The world was spinning.

I leaned my back on the wall and waited for the nausea to pass. I was in the less crowded part of the club, far from the dance floor and what seemed to be half of our town's rich kid population. The only light came from the two lamps hanging on the wall which was dim enough to provide a little bit of privacy to the couple making out just a few feet away from me.

It was a bit colder here and I was bothered by the fact that I was only wearing a black, tube top and skinny jeans. I left my jacket somewhere near the bar and I wasn't covered enough for my liking. I was sure I felt sexy and mature wearing it earlier but now, I only felt silly. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

I shouldn't have come here.

Shawn warned me that coming here here would be a terrible idea. I was starting to think he was right.

The people walking past me on the way to the restrooms couldn't be older than twenty one. My responsible side couldn't help but think that I would be in big trouble if there would be a police raid. My drunk, reckless self just didn't give a damn. I came here to forget, and forget was what I was supposed to do. It wasn't very effective.

I felt annoyance crept into my skin as the image of that heartless boy suddenly popped inside my head. It was unfortunate for me that the last person I needed to see right now was also the first person I searched for in the crowd. I was so pathetic.

It was supposed to be the coolest party ever and I should feel honored I got an invite but all I could feel right now was guilt and regret. Guilt because I was now contributing to the alarming rate of underage drinking in this country and regret because my feet were killing me from wearing this bloody high heeled boots Sophie lent me.

"Need some company?" I heard someone say.

I opened my eyes and saw a boy standing in front of me. The darkness hid most of his features but I could tell from his silhouette that he was tall, lean, and trouble.

I gave him an impressive glare that would give Medusa a run for her money.

"No thanks. I've already reached my maximum limit of acceptable daily human interaction. I'm done for the day." I said.

That wasn't the warmest welcome ever but the boy laughed happily as if I just told him we were now official bffs.

"You sound like a character straight out of John Green's book." He said, still chuckling under his breath.

I narrowed my eyes at him eventhough I was sure he couldn't see me.

"What do you mean?"

He casually walked closer and stood beside me.

"You know, the deep, antisocial, misunderstood teen who talks like a forty year old guy with a Phd."

I crossed my arms over my chest.

"If this is a book then I think we've already reached the part where the protagonist is assaulted by some random bad guy in a party for the sole purpose of giving the love interest a scene where he could show his manly and heroic side to the girl he usually treats like trash." I slurred embarrassingly. All my self inhibitions left me a few tequilas ago so my tongue was looser than normal and given what happened earlier this morning at school, I was also more of a loser than normal.

The boy let out a hearty laugh.

"You're not planning to assault me now, are you?" he asked, one eyebrow raised.

I almost let out a smile.

"Who says you're the protagonist?" I said in a playful tone.

The boy shrugged.

"Well, assault isn't included in my itinerary so I guess you're in the wrong party."

I let out a fake sigh.

"There goes my cliche love story."

There was a brief moment of silence and then we both laughed. It was the first time since the incident that I had a reason to laugh and it felt good. I laughed until I was running out of breath.

"Wow. It feels good to be laughing again." I said in between giggles. I wasn't the giggly type but the alcohol was messing with my head. Everything seemed so funny now.

"Can I give you an advice?"I heard the boy say. I suddenly felt a strong sense of deja vu upon hearing that. Hunter also asked me the same thing after he helped me delete my email to Kenji.

I looked at the boy beside me and saw he had this serene expression on his face. I thought he looked familiar but my drunk mind couldn't make the connection.

"It isn't safe for a young girl like you to be alone in a place like this." He said and then gave me a warm smile. "I'll stay here to keep you company until your companion finds you."

I frowned.

"Do I know you?" I asked. There was something so achingly familiar about this guy. His posture, his voice, even the way he smiled... I felt like I should know him.

The guy shrugged.

"I don't think we've met."

I was about to answer him when I felt my knees buckled. I swayed on my feet. The boy caught me by the elbows before I hit the floor.

"Whoah, there! Easy now. I'm sure that love interest of yours would hate to see you pass out cold on the floor." The boy said.

"Let me take care of her." A voice demanded from behind me.

I rolled my eyes. Great.

"Of course, you'll be here." I turned around and gave Cain the stink eye.

"You really thought you could ditch me in my own party?" He said. He walked towards me and casually took my arms off the good samaritan. I would have felt embarrassed if I wasn't so inebriated.

"Are you okay?" His voice sounded genuinely concerned.

"No one has assaulted me yet so I'm fantastic." I said. "I just wish the world would stop spinning."I felt my grip on his arm tightened despite myself.

"This place is full of underage drinkers. I'm disappointed at you, Cain." I heard the boy said. I felt Cain tensed.

"I don't care about what you think of me, Archer." He spat as he tried to pull me farther away from the boy.

"Archer? I think I've heard of that name before..." I murmured to myself.

"Of course you did." Cain said coldly under his breath. Then his gaze flew to Archer. "He is Dean's brother."

Archer smiled at me.

"Nice to finally meet you, ma'am." He said, his purple eyes sparkling.

***

It felt surreal walking out of the auditorium after that performance. My heart was still aching horribly but at least I was able to release some of the steam. I was glad Rush didn't ask me any questions before and after the show because I honestly didn't know how to feel about him.

One of the most painful part of Hunter's betrayal? It made me doubt the friendship I formed with his friends as well.

Were all their kindness part of the grand plan to make me fall in love? Did they really consider me as a real friend? My heart shouted yes but my mind was doubtful. I hated feeling so torn because it made me feel shitty to doubt the people who had done nothing but be good to me.

I kept on wishing that this was all just an extra-realistic nightmare, that any second now, I would finally wake up to a world where Hunter could truly love me, without the schemes and bets and pranks.

My heart ached at the thought of Hunter. He deserved an Oscars Best Actor award for this because it all felt so true to me. It felt so real that even until now, my heart still couldn't accept the fact that I'd just been played.

My miserable thoughts were interrupted when someone blocked my path.

"I didn"t know you can play violin." Cain said with all seriousness. He stood straight from casually leaning on a wall. I wasn't exactly sure why he felt the need to ambush me here. Maybe he still wasn't satisfied with what he did. Maybe he was here to rub the humiliation in my face.

"I'm tired, Cain. I don't have time for this." I said, not even bothering to hide the exhaustion in my voice.

"You were great back there."

"Thanks." I said coldly as I brushed past him. I didn't want anything to do with him. I didn't have the strength to deal with shady boys with questionable intentions right now. I've had enough hackers, bad boys, and spawns of satan for the day.

"Go on a date with me tonight." I heard him say.

I stopped walking because I just couldn't believe what I heard. The sheer audacity of this nincompoop was unbelievable. After the stunt he pulled earlier, it would take a gun to the head before I accept that shameless invitation.

"Any other impossible request you want me to grant?" I said sarcastically.

"It's not a request." He walked closer to me. "You still owe me a date."

The nerve of this man!

"I don't owe you anything."

Cain let out a patronizing smile as he took one step closer to me.

"Yes, you do."

I wanted to pull my hair out of my scalp from frustration. Why couldn't these boys just give me a freaking break? Hello? I was heartbroken and humiliated, I at least deserved a quiet night away from these assholes.

"Weren't you listening to a single word Hunter said earlier which, by the way, you accidentally broadcasted in the whole school?" I put an emphasis on the word accidetantally to let him know I wasn't fooled by his evil machinations. "I am nothing to him. You will never be able to use me against him. So now, please do me a favor and disappear from my life."

I started walking away. I was so done with everyone today.

"I'm sorry."

I stopped on my track when I heard what Cain said. I looked back at him, one eyebrow raised.

Were my ears playing tricks on me?

He ran his tongue over his lip piercing and let out an exasperated sigh.

"Look, I know I've been such an asshole to you for no acceptable reason." He started.

"Exceptional observation skills you have there." I said, sarcasm laced in every word.

A ghost of a smile played on his lips, looking both amused and annoyed at my sarcasm.

He stepped closer to me and I almost took a step back when he lowered his head so we were face to face.

"I want to make it up to you." His silver eyes were twinkling with a challenge. I could smell the cool scent of his cologne and it felt like it was seducing me to say yes. Cain's eyes dropped to my lips and a dangerous smile played on his. "This doesn't have anything to do with Dean..." He murmured huskily. "I just want to spend time with you."

I didn't like Cain. I was sure of that. But there was just something so deliciously appealing about him. If Hunter was a jigsaw then Cain was a Sudoku puzzle. Both of them were difficult and annoying.

I pushed his face away from me and glared at him.

"Stop acting all sexy and mysterious. It won't work." I said.

He stood straight and smirked.

"What can I do? It comes naturally on me."

I rolled my eyes and sigh.

He was right. Our agreement to go on a date had nothing to do with Hunter. I was the one who made the promise to him and the thought of breaking my promise just because of what happened didn't sit well with me. I had to take responsibility for my own actions.

"Fine." I said. "Let's go on a date tonight."

***

"You're crazy." Shawn lectured as he watched Sophie put makeup on my face.

From the mirror, I saw Sophie rolled her eyes at Shawn.

"Do you prefer she stay all alone in her room the whole night, wallowing in self pity and shame?" Sophie challenged.

Shawn glared at her.

"She wouldn't be alone. I'll stay with her. We'll watch Star Wars episode III." He said indignantly.

Sophie carefully swiped the lip tint's brush on my lips before giving Shawn a pointed look.

"Right. As if you haven't watched that for like a hundred and eighty times already."

Shawn's cheeks turned red.

"Fifteen times! We've only watched it fifteen times!" Shawn said defensively.

"My point exactly." Sophie said.

Shawn looked at me incredulously, like he couldn't believe I allowed an ex-cheerleader inside my room, much more get in the way of our Friday night tradition.

I gave him an apologetic look through the mirror.

"Sorry, Shawn. I want to get this thing with Cain be over as soon as possible." I explained.

"I don't trust him." Shawn said.

"Me neither but you gotta admit he's hot." Sophie said as if that settled everything.

"He's creepy." Shawn insisted.

"Mysterious is the right word." Sophie answered again.

Shawn stood up.

"He's Hunter's mortal enemy!"

Sophie stopped fixing my mascara. She faced Shawn and put both hands on her waist, glaring at him.

"Hunter is a fool and he needs to be taught a lesson! Can't you see? It's like hitting two birds in one stone. Hunter needs to realize that Sky's life won't stop just because he hurt her, and Cain needs to know that he messed with the wrong girl. This is a genius move by Skylar so stop being such a killjoy!"

I was stunned. I wasn't really thinking about all those things when I agreed to go on a date with Cain. I just wanted to be done with our agreement. But what Sophie said made a lot more sense. Why would I let myself be miserable just because of a boy who never loved me in the first place? Why would I waste one night of my life crying for him when I could go out and have fun?

"Wow. You girls are scary." Shawn said, shaking his head.

Sophie went back to fixing my face.

"For the record, I don't actually believe a single word Hunter said in that broadcast." She said in an irritated tone. "Doesn't change the fact that he's an asshole, though."

I chose not to answer that. Hope was a dangerous thing. It would only make the pain worse in the end.

I closed my eyes and let Sophie do the finishing touches on my face. I was glad she came here to help me prepare for my date even on such a short notice. She was the only girl friend that I could turn to right now. Thinking of Heather, Pen and Natalie made me want to cry again. I missed them.

"Done." Sophie announced after a while.

I opened my eyes and looked at my reflection in the mirror. There had been no dramatic change in my face, thank, God! I still looked like me but Sophie managed to make me look radiant and fresh despite the state I was in earlier. My hair was arranged in soft curls, framing my face. Sophie made me wear a black tube top under a denim jacket, skinny jeans, and black high heeled boots. I couldn't believe it, but I actually looked chic and sexy in this outfit.

Sophie gave me a satisfied smirk.

"Girl, if Hunter can see you right now, that bitch's gonna regret ever making you cry."

I smiled at what she said.

"Thank you." I told her.

She winked at me.

"Anytime." She then glanced at Shawn and raised one eyebrow at him. "What can you say, Montgomery?"

Shawn rolled his eyes at her and walked towards me. He put one arm over my shoulder and smiled.

"You look beautiful, Sky." He said.

I rested my head on his shoulder.

"Thank you for being here, Shawn."

A knock on my room's door made us all jump. My dad entered the room looking like he'd just seen a ghost.

"Skylar, there's a maserati in front of our house!" He announced in panic. "And there's a boy who is not Hunter Cole claiming he's your date! Why are you going on a date with a boy that is not Hunter? I don't understand?"

"Dad, calm down." I said, super embarrassed by my dad's outburst. "He's just a friend and it's just a casual date." I explained.

"But he's not Hunter?"

Sophie giggled silently beside me. I frowned.

"Am I only allowed to go on a date if it is with Hunter?" I said, annoyed. I blamed Hunter for ruining other men for me and my parents! How dare him include my parents in his schemes!

My dad noticed I was upset so he instantly backtracked.

"Of course not! My princess is allowed to cheat with any boy she wants!" He said.

"Dad!" I protested while Shawn and Sophie laughed.

We all went downstairs. Dad was still murmuring under his breath, talking about teenage girls and their playful hearts. Great. Now my dad thought I was two timing Hunter.

Cain was with my mom, sitting on our couch like our home belonged to him. My mother was eyeing him with a mix of fascination and confusion on her face.

Cain stood up when he saw me.

"Good evening, Sky." He smiled.

He was wearing a simple gray shirt under a black leather jacket, jeans and boots. I was annoyed at the fact that our outfits almost matched.

"We're going." I said, not bothering to formally introduce him to everyone.

"I'll take care of your daughter." Cain said as he respectfully nodded to my parents.

"You better." Shawn said in an almost threatening way.

Cain regarded him coldly and smirked. "Of course."

Sophie and Shawn went ahead of us. Shawn said he'd stay home tonight (He and Natalie had a little fight earlier because of what happened between me and Hunter) while Sophie had a date with Kenji.

I kissed both my parents good bye.

"Love you, princess." My dad said then his weary gaze flew to Cain. "Have fun with... Not Hunter."

My mom threw me a loving smile.

"Be careful." She said.

I nodded.

I certainly would.

***

"Where are we going?" I asked. It was my first time riding a Maserati and I didn't imagine it would be this uncomfortable. It felt so awkward being alone with Cain.

He glanced at me.

"Do you have a place in mind?"

"Anywhere without you is fine."

Cain let out a deep chuckle.

"That won't do." He murmured, smiling to himself.

I let out a fake sigh.

"Fine. Your call, then."

"You sure about that?" There was something intriguing about the way he asked the question. It was as if he was challenging me to refuse. I remembered Sophie telling Shawn how I should prove to Cain that he messed with the wrong girl. Maybe I should tonight.

"Yes." I said firmly.

We drove downtown until we reached an unremarkable establishment. It looked like a bar that had been closed down for a while. It was in the middle of an old bookshop and a record store. It was the kind of building I would passed by during day time without even noticing.

"We're here." He announced. He parked the Maserati in front of the building and I noticed several luxury cars were also parked nearby.

"What's this place?" I asked curiously. We were in a quiant street but there was something eerie about the silence. It felt so unnaturally still.

"You'll see." Cain said as he stepped out of the car and opened the car door for me.

We walked towards the entrance of the establishment. A young man wearing a black hoodie threw us a bored look.

"Password?" He said, stifling a yawn.

"Nihil." Cain simply said.

The man gestured towards a dilapitated door and Cain started to walk towards it. I ran to keep up.

"What's this? This isn't some kind of a cult hideout, is it?" I asked nervously. We entered into a long and dark hallway. Only lights coming from the candles on the wall illuminated the way. The wooden floor creaked under our boots each step and I couldn't help but step closer to Cain out of fear.

Did this jerk bring me to a haunted house?

As if sensing my fear, I heard Cain chuckle. He reached for my hand and pulled me closer to him.