"I'm almost out! Just two minutes!" I called into the phone that sat on the edge of my bed on loudspeaker. I applied another coat of mascara to my lashes, making sure they were evenly coated.

"Two minutes? You said that half an hour ago." Aaron's voice came through the phone; the irritation in his tone was hard to miss. I rolled my eyes, blotting the red lipstick slightly.

"Hasn't anyone ever told you that patience is a virtue?" I snapped back.

Now, in my eyes, I've seen no fundamental differences between the sexes in terms of rules, but I know that it is completely and utterly wrong to shout at a women who is nearing her periods. It's just not done. I rolled my eyes for the 100th time since today, feeling the stomach ache coming back full force.

"I'll tell you what's a fucking virtue- me with a shot in my hand and a girl on my arm. Can you hurry up? Please?" He said into the phone and, with that, he hung up. The hum of the dialling tone echoed loudly through the room. I sighed deeply. What he said shouldn't have hurt me.

But it did.

I pictured Aaron; that beautiful smile on his face and a girl in his arms. It made by blood boil, but I had no idea why. There was absolutely no reason for it. I could say it was because I didn't want him ruining the secret, but it wasn't that.

That would have been my just thought, if I didn't already know what the reason was.

I looked in the mirror, matting down the black dress lightly. I stroked the lace on my arms gently.

I had begun to like Aaron Walker.

*******************

Aaron was waiting outside; leant against his car. He looked down at his phone, his beautiful eyes flitting across the screen. He had a black dress shirt and jeans on. It was something so simple yet he wore it like a model.

I breathed, calming myself down. I, upon knowing where my feelings stood with Aaron, had somewhat of a breakdown. I couldn't like him. He was exactly what people like me avoided. Yet, I was foolish and weak, falling for the guy that was loved by many. Would I even stand a chance?

That's about when the mental breakdown ended.

Did I even have time to have a chance? Was it even bad to feel something for someone for once in my life? Was it bad to feel butterflies for a guy for the last time?

If my time was coming then I'd like to end it with experiencing as many different things as I can. I could like Aaron.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts and moved towards him, my heels clicking across the floor as I walked. This alerted Aaron who pushed himself off the car.

He opened his mouth to complain but stopped as his eyes landed on me. He gave my body a once over. A twice over. Then a thrice over. His eyes then, finally, glanced at my face again, a look in his eyes I couldn't quite comprehend. He licked his lips leisurely, making me nervous.

I coughed nervously.

"Is it too much? I didn't know what to wear for a party. I-I could go change." I said, making a move for the front door. Before I could move, a hand gripped my wrist. I looked up to see Aaron even closer than before. He smiled at me, glancing at my body again.

"Don't. You look beautiful." He said sweetly, his thumb stroking my wrist. I willed myself to be calm, but as his lips stretched in a small smile, my stomach flipped violently. It felt as if someone was bouncing on my stomach repeatedly.

I exhaled slowly, putting my hand over his which was currently on my wrist. I watched as he looked down at our hands, a blank look on his face.

"Thanks." I whispered, tightening the grip I had on his hand. A long silence passed before Aaron looked up. His face was thoughtful, but he shook his head in an act of dismissal and a smile stretched across his face.

"You ready to go?" He questioned, opening the door for me.

I nodded with a laugh.

"Ooh! Someone's feeling very 'gentlemanly' today?" I teased, settling down into the car seat. I only heard his breathtaking laugh for a second before he shut the door and went round, climbing into the drivers seat.

He shrugged heavily.

"What can I say? You make me a better man." He said mock-passionately, putting a hand on his chest.

I snorted loudly, forgetting all my etiquette for a minute.

"Please, Aaron, nothing I do nor what anyone else does can make you a man- let alone a better man." I jabbed yet again at Aaron's manly bravado, making him pout. I smiled at the sight of how adorable he looked, but willed myself to stop thinking such thoughts. I wasn't meant to like him, I had to get that out of my head.

Before I could further detail my thoughts, a cold object made contact with my leg. I looked down to see a penny resting against my knee. With curious eyes, I glanced up at Aaron who was watching me from the corner of his eyes.

"Penny for your thoughts?" He offered. I laughed and muttered a small 'nothing'.

Trust me, you don't want to know.

******************

The party was just like the previous one I had been to. Loud and very very drunk. I didn't understand why people didn't get bored of these. All you do is jump around like a kangaroo on a high, sleeping with any Tom, Dick and Harry. I shook my head in disgust as I watched two teenagers make out, both their mouths dripping with saliva. Aaron grabbed my waist, pulling me into his side.

"Don't worry. I'm here." He reassured me, rubbing his hand up and down my arm. I ignored the tingles it sent up my arm.

"Thanks, Aaron. That makes me feel so much better." I replied flatly. Sure, he's reassuring me now, but I knew that- within an hour- he'd be grinding against a random girl.

Aaron tutted, turning me around to face him. He pulled my face up so he was looking in my eyes.

"Trust me. I won't let anything happen to you. Not now, not ever." He promised, but I knew he wouldn't be able to keep to this promise. I swallowed, feeling a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes.

"No, trust me, Aaron. You won't be able to save me from everything." I promised in a morose tone, thinking about how little time I had.

Aaron's eyebrows scrunched in confusion.

"What do you mea-"

"Glad you could make it!" Danny interrupted Aaron, slumping his muscled arm across Aaron's shoulders. I sighed in relief. I was too caught up in my sadness to know that I was almost about to give it away. That was too close for comfort.

Aaron smiled widely, his question long forgotten.

"Glad we came. It looks like its gonna be a hell of a party." Aaron replied, looking into the house.

Danny laughed, pulling us both into his body.

"You bet it is. Lets go get our dancing on!" He cheered, jerking his pelvis out in a powerful motion.

I rolled my eyes, already used to his idiocy.

"Why don't you save all that for when we actually get into the party?" I said to the muscular jock who was too busy doing a disco dance.

Danny smiled widely yet again, his eyes twinkling with delirious excitement.

"You're right, New Girl!" He shouted, pulling me into a hug and dragging me into the party.

We entered the party and immediately the smell of alcohol hit my nose. Aaron's grip was around my waist again, but with greater force and I knew it was because of the alcohol. I looked up to see Aaron looking straight ahead, a thoughtful look on his face. A jaw in his muscle twitched and I could tell he was angry.

I recalled how Raven had reacted when she thought I was drunk; she had asked me how Aaron had reacted. He had hated alcohol after what had happened with her.

Avalon.

I winced at the name. I bet she was beautiful with a kind nature and a gorgeous laugh- the type of laugh that lit up a whole room. Nothing like me.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts and looked up at Aaron. His face was no longer angry, but rather upset. He was still evidently in thought and his whole body drooped as he walked further and further into the alcohol-intoxicated environment.

I sighed. Seeing him upset awoke so many lost feelings within me. I had the sudden urge to make him feel better, but became frustrated when no idea of how came to mind, so I followed my instincts.

By rambling.

I leaned towards Aaron.

"Hey, did you know that 1+1= window?" I whispered into his ear and, as soon as I said it, I realised how stupid I must have sounded.

Aaron snapped out of his miserable trance, turning towards me with a small smile on his face. His eyes flickered with amusement.

"You don't say?" He mused, his voice taking upon a teasing tone.

I opened my mouth in an attempt to explain my stupid moment, but when no sound came out, I shut it again. This seemed to make Aaron laugh.

"Shut up." I muttered, elbowing him in his side, but smiled lightly knowing that I was the reason for his happiness. I was the reason he forgot Avalon.

****************

"Okay! Okay! My turn!" I urged excitedly to Danny, grabbing an M'n'M from the packet. I threw it up into the air and opened my mouth wide. Sadly, it missed by a little and it fell onto the kitchen counter I was sat on.

Danny laughed loudly.

"You missed again! It's my turn!" He shouted back.

Danny and I were currently in the kitchen- him near the sink and me sitting on the counter. Aaron had excused himself for a bathroom break not moments ago and, since then, me and Danny were playing the classic game of 'can you catch it in your mouth?'

Danny grabbed an M'n'M from the packet. He grimaced as he took it out.

"I don't like the yellow ones!" He whined, sliding it back in.

I rolled my eyes. This was about the 5th time he had whined about the colour. I mean, it didn't affect the taste at all.

Danny finally got a blue M'n'M and he smiled widely. He threw it in the air, but instead of throwing it directly above him, he threw it a few metres ahead from where he was standing. Danny raced towards it.

"I'll get it! I'll get it!" He exclaimed. Unfortunately for him, a small scrawny body, who was just entering the kitchen, caught it in his hands. The boy smiled at the M'n'M as if it was the first food he had seen in decades. The fact that it had been caught didn't deter Danny from his mission and he barrelled into the boy at full speed, knocking them both down to the ground.

I shrieked loudly, getting up to see the damage that had been caused. The scrawny boy lay on the floor, his eyes dazed as if the living sense had been knocked out of him. I turned towards Danny to scold him, but smiled at the sight.

Danny held the blue M'n'M in his mouth and smiled meekly.

"It didn't touch the ground?" He weakly protested.

I laughed at this, reaching my hand out to help him up. Danny smiled, taking hold of my hand, but instead of pulling him up like I had planned, Danny pulled me down alongside him and I lay between him and the scrawny boy.

Aaron chose then to walk in. He surveyed the scene, confusion apparent on his face.

"How long was I gone?"

*****************

"You don't have to sit here with me." I muttered to Aaron who was currently sat on the sofa beside me. Aaron looked up from his phone.

"What?" He questioned. I rolled my eyes and gestured to the area where drunk teenagers were dancing wildly.

"I know you want to be there. You don't have to sit and watch me. I'll be fine." I assured him with a smile. Aaron smiled back in response.

"I'm not missing out on anything, Lexi. I've been to a hundred parties. Besides, sitting here with you is fun too." He stroked my leg slowly as he said this, making butterflies erupt within my stomach. I was afraid, if I opened my mouth, they'd come spurting out all over Aaron, so I remained quiet. His hand was cold, making me shiver from the touch. Aaron seemed to notice me shiver from his touch and he pulled his hand off quickly as if he was just touching hot coal.

"Sorry." He muttered, his gaze returning to his phone. I rolled my eyes again and grabbed the phone from his hands, making him look up.

"If you're really sorry, you'd get up and go have fun." I wagered, holding his phone between my index and thumb. Aaron bit his lip, turning to look at the dancing teenagers and then back to me.

"You sure, Lexi?" He asked, looking me straight in the eyes. I smiled widely, knowing that he had actually wanted to go and have fun, but he cared enough to stay with me.

"Go, Aaron. I'll be fine." I pushed Aaron off his seat, handing him his phone. Aaron laughed, turning to me. He bent down over me as I sat on the sofa, making my breathing go wild. He smiled slightly, ducking his head down to the crook of my neck. I gasped as I felt his lips touch my skin as he softly kissed my collarbone. He returned back to my face, his slender hand resting on my cheek.

"Thanks, gorgeous." He whispered, making me blush and- with one last smirk sent my way- he had disappeared into the crowd. I smiled slightly, touching the place on my neck where he had kissed. It felt hot under my cold fingers.

He called me gorgeous.

I rubbed my head. These thoughts were not something I should be getting into right now. I discarded all thoughts and surveyed the room. I laughed as I saw Danny dancing wildly with a group of girls; a red cup in his hand. As he danced, the contents of the cup spilt everywhere and all over the girls around him, but they seemed either too drunk to care or too engrossed in Danny to notice.

I turned my head to the other corner of the room, my gaze settling on Justin. He sat in an armchair in the corner, his posture rigid. His face was blank as opposed to his usual scowl and he looked to and fro, examining the room slowly. He had a red cup in his hand, but it was apparent that it hasn't been drank from and his fingers mindlessly drummed at his leg. I don't know what tempted me to go and sit with him, but I gave into the urge and made my way towards him. As I drew closer, I began to regret my foolish decision, but I was too close to back out now. I exhaled slowly and came to a standstill in front of him.

I stood agape when he didn't have the decency to even acknowledge my presence. Instead, his eyes remained fixated to something in the distance. I rolled my eyes, pulling up a chair and sat down beside him. He seemed to 'acknowledge' this as a scowl made its way to his face.

"So, Justin, aren't you going to get up and dance?" I said, attempting to initiate the conversation. Justin spared me a single glance- his grey eyes boring in to mine- before his gaze turned back to the original position.

"I don't like dancing." His tone was clipped and cold. My eyebrows furrowed at this.

"Then, why do you come to parties?" I questioned. I mean, most parties consisted of 98% dancing. He sighed deeply as if this conversation was draining him of all his energy.

"To have fun." He said in a tone that sounded like he was having anything but fun. I smiled, settling into the chair more comfortably.

"What do you like to do for fun then?" I asked, smiling. Justin's eyes remained gazing dead ahead of him.

"Sitting here.... Alone." He looked at me at the end of his sentence, putting emphasis on the word 'alone'. He then returned his gaze back to its former position. I recoiled from his hurtful comment, getting up numbly. He didn't have to be so rude about it. All he did was sit in that chair, a scowl on his face, and look straight ahead. I mean, what sight was so interesting to look at for hours.

I followed his gaze and gasped when my eyes landed on a petite girl. She was sat with a group of girls across from where Justin was sat. She laughed as her friends talked. I turned to see Justin smile slightly at this. I recognised the girl immediately. She was Savannah Styles. She wasn't popular yet she wasn't unpopular either. I knew her from my science class. From time to time, we were paired together to do assignments. She was probably the only person who didn't call me names or insult me. She was very down to earth and very friendly. I smiled slightly. Who knew Mr. Antisocial had good taste?

I walked towards Justin again. This time, my steps were more confident. I stopped in front of him and sat in the chair beside him. He tutted, showing me he knew I was there.

"I know you like her." I said abruptly, looking him dead in the face. I was not one to beat around the bush. Just as I said it, Justin turned to look at me. His eyes went wide for a fraction of a second before the nonchalant look was back on his face.

"I don't know what you're talking about." He coolly spoke, but I smiled. That was the first full sentence he had actually spoken to me- no condescending tone. I rolled my eyes, but the smile stayed on my face. I turned to look at the petite girl and his gaze followed suit.

"She's beautiful." He muttered, his face blank. I pursed my lips, sitting closer to him. I felt the need to 'Awww' him, but that would inevitably lead to him recoiling back into himself and I'd never develop a friendship with him.

"If you want, I can let you know her name?" I suggested, weakly, before getting up. I wasn't even sure if he knew her name. Before I could rectify my words, a cold hand grabbed my wrist, pulling me back to where I was seated.

"What's her name?" He said, his grey full eyes bored into mine. I gasped, nervous at his sudden engaged attitude.

"Savannah. S-Savannah Styles." I stuttered out. Within seconds, Justin's hand was off my wrist and he returned to his former rigid position. His face was blank as he said the name, testing it out on his tongue. I smiled at this. It seemed as if he really liked her.

"I know more about her. I mean, if you want to know." I asked, biting my lip. I knew I was getting too personal and, no doubt, he would realise it and he would shut me out for good. However, instead of rejection, Justin nodded.

"Okay." He said, his eyes still fixated on her. So, I told him all I knew. About how she had a little 5 year old sister and how she had never been on a date because she was waiting for the right guy. I explained to him how religious she was, attending church almost everyday and she wore a purity ring on her finger which she would only take off after marriage. I even told him about what subjects she enjoyed and the ones she disliked. Whilst I explained all this, Justin sat silently, absorbing it all. He even smiled slightly once or twice when I made a joke.

"Latin? She takes Latin?" He questioned. I nodded laughing.

"Yeah. I wouldn't peg her as a Latin girl, right?" I joked, relaxing back into my seat. Justin smiled, nodding in agreement.

"She's crazy good at art, you know?" I asked, remembering the time she had shown me a couple of her drawings. They were amazing. Justin smiled slightly, his gaze following Savannah as she got up and followed her friends to the kitchen.

"I didn't know that." He said mindlessly. I smiled, nudging him softly.

"You should go talk to her." I suggested. As soon I said this, the smile disappeared from Justin's face and he sat back in the armchair.