"This is Jason, Eric, and his girlfriend Jessica." I inform Hadley and point to each person.

She nods at each of them."hi, I'm Hadley." She says as she sits down next to me on the one side of the picnic table sit Jason , Eric and Jessica. Unfortunately Hadley has got a few homework questions in her math class so she brought it out to finish up.

"Hey, you know Dustin here never shuts up about you." Jason says and I can feel my face get hot. I give him a death glare and he just shoots me a smile.

"Is that homework?" Eric asks gesturing to her notebook and textbook.

"Uh yeah." She says opening up to the page she had to finish up. "I only have three questions so it shouldn't take me too long." She picks up her pencil and gets to work.

"Yeah she's got to finish this now so she can come to the party tonight." I smile at the three.

"You convinced her to tag along huh?" Eric says and smiles at me.

"Yeah, the only compromise we could come up with with was if we let her finish her work now." I say and Hadley elbows me.

While she works away on her questions Jessica and I bicker, Eric and Jason plan some camping adventure that they will never actually go on. They never do go on their plans.

I glance over to Hadley and see her erasing. The page looks so worn, she's obviously having problems with the question.

"Having issues?" I whisper to her.

She drops her pencil and lets out a angry groan. "I just don't get it, I'm doing the formula it's just not working out."

I take the textbook from her and read the question. Easy, I loved this unit last year when I was in the class.

"Here." I say and grab her pencil, I'm not going to do the work for her but I'll help her understand. I practically teach her how to do it.

After I go over it she tries the question she was having an issue with again." I got it!" She says excitedly. "Oh that totally makes more sense now." She says and closes her book. "Thanks Fox, you really know your stuff."

I shrug like it's nothing. "Anytime doll, I've got smarts don't let my good looks set you off." She rolls her eyes and looks away from me.

"So Hadley, has Dustin tried to put the moves on you yet?" I glare at Jessica for her question, of course she ignores me. Hadley looks at me with furrowed eyebrows.

"Jessica." Eric scolds her. "Dustin might have a bad rep but he can make friends too." He says to her. I give him a thankful glance then look at Hadley. She doesn't seem fazed by the question. Thank goodness.

" yeah." She says shyly. "A friend is all I'm looking for right now." I smile at her response.

We spend the rest of lunch talking about the most random things.

**

"Wait so you have high enough grades that you attend this school on some scholarship?" Eric asks Hadley and she smiles and nods.

"That must be hard, no wonder you work through lunch." Jason says taking a sip of his Gatorade.

"It's a bit difficult at times but I manage." She smiles, she doesn't mention that if she didn't keep up the grade she would be kicked out of the school. I don't blame her for being scared to, rich kids often put down those that don't have the same privileges as them. I can only imagine the ear in her when she told me, how nervous she must of been when I insisted I drive her home.

**

"That's like my favourite book!" Jessica yells excitedly.

Hadley an her we talking about free reading and when Hadley mentions some book series jess freak out.

"Isn't it the best! I think I've read them each at least 7 times." Hadley says back. Her face lighting up at having something in common with Jessica. I think she really enjoys having another girl to talk to.

They talk about the books some more then they move onto more girly things, cloths, makeup what they look for in a guy.

**

"Okay you have to admit being friends with a bunch of kids older then you must be cool." I say

We somehow got to a conversation of our grades. Hadley being a year younger then us all we warn her of some teachers she has next semester.

"Yeah, the most popular kids in the place too." Jason adds in.

"Pretty cool, though how terrible for you guys to be hanging out with someone a whole year younger then you guys." She counters, making us all laugh.

~ ~ ~

I wait outside the store for Hadley. I had been sitting out here in my car for so long. I saw the babysitter I hired show up, I assume Hadley's giving her instructions and phone numbers or something.

She finally comes out and spots my car. She makes her way over. She's in different cloths then she wore to school. She's wearing tight black leggings and a red lacy crop top. She gets in and smiles her sweet grin at me.

"You look nice." I say trying to hide my blush.

"You look alright yourself Fox." She smiles again buckling her seatbelt. "I hoped I didn't over or under dress, I don't know what to wear." She laughs nervously.

"What you're wearing is perfect."

We drive to the party in complete silence, but not an uncomfortable silence. Silence with her is the most comfortable silence I've ever been in. With my parents it's always awkward, and it's never that quiet with Eric and Jason. Always background noise or someone talking. But this, this is nice.

I park on the side of the road. We both get out of the car. When I come around the ground I can tell that Hadley is nervous. She looks pale, like she's seen a ghost or something.

"Doll, you alright?" I ask her waving my hand in front of her face. She takes her eyes away from the raging party. Probably not the best idea for her first party to be this crazy one.

"Yeah just..." she starts then looks back at the house, the music loud and roaring.

I take the risk, I slip my hand into hers and give it a gentle squeeze. She gives a faint smile. I tug her slightly to get her feet moving. Once we get close enough to technically be considered at the party I can feel her grip on my hand get tighter. I can't help but let out a small giggle from how nervous she is right now. I get us to the kitchen where the drinks are. I'm not gonna force her to drink anything of the alcoholic selection. I am gonna grab her a bottle of water though. I start to let go of her hand and I can feel her hand get tighter. I lean closer to her so she can hear me.

"Don't worry I'll be right back." I reassure her. She nods then let's go. I go into the fridge and get a bottle of water. I make my way through the now very busy room to find Hadley. When I spot her she's talking to Eric and Jess, holding a red cut and taking small sips from it.

"Hey guys." I smile at Jess and Eric. Then I turn to whisper in Hadley's ear. "You know that cup most likely is not water?" I say

She nods her head." I'm already here, there is no way I'm going to make it through this thing without one. I'm out might as well get drinking done and over with." She says.

"You sure?" I ask for conformation. I mean she's can drink if she wants to. I'm not since I have to drive home.

The lady gets really nuts about an hour later. I had lost track of Hadley for some part of the party. I mingle talk to a few people, catch up with Rachel or Riley or something, she tried to kiss me but... it didn't feel right anymore. When I head back out to the ground room to look for Hadley, wondering if she wants to head home soon and I see her and Jessica singing to their hearts content. They are both obviously wasted.

"Look at them, I think Jess likes having another girl in our group. I mean she's got her own friends but she didn't like hanging out with me all the time since we're all guys." Eric says coming to stand beside me.

"I think Hadley likes it too." I smile at how happy she looks. She tumbles a little and starts to fall, I race to catch her.

"Dustin!" She yells. "Hey!"

"Hi," I start. "I think it's time to take you home." I say.

"What do you mean? I'm having the time of my life with Jess." She says to me. I help her stand up but she stumbles again. I see Eric taking Jessica out, most likely to the bathroom, she's always the first one to throw up.

"Doll , Jess is leaving too, I think it's time to go."

"Fine." She says sadly. She tries to walk on her own but stumbles some more. Not even close to a slightly wiggly line. I pick her up bridle style and carry her out to the car.

While I was almost halfway to her place she's fast asleep. Though she's gonna hate me for this I decide to take her to my place. She's obviously never been drunk, meaning she's never been hung over. She'll need help through it and I don't want to put it on her dad. From the things she's told me, he's to busy to deal with it.

I pull over first and then find Hadley's phone. First I call the babysitter and tell her I'll pay double for her to stay till Hadley gets back tomorrow, thankfully she agrees. Then I call her dad, hoping I'm not interrupting him.

"Honey?"

"Mr. Paterson?" I say." This is Dustin, a friend of Hadley's " I say trying not o wake the sleeping beauty in the passenger seat.

"Is she alright?" He asks panicked.

"She's fine sir. It's just.." I hate to have to tell him this. "I took her to a party tonight and he kinda got drunk. I don't want to put her on you since it's my fault so if it's alright I'll take her to my place.I'm door sir, I should have watched her closer then I did. "

"You're not gonna take advantage of he are you?" He asks sternly.

"No sir, just want to make it easier for the both of you." I respond.

"Alright. Thank you.. Dustin was it." He says and I breath a sigh of relief. "Don't tell her this but I'm glad she went out. She's never had friends. And since her mom, she's never really had a life."