Skylar's POV

I always hated guests.

Especially the ones who attended my parents' business gatherings. Every one of those people was as uptight as my parents. You'd wonder what all that uptightness might do to a poor, naive teenager like me. But I was used to it by now. Still, adult get-togethers were so incredibly boring.

That's exactly what happened this evening. Mom told me that the reason she and Dad came back early from their trip was that some of their friends and clients were coming over for dinner at our house.

So I got stuck with having a get together of my own. In my room, with my own choice of snacks, and Netflix. Way better than the one going on downstairs.

I didn't even make a move to go downstairs and greet the new faces like Mom always wanted me to. It wasn't just me either. Even Chicken seemed to have the same plans for tonight since she had practically vowed not to step out of my room even once. And I wasn't complaining. She had always been my Netflix buddy.

It was going all fine, with the faint noises of the guests downstairs, and one of my favourite action movies playing on the laptop screen in front of me, until I received the text I had secretly been waiting for what felt like ages.

Get out in five seconds. I'm waiting.

- Caden

I frowned at the screen and read his name twice. How had Caden gotten my phone number?

No offence to him, but that guy could go down to a very creepy level sometimes.

With a small huff, I closed my laptop and hopped off my bed. Chicken purred loudly before snuggling up further into my soft blanket. Then I grabbed a discarded maroon sweatshirt from my desk, which I think was originally of Alex, and shrugged it over my tank top and shorts. Once I had pulled on my sneakers and was about to leave my room, I stopped.

How in the world would I go out when my parents were right downstairs?

Mom would throw a bitchfit in front of the guests if she saw me leaving. A sigh of frustration left my lips and I started pacing across my room, trying to think of a way.

Before I could've come up with anything, my phone buzzed once again.

Caden: I said five seconds, Anderson.

Was he kidding me? Something, however, told me that he might leave without me if I didn't get out of my house right now.

I bit the inside of my cheek a little anxiously and my eyes darted around the room. I could say I was going over to Alex's place. My parents trusted him enough for that matter. And even though I hadn't exactly talked to Alex since last night--after coming back from the homecoming--I was sure he'd cover up for me.

So I walked downstairs as the clattering of glasses and plates filled my ears. I forced a polite smile on my face and tried looking around for my parents in between the numerous amount of adults that were filling up my once empty house.

"Skylar." My mom suddenly appeared out of nowhere, right behind me. And when I turned around and looked at her, she furrowed her brows while giving me a once-over. "What are you wearing?"

I looked down at my clothes. "What I usually wear?" At night, I meant.

"Skylar, there are some really important clients here. You can't possibly wear this!"

"Mom." I stretched out her name dramatically, urging myself not to roll my eyes at the same time. "I'm not staying here for your clients to comment on my unethical attire."

She scrunched up her nose at me, and that was definitely something I had learned from her. "Skylar--"

"I'm not trying to piss you off, Mom," I reassured her before taking a step back. "Anyway, I'm going out and I'll see you later."

Before I could've slid out of her grasp, she gripped my arm in a not-so-tight grip and pulled me back. "No, you are not going anywhere, young lady. Do you even know what time is it right now? I'm not letting you step out of the house at such an hour."

"Mom, it's urgent. Alex is already waiting outside for me."

On the inside, I was hoping she wouldn't come outside with me to make sure whether Alex was really there or was I bullshitting her. Thankfully though, nothing like such happened, because the next second Dad was calling out for her and she had to go back.

Mom gave me a pointed look. "Be back in an hour, Skylar." And then she let go of my arm and disappeared amongst the guests.

I blew out a sigh of relief and almost ran out of my house. Now that I had made it outside, under the cold night, I was hoping Caden hadn't left without me. When I looked around the street behind my house, I could barely see anyone under the night sky.

Had he left without me? How could I have possibly gotten out in five fucking seconds alone?

I groaned helplessly and was about to head back inside when I noticed someone standing around one dark corner of the street. It would've been alarming if I hadn't recognized him almost immediately. It was Caden, leaning against his motorcycle.

I wasted no more time before walking towards him, fitting my cold hands under my armpits as I walked. I was expecting a warm greeting even though I had last seen him this morning, but all I got was,

"Finally decided to show yourself?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Hey! It wasn't easy for me. You, have bad timings."

I didn't like arguing. Really, I did not. But something about him made me want to argue back. Something about his sarcastic tone always ticked me off. Maybe that was why nobody ever got along with him.

Caden responded with an eye roll and turned towards his bike.

"Do me a favour and just don't open your mouth." He muttered before picking up his helmet.

"What?" I spoke out loud, not even caring that my neighbors might probably hear me. "Excuse me, but I think I have a right to speak."

He ignored me and passed me the dark helmet. Something about him ignoring me seemed to piss me off even more. I scowled and took the helmet, putting it on.

He didn't have to be a total jerk. It wasn't my fault Mom had come in the way at the very last moment. It was not my fault that I had a night curfew, unlike him.

"You should be glad that I did come outside after all. You may leave your house at night, but I'm not allowed to. I can't even believe I lied to my mom just because of you. A lie that was all about Alex who doesn't even know anything about this." I grumbled as I tried fixing the strap around my neck.

Why the hell was it not closing?

I tried closing it one last time with sheer irritation but stopped midway when he pushed my hands away, closing the strap with an echoing click. He pulled away the next second and I swallowed, the words suddenly stuck in my throat.

I didn't understand how one moment I was all angry at him and the next, all nervous and fidgety. How could he do that by just standing close to me? Was this even normal?

"You should really shut your mouth before I change my mind." He frowned.

I couldn't feel the anger anymore, not even the irritation that I had been feeling towards him a few seconds ago. All I could feel at that moment was the warm whisper of his fingers where he had touched me, right beneath my chin.

"Start moving, Anderson." He muttered before swinging one of his legs over his bike. "I don't have all night to waste."

How could he not feel it? How could I feel it?

I nodded numbly and didn't say anything in response. Stepping towards his bike, I slowly got seated behind him.

"If you prefer to live the rest of your life, hold on to me." He said, starting the bike with a roar.

I looked at his back unbelievably.

"I'll be fine." I made sure to emphasize the last word, keeping exact four inches of distance between us.

"Suit yourself."

He jerked the bike at full speed, making me lurch forward and slam my face right onto his back. I stifled a groan and rubbed my nose, gripping onto him tightly. Part of me knew he'd done that on purpose. And as the motorcycle sped away, I watched my house disappear into the night.

I clutched his jacket tightly into my fists, closing my eyes as the wind whipped along my hair.

•••••

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Caden stopped his motorcycle in front of a house. A really big house. I slowly pulled away from him and took a few deep breaths, more focused on myself as I tried regaining my balance after that horrific ride. I didn't quite understand how I wasn't dead right now.

I got down from the bike, took off the helmet and looked around the unfamiliar place. All I could see were huge trees around me, and the huge house seemed to be built right in between these woods. It would've looked beautiful only if it wasn't nighttime right now.

Why did he bring me here?

"Why are we here?" I eyed Caden a little cautiously. Was this it? Had I pissed him off somehow? What if he had changed his mind and brought me here to kill me? Dispose of my remains in those gnarly woods? And oh my god, he was wearing the same leather jacket. Did that mean he has a gun?

Caden sighed. "If I had wanted to kill you, Anderson, I would've done that ages ago."

I eyed him for a few more seconds before rolling my eyes. His responses were starting to become more and more flattering.

Giving me one final glance, he started walking towards the entrance of the house. I quickly followed him, not wanting to be left behind in this creepy, dark place.

My eyes first met the big front doors of the mansion-like house. Looking around the yard, I couldn't help but wonder whether this was actually Caden's house. If it was, were his parents going to be inside? Heck, why had he even brought me here?

"Leave the talking to me and if a question is asked just say a yes or a no." He looked at me from over his shoulder.

I nodded in response, getting a bit nervous at his serious tone. He was making me nervous.

Once we were standing in front of the doors, I noticed a small electric pad at the left corner behind the bushes. Caden pressed something on it and the gate opened itself. I gazed inside in surprise, entering after him. The inside was huge, just like I had expected. A big, empty house.

I would've probably tried to explore the house a bit only if I hadn't heard someone clearing their throat behind me. I turned around in an instant and my eyes flew wide open when I saw a boy just around my age, standing right in front of me. And he wasn't Caden.

"Oh my god. Were you standing behind me this whole time?" I asked him, a hand flying over my mouth in horror.

I clearly remembered Caden telling me not to say anything other than a yes or a no, but I couldn't help myself. I was truly terrified to even think that this dark-haired boy had been following me since God knows when.

His charcoal black hair was long enough to fall over his eyes--eyes which were the exact same shade as his hair. And he was grinning cheekily at me as if I was some sort of candy he'd just been rewarded with.

"Oh yes, I was." He said, still grinning.

My expression morphed into another one of pure horror and disbelief. I whipped my head around at Caden, who wasn't anywhere near me but standing near an opened fridge in one corner of the huge lounge.

"Why did you not tell me someone was behind me this whole time?" I asked him worriedly. Perhaps Caden had known all along and didn't say anything about it because well...this was Caden we were talking about.

"Adrian likes to creep people out." Another voice came from the hallway, beside the huge staircase.

I looked over where the voice seemed to come from and found another boy, a redhead this time, wearing big framed glasses that put a nerdy and cute effect on him.

I didn't know this house had a variety of...good looking boys.

"I do not." The person behind me--Adrian--stated a little defensively, then added almost immediately, "I...do actually. It's kind of my job, you see."

I stared at him speechlessly, trying to figure out the meaning behind his words. What was this place even?

I was about to face Caden and ask him the obvious question when sudden running footsteps, from the same hallway, interrupted me. And even though I tried stepping out of the way, I clearly failed when someone slammed right into me.

With a loud groan, I stumbled back and fell down on the floor, right on my butt.

"Ouch." I heard Adrian murmur behind me, and even though he hadn't prevented me from falling, he did sound a bit genuine there.

I rubbed the sore spot on my forehead, and the sudden loud voices made me look up.

"Holy fuck, Jesse, give me back my phone!" One of the two boys shouted and he had his back towards me, facing another boy with messy blond hair.

The latter smirked, holding up a phone in his hand, and I think nobody saw it coming when he tossed it over his shoulder. Which somehow landed quite perfectly on Caden's glass of water, knocking it out of his hand.

I flinched at the impact of both of the things shattering.

"What the fuck, guys?" Caden sounded exasperated, almost as if he wished he wasn't so used to this. Judging by the way he hadn't yet thrown a punch or two, these people must've been close to him.

His brothers?

No, they looked nothing alike.

I broke out of my thoughts when the other boy whose phone was now in a watery mess, rushed towards it and started cussing out loud. Now that he didn't have his back towards me, I recognized him pretty quickly. It was Shane.

"Oh, who brought this piece of beauty?" The blond guy, Jesse, looked down at me and the smirk slowly stretched on his lips. He walked towards me and cocked his head to the side. "Why are you on the floor?"

I glanced behind me to look at Adrian, but to my surprise, he wasn't even there anymore. My mind was having trouble keeping up with so many new faces, with so much happening in such a short amount of time, and I was on the floor?

"Jesse, you better watch out, you fucker!" Shane spoke up from somewhere in the lounge, sounding furious. I did feel for him. Having your phone thrown a hundred feet across must feel awful.

Jesse, on the other hand, didn't even apologize before giving me a hand. I cautiously took it before he pulled me up, his eyes raking my outfit. "I love your outfit." And even though he was probably just making fun of me, I couldn't help but swoon a bit over his un-American accent.

I needed a break. And a little catching up to do.

"She is the girl," Adrian said before slinging an arm over my shoulders as if personal space wasn't a matter these days.

I looked at him in surprise. I could've sworn on my life he wasn't standing anywhere near me a few seconds ago.

What was I doing here?

Jesse's eyes widened in some sort of realization. "You mean that girl?" He asked, completely ignoring me now, and directing his attention at Adrian. They both were creeping me out now.

Adrian grinned and nodded.

"What girl? I don't know any girl--wait, I know you!" Shane looked up at me from his dead phone. "Aren't you Stacey?"

I opened my mouth to correct him but Jesse interrupted me first,

"You know her? And how come I don't?"

"Because you're a fucking dumbass." Shane glared at him, still not over his broken phone. Again, I couldn't really blame him.

Jesse seemed to ignore his remark as he stepped closer to me with the same mischievous smirk. "What's your pretty name, new girl?"

I hadn't ever been more grateful when I felt a familiar hand seizing my wrist, jerking me away from both Adrian and Jesse. It was Caden.

"I told you to keep your mouth shut." He glared at me.

I gave him a wounded look. "I did keep my--"

"Oh, so she is the girl," Jesse said while I heard Shane cussing even more loudly now.

"What do you guys mean by the girl?" The nerdy boy asked. Up close, I noticed his big baby blue eyes. He looked cute with those glasses and a bit younger than the rest of them.

Jesse smirked and nudged Adrian. It must've been an inside joke.

"The first girl who gets to know about the mysterious gang," Adrian said with a smile directed at me.

A few seconds went by in total silence.

"What?" I asked him, a little dumbfounded.

When no one cared to say anything more, I looked back at Caden and raised my brows. "You mean--"

A gang?

"The West gang," Caden stated nonchalantly, then narrowed his eyes at me ever so slightly. "What else were you expecting, Anderson?"

I was expecting a lot of things, but certainly not this.

_________

Xoxo,

Crystal 🌿