"You've never been to a party before?" I stared gobsmacked at the four undeniably gorgeous and interesting boys in front of me, how could they not get invited to parties? Even I with my eclectic high school experience had been to many parties.

"Never been to a high school party," Mitch corrected crossing his arms defensively, "of course we've been to birthday parties and stuff but they've always been formal occasions."

"Suit and tie parties," Sawyer added.

"Definitely don't wear a suit and tie," I instructed.

"Obviously," Grey rolled his eyes, I gave him a serious look and he shut up quickly knowing I was in charge here.

"What do we wear then?" Sawyer seemed to be the only one willing to admit they had no clue what to do.

"Okay, I'll see what I can do," I sighed.

First we went into Mitch and Nico's room to the left of my door, their room was split into perfect opposites down a straight line in the centre of the room. Nico's side looked like a bomb had just gone off in it; school books, text books, uniform and various miscellaneous objects were scattered all over the bed and floor. Whereas, on Mitch's side everything had a place, each book or decoration was tucked away neatly in a meticulous fashion. It felt like being in two separate rooms at once.

"Let's see what we're working with," I pulled open Mitch's wardrobe first thinking it the easiest to sort through. I was wrong. Mitch's wardrobe was jam packed with sports cloths, joggers, track suits, running shorts, tennis clothes; nothing appropriate for a party.

A pair of dark denim jeans, a plain white t-shirt and his varsity football jacket were the best things I found.

"Are you sure?" Mitch raised his eyebrows sceptically at the simple outfit.

"Absolutely," I nodded, Mitch's large size and classically handsome looks would make him stand out anyway.

Nico's wardrobe was harder to navigate because the majority of his clothes were not in his wardrobe but on the floor. Also he didn't have many things that weren't his uniform.

"What?" He shrugged defensively when I questioned his lack of casual clothes, "there's no point we just go to school and then to bed."

I shook my head in mock despair, it took a while but I managed to hunt down a pair of dark jeans and a light blue polo that were acceptable.

"Who's next?" I grinned.

Grey and Sawyers room was much less at odds than Mitch and Nico's but it was still obvious who's side was who's. Sawyer had rows and rows of running trophies and musical awards in frames displayed on his wall. His side was neat and proud but not boastful. Grey's side was considerably plainer, he only had a few school text books, his own books and some swimming medals on display. Anyone could have lived there, I looked at his side and saw no individuality, but maybe that suited him. Minimalistic. His wardrobe was similarly bare and what was there was in black.

"I don't think there's many other options," I joked as I threw black jeans and a black t-shirt into his bed.

Sawyers wardrobe was filled with suits, hanger upon hanger of elegant, expensive suits. I felt my jaw drop open in awe.

"I need them for my music concerts," Sawyer put in hurriedly.

"Oh."

Suits definitely weren't right so I chose jeans and a red t-shirt instead. Sawyer, like Mitch, looked perplexed by the boring outfit.

"Trust me," I reassured them all. Little did they know that they could turn up in plastic bags and be the most good looking people at the party.

"What time does it start?" Mitch had his gaze fixed on the Armani watch on his wrist.

"7:30," I told him.

"It's half six now!" Mitch panicked.

I rolled my eyes, "yeah it starts at 7:30 but no one arrives until at least 8."

"Okay," that stumped Mitch, I supposed being late to any of his high class parties would be a social offence.

"Don't you need like two hours to get ready though?" Nico teased so I elbowed him in the gut.

"I bet I can get ready quicker than any of you with all your hair gels and body sprays," I challenged.

"Bet accepted," Nico grinned evilly and as I opened my mouth to object he clamped it shut. Arguments would be futile, the bet was made.

"You better not be all talk Vegas because if I win I want to see you doing a dance solo later," he winked playfully.

"Okay," I had never been one to back away from a challenge and certainly not to let someone win. I'd learnt from the best how to ensure success, "if I win you have to spend the whole night with Jenny," I waggled my eyebrows suggestively.

"No," Nico's eyes widened.

"Yep," I popped the p loudly.

"It's on," Nico narrowed his eyes before shouting loudly "go!"

My jaw dropped open as Nico sprinted for his room getting the advantage, I shook my head in disbelief. Nico played dirty but I played dirtier so I darted past him into his own room. I felt all the four boys eyes on me as I nabbed the clothes that I'd chosen for him right out from under his fingers.

"Hey," Nico yelled but I was too quick and skidded right out of his grasp. I sprinted back into my room but Nico was hot on my heels. Time to play my best card, the one girl in an all boys school.

I yanked my t-shirt right over my head so I was just in my bra. Nico skidded to a halt in the doorway and his eyes practically popped out of his head.

"What the hell?" He clamped a hand over his eyes which I openly laughed at.

"What?" Mitch threw open my bedroom door so all the other boys could see. Simultaneously their jaws dropped to the ground and eyes bulged.

"Oh my god get out," I screamed as I started unbuckling my jeans, "do you want me to tell my dad?" I slammed my winning card on the table.

A satisfied smile spread across my face as the boys immediately backed away and shut my bedroom door with flushed cheeks and eyes staring straight at the ground.

Point to me.

Still wanting to prove my point though I showered in record time, blow dried my hair and changed into my favourite black embroidered jeans and a simple black crop top. I blow dried my hair and slicked on some mascara, lipstick, blush and eyeliner. It took me under half an hour, a personal record. I flung open my door with a triumphant grin.

"Here you go," I handed Nico back his clothes with a innocent yet evil smile, "have fun with Jenny tonight."

"You're evil," Nico shook his head but their was an element of admiration in his voice.

"Evil, talented call it what you like," I grinned teasingly, "I win."

The three other boys were clutching their sides in laughter as Nico took his clothes back with a bewildered expression.

***

One hour later we were sitting in Grey's car ready to go. I was surrounded by the four boys who all looked unfairly stunning.

In front of us the other twenty two boys were all crammed into various cars they'd brought to school especially for this occasion. One boy, Jasper, lived near by so knew where Courtney's house was, so we were following him.

I had been dreading this night all week but now it was here I found myself thoroughly excited. I was finally having the high school experience I'd always wanted along with the rest of the boys.

Sawyer caught me grinning to myself and smiled back warmly, Grey revved his engine and then we were off, the line of five ridiculously expensive cars plummeting down the highway. I couldn't help but hold my hands up in the air and let out a cry of pure happiness. The air rushed past my ears making my scream ring loudly down the empty road.

When I took my hands down I saw all the boys were staring at me with curious expressions, a mixture between longing and awe. Immediately I felt embarrassed and folded my hands away in my lap. No one spoke for the rest of the journey even though Mitch kept looking like he wanted to say something but wouldn't let himself.

We arrived at Courtney's at 8:30 just as the party was getting going, lights flashed from the house and I could hear the throb of the bass from down the street.

"Ready?" I turned to the Silent Boys as the five of us stood on the pavement.

"Obviously," Nico rolled his eyes but I could see behind his bravado he looked slightly intimidated by the scene.

"Let's party then," I beamed as I strutted with the four boys by my side towards the house.

In that moment with the four of them flanking me, a sense of power flooded over me. I felt the way I usually felt when I'd just laid out my winning hand and watched my opponents face full with shock. I felt unbeatable.

"Cara," my foot hadn't even crossed the threshold of the house before Jenny pounced on me. Her bright orange hair stood out amongst the sea of people like a danger sign.

"Hi Jenny," my smile went from forced to real the minute I remembered the bet, "this is Mitchell, Sawyer, Grey and Nico." I introduced them all and watched Jenny's eyes take in each of them before finally settling on Grey, her prey. A feeling I could quite place washed over me.

"So nice to meet you," Jenny purred leaning towards Grey in her much too tight little black dress that was straining to hold her boobs in place.

"I'll find the drinks," Mitch announced back to his usual decisive self.

"Me too," Grey extracted himself from Jenny's claws and made a run for it. I shot Nico a prompting look and his face instantly darkened.

"Jenny was it?" He asked his voice strained but effortlessly polite.

"Yes," Jenny was willing to take anyone so she easily switched to the equally handsome Nico and latched onto him like a limpet.

I threw Nico one final celebratory grin before weaving away to find Mina, Sawyer was loitering awkwardly so I dragged him along with me.

"Mina," I spotted her huge glasses and beautiful handmade sky blue dress in the crowd.

"Cara!" I embraced her, "you look gorgeous."

"So do you," Sawyer was still hovering unsure of what to do with himself so I introduced him to Mina, Connor, Sam, Betty and Helena who were all there, "everyone this is Sawyer and Sawyer this is everyone."

Sam immediately came forward and started chatting away to Sawyer, it didn't take long before Sawyers uncomfortable outer lawyer melted away and he had a great time with Sam.

"Vegas!" Grey and Mitchell reappeared loaded with drinks that I automatically took and gulped down. I introduced everyone to Grey and Mitch now and watched as all the girls faces lit up.

"You didn't tell me they were so gorgeous," Mina accused in my ear, I just shot her an apologetic look.

"Cara," a voice that I faintly recognised called my name through the crowd. I tried to remember where I'd heard it before as I spun around to face the mystery person.

"Jenson," my eyes widened, "what are you doing here?"

"I only live half and hour away and I heard about this party so I figured you'd be here," Jenson gave me a friendly hug. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Mitch's protective mode flick on as his gaze zeroed in on Jenson.

"Guys this in Jenson the guy who drove me here," I informed them but the murderous look in their eyes told me that they already knew.

"Nice to meet you," behind Grey's trained politeness there was a frosty undertone that he made no effort to hide.

"Cara, how about some shots for old times sake?" Jenson held up two shot glasses in reference to our night on the road where we did way too many shots.

"I never turn down shots," I knew I was going to regret this already.

As I followed Jenson away through the crowd I glanced back over my shoulder to see Grey looking like he wanted to punch something, hard. Mitch's jaw was clenched slightly as if it physically pained him to not be able to protect me any more.

Over the past week I'd watched Mitchell closely, he had an extremely protective stance over the rest of the boys. His gaze was always everywhere, keeping an eye on those around him. He was like a mother watching over her children carefully and making sure no harm came to them. I knew my wildness made him uncomfortable but I couldn't let someone else protect me because I couldn't be sure that they wouldn't betray my trust. I felt myself pushing back against his oppressive care.

So I did shots. And more shots and some more. As the alcohol burned my mouth and warmed my head and made the room spin, it made all my pain vanish. After my moms death I'd drunk away my grief in casino bars, none of the bar owners even bothered to check my age before giving over lethal amounts of alcohol. I hadn't drunk in the week I'd been here and I needed it to extinguish the growing gnawing pain in my stomach. The pain of my moms death and dads absence. Thankfully it slowly started to fade.

"Jeez Cara," Jenson shook his head in amazement as I kept going long after he'd stopped.

"Beer pong?" my words blurred together in one slur as I spun around looking for an opponent.

"I think you need to stop," Jenson laughed as he extracted the vodka bottle from my hands.

"Kill joy," I stuck out my bottom lip trying to actually form words.

"Come on let's get you some fresh air," Jenson took my arm and led me through the throng of dancing, sweaty teens to the back door.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Mitchell step forward defensively like he wanted to follow me. Grey, however, placed a hand on Mitch's arm to stop him and let me go. Part of me wished he hadn't.

"Wow," I stumbled out the door nearly collapsing on the patio outside before Jenson caught me.

"Careful," his arms wrapped around me, propping me up with a chuckle.

"You have two faces," I stroked Jenson's cheek as my vision blurred into colours, no longer actual shapes.

"You've had to much to drink," Jenson stated.

"Tell me something I don't know," I giggled resting my head on Jenson's shoulder as I tried to stop myself collapsing with dizziness.

"How's school with all the posh boys?" was Jenson seriously trying to start conversation right now? I could barely remember my own name.

"Shut up," I sighed tilting my head back to look at him.

A playful smile toyed on his lips as he spoke the works that had started everything just six days ago, "make me."

So I did.

I brought my lips to his as I knotted my hands in his hair and pressed my body against his. My eyes squashed shut as I put all my concentration into standing up and kissing him. My brain wasn't functioning, no thoughts were running through my mind apart from the instinct to stay standing.

"Cara are you ...?" Grey's voice stopped dead at the same time his footsteps halted.

Instantly I broke away from Jenson to glance over at Grey, he expression was exactly the same one he'd had when speaking to his step dad on the phone, devastated but also furious. How could I have caused that face? I hated myself for being the reason of the destroyed look in his eyes.

I opened my mouth to apologise but I wasn't quite sure for what. Then the worst possible thing happened, vomit came spewing out of my mouth before I could stop it.

The last thing I saw was Grey's face switching from mutinous to concerned before I blacked out.

At least the pain stopped.