The loud music vibrated against the thick walls of the house as sweat clad bodies moved against each other on the dance floor, embarrassingly enough I was one of them. Avery and I had been dancing for almost an hour now and I was proud to say that I had actually began let loose. The dark room packed with incoherent teenagers gave me enough confidence to actually have fun.

"This is my favourite song!" Avery shrieked as an upbeat song come through the speakers.

"So were the other three" I mumbled, chuckling lightly.

"What, can't I have more than one favourite song?" An exaggerated frown spread across her lips as she folded her arms, daring me to say otherwise. I raised my hand in mock surrender while shaking my head, not wanting to be in any sort of argument with Avery. I had witnessed her arguing with her brother and it seamed like quite a tiring activity.

We had stuck together the whole time, at one point we had dance partners but they soon left when they realised we wouldn't give them any attention. I was somewhat shocked but nonetheless grateful when Avery denied the advances of two guys who had asked her to dance, claiming she rather dance with me. I would probably be seated awkwardly in a corner sipping my drink if she would have left.

I however didn't want to seem like a needy friend, I wanted her to have fun too and I knew it didn't involve babysitting her antisocial roommate. I had earlier noticed the surreptitious glances she had been passing to a tall ginger haired guy across the room that was eyeing her too, so when I saw him making his way towards us I knew to give them space.

"I think I'll seat this song out, I'm kind of worn out" I really was, my legs had began to dully ache and I needed some fresh air.

"Oh are you sure you'll be fine?" She said her voice laced with concern

"Yeah, I need to use the bathroom too, plus that guy you've been eyeing is coming here " I said making her eyes widen, her olive skin colouring red as she once again stole a glance over my shoulder, bushing harder.

"You noticed?"

"Bye, here he comes" she slightly waved, exhaling while fixing up her hair before I made my way out of the living room, giving her an inconspicuous thumbs up. After a few wrong turn I finally saw the bathroom, finding it quicker than I thought due to the make shift bright blue sign hanging on the door. I was actually impressed that collage guys would actually think of having a sign convenient for the bathroom.

I had finished up at the bathroom and was coming down the hall, back to the leaving room when I saw a semi familiar head of black hair. Holden was seated leisurely on a couch, a stunning red head was seated next to him, practically on his lap. She was talking to him rather animatedly but he looked annoyed as he eyes stared off into the distance, his strong jaw set.

The sight of the red head's perfectly manicured nails on his arm had my insides twisting in all sort of ways. I was Just about to turn around and block the scene from my head when he tilted his head slightly, his eyes meeting mine, their intensity almost knocking me over.

I know I should probably walk away but his steel eyes alone had the power hypnotise me, they compelled me. His complete attention was on me as he raked his eyes over my body, a slow smirk lifting on his lips, It gave me immense pleasure to see the girl struggle to divert his attention to her.

God you're turning into a bitch and the girl could probably be his girlfriend or something, the snide voice in my head taunted again.

I diverted my eyes from his as I blushed bright red from embarrassment, I could still feel his eyes at the back of my head, making the hairs at the nape of my neck stand erect. My eyes immediately caught sight of an open door leading outside, I darted towards it needing escape and fresh air that wasn't cramped.

Sighing in relief I walked further out to the back, breathing in fresh air. The back was less crowded than the inside, it was mostly few people smoking or talking while taking sips of their drink. The music was still loud but less deafening. I breathed in again taking in the blank navy sky overhead.

Suddenly I was roughly pushed against the wall, my head making contact with the hard concrete. I hadn't seen it coming, there was completely no warning, the pounding in my head being the only confirmation that it had actually happened and that I hadn't imagined it.

I blinked my eyes multiple times willing them to overcome the haze of the collision, the cloudy image of a hooded figure met me as his large hands pinned me against the wall. Horrid memories that I had tried so hard to bury dug themselves up, flashing in my head.

Before I could even process what was happening the man grabbed my butt yanking me towards the bulge in his pants roughly, making my heart constrict in terror.

"Someone told me you were looking for me" he slurred, his breath stinking of cheep bear and weed while his bright red eyes bore into mine menacingly.

"And that you like it rough"

He must have been extremely high if he was confusing my teary eyes as a form of me reciprocating his advance.

He begun rubbing himself against me sloppily, making my heart drum rapidly against my ribcage. I tried to push him away, frantically thrusting my arms around but he was too strong. He had pushed me so far up against the wall I was sure I would bruise, his legs between mine preventing me from kicking him.

The hooded figure began kissing my neck leaving a wet trail behind while undoing the zipper in my pants. Panic settle over me, my lungs constricting depriving me of oxygen as I felt a panic attack take over my body. I shook violently sobbing as I tried to push him off me. All I could think of was that it was all happening again.

I promised myself I would be stronger, but I wasn't. Here I was again; all alone, defenseless and a sobbing mess. The guy was just about to rip of my top when he suddenly stopped.

"What the fuck!"

His clouded brain must have finally registered how violently I was shaking because his hazy eyes cleared considerably like he had been knocked out of his earlier high. His hands jerked away from my body like I had burnt him as I continued to shake violently, eyeing me in confusion.

"Get the fuck away from her!" A furious voice growled sending chills down my spine. The hooded guy was thrown off, landing loudly on the grass covered ground, before I could even see the person that had saved me.

"don't you ever fucking touch her!" I watched in horror as Holden stepped over him, his grey eyes burning with rage. His fingers curled into large fists as he pounded them against my assaulter relentlessly. The guy was already unconscious and if Holden wasn't stopped he would kill him.

"H- Holden!" I called him, a plea for him to stop. His shoulders immediately tensed as he quickly dropped his fist and swiftly faced me as of only then remembering I was still there.

Tears continued to flow down my cheeks as my body shook violently, my breathing laboured. Holden stealthily walked towards my disheveled form, sliding slowly to the ground before seating beside me awkwardly shuffling as if he had no idea how to comfort a crying person.

I placed my head on his chest wanting to feel any sense of familiarity, even if it was in the form of a brooding stranger I met in the bathroom. His rigid shoulders immediately loosened his strong arms wrapping around me successfully making me feel safe.

He let me cry a little longer in his arms before standing both of us up, he swiftly tugged off his shirt placing it above my head for me to wear. Only then did I notice how torn up my top was, my cardigan strew haphazardly on the dirt ground. Embarrassed at how exposed I was, I allowed him to put the shirt on me.

The scent of cinnamon and mint engulfed me, making my slightly shaking body calm. After he discarded my top he swiftly placed an arm around me, picking me up and carrying me bridal style towards the inside of the house. Too tired to protest I circled my arms around his neck, hiding my head from the few curious onlookers.

I fleetingly felt him climbing up some stairs before opening a door, soft sheets met my head as he lay me on a bed. A soft blanket was placed over me as exhaustion from the earlier events washed over me, I barely registered what he did next, giving in to the exhaustion.