---------------------------------------

After about an hour, Kevin pulled up at a huge three story house. Music was blaring on the inside and outside. The lawn was littered with red cups, other garbage and various pieces of clothing. People were all over the place drinking, dancing, throwing up and kissing.

The others finally reached and pulled up beside us. Thanks to Kevin and his breakneck speed, we had arrived first. Trey and Melissa stepped out next. She looked excited and tugged Trey into the house, pushing people out of the way.

Callie and her date were the next to exit their car. Demetri's hand was around her neck and her arm was wrapped around his waist. She was cuddling into him. Aw! I think they were going to make a super cute couple. Callie deserved a good guy after what happened three years ago.

"So, you wanna go inside?" Kevin cocked his head in the direction of the house.

"Sure," I said a little breathlessly.

He chuckled and snaked an arm around my neck, pulling me closer to him.

"Come on, it'll be fun. Your first party, right?"

I nodded as we moved closer to the house. When we stepped in, I was hit with the pungent smell of smoke and alcohol. People were moving all over the place bouncing and rubbing against each other to the beat of a song I didn't recognize.

The place was packed, not exactly my ideal Friday night. It felt as if the entire city was here tonight. I guess Ashton's parties really were a big deal after all.

Callie had figured out my book reading plan and snatched my phone. So now I couldn't even escape to go and read.

Kevin pulled me towards the dance floor and started to dance. I followed his lead and ignoring the fact that I probably looked like an offbeat whale, it was surprisingly fun. Soon I was singing along to the songs like I had known them all my life.

I was really enjoying my time with Kevin. He kept me happy and entertained and not once did he leave me to go and dance with another girl.

After a lifetime of singing and dancing I was really parched. He offered to get me something to drink. We weaved our way through the crowd and came to a drinks table. I immediately spotted a bottle of transparent liquid.

I grabbed a red cup from the stack and poured it out.

"Since when do you drink?" Kevin asked, watching me with interest.

"I don't," I said, lifting the cup to my lips and was about to drink when Kevin took the cup from me.

"In that case, I don't think you should have that."

"What are you talking about?" I asked, a little confused.

He motioned to the liquid "What do you think this is?"

"Water."

"This isn't water," he said and then started laughing so hard he was gasping for breath.

"Huh?"

"This is vodka," he said, raising the cup. "Alcohol."

Ohhh.

I forced a smile. "Thanks Kevin."

"It's nothing," he smiled.

A light hue stained my cheeks as he pulled me closer. He was determined to make me enjoy the party.

His eyes were captivating. I couldn't look away and if it wasn't for the loud music blasting through the speakers or the hundreds of people pushing and gyrating on each other, the moment would have felt utterly magical.

I didn't know what it was like to have feelings for a guy. I didn't know what it felt like to want to wrap my arms around someone and hold them close.

I didn't want heartbreak. But then again, who did?

I'd seen Callie go through it with her first boyfriend Daniel. From the tears to the tissues to the sappy romantic comedies. I'd been there with her.

But with Kevin I felt safe in his arms. Not in a romantic way, but in a lovingly platonic way. I'd known him since freshman year when we got paired together in History class. At first, he'd seemed like the kind of guy that every girl was on her knees for. But then I realized that there was so much more to him.

I closed my eyes, feeling a blush rise to my cheeks. I didn't know what I wanted to feel, but the urge to pee was definitely not on the list.

"Um Kev?" I whispered, squirming uncomfortably.

His lashes fluttered up tickling my cheeks.

"Yeah?"

"I kinda need to use the bathroom," I said hurriedly while mentally cursing myself for breaking the moment for something so trivial as pee.

"Okay," he chuckled, standing up straighter. Even in my heels, I only managed to reach a little above his shoulders.

"Do you think you can find it?"

I looked around at all the people pushing and shoving. And the house was so big! How would I ever find the bathroom in a maze like this? Chances are I'd end up opening the wrong door and seeing something I definitely didn't need to.

"Do you think you could follow me?"

"Yeah. I wouldn't leave you to walk around alone. Some guys might get some ideas."

I nodded as he led me up the stairs to the second floor. We passed a couple of people making out, but by the time we reached the end of the hallway we were practically alone.

I knocked on the door and no one answered, so I flashed Kevin a sheepish look and slowly pushed the door open.

After doing what I needed to do, I washed my hands and stepped out into the hallway. Kevin was leaning against the wall, staring idly at his shoes.

When he saw me he pushed off of the wall with a smile.

"Ready to go back down?" he asked, coming closer to me.

Before I could answer a shadow appeared behind Kevin, blocking off the light coming from down the hall.

"Kevin," the voice spoke.

Kevin groaned and looked up at the mysterious figure. His eyes widened as he dropped his head for a second.

The guy chuckled and walked towards us. How could I not recognize that voice? The one person that made my life hell all because I wouldn't give him special treatment like everyone else.

Ashton Rivera.

Ashton and Kevin knew each other well. He was Kevin's other best friend, and that fact never failed to surprise me. It looked like they were communicating, but they weren't saying anything. They were just staring at each other.

At one point Ashton's eyes flickered to mine, but I quickly looked away. What did this guy forever want with me?

"Kevin, leave us alone," Ashton spoke.

My head jerked up just as he said that. I made eye contact with Kevin and shook my head.

"Look, Ashton, I can't just leave her-"

"I said go," he growled.

Okay, what was his problem?

I looked up at Kevin pleading with my eyes for him not to leave me alone with Ashton.

Kevin looked as if he was torn between whether to stay or go. He stepped closer to me, but stopped in his tracks when Ashton growled again.

Kevin looked angry, sad and defeated at the same time.

"Kevin," I whispered, trying to make him understand that I didn't want him to go downstairs without me.

He gave me a bewildered look as Ashton crossed his arms and he backed away from me. He shot me a final glance before walking away.

"Now," Ashton said, standing in front of me. "We need to talk."

"Excuse me, but I need to go," I said, trying to push past him, but he grabbed my arms and pushed me against the wall. He placed his hands beside my head caging me in.

"Now, as I was saying we need to talk," he said in a voice that didn't leave room for argument.

"Look, Ashton, I'll talk to you at school on Monday," I said, trying to duck under his arms.

Instead, he closed most of the space between us. Why was he doing this?

"Did you not hear me? I said now!" he yelled.

I turned my head to the side. I didn't want to look at him. My heart was pounding in my chest so hard I could barely breathe.

"Look at me," he demanded.

I slowly turned my head and looked at him. He was so close our noses brushed together. I wanted to step back and put some space between us, but the wall had other plans.

I rolled my eyes, confused as to why he was here. It was his birthday party. Shouldn't he be downstairs having fun with everyone else? I sighed. I guess his birthday just wouldn't be complete without tormenting me.

A hand on my wrist startled me from my thoughts.

"What are you doing?" I gasped as he slid my sleeve up.

I pushed him away. At least, I tried to, but it was like pushing against a boulder. He didn't budge an inch. He ignored me and instead focused his attention on my bracelet.

"Where did you get this?"

"What?" I asked, still puzzled by his behavior.

"This bracelet," he said, shaking my wrist. His eyes that bore into me were as cold as ice. "Where did you get it?"

"My mom gave it to me a long time ago," I informed him, pulling my wrist free from his grasp.

"Where the hell did she get it from?"

"I don't know. A jewelery store?" I sighed in frustration. "What's with the interrogation, Ashton?"

I stared into his dark eyes and then I felt it. A strong connection like lightning.

--------------------------------------