"He's just...so different from all the other guys and-" Lizzie rambled on and on about Cash. I tried to tell Lizzie about what happened at the carnival but she insisted it had to have been someone else because Cash "never left her side". We walked through the school's main corridor.

I spotted her, I never knew she went here, or maybe I just never noticed because I didn't know who she was. Her hair was in a high ponytail that was perfectly pin straight and wore blue jeans with a black blouse.

"Guess what? Me and Austin Hayes are back together." She squealed jumping up and down with her friend. I froze in the middle of the hallway staring blankly at Kara. Back together isnt exactly how I would put it.

"What's wrong?" Lizzie said stepping in front of my sight. I tried to force all my thoughts away as I reminded myself he promised it would only be temporary. He wouldn't lie to me, would he?

"Nothing," I muttered walking away from the gushing girls.

"Did she just say-" Lizzie began but I cut her off.

"She's lying." I gritted my teeth a bit too loudly. People looked at me weirdly as I continued walking to the first period. I wanted to tell Austin she was spreading rumors but there's no way to tell him without sounding completely and utterly jealous. And I was so not jealous.

"So they're not back together?" She asked confused trying to keep up with my fast walking.

"No!" I yelled. She widened her eyes at me and I sighed.

"Sorry, rough night," I muttered sitting in my seat.

"Yeah, I'm sure partying all night is so rough." She rolled her eyes. If only she knew.

"I heard that party was awesome." Rose walked in on our conversation. Lizzie rolled her eyes once again turning her head. It was then my turn to roll my eyes once the girl walked in. She walked straight up to Mr. Lynch talking to him about something.

"Hey have you heard that Kara and Austin are-" Rose whispered. We're not even in the first period and the talk of the day was about Kara.

"Yes, we heard. And it's a lie, he even told me so yesterday." I said as a matter of fact. If I had to hear one more person talk about it I'd rip someone's head off. I kept reminding myself what he said just last night, 'I wouldn't do that to you, Violet'.

The final bell rang signaling the end of this annoying day. Why was I getting so worked up over some silly girl starting rumors?

I walked out to the front of the school looking for Austins car. I hoped he didn't forget about our driving lesson. My eyes caught sight of his car and the tan girl who was practically hanging through the window. She stood outside his car talking to him. I could see her twirling her long black hair between her fingers as she smiled wide. Other students were pointing and watching.

I walked over to his car watching her as she kept leaning farther in.

"Excuse me," I said in my best fake nice voice I could muster up. She turned around with a disgusted look on her face and slowly backed away from the door leaving me room to get in. However, she made sure to bump my shoulder as I walked by. I hopped into the car closing the door with a proud smile on my face. I watched her face distort into anger.

"This is what you're doing that's so important that you can't bring me home?" She barked through the window looking at me like I was a piece of week old pasta.

"Sorry looks like you'll have to walk," I said as I slowly rolled up the window. She stormed back into the school texting on her sparkly gemmed phone.

"So when do I get to drive?" I asked after he drove for a few minutes.

"Once we get to an empty, decently sized parking lot." He said taking a left towards downtown.

"I'm not driving on a road?" I asked. Wasn't that the point of practicing?

"Hell no, not in my car. Have you ever even sat behind the wheel?" He smiled glancing at me. I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks.

"Do go karts count?" I asked.

"Nope. When you're ready I'll let you drive on the road." He smiled snaking his hand over placing it on my thigh. Even just that small gesture had my heart swooning. His thumb traced circles on my thigh while his other hand was secured to the wheel.

The heat from his hand had been radiating off on me. It was mid-fall but this boy made it feel like a hundred degrees in here. His touch left my body in tingles, I frowned when he pulled it away.

"Okay, let's switch seats." He said jumping out of the driver's seat. I was a bit too distracted by his touch to realize we were already in the parking lot. I was a little nervous, I've never driven before and to drive for your first time with Austin Hayes is nerve-wracking.

I sat in the driver's seat which was slightly warm from Austin's body heat. The seat was far back and I couldn't reach the wheel comfortably.

"Do you know how to move the seat up and adjust it?" He asked I shook my head no. Austin unbuckled his seat belt, leaned over me his hand lightly nudging my legs once again. His face was also once again very close to mine, I could feel his breath on my neck giving me goosebumps.

"This is how you move the seat forward," he said pushing the button on the side of my chair, "and this is to adjust the chair," he said wiggling the other button on the side. I was supposed to watch what he was doing but I couldn't take my eyes off the side of his face so close to mine. His slight stubble made him look even more attractive which I didn't think was possible. His lip healed nicely thanks to me, full and pink.

Once Austin moved back into his seat I could focus again. I moved the seat to fit my size, the steering wheel was still a bit high, Austin was tall.

He reached over again moving the steering wheel slightly down for me. He showed me where all the controls were, and helped me adjust the mirrors. I tried to focus but I couldn't with him being so close to me, it was a distraction.

"Okay, you ready?"

"Not really," I said nervously. Driving with Austin was exciting but also worrisome. I played with my fingers watching the road, I've never sat behind the wheel at a legal age. I was so used to being on the passenger side it was weird looking from a different angle.

"Come on, you got this, it's easy." He chuckled. I bit my lip trying to focus, at least it wasn't raining.

"Put it in drive while pressing on the brake." He said sitting close to me, he slid on his seat belt again. I pressed my foot on the brake moving the shift to drive.

"Okay now slowly take your foot off the break." He said. I did as he told and his car slowly began to move.

"Now you can press on the gas." I pressed on the pedal making the car speed forward in a hurry.

"Not so fast." He chuckled. I smiled easing on the pedal. We drove around for a while, it was easier than I thought. Austin kept reminding me to check my mirrors and to use my signal.

"You're a natural." He smiled hopping back into the driver's seat. I sat back in the passenger seat, a little sad that our driving lesson was over.

"Luke's friend's having a bonfire tonight, be my date?" He asked leaving the parking lot after he readjusted his seat and mirrors.

"I'd love to," I smiled. He glanced at me sliding his hand back on my lap. I thought he was going to place it on my thigh again but I was wrong. Instead, he intertwined his fingers with mine and I didn't argue.

I looked down at our hands smiling, boy did I never want this moment to end.

When he pulled into the driveway of Luke's friend's house he still held my hand. We walked in hand in hand getting a few stares but not many. Austin got called over by someone so I was waiting for him near the back door. All the boys showed up at the bonfire.

"Aren't you grounded?" Camden asked wrapping an arm around my shoulder.

"You're hot." He said with a surprised tone. I looked down at my blouse and jeans, I thought it was pretty casual.

"I'm dressed casually," I mumbled checking what other girls were wearing. They wore the same thing except they were smart enough to bring sweatshirts, I was freezing.

"No, well I mean yes you're hot that way too but I mean you feel really warm, are you sick?" He asked feeling my forehead then my neck.

"Are you sure this isn't just an excuse to touch me because I feel perfectly fine." I laughed.

"You do feel hot, though, maybe you should take off more clothes." He eagerly played with the hem of my blouse. I shooed his hand away.

"I'm actually freezing so I won't be taking anything off." I shivered. Camden lifted his hoodie off lifting his shirt up in the process. I grabbed his hoodie throwing it up over my head embracing its warmth. His hoodie smelt much better than Austin's.

"Let's go sit, I'll keep you warm." He grinned. I followed him out towards the chairs that were set out around the fire. I didn't recognize anyone, must be college kids again.

"I'll be right back, cuddle with Austin till I get back," Cam said leaving my side, he headed towards a group of very mysterious boys across the street. However, I couldn't find Austin around the fire and my stomach was really starting to bother me. I shrugged it off sitting alone in my chair suddenly getting a stomachache.

I cuddled with Cam's sweatshirt. The bright fire in front of me gave off some heat as well.

"Violet? I didn't think you'd be here." Said a familiar, almost threatening voice. I turned my head to see the boy who managed to always find me.

"Austin invited me," I mumbled more to myself than him. Cash pulled up a chair too close for comfort and sat in it. I almost whimpered feeling what felt like shards of glass being thrown at my stomach.

"Well, I don't see him." He turned his head to the side almost mockingly. I looked around outside, not seeing him. I leaned towards the opposite side trying to get as far away from him as I could. Now would be a perfect time to come back, Camden.

"Why won't you look at me? Are you scared of me?" He feigned being hurt but replaced it with a grin quickly. I shook my head no looking back towards Cam noticing Luke was over there now. Their backs facing me not knowing my recent need for help.

"I'm not going to hurt you." He chuckled moving a piece of my hair behind my ear. I flinched at his touch becoming uncomfortable. I shot up quickly to leave but he grabbed my arm.

"Let me go." I hissed. I put all my weight on my heels hoping it'd help. His grip on my arm only tightened, it would certainly leave bruises.

"What happens if I don't?" He smirked pulling me towards him. I opened my mouth to speak but a voice cut me off. A voice I was very grateful to hear.

"Do you want to find out?" Austin glared at him. He released my arm giving me a taunting look.

"Didn't think so," Austin muttered placing his hand on my back leading me away from Cash. The pain in my stomach didn't go away and I felt the need to sit. My footsteps slowed and suddenly it was like a weight was holding me down.

"Violet? Are you okay?" I stared at Austin's blurry figure.

My head was pounding, I could feel the floor beneath me and suddenly everything went black.