It was exactly after school on Friday when Sav literally bombarded me with unexpected turn of events.

She told me that she and I were to help out with the upcoming party.

For the past two days, let's just say I haven't seen much of her.

Why? Two words: Ryland Rodes.

It seemed to me that they were really hitting it off because I hardly ever saw both of them at school. This led me to speculate that she has been abducted by him for the past two days.

My speculations were confirmed today when she told me of her whereabouts. According to her, she had been hanging around with Ryland and his college buddies. Apparently she was needed to sort out some of the party planning, since they've never thrown parties-- only attended them.

"So they managed to get music. They have ideas of what snacks and drinks they want." She told me.

"Ideas? Is that all?" I asked in disbelief. "Sav you've been missing some classes just for that?"

"What happened to 'I'm concentrating solely on my studies this year, I need to get to college!'" It was her words she repeated to me every day when we got to school.

"Just the only classes I know I don't really need." She defended herself.

I heaved a sigh, rolling my eyes.

"Besides that's not only what we did." She insinuated.

"Ugh, I don't wanna know!" I blocked my ears with my hands.

"I can't believe you!" I scolded. "You just met the guy."

"We didn't do that-that! Just made out, that's all."

"I repeat; you have just met the guy!"

She rolled her eyes. We were almost near the parking lot.

"So are you coming or not? We need your help with the supplies. Plus you'll get to meet his friends. I'm telling you, they're hunks!" She screeched.

"How many are there?" I asked hesitantly. We were parked next each other.

"Just three. One of them has a girlfriend and she has a friend called Sally who's too friendly for my liking." She told me.

"Really what do these friends do?" I asked curiously.

"You'll find out when you get to meet them!" She told me impatiently as she unlocked the car.

"Fine. I'll go. But, I have to call my mom first. I'll just tell her that I'm at your house. She's yet to know about the party tomorrow." As I said this I took my cell out and dialled my mother's number.

She answered after the first ring.

"Poodles?" That was her nickname of me, because of my unkempt curls.

"Mom, I'm just calling you to inform you that I'll be at Sav's house for a while." I said.

"Okay poodles, drive safe. Just call me when you're coming home."

"Bye, mother!"

"Laters, poodles."

I sighed as I cut the call. You'd expect that I was used to the endearment by now. But, no, it still irked me to extreme.

"Are you ready?" Sav asked before getting into her car.

I nodded as I unlocked my own car and began the ignition.

I followed her car for about twenty minutes until she lead me to a neighbourhood that consisted of apartments which seemed to me—and this was judging by the people going in and out of the buildings—they were meant for college students.

I parked next to Sav and got out at same time she did and I deliberately left my backpack in the car. I took my cell and shoved it down my jean pocket and then met Sav halfway.

"The buildings are nice." I said for pleasantry sake.

Sav only shrugged in response. "He only shares it with one of the guys, I think his name was James." She frowned.

She led me to one of the entrance, dialled some number and waited as it rang.

"Yeah?" A voice boomed at the speaker.

"It's Sav."

A buzzer went off and the door was opened. Sav lead me into a set of stairs and we trudged them until we reached the second floor.

The door was already unlocked because when she pushed it, it opened without any restriction.

"Ryly?" She called out.

"Ryly? Really?" I snorted as we walked into the brightly lit hallway.

There were about four doors from my right and left and Sav lead me into the living room which was quite occupied.

The muted music became louder once we entered the inside and the first thing I noticed was the obscenely huge plasma TV suited right across from us, at the wall. Some sort of music video was playing on it.

"Hi!" A voice boomed in front of us and that was when I began to notice the people occupying the gaunt like U-shaped sofa.

I blinked at the person who greeted us and was surprised to find that it was a girl.

"I'm Sally!" She grinned, her voice and body bubbling in excitement. She thrust her hand outward to shake mines.

"I'm Keya," I smiled warily as I shook her hand. Her grip was firm and before I even knew it, I was pulled into a hug.

"I'm so excited! This party will be a blast!" She shrieked into my ear and I struggled out of her hug.

"Sally, release the poor girl, you're scaring her." A deep voice sounded behind me.

As Sally released me with an apologetic look, she grinned at me before turning to face whoever talked.

I turned too and I think my jaw dropped.

Hunk. Sav's unrelenting word was what was brimming in my mind as I got a look at the person before me.

The height was the first thing you saw and noticed, the guy was staggering around six foot five and that was judging from my perspective. He was probably an inch or two taller than Kyle.

"I'm James, Ryland's roomie!" He thrust his hand out, whilst he shook the mass of unkempt dark brown hair out of his face. I saw warm hazel eyes sparkling there.

"Keya," I said taking his hand into a shake. The firm grip on his hand told me of his strength which was unsurprising considering the muscles on him.

At this point I didn't realise that my best friend had moved from my side until I saw her at the other end with Ryland. They seemed quite preoccupied on his computer.

"Exotic name for an exotic girl." He complimented and I refrained from bursting out with laughter. That was the first time anyone has ever called me exotic.

"C'mon, I'll introduce you to everyone."

"Guys, this is Keya!" He told the group that consisted of a snuggled couple in the middle of the sofa and another guy on the far end.

"Keya, this is Dave..." He told me, pointing at the short, cropped-haired and browned skinned hottie who waved at me with a smirk on his face.

"And Ciara..." He pointed at the brown skinned beauty next to her, she frowned at James and gave me an awkward wave before turning back Dave. She leaned on his shoulder and snaked a possessive arm around him.

"... and finally, Sam," He gestured to the blonde-haired and tan skinned on the far end of the sofa who seemed pretty preoccupied with his cell phone.

"Hi." I waved back at them and awkwardly leaned back at my heels.

James moved away from me to Sally whom was staggering towards the table where it held a few beers and other alcoholic drinks. I discreetly moved to sit in one of the unoccupied plush chairs.

"Want a drink, Keya?" Sally came up to me holding a cup, just as I sat down.

I frowned. "Uh...What is it?"

"Just a mixture of vodka and coke...you'd want to get hyped up once we go shopping."

"Shopping?" I asked, frowning.

"Yeah, shopping for drinks and food for tomorrow." James popped behind her. "Didn't Sav mention this to you?"

"Uh...kind of," I replied, taking the drink from Sally's hand.

I sniffed the contents and the penetrating smell of alcohol hit my nose. This wasn't the first time I had a dose of alcohol so I shrugged and sipped from the cup. The vodka wasn't strong but still I stopped myself from consuming more.

Sally nodded to the music, grinning at me as if saying, "This is great!"

"Right!" Dave shouted getting up from the sofa, drawing everyone's attention. "Are we going to do this or what?"

"Okay, so what do we need again?" Ryland asked.

"We need alcohol, snacks, a lot plastic plates and cups." James replied.

"Jay, you're definitely getting the alcohol, you have fake ID and you look like a freaking thirty year old man." Dave said.

James rolled his eyes only to fold his arms across his chest. And that action just emphasised his masculinity.

"You guys decide who's getting what...this installation still hasn't finished. Sav and I need to stay." Ryland stated.

At that, I snapped my eyes all the way to Sav whose blush gave everything away.

Savannah Biers, I can't believe you!

She was going to entrust me to strangers while she was going to get laid.

I scowled at her, ignoring the conversation the others were having about the decision. Sav was blatantly ignoring my glare.

Oh just you stay ignorant Savannah Biers, cos I am really going to kill you with this death glare!

"Keya, what do you think?" James addressed me.

I've been too busy in my thoughts to realise the others were discussing the situation.

"Huh?" I asked, shaking my head to indicate that I didn't understand what he was talking about.

"We are splitting up." He explained. "Dave and Ciara want to get the snacks, Sally and Sam will get the plates and cups, and so you and I will get the alcohol."

"Oh." I said.

He waited for my opinion.

"I don't really mind to be honest." I told him shrugging.

"Okay, it's sorted then!" He replied, grinning at me.

"Are we going now-now?" Sally asked in an excited manner.

"Yes, we are-are!" I watched Sam rolling his eyes as he took out his phone again in obvious annoyance. Something told me that he didn't want to go with her.

So with that, everyone—excluding Sav and Ryland—began to leave the apartment. I wished I had found time to corner Sav and scold her for this. I knew she was going to do it with Ryland, even if she did just meet him three days ago.

She didn't care. Of course she didn't. If she wanted something, she will put effort to get it.

I caught Sav's gaze before I left and my scowling and shaking of head told her enough of my disapproval. She only responded by shrugging rolling her eyes at me.

I turned away and followed James down the stairs and out of the apartment to his car. He drove a sleek model that had more curves than a female.

As he unlocked I went over to the passenger side and got in. The inside was remarkable.

Boys really knew how to take care of their toys. I thought whilst whistling in appreciation.

"Nice!" I said, nodding my head as I looked around.

"I know right! I've been with this baby since like forever!" He told me.

I smiled and he began the ignition.

"So which liquor store are we going to?" I asked him.

"It's near the superstore, I'm not sure you know it. But yeah it's very handy sometimes. We'll check there first and the superstore last." He told me.

I nodded and sat pliantly with both of my hands clasping one another.

He drove us away from the apartment and it was after five minutes of awkward silence before he spoke.

"So..." He dragged. "What do you think of Ryland?"

My eyes darted to his hazel one in confusion. I frowned, "What do I think of Ryland?"

His eyes were trained at the windshield, on the road and I saw his lips twitching into a small smirk. "Yeah." He shrugged.

I giggled, it was a nervous reaction. "I don't know." I shrugged. "I mean, I haven't talked the guy enough to have an opinion of him."

"I know, but since your friend seems to have hooked herself to him, I'm sure you're worried."

I snorted. "You're quite perceptive." I shifted in my seat, uncomfortable by his suggestive look.

"In a serious note, I don't have an opinion on Ryland. Not yet anyway. And yes, I'm quite worried but then again I know Sav. I know that she knows what she's getting herself into."

He stared at me for a moment, and then as if something was funny he chuckled.

"What's so funny?" I asked.

"The fact that your friend and my friend sound exactly alike." He said.

I mused, turning away from his gaze.

"How did you meet Ryland, anyway?" I asked.

"High school...it was sort of the last two years of it." He told me.

"Oh."

"It was mutual circumstances, nothing dramatic. But since then, we've been pretty tight." He continued as he swerved right heading for the road that will lead to the town's superstore.

We remained silence for a few while until he spoke again.

"He's a good guy, he may be hated by some few girls considering his habit of sleeping with them only to drop them the next morning, but, deep down he's a good guy." He said.

I couldn't help my snort. "I kind of guessed how he was like judging from his Facebook page. Anyway it's not me who you should be telling this. It's Sav."

He glanced at me from the corner of his eyes. "Right-Right."

It was then that he packed near the liquor store and I grudgingly got out from his car and waited as he did the same.

I followed him inside the store.

"Just act like you're older." He said, staring up and down at me before opening the door.

I glared at his back. I mean, I knew he was over six foot and considering my height I was way shorter than him. But the guy could at least give me some credit. It's not like I was currently in an immature hyperactive mood.

I followed him to the beer isle and he was musing at the choices.

"Which beer, do you like?" He asked.

"Uh...I don't drink." I told him, shrugging.

He stared at me for a long while. It was as if he was drinking me in. "Right-Right." He shrugged.

"I doesn't matter anyway, beer is beer, right?" He gave me that full-on smirk.

And I was left blinking uncontrollably at how extremely attractive he looked when he pulled that boyish smirk.

I was suddenly aware of a blush surfacing beneath my skin, although concealed by my skin colour, I realised at that moment that I found him quite attractive.

I watched as he grabbed two packs of beer, his biceps contracting at the weight and I had to shake the suggestive thoughts away in order to concentrate on the task on hand.

He was asking me to get another pack and I was staring at him as if he were a supermodel strutting up the runway.

"Do you think it's enough?" He asked me turning to the wine section.

I mused. "I think so, but just grab vodka, whiskey, tequila and some wine and that will be it." I suggested.

He was staring at me again. "I thought you said you didn't drink."

"Just because I rarely consume alcohol doesn't mean I don't know about it."

He grinned. "Right-Right." He said as if in defeat. "Help me get the bottles then."

I did. I also helped him carry the bottles and packs to his car after paying for the drinks. I seemed ignorant and uninterested when the cashier announced the total price, but that was an act.

It was an obscene amount for just alcohol, but then again I wasn't the one paying.

We were done getting the drinks into the car when he suggested we cruise to the superstore and so I walked beside him for a few minutes.

"So...how did you meet, Sav?" He shoved his hands into his jean pocket.

"During freshmen year. Well, since I hadn't made myself fit in with other girls, I was just amongst the boys and by boys I mean just two, Kyle and Ned." I told him shrugging.

It seemed harmless to tell him a little bit about my history and so I continued talking.

"We were paired up for a research project and so that's how we became friends."

He was frowning, as if musing about something. "Did you say, Kyle?"

"Yeah, Kyle Reyes, he's sort of my best friend." I shrugged.

He had both of his eyebrows pulled upwards as he gazed incredulously down at me.

"Kyle Reyes is your best friend?" He seemed genuinely shocked.

I frowned at his reaction, "Yeah. Do you know him or something?"

"Know him?" He said this as if it was the most obvious thing. "The guy saved my ass!"

"What? Really? How?" I asked, genuinely interested at that moment.

At this point we had reached the superstore and we were trudging up the drinks isle.

"Well, a few months ago, I found myself in a sticky situation. It was messy—I'll just spare you the gory details. Anyway, so I'm laying half unconscious on the ground, at this point I'm ready to welcome death when I feel a weight being lifted off me." He frowns at the branded alcohol in front of him, but I could tell he was frowning at the memory.

"I look up, and I see this kid, fighting my attackers, for a moment everything is hazy but I could tell by the way this kid was going, my attackers seemed to hesitate. It was after he beaten down one of them unconscious that they finally retreated and left..." He continued.

The usual Goosebumps appeared in the surface of my skin whenever I hear about Kyle's uncanny habit. Stories of how deadly he was whenever provoked always found their way to my ears and every time a shudder would consume me. It was hard to believe that my best friend—the sweet boy who would hold me and compose me whenever one of those "Save a life" advert would come on TV and I'd almost broke down in tears—could be capable of being deadly whenever he fought. It was an incredulous notion but then again I'd never seen him in action.

I frown at the drinks in front of me too.

"...it was before I became unconscious and before the ambulance took me to the hospital, when I learned the kid's identity," James continued, he took a few bottles in the process.

"Kyle Reyes...I saw him again in the morning and we talked about the situation. He joked about it, made it seem it wasn't a big deal that he practically saved me from death. He made me laugh and since then I vowed that whatever I could do to repay him for saving my life, I will gladly do it for him." James stared at me for a moment, but I could tell that he was deep in his own thoughts.

Little did he know that I was deep in my own thoughts too.

Kyle saved James's life? I was thinking. Typical of him.

A proud wave washed over me at the thought. That was Kyle for you, although I fully disapproved of his tendency to get involved in fights, I knew that whatever he did, it was for his own purpose. I've learned to live with it, part being ignorant of that side of Kyle.

"I'm not surprised," I tell him. "It's something that Kyle would do."

He was blinking vivaciously at that moment as if remembering I was there and recalling where he was. He smiled at me, a small gentle smile that spoke volumes of how grateful he was of that day.

"Yeah," He laughed, shaking his head as if remembering something. "He's a genius too and damn, can he hold his drink. He's sort of a walking legend amongst the parties I've invited him over to."

I frowned at that. The thought of Kyle being friends with other people and not telling me about it sort of hurt. But then again he was friends with quite a lot of people so I needed not to know the list. However this was different. Here was James, whom he saved his life and he failed to tell me about it.

I shook my head at the thought and concentrated on filling the basket in my hands with drinks. When it was enough, James led the way to cashier.

"So is he coming?" James asked five minutes later whilst packing the drinks.

I stared at him confused by his question.