couldn't be considered a party anyway.

"Cad Dupre just invited you to his penthouse… gave you a key?" Sarah stared at her incredulously.

"What?" Bryn snapped. "Guys only give you keys to this penthouse. Don't be such a bitch, Sarah." Bryn started to walk past her friend into the other room, but a contrite Sarah pulled her back quickly.

"That isn't what I mean, B." Sarah sighed, and raked her fingers through her already messy hair. "It's just… this isn't your usual crowd. Do you even know any of these people?" Sarah motioned to the other room, where girls and guys of their acquaintance were lighting up, and drinking like their lives depended on it. In truth, Bryn recognized almost every face in there, but she didn't exactly run in that circle and Sarah knew it.

"So, maybe I want a change, Sarah." Bryn pulled Sarah back further so they couldn't be overheard. "Maybe I need a change." She implored Sarah to just understand, like Bryn had always tried to do for her. "I'm sick and tired of holiday parties with my parents, and mixers with our classmates. If you didn't notice they're all boring little lemmings. And I've been the same. I've always followed the rules. And I'm sick of it…" Bryn let out a defeated breath, her mood was already souring. "I thought you of all people would understand." She whispered softly, and tried to fight off the stinging behind her eyes. She could not cry in Cad Dupre’s penthouse.

Sarah 's face immediately softened, and she put her arm around Bryn's slight shoulders. "I do understand, B.. I guess I'm just surprised. Doing wild and crazy things is my deal." Sarah laughed at herself, and Bryn cracked a tiny smile. "I'm behind you one hundred percent. You want to go crazy?" Sarah smiled devilishly. "Then let's do it." She grabbed Bryn's hand and yanked her into the other room before Bryn could even protest.

Not that she was going to anyway.