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I could hear the music blaring before we stepped inside the tall building. The house is a similar layout to mine -- with three floors and two pools. Whoever lives here must be wealthy. The garden is already covered with red solo cups and a couple making out on the front steps. The living room smells a mixture of vodka, weed and cigarettes. A classic high school house party.

I thought I'd feel pumped walking through an upbeat party. Instead, I feel anxious.

I guess I didn't know what I was expecting.

We make it to the kitchen, almost getting lost through the dozens of jocks and cheerleaders. Sky pours us both a pink drink of what looks like gin and lemonade. I take the cup without thinking and drink half its contents.

I need the liquid courage right now.

I look around the room, feeling so out of place. Everyone is having such a great time -- I want to be on that level.

"Come on let's dance." Sky drags my hand along with her until we are standing in the middle of a room full of students grinding against each other. My face heats up just watching this unfold.

I don't want to be on that level.

Me and Sky dance to a few cheesy songs, occasionally singing along, and then we go and refill our cups. We repeat the same process a few times.

After our third drink, the guy with the buzz-cut hair, Kyle walks into the kitchen. He slings his arm around Sky, leaning into her. "Sunny Sky, you made it!" he slurs his words.

"Hey, Kyle." Sky hides her face behind the red cup, discreetly sweeping her eyes over Kyle.

I smirk at my best friend and she scowls at me, making me chuckle.

"Hey, do want to do shots with us?" Sky shakes her head, I place my hand on top of hers and giggle.

"We would love to." I smile at Kyle.

He grabs our cups, pouring what looks like a dark brown liquid halfway and handing them to me and Sky. "Awesome. Here you go, ladies." My nostrils burn as I smell the familiar foul smell of alcohol my mother chooses to drink. Ugh...

We played a few games of beer pong and won the last game, we had such a laugh. It's the first time I've enjoyed myself, being a normal teenager.

I don't know how many shots I've had by the time my head feels lighter and I could sense I was loosening up a bit. I want to laugh and join in on the conversations, even though I have no idea what everyone is talking about. Sky couldn't keep her eyes off Kyle throughout the game and I'm happy for her. My heart sighs, a part of me longing for the same affection.

I want to be in love one day. I want to find someone who will love me fiercely.

I'm smiling like a silly fool, my eyes scanning over the kitchen. I freeze when I spot Jaxon talking to the honey-blonde-haired girl from gym class in the corner of the room. Fear replaces my good mood and I feel sick, his stone-cold eyes snap to mine and I can't breathe.

He watches me with narrowed eyes before he looks away, talking to the blonde. "Hey, are you okay?" Sky asks beside me.

I haven't told Sky about the incident in the girls changing rooms. I didn't want her to think I'm a burden or even pity me for what happened. I'm also embarrassed, I just want to put it at the back of my mind.

"I'm fine." I pour myself another drink, almost forgetting how disliked I am by most of the people here.

I don't care, I'm here to enjoy myself, I think.

That's when I hear his velvet voice behind me and my heart races.

"Marnie?" I jump up, startled and twirl around. My eyes land on a pair of forest green eyes.

I flush crimson, I can feel the heat running down my face and neck like wildfire. How does he do that? Why does he make me feel this way? And why does he have to be so hot?

Reese is dressed in his usual black clothes. Black jeans, a black denim jacket and a white crisp t-shirt with a silver chain. It's like he doesn't even try to be sexy -- he just is.

His eyes slowly trail down my body, before landing back on my face. I swear I see his green orbs darken with lust... though I could be a little tipsy. I had one too many of that brown liquid-strong stuff.

I collect the bit of confidence I have from the alcohol. "H-hey... Reese," my voice wobbles.

Do you know how nervous I get around you!?

"What?" Oh shit, did I say that out loud?

"I... I..."

He clears his throat. "I didn't know you would be here."

Oh, yeah, of course, a freak like me shouldn't be invited to a party.

"It's my first house party," I state with a sweet smile and his eyes harden.

"You shouldn't have come here." he says coldly, looking over my shoulder.

What? My face drops and before I can insult him back, I get cut off... again.

"Reese?"

The girl with the blonde bob haircut comes over, grabbing his hand. "We're all set." she says, glaring daggers at me.

Reese nods his head at her before his eyes travel back to mine. "We're performing now."

I give him a fake smile and then he disappears between the sea of teenagers to what looks like a mini-stage in the corner of the living room. Sky is talking rather intimately with Kyle so I give her some space.

I grab another drink off the counter, my head slowly starting to spin but I don't care. I want more. I'm having fun.

I start to hear a guitar playing, it sounds good.

After another drink, I start swaying my hips in rhythm to the music. I look up at the stage and my eyes connect with a mesmerising green pair.

Reese watches me while he plays the guitar. It sounds incredible. I wasn't prepared for how good they played, but that voice that came out of his mouth.

Damn.

Reese can sing.

I know Reese heard me sing once in the music room and I've heard he's a talented singer himself. Hearing his voice for the first time sends shivers down my spine and goosebumps appear on my skin.

My entire focus is on him, his lips moving and his eyes still locked on mine. Even though the song is fast pace, I can feel so much of his soul while hearing his lyrics. Does he write original songs?

The song soon ends and people start cheering and clapping for the band. Reese watches me, biting his lip. We are full-on staring at each other, daring each other to make a move.

I don't know what came over me, I just want to be up there. I wanted to be with Reese.

My feet pressed forward towards the stage until I'm standing a foot away from Reese. He looks down at me, confused. I look up at him, determined.

He gives me a hand up and I smile, accepting his help. I stand next to him, breathless.

"What the hell?" the blonde next to him whines but I ignore her. My gaze locked only on Reese.

"I want to sing."

His dark eyebrow raises, not expecting those words to leave my mouth. "Will you play for me?"

I point to the black and white guitar still attached to him. He doesn't speak for a few seconds and I begin to realise what a fool I am for asking him to do this for me. This is why I should never drink.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

Finally, Reese nods and I exhale. "Do you remember the song I played on the piano?" he nods his head again, "Do you think you could play it on guitar?"

He bites his plump pink lip again before nodding, "I can try."

I smile at the same time he grabs hold of my wrist, leaning into me and I'm looking directly into his eyes.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" he asks me.

I bite the inside of my cheek and nod. I see a ghost of a smile on his face before he turns away from me, preparing his guitar. When I hear the soft sound of my music playing, my heart picks up its pace.

I step over to the microphone, not caring about his bandmates shooting me nasty looks, or even the crowd watching me with bewildered expressions.

I take a deep breath and then I start to sing.

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