Parker and I sprung to our feet, weaving through the bushes to get back to where we'd left the lifeboat.

Music was coming from the boat and there was a distinct figure at the bow of the boat. Holden had a sailor's cap on and saluted us. "What have you two been up to?" He yelled.

"Took you long enough!" Parker yelled back. They lowered the plank like thing so we could get on board.

Stephanie and Holden were the only people on the boat. Holden wore some dark navy chinos with a white button up and black bomber over the top. Stephanie had a plain black v-neck shift, her hair curled loosely.

"The school uniform is not proper party attire," Stephanie laughed. "You must be freezing. You look soaked. Let's go get you some proper clothes." She led me below deck to a room. She pulled open the wardrobe and sifted through before grabbing a black garment bag and handing it with me. She bent down to another shelf and pulled out a simple pair of black strappy heels.

"These are super comfy, so you can dance all night. Well, I'll head up to see if Parker needs any help. Just give me a shout if you need me though."

I nodded. "Seriously, I mean it. Any friend of Holden's and Parker's is a friend of mine. I wouldn't offer if I didn't mean it," she smiled, resting her hand on my arm.

"Yeah, of course. Thank you," I smiled in return. She was so graceful and elegant, even as she ascended the narrow stairs. She'd handed me a navy cowl neck mini dress. It looked amazing, and I couldn't help but give it one last twirl in the mirror before heading back up.

We were minutes away from the correct island by the time I was ready. The air whistled past us and I realised that the outfit was probably missing something.

"Glad you didn't die," Holden laughed, taking off his bomber jacket before swinging it over my shoulders. He stood behind me, giving both my shoulders a rub before going to check with the captain – I'm pretty sure that's what you called him – of the boat.

Stephanie and Parker were talking. She gestured to his clothing and he laughed. The boat stops along the shore and lets down the same plank thing so we can all get off. There's some sort of wooden pathway lined from the ship's plank leading further into the island.

The four of us walked towards the strobing lights and the booming music. "I can't believe you followed Parker onto a boat," Holden laughed. "He has the worst sense of direction."

"Yep. I can definitely attest to that," I replied.

It was weird, but as the wind blew my hair across my face, I could also smell a distinct smell of Holden coming off from his jacket. It was weird, but not definitely bad.

"It's not my fault I had such a crappy navigator!" Parker said defensively.

"You said you were sure you could get us there!" I retorted.

"We all know how bad you are with directions," Stephanie said, shaking her head.

"Daisy!" Came the exclamation. A shadowed figure hurried towards us.

"Elaine!" I exclaimed.

"I was getting so lonely without you here. I've been to the bathroom three times from the amount of soda I've had," she laughed. "I'm going to have to steal her from you guys now," she grinned.

Elaine might not have liked their clique, but she had a certain way about her. She could get through any social situation.

"You look hot!" She complimented. "Weird jacket choice though. Holden's?" I nodded. "Maybe this time I can get you to dance a bit more?" She grabbed my hand and led me onto the dancefloor.

The darkness, combined with the strobe lights meant I couldn't tell who half of the people were, meaning no one could tell who I was. I gave into the music and started to bob and even – when I was feeling especially frisky – started to wave my arms around.

The strobe lights hit a group of people near the centre of the floor. I saw Holden, Parker and Stephanie with a few other girls, including Clarissa. One of the girls whispered something into Parker's ear and he laughed. Never had a first kiss my ass.

"What's up?" Elaine asked.

"Nothing. Let's just dance," I grinned.

"Agreed."

We both took a break and went to grab some of the party pies they'd set up on the tables. Holden came over to me. "Where've you been hiding?" He grinned, hugging me from behind, nuzzling my neck. I giggled – it was ticklish. It was no surprise he could make any girl swoon. I pushed him gently away and filled up my cup with some lemonade.

"How did you find us by the way?" I asked.

"I tracked down Parker's phone," he said, waving his around proudly.

"Oh crap. We left his back there because we couldn't find it. Will we go back for it tomorrow?"

"Parker Lennox can afford a new phone," he laughed. "Easy. Don't stress yourself out so much," he said, patting me on the head.

"Hey!" I snapped. "That took me ages to straighten out."

"It looks cute," he winked before disappearing.

"I'm going to hurl," Elaine said, faking a gag. "I don't know, maybe he is an okay guy," she shrugged. "Allie is super nice, so I'd assume she wouldn't have dated an asshole. Then again, the good girls like the bad boys don't they?"

"No siree," I said. "I like my boys good."

"Well maybe you aren't so good then," she smirked.

We headed back out onto the dancefloor, but it wasn't long before Elaine's bladder caught up with her again. "I'll be right back!" She said. Before I had a chance to protest and force her to take me as her chaperone, she had zipped past everyone and disappeared.

"This party actually sucks," Parker said from behind me. "No wonder Holden bothered to come get us." He handed me a cup. "Refill for you," he said.

I took a sip and nearly spat it out. "Is that beer!?" I hissed. It was bitter and frankly, I couldn't get why anyone would want to drink it. "What if the teachers catch you with it?"

"That's why you need to finish it."

"No! It doesn't even taste good."

"Your loss." He took the cup from my hand and chugged it.

"Your brain doesn't stop developing until you're twenty-five you know," I said. He shrugged.

"I thought you'd be a bit more of a party animal," he said.

"Says you. You've been standing around all night."

"So you've been watching me?" He smirked. I spotted Holden in a corner talking to Allie.

"You wish," I muttered.

"Okay, so let's dance," he said. Suddenly, he grabbed my hand and twirled me.

"Do you dance with all your friend's girlfriends? Isn't there some sort of bro code?"

"There is a bro code," he began. He leaned down and whispered into my ear, "but fake girlfriends don't count."

"The audacity!" I said, feigning outrage.

"Now when will you stop this charade and be with me?" He asked. The strobe light hit him and the brown in his eyes seemed to sparkle.

"Funny," I said, jabbing him in the chest with my index finger. "I'm going to go find Elaine."

"I'm not kidding!" He yelled after me.

These boys were so goddamn weird. Parker used to be one of Holden's most quiet friends. He didn't seem to say much, especially around me. But it was getting less awkward. I guess you couldn't really judge a person by first impressions.

I waited by the side of the toilets for Elaine. Despite trying to mind my own business, I overhead the conversation anyway.

"I reckon she's after his money," a girl said. "What the fuck is Carlson high anyway?"

"What's with her name? Daisy? She must be from some podunk town," the other scoffed.

"She was definitely a downgrade."

"Gotta give it to her though. She knows how to choose 'em."

"I definitely think Parker's hotter."

"I guess. If you're into those broody types. He isn't as much as fun as Holden. I haven't heard of anyone hooking up with him. Even on the annual camping trip."

"Can you guys just shut the fuck up? I'm trying to empty my bowels and I can't even do that without having to listen to the sound of your voices!" I suddenly heard Elaine exclaim. "By the way, Daisy is lovely, which is more than I can say for you cows."

"She taking tips from you – you whore?"

I peered around the corner just in time to see Elaine flip them off. I leaned back against the wall before any of them could spot me. I'd managed to hide from them, but not from Holden.

"Listening into the juicy gossip?" He asked, looking up at the sky, his green eyes twinkling.

"I seem to be a hot topic," I sighed.

"Eventually, all of those whispers become white noise. Trust me."

"Why is everyone so...just so venomous?"

"This school is incredibly competitive. I'm not sure if you've noticed. Everything matters. Everything's a transaction. How you look, your grades, athletics, who your boyfriend is," he winked at me. "Who your parents are. Everything. Really, it's just a bunch of rich kids with too much spare time."

"Good to know."

"You're one of the good ones," he smiled.

"I actually have to talk to you about something."

"Shoot," he said, looking at me.

I told him the entire story about Logan and the DNA request. I also voiced my concerns about the legality of this, and whether he was trying to frame Holden for something.

"You watch way too many crime shows," he laughed. He thought about it for a moment. "Sure, I'll give you a hair or something to give to him. I'm curious about what the hell he wants it for."

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