I'm jerked awake suddenly, my eyes popping open as I see the man of my nightmares smirking down at me, and not in a sexual way.

"Get. Your. Face. Away. From. Me." I seethe through clenched teeth.

"No problem," he backs away with a disgusted look on his face. "Your morning breath is the worst thing I've ever smelled!"

Blushing from embarrassment, I try not to let it effect me when I sit up, pushing Colten out of my way as I head to my closet.

"Your's isn't to good either," I bite back, searching through my closet for something to wear to school.

Hmm, first day of school; always have hated it. I'd rather it be summer all the time, so I can get the ultimate tan. Although, I do quite like the winter, so I guess I wouldn't enjoy that much.

Scoffing in disdain, I throw the ugly shirt I bought a while ago to the ground.

"Are you like those other girls that get all dressed up on the first day of school?" He asks. "Because if you are, I'm going to give you a piece of advise-"

This ladies and gentlemen is Colten Steve Mathews. My brothers best friend since oh-one and my personal hell maker. Also, if I may add, he's a huge player, worse than anything you could imagine. He's a tall, muscular guy with blueish-grey eyes and a nice looking face, but that could never be enough for how annoying he is.

I don't know when, or how, but one day we were the bests of buds and then the next he's dumping a bucket of ice water on my head. I still don't know what provoked him to do it, and I doubt I ever will. If I could never see Colten again, it would not be enough.

"-No one actually looks at your outfit," he states, making me turn around and cross my arms.

"Get out." Pointing to the door, I wait for him to get off my bed with his nasty ass, but he stares at me with his mouth open instead.

"What?" He asks in shock. Maybe it is, he's probably never gotten told to get out of girls room before.

"Get. Out. Of. My. Room." I narrow my eyes angrily at him.

"You're kidding right?" Colten chuckles. When I glare at him, he stands up. "Wow. Wow! I gave you some awesome advise and you're just going to kick me out of your room?"

"Yes."

"Fine!" He throws his hands in the air, heading to the door. "By the way, your brother is about to get in the shower."

Gasping, I forget all about finding an outfit and run out of my room, almost tripping over Colten's foot on the way. Dick.

I pass my brother and run into the bathroom, shutting and locking the door. He bangs on the wood, the sound resonating through the bathroom.

"Seriously Nikki! I was here first!"

"Oops," I mutter and turn towards the shower.

My brother, Jackson Long is older than me by two years, along with Colten. He's quarterback for the varsity football team and is constantly being chased by girls.

Just like Colten, he also plays the 'one-night-stand' game. His brown hair, bright blue eyes and muscular body always are appealing to the girls at my school. Of course, it sucks at times. Some girls just try to befriend me because they want to get with my brother. Ew.

It takes me no longer than ten minutes to get out of the shower. I wrap a towel around my body and hair before leaving the room.

"Finally," Jackson grumbles and makes his way into the bathroom. "There better still be hot water!"

Shaking my head, I walk into my room, closing the door behind me, and go through my closet again. What to wear, what to wear. Aha!

I pull the hanger out of my closet and look down at the sun dress that I got over summer. I've never gotten a chance to wear it, but what better day than today?

I put on the dress and smile, heading over to my vanity I pull out my makeup and begin to add mascara and eyeliner. I blow dry my hair and it comes out in beach waves that I think will go great with the dress.

I slide on some bracelets before grabbing my phone and backpack, heading downstairs to eat breakfast.

When I get down to our kitchen, Colten and Jackson are already at the island eating and talking about some sport game that was on last night.

Suddenly, Colten snorts, causing my older brother to snap his eyes to me.

"What are you wearing?" He sighs, closing his eyes for a second.

"A dress?" I narrow my eyes at him. "What's wrong with my choice in clothing now?"

"Everything," Colten butts in while chuckling.

I glare at him, getting ready to fire back when Jackson speaks.

"We're going to school," he says. "Not anywhere fancy. Why do you have to wear revealing dresses?"

I roll my eyes. "Because I can, besides, it's not that revealing."

"I can see your knees!" Colten laughs, making me send daggers his way.

"It's too short, and too much of your...chest area is showing," Jackson explains.

"Too bad," I huff, grabbing cereal.

Ever since my parents started going on "business trips" Jackson has had to step up and be more of a father than a brother. My parents have been leaving for months at a time since Jackson was fifteen, he's now seventeen almost eighteen. Not only that, but they haven't been home in six months this time. No contact, no email, no nothing. Zilch. Zero. Nada.

•••

We all head out to my brothers car after eating breakfast, Colten slipping into the passenger side and leaving me in the back. Like always.

The ride is silent for me, but the boys talk about the new football season and how they plan on going undefeated their senior year.

As for me, I'm thinking of the new season of cheerleading. I've been doing the sport since I was five, and was on varsity last year as a freshmen. I'm hoping to step up to assistant captain this year, along with my best friend.

When we pull into school, my head is buzzing with anxiety and excitement. A new school year can always be exciting. Especially with football starting up, our school is crazy about football. No joke.

"I'll see you after practice!" I shout to Jackson as I run to find my best friend. I spot her under a tree with her boyfriend and start shrieking as I run towards her.

She snaps her head to me and starts shrieking as well, running full speed towards me. I wrap my arms around her as we jump up and down screaming.

"Hey," I smile, trying to catch my breath.

"Hey, girlie," she cheekily responds.

Brittni Joshie is my best friend. We've been inseparable since we were four years old, and have been best friends since. Brittni is a gorgeous girl with platinum blonde hair, bright blue eyes and a tan body. She definitely has almost every guy at school fawning over her. Unlucky for them, she has a boyfriend.

"Hey Nathan," I wave with a grin on my face.

Nathan is Brittni's boyfriend. He's the sweetest guy you'll probably ever meet and I know Brittni is in good hands with him. It's something she really needs since her mom is always drunk or at work.

"Hi, Niks," he smiles, wrapping his arm around his girlfriends shoulders.

"Practice is at three, just so you know," she tells me.

"I know, I was hoping to order some Jimmy Johns, but I don't think I'll have enough time," I sigh.

"Yeah-"

The bell rings, signaling our time to head to our first class of the day. I part ways from Brittni and Nate, heading towards my AP Chemistry class.

As I step through the door, I notice someone I thought I'd never have to see again. Like ever.

"Nikki?"

Adam Donaldson, my ex boyfriend and taker of my innocence.

Well shit.

___________________