I checked myself in the mirror before heading out of my room and down to the garage where my truck was parked. She was nothing fancy, just a black F150 that I'd got for my 16th. I was so happy to finally not have to take the bus anymore, especially when Kayleigh and I went out.

Kayleigh.

She was my girlfriend, my best friend at first, before I developed this huge crush on her in grade 9. Almost a year later, after we had started high school, I finally got the courage to ask her out. She said yes (thank god) and we'd been dating ever since.

Today was actually the 1 year anniversary of when I took her out for the first time and I was on my way to pick her up so we could go out to dinner. Unfortunately, I was not made out of money so I couldn't take her anywhere too fancy. Sure, I had a job but that was paying for the diesel in the truck and that was expensive enough. Anyway, I was just taking her out to Swiss Chalet, which was where we had our first date. I know, call me a try-hard, but I was seriously in love with this girl and romantic notions were always appreciated.

I pulled out of the driveway and my mum waved to me as I drove down the road. I smiled back at her and gave her a nod before turning back to the road.

Kayleigh didn't really live that far away from me, around 5 minutes down the main road and probably 2 minutes spent inside her subdivision, so it wasn't very long until I pulled up to her house and she came running out with a big smile on her face.

She pulled herself into the truck using the door to stabilize herself as she swung her body in. Throwing her purse to the floor, she turned and gave me a hug and kiss on the cheek. Cue my bashful smile.

"Hey Adam, what do you have planned for this fine evening?" Her attempt at sounding posh was amusing to say the least.

"Well, I was thinking dinner and then you'll have to stay tuned for the rest." I smirked and chuckled when the amused look was wiped off her face. To say Kay was a control freak was an understatement. Always gotta have a plan, she always said, no room for surprises or screw-ups. Perfection, always.

"Please don't tell me we're gonna have KFC. I know you like it, but you know I don't." She was getting worried.

"I promise you'll like this surprise I have planned." I assured her, laughing. She sighed in defeat, not even bothering to try to get it out of me. She knew better.

I turned on my All Time Low CD and we both sang along to her favourite song, Backseat Serenade.

It wasn't too long before we got to the restaurant and Kayleigh's eyes lit up in recognition.

"Aw, you little nostalgic cutie, you." she cooed. "I can't believe you remembered."

"Well we've been here enough since then, I can't believe you thought I wouldn't." I scoffed.

I got out of the truck and quickly went over to her side to open her door for her. Unfortunately, I was a little late and she whacked me in the chest with the door.

"Oohh, sorry Adam. On the bright side now I know chivalry isn't dead... Well the intent anyways." She laughed and placed her hand on the spot on my chest where the door had hit me, looking into my eyes.

I smiled and pulled her in for a kiss, running my calloused thumb across her cheek. Her soft red-lipsticked lips touched mine and she smiled into the kiss.

She was the first to pull away and laughed when she looked at my lips. I noticed her lipstick had smeared a little off her bottom lip. She wiped my lips and showed me her finger tips. Bright red. My eyes widened.

"Please tell me you got it all off. I don't wanna go in there looking like we just had a steamy makeout session in front of a family restaurant."

"Just one second." She rubbed fiercely on my lips, to the point where it hurt. "There. All gone. Happy?"

"Very much so. Anyways, lets go in." Kay nodded as she looped her arm in mine and we walked across the parking lot. I opened the door for her and she tried to hide her grin as she walked in. I knew she was thinking about the chivalry thing again.

We had to wait about 10 minutes for a table, which didn't really bother us since we had waited a lot longer for a table before, especially on a Saturday. When we finally got seated, the waiter gave us the menus and we ordered drinks. He looked about 16 and his name was Garrett. My phone vibrated and I saw that my friend Sam had texted me.

Hey dude, me and the guys are meetin up tmrw to go to DQ then the movies, you interested in comin?

All those guys ever wanted to do was go to the movies. I always had to remind them that half the movies weren't good, plus the theatre always had such overpriced everything. I was about to text him 'no.' when he texted me once again.

We're going to see The Avengers :)

I bit my lip. This was where I was torn. Judge me all you want, I really wanted to see this movie. Sam had promised he would take me if they went and here was my opportunity. Only thing was, the money I would need to go see Avengers was being spent right then, on the dinner Kay and I were about to eat.

I pulled out my wallet and sifted through it. Yup, I only had $30 cash. However, a blue slip caught my eye. When I dug it out of the fold in the wallet, I almost jumped for joy. It was an 'admit one' movie ticket which I had gotten from my sister as part of my 16th birthday present.

Score!

With a grin, I put it back in my wallet and texted Sam back, saying I would go. When I looked to Kay, I noticed she was red in the face and how Garrett was still talking to her. He was pretty much groveling in front of her.

"Seriously, you are the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. What are you doing with this guy? You could do much better." Oh, this guy was looking for trouble. "You and I should hang out sometime, get to know each other. I could take you somewhere way better than-"

"Listen buddy," Kay fumed. I knew this would happen if he didn't shut his trap. "My boyfriend and I are here celebrating our anniversary and, this is none of your business, but he and I are in quite a happy relationship. I know you knew as soon as you saw us together we were a couple, so why you even tried is lost on me. Don't try to pull a Yoko here because it won't work, especially since you know nothing about us. Now, would you please bring me my Dr. Pepper and Adam's iced tea?"

The kid was shocked. It was as if those lines had actually gotten him girls before and this was the first time he had failed. If any of that was true I might lose faith in girls' sanities altogether.

In the end, the food was really good and Kay and I both ended up getting a warm brownie covered in whipped cream, chocolate sauce and caramel sauce with ice cream on the side to share. Thanks to a special they had on what we ordered, I had $10 to spare which was pretty nice.

After paying, Kayleigh and I walked out, our stomachs full of chicken, fries, mashed potatoes and brownie. She got to the truck before me and I clicked the unlock button so she could hop in. I stepped into the truck and sat in the seat. I turned to Kay and she was smiling and looking through the closed sun-roof. She looked peaceful.

"Sorry for freaking at that guy earlier." she smiled, in spite of herself. "But he had it coming big-time."

"I know..." I started the truck.

"So where we headed now?"

I didn't respond. It was called a surprise for a reason. Kayleigh sighed because she knew she wasn't gonna get anywhere. Again.

"I was thinking," Kay began after a few minutes of silence, changing the subject as we turned onto the main highway. "You weren't even slightly jealous when that waiter was hitting on me. Was it because you didn't care?" She sounded somewhat hurt that I hadn't stepped in. I looked at her for a moment, unsure what to say. She was having trouble looking at me. From the glare of the headlights off the road I saw slight tears shining in her eyes.

"Of course I cared. I'll always care. My first instinct was to step in but I knew you would handle it without causing a scene. I trust you more than anyone. I knew you wouldn't just up and leave with some random guy, let alone that loser. You're such a loyal, kind person and I'm completely in love with you."

Kayleigh's eyes widened, as they met mine. I had never said it out loud before, but I knew. I was in love with that girl.

"Adam, I... Adam!" Kay screamed and I turned to see the blinding headlights of an 18-wheeler come speeding towards the truck. I jerked the steering wheel left and the truck swerved, the tires screeching against the pavement. All I heard was the screech of metal grinding against metal before everything went black.

1 YEAR LATER

I sped down the road on my silver motorcycle. My open leather jacket flapped in the wind, and I was glad I had my pockets zipped up so I wouldn't lose my keys and wallet on the highway.

I was going to meet up with Sam at Starbucks, because it was our free period and it was going to merge in with lunch so we were going to just eat there. Why we weren't going to the McDonald's, which was a lot closer, was lost on me but I didn't really care since at least there was a slimmer chance of seeing people from school.

Eventually I pulled up to the place and parked my bike next to another shiny dark blue one. As I was walking in, I passed an employee who was probably on his break, smoking and talking to an older guy who looked like he might have been rich (they were also standing in front of a very fine-looking Mustang).

I peeked into the restaurant and noticed Sam sitting at a table, on his phone. He pushed his sunglasses onto the top of his head before casually running a hand through his hair.

But there was a problem.

He had two girls with him. Very bored-looking girls, might I add.

When I walked in, his head shot up and he locked his phone before waving me over. I glared at him, despite the fact that the girls had also turned to look when I walked in.

"Hey, man. I'd like to introduce you to-"

"Sam, I thought you said it was just gonna be us two. What's with the sudden change of plans?" I interrupted him, annoyed that he had failed to give crucial information. Once again.

One of the girls glared at Sam and started whispering something along the lines of 'his friend being rude' at him, meanwhile the other one just hid her head in embarrassment.

Whisperer had long pin-straight blonde hair that was halfway down her back, meanwhile Hider had somewhat frizzy wavy hair that was probably two inches below her shoulders. I had to admit they were both attractive girls, but that didn't make them any less a nuisance in that moment. I interrupted Whisperer's rant.

"Look man, I'm just gonna grab an iced coffee and as soon as I'm done, consider me gone." Both Whisperer and Hider showed obvious dislike for my annoyance of their presence, but I didn't really care. They were probably too scared of me to say anything, because as soon as I caught their glances, they both looked away and Hider gulped.

This was nothing new. I was not exactly the "ideal guy" to be around.

To put it quite frankly, I was the school "jerk".

I'm not talking the bad boy that all the girls secretly want or chase after because he keeps them excited.

No, I'm just the guy that straight-up hates almost every person at school and the feeling is what one could call mutual.

If someone looked at me the wrong way, they would either get cussed out. If they made comments about me, I would confront them and they would probably end up with a bloody nose.

Sam was my only real friend because he had known me forever and he just kind of understood me. He also was the only one who could get on my bad side and not be pummeled.

The only reasons people at our school didn't like Sam were because

a) He had sex with their girlfriend

b) He cheated on them with 3 other girls

c) He was friends with me

If it weren't for those 3 things, people probably wouldn't have anything against him. However, he had been with every girl at our school at least once and there was actually a moment when he had hooked up with another guy... but that's another story.

The girl at the cash looked probably 16, she was a little timid when I told her what I wanted and blushed when her hand brushed mine as I took my drink and I said thanks. I rolled my eyes. Girls will be girls.

I sat next to Sam with the two girls across from us. Sam made cliché small talk as I just sat there in silence, trying to tune them out as I drank my iced coffee. When Sam would try to invite me into the conversation, I would ignore him and act as if that 16-year-old girl that was serving me that time was the most interesting person I had ever seen. At one point, I stared at her for so long that she noticed and her face turned beet-red. I tried my best not to laugh so I just smiled a small, insincere smile and pretended that I didn't see when she dropped a panini she had been about to give a man wearing a safety vest.

When I finally finished my iced cappuccino, I said bye to Sam.

"Text me later if you wanna make plans alone." The girls' jaws dropped in disbelief as I turned and left, walking into the spring air, fastening my helmet and driving with the sun beating down with noon-time heat.

My last class of the day was dragging along. We were reviewing the Pythagorean Theorum once again because for some reason, people couldn't get it into their heads that h2= a2 + b2.

Seriously, we'd been doing it since grade 8 and they hadn't gotten it drilled into their heads yet. It had gotten to the point where my teacher was over-explaining it. I guess that was what I got for joining the easiest math seniors could take. Where there's easy math, there's dumb/lazy people.

That year, I was earning all my art and PE credits, plus my last math credit I needed. I had been an idiot and waited to do the math one until the last semester instead of finishing off the year with only fun classes.

"Now class, your homework for tonight is to create your own problem and solve it by using the Pythagorean Theorem equation that I have written on the board. Write it on your foreheads if you have to, so long as you remember that equation." Some of the people had looks of concern on their faces while others were scribbling the equation in their notebooks or writing it on their arms and hands so they wouldn't forget it. It was almost embarrassing; I was close to laughing.

When the class was finally over and we were dismissed for the day, I hung back a little by my seat at the back so I wouldn't have to push through the no-doubt mob growing in the halls, all excited to get home and party or whatever because it was the weekend and they had actual social lives outside of Instagram (contrary to popular belief, aka me).

When I guessed it may have calmed due to the rushing kids who were afraid of getting stuck at the front of the bus leaving, I headed to my locker, shoved my stuff in and almost didn't notice when Sam came up to me.

"Yo, Adam, man I'm sorry for bringing those girls along. I figured you wouldn't mind and actually might enjoy some female attention for once. Get back into the game." I gave him a warning glare. This was a sensitive subject and he knew it. He just put his hands up in defense, as if I were gonna hit him. "... Or not...? I guess that was kind of an idiot move on my part."

"I'm not interested in 'getting back into the game'. I dislike, if not hate, everyone at this school aside from you. That includes girls too."

Truth be told, the girls at school were either snobby, clingy, wayyy too perky or they were female versions of Sam (minus the us being friends part, if you catch my drift).

I walked down the stairs, Sam trailing behind me and before I knew it, I was on my bike driving home.

I walked into my house to the smell of sugar cookies. When I say house, I really mean trailer.

"Hey Cath, I didn't know you were off today." I called to my mother who was eagerly pulling fresh cookies out of the oven.

"Oh, honey I'm not, I was-" she broke off and sneezed, rather loudly. "-I wasn't feeling well today, it seems I'm catching a head cold." Her voice was nasally and suddenly those sugar cookies didn't seem as appealing as before.

"Well, I hope you feel better. I'm gonna go to my room, okay?" I called, already heading through the living room.

"Oh! Okay sweetie, have fun... Oh and text Mel to get milk on the way home, I used the rest making cookies!" Cathy yelled and I gave a thumbs-up in the air without turning around in response.

I flopped onto my bed as soon as I got into the room. Grabbing the remote to my docking station, I turned it on, and it started playing Beatles music. More specifically, Across the Universe. Though it was a kind off odd song, it was probably my favorite. Not a lot of people knew what 'Jai Guru Deva' meant when they listened to the song, but I knew.

Glory, Teacher of God (or at least that's what it was when I googled it).

And just like that, I fell asleep to the repetition of that phrase.

"Adam!" my mum's voice breaking through my nap. "Time for supper!"

I opened my eyes and saw Melanie's curly dark hair and almond-shaped brown eyes right above where I had previously been sleeping and was now frowning at my mother.

"Aw, come on Mel. I was having a nice sleep." I whined and threw my pillow at her, missing and making myself uncomfortable.

"Now, now, Adam. Cathy cooked seafood chowder, which I had to go and get milk for as soon as I got home because you forgot to text me! Now I need you to get up and eat that food I wasted gas to make perfect." Mel's hands were on her hips as she went on and I knew she would drag me out to the kitchen if I didn't get up.

"Fine. You win. I'll get up." I shut off the music and dragged myself out of the comfortable bed, throwing the pillow back onto it and following Mel to the dining room where Cathy was waiting.

"Ah, there you are Sleeping Beauty." Cathy was smiling and scooping chowder into the bowls. Her nose was red, and she looked pale, but she made dinner anyway. Go Cathy.

My mothers had typical dinner conversations. How work went, that's about it. Sometimes gossiping about a certain jerk customer hitting on Melanie. Nothing really earth-shattering. Eventually Cathy would turn on the news and the noise would fill the room, the two women engrossed in whatever the anchor would say. I would only really listen to weather (that impacted my motorcycle riding, meaning I would end up taking the bus if it rained).

When I was done I was going to head to my room when Mel called my name.

"Adam, do you want to practice that Shawn Mendes song I like?" she looked hopeful and eager to sing with me. I laughed at her and nodded, grabbing my guitar from my room. After tuning it, Melanie sat next to me and Cathy tapped to the beat on her cajón, counting down from four.

(skip this next part if you have no interest in the song)

""""""

"Never knew that we would end up here, should've known it from the start" I sang, playing the guitar part precisely. "I know you mean it when you say you love me, but we're trying way too hard." I nodded for Mel to come in.

"Used to think that we would last forever, how could I have been so wrong?" Mel had such a sweet voice; you would think she was in her 20s rather than 40s. "Never thought I'd be the one to say this, what if our time has come and gone?" She smiled because she knew we would sing together for the chorus.

"You, you don't mean no harm. But you're stringing me along and I don't have the time to spare. And I, I'm trying hard to breathe, but you're suffocating me this time I'm coming up for air." This next part kind of annoyed me but I knew Mel liked it so I played along.

"Air, air, air, air ,air ,air. Air, air, air, air, air, air, air." Cathy laughed at my distaste of the line as the song continued with Mel.

"Always tryna put your two cents in and expecting me to change." Cathy came in on the cajón tapping a steady beat along with the guitar and Mel's voice. "Tryin' to fix me up but I'm not broken, all you do is leave me stained."

"Told you not tie me down too quickly, take it slow it's not a race." I cringed at the high note. "And you keep on tryin' to reel me in but all I really need is space." Cathy built up her drumming for the chorus.

"You, you don't mean no harm. But you're stringing me along and I don't have the time to spare." I strummed a little harder in the gap between the lines "And I, I'm trying hard to breathe, but you're suffocating me this time I'm coming up for air."

Here we go again, I thought.

" Air, air, air, air, air, air.

Air, air, air, air, air, air, air.

Air, air, air, air, air, air.

Air, air, air, air, air, air, air."

That's a lot of freaking 'air's for two people to sing, my god, I thought.

"Tried to hold me down but, I'm surfacing." I started the bridge with Mel coming in with the 'aaahh's. "It's hard to let you go but, I got to leave." Cathy held off for the next part.

"You, you don't mean no harm. But you're stringing me along and I don't have the time to spare." Melanie met eyes with Cath as she came back in. I took a solo.

"And I, I'm trying hard to breathe, but you're suffocating me I'm coming up for air…." There was a pause until I came back with the guitar strumming twice before we came back in for a final duet in the chorus.

"You, you don't mean no harm. But you're stringing me along and I don't have the time to spare. And I, I'm trying hard to breathe, but you're suffocating me this time I'm coming up for air." Two, three, four.

" Air, air, air, air, air, air. Air, air, air, air, air, air, air." Cath stopped playing.

"Air, air, air, air, air, air." Then I stopped playing.

"Air, air, air, air, air, air, air."

"""""

Melanie and Cathy both looked at me with pride... and I could tell the next words were coming before Mel even said them.

"Oh my god, Adam. I'm serious. When American Idol starts again you need to audition." Melanie always wanted me to make a career out of music but it would never happen. I wasn't even comfortable singing in front of them until I was 14. There was no way I could sing in front of strangers, especially if they came in hundreds or maybe thousands. No, I could not do that.

"Forget it, Mel. You know I don't like singing in front of people. Besides, I've got my career path planned out. I'm going to take Daryl's spot as branch manager of Trucks R Us. I've gotten two promotions just this year." I was satisfied with how my future would most likely end up. Trucks R Us was an auto/tractor part store that sold pretty much any part for, or tool you could use on, a vehicle. I liked working there. I had worked there since I was 16 and I knew I wouldn't have to worry about my grades too much since I wouldn't need to go to college. Plus, the customers had no choice but to be loyal to our store unless they wanted to drive an hour into Atlanta.

"Oh, Adam. Why are you so nervous to sing in front of people? No one would dislike your voice, it's beautiful. Not to mention you could be a billionaire and pay back your mothers for raising you for 18 years." Cath smirked as she said the last bit and punched me in the arm, lightly.

"I don't know, Cath. There's just something intimidating about having a spotlight on you and being the center of attention. Too much pressure..."

Don't get me wrong. Being able to make a living out of just having fun and playing music sounds a lot better than staying in little old Stillsbury and managing employees that were sometimes a little too lazy to be favoured. But it just wasn't for me. Stage fright was a dream killer, and shall forever be.

"As fun as this was, I'm still really tired so I'm gonna go to bed." I stood up and waved at the two of them as they called 'good night's. Really, I was going to stay up on my phone and watch Netflix until 2:00 AM, but I wouldn't tell them that.

I shut the locker door and started making my way down the crowded hall to my Intermediate Guitar class. People tried to make a path for me, because otherwise I would ram right into them and no one wanted to get knocked down in a hall this crowded unless they wanted to get trampled.

Once I got to the west wing, where my class was located, most of the crowd had dissipated and I had a clear path to where I needed to go. Until some son-of-a-gun shoved into me from behind and almost floored me.

"Watch it, idiot." I snapped at the guy who turned around to yell sorry and kept running until he turned in to AP Music Theory. I scowled and kept walking.

When I got in the class, it seemed that everyone had already taken their seats. But since there was no teacher there I took my merry old time grabbing a chair and taking it to the back of class.

As I was setting up, I heard a girl in the row ahead of me singing and a guy next to her strumming along to a song. The guy had dark brown hair gelled upwards and was wearing a leather jacket. The girl had curled brown hair with blonde highlights and had a blue floral top on. She had a really nice voice. But the thing that really made me notice them was the song the girl was singing.

"Backseat serenade, dizzy hurricane. Oh, god I'm sick of sleeping alone." she sang like no one was watching but in reality she had attracted the two of them the attention of the whole class. You could tell she was into it as she was nodding her head and tapping her foot to the beat of the guy's guitar, the whole thing was kinda beautiful.

They were playing Kay's favorite song. God, that hurt. I tried not to think about her too much and this was why. The sound of her yelling my name right before I hit that 18-wheeler came rushing to my head. I closed my eyes and tried to think of something else. Something happy. Any other memory than that.

"Sorry I'm late!" a voice called from the front and everyone, including the girl and guy, turned their attention to Ms. Belle. Ha, saved by Ms. Belle. Funny. "Alright, everyone grabbed their guitars? Good. Let's start with easy chording. G, D, Em, C... 1, 2, 3, go!"

We played the pattern 8 times, until everyone had gotten the hang of it. So much for intermediate level, these people were sloppy. Only that guy in the leather jacket and I got it right away. How sad.

"Alright, congratulations. You just learned how to play every song ever written." Ms. Belle joked. We all laughed. Ms. Belle winked, "No, but seriously guys... I'm going to assign our last project of the year. You can choose to do it in a group of two or alone, it's up to you."

Last project of the year, sweet! Of course I'd do it alone, you know, for obvious reasons. I liked Ms. Belle and she gave good assignments so hopefully I would like this one too.

"I want you to use those four chords to create a mash-up of songs and sing along to them in front of the class." Well sh*t. "Please be creative and I really do recommend working in partners as you need to use at least 5 songs in the mash-up and working in partners will boost your grade up at least 20% I guarantee it."

Ha. I don't need to boost up my mark by anything so long as I don't fail, and I'm doing pretty damn good in this class... oh crap but singing alone in front of a group of people? Could I really do that?

You see, I was at a crossroads here. It was either go alone and not have to deal with another person but have to sing alone in front of 30-some people, or deal with another person so that I won't have to sing in front of them all alone.

As much as I disliked every person in this place, I knew my discomfort of the spotlight would overshadow anything else. When Ms. Belle told us to start pairing up so we could start searching up songs, I was the first to walk up to the guy in the leather jacket. When he saw me in front of him, he looked surprised. I guess he knew that I didn't exactly like people.

"Hey." I started, lamely. Ugh, how awkward could I get? "If you don't have a partner, wanna be mine?" I just had to get straight to the point so I wouldn't be even more awkward.

The look of disbelief in his eyes made me think he was going to reject me. I was about to tell him to forget it when he beat me to it.

"Yeah, sure. We can be partners." He smiled at me and reached his arm over the guitar for me to shake it. "I'm Derek, you're Adam right?"

"Yeah, that's me." I smirked and shook his hand. When I shook his hand, there was a warm feeling in my chest. Relief, that I wouldn't have to go through the torture of singing alone. "You're pretty good compared to these losers. You been playing long?" I took a chair and slid it behind me so I could talk to him without having to stand up the whole time. Derek scratched the back of his neck and laughed uncomfortably.

"Actually, I've been playing for about two weeks. I'm not that good, really." His modesty was his weakness, apparently. I wouldn't have admitted it at the time, but I honestly thought he was a little better than me. Just a little, but still.

"Are you kidding me, man? The reason I picked you as a possible partner wasn't for your looks. You're probably the best guitarist in here... aside from me of course." Derek laughed at me and shrugged it off but I could tell I'd just boosted his ego by probably 82%.

We got to work after that. We just kind of looked stuff up on our phones and before I knew it, Derek had found a series of videos on YouTube that featured a bunch of songs with those four chords. He and I watched a couple and debated what songs to use from them and agreed on four.

1. The Scientist- Coldplay

2. Beautiful Girls- Sean Kingston

3. Drive By- Train

4. What's My Age Again- Blink-182

At one point, I told Derek how I felt about the whole performing in front of the class situation.

"I really hate singing in front of people. I couldn't even sing in front of my parents for the longest time. I don't know if I'll be able to do this."

Derek looked like he was thinking something over after I said this. When suddenly he got this big grin on his face.

"I've got an idea. Follow me." He started towards the front of the room, where Ms. Belle's desk was and I followed, confused but curious. When we approached, Ms. Belle looked up at us expectantly.

"Can I help you two boys with anything?" she asked, trying to hide the surprise on her face that I actually had a partner.

"Yeah, Ms. Belle I had a question about the groups." Derek started and I was a little confused. "If we had one more person in our group, could they be the only person that sings?"

Oh my god please say yes, please say yes.

"... Yes, I suppose so. However, if they're in a group already Mr. Simmons, I'm afraid the answer will be no." Derek laughed when she said that.

"Oh believe me. No one wants to pair up with this person. She sucks at guitar." He thanked our teacher and walked over to a person I didn't expect to see without a partner.

The girl in the floral top.

"Hey Jade, wanna join our group?" The girl looked surprised for Derek to offer the partnership but she looked more relieved than anything.

"Yes! Thank god you offered. I might've had to do the project alone and not only lose the bonus points, as you know playing guitar in front of people is not really my thing. Phew!" She wiped fake sweat from her forehead and finally looked at me. "Who's this?"

"This is Adam." Derek turned to me. "Adam, this is my sister, Jade."

"Your sister?" I asked, furrowing my eyebrows. "Aren't you two the same age?"

They both laughed and looked at each other. I frowned, I was pretty sure there was nothing funny about my question.

After she'd controlled her laughter, Jade spoke up. "Sorry..." she started, stifling a giggle, "I was adopted by Derek's family when we were both 2 years old. I'm three months younger than him. I don't even remember anything about my biological family, so his family has been the only family I've had, really. It's not a big deal." She shrugged, smiling. I secretly understood. I had been adopted by Cathy and Mel when I was 4, though I did vaguely remember what my biological mum's voice sounded like, I wouldn't have recognized her if I passed her on the street.

"Sooooo little sis," Jade glared at Derek as he began, "What songs did you find to use?"

Jade blushed. "Actually, I didn't find any... But only because I have 'I Won't Tell a Soul' stuck in my head!" she added the last part as if it would help her in the situation.

Derek scoffed at her, shaking his head. "That's what happens when you listen to a song and sing it around the house non-stop. Seriously, woman, I have never even heard the song and I know the chorus off by heart because of you." Jade punched him in the shoulder.

"I do not sing it non-stop, and don't call me woman! Adam, don't believe anything he says about me, okay?" I almost laughed at the two of them, being typical siblings. Sometimes I really had wished for a sibling, however, after hearing the horror stories of having five brothers and a sister from Sam, the idea lost it's appeal.

We chatted for a bit, most of it was Jade, and we basically got nothing done for the rest of class. Before I knew it, class was over. Jade waved to me as she left, with Derek in tow. I nodded in acknowledgement, my expression the same as usual, indifferent. Because we talked in class didn't automatically make us friends. In the corner of my eye I could tell that her smile had faded a fraction but she turned around before I could see anything else. Gathering my things, I headed into the hall.

My next class was Music Technology, three doors down from Guitar. Although I liked music, I wouldn't say writing songs and putting them on computers was my favorite thing to do. Though I found the class dull, I managed to make some progress on my song I had written.

The program they had us working with had digital instruments of our choosing to follow along with our songs written on digital sheet music. I'd started working on the drum pattern recently and finally managed to finish it by the time lunch rolled around. I was pretty proud with my work, now all I had to incorporate in the recording was some bass guitar, which would be the simplest of all. After I logged out of my computer, I grabbed my things once again and went to my locker so I could grab some cash and head to cafeteria.

It didn't take long for me to find Sam. The big crowd of short skirts and high ponytails were hard to miss. That's right ladies and gentlemen, Sam especially liked cheerleaders and they all knew it. When I looked over I couldn't help but notice one girl with black hair was nibbling on his ear while another with bleach blonde hair was sucking on his neck. I tried not to gag.

Cutting through his adoring fans, I grabbed his wrist and dragged him to our usual table, much to the girls' dismay.

"Aw, c'mon man. It was just getting good. You know, you have the worst timing when it comes to interrupting my lunch-time activities." Sam pouted and I wanted to punch him in the face.

"You're just lucky I grabbed you before Blondie gave you a hickey, imagine how red Mrs. Finch's face would turn next period once she saw that. I swear that lady would be a nun if she wasn't married." Sam shut up after that comment from me.

Once we sat down I fixed him a look. "Not that I think anyone would dare sit here, but guard the table while I go get a sandwich." As soon as I turned around, a nerdy kid bumped into me.

Seriously, what is it with people running into me today?

One glare from me and the kid scurried off. Taking a deep breath, I continued my trek toward the line for food. When I got to the back of the line, I realized that I had the displeasure of standing behind the gossip queen, Jenna Peters and her sidekick Alice Harrison.

"Did you hear that Drew and Abigail are getting back together for the THIRD time?!" Jenna began excitedly, as if she just heard they were giving out free Dairy Queen ice cream cakes instead of just hearing some new 'juicy' gossip. Alice looked appalled.

"Seriously? He's back with that beyotch? What the hell is that all about?" She had this ugly look on her face that even a mother couldn't love.

"Who knows?! But either way it's gonna be all over the school by the end of lunch." Jenna winked at her friend as they both grabbed yogurts parfaits, Jenna paying for them both. I grabbed an egg salad sandwich, chocolate milk, pudding and an oatmeal cookie and payed for them with a $10 bill. Once I got my change, which was barely anything, I turned and made my way back to the table only to find that Sam had failed in his duty of guarding the table. In fact, he failed so terribly that not one, nor two but four people had populated the once vacant seats. That left only one seat for yours truly.

Of course, you could guess, two of the four people were none other than Derek and Jade Simmons. Both gave me practically identical grins when I arrived. Talk about family resemblance. Sam looked up at me and shrugged, like what he did was okay and I didn't mind these people sitting other two were strangers. One girl with long auburn hair and a guy with blonde hair in a freaking Justin Bieber haircut.

Well really, only the girl was a complete stranger, seeing as the guy was the person I hated most of all. Jason had his classic lazy grin on his face and a mischievous glint in his eyes. His arm had been slung across Jade's shoulders until she turned upon seeing me. He almost fell over in his seat and I would've laughed if I wasn't annoyed with the fact that they were all here.

"Heyyy Adam... you don't mind that we sat here, right?" Jade laughed, nervously. She tucked a strand of brown hair behind her ear. "It's just that-"

"I invited them to sit here. They said they were your new friends." Sam interrupted enthusiastically as though he was proud of me for making friends, which I didn't think I had. My eyes flicked between the two of their faces, both sharing the same look of 'pretty please with a cherry on top'.

I sighed, giving in. I sat in the only open seat, across from Sam and next to Jade and Jason. Was he her boyfriend? I didn't know. Inspecting the cuddly way they were around each other I assumed as much.

"Oh, how rude of me. Adam, I'd like to introduce you to my boyfriend Jason and my best friend Audrey." Jade pointed to the two of them as she said their names

The girl in question looked up from her nails, that she was painting black, upon hearing her name. "Huh? Oh, sorry. You're Adam. Nice to meet ya." She had a warm smile that made her instantly likeable and pretty hazel eyes. I nodded at her with a small, believe it or not, genuine smile that lasted maybe a second before she looked back down at her nails.

Jason gave me once-over, as if just noticing me, and smirked. I glared at him. "Nice to meet you."

I narrowed me eyes at him. So he wasn't going to even make it seem like he knew me? Well then.

"Likewise." I unwrapped my egg salad sandwich and I bloody well enjoyed it as Sam and Derek were making conversation about who had a better butt, Bella Murray or Jamie Compton. Apparently to make the argument easier to debate, they both turned to the girls in question, who just so happened to have their backs to the guys.

"Okay, I'll give you that Bella's is rounder but it's not quite as big as Jamie's." Sam argued "Man, I would know. I tapped that."

Derek winced. "Ew, don't bring an image to my head, that's just gross. Is it true that you've had sex with every girl at this school?" He tossed a few glances at the girls at the table who weren't paying attention. One of them being his sister, I understood his concern.

Sam laughed and patted Derek on the shoulder. "Don't worry, buddy. I didn't do it with your sister or your girlfriend."

Derek turned flustered as he tried to explain that Audrey wasn't his girlfriend but Sam ignored him and started trying to talk to Audrey. She ignored him mostly, blowing on her nails to dry them but she let out the occasional one-word response like 'okay' and 'mmhm'. I was starting to like that girl.

By the time lunch ended somehow everyone had exchanged numbers (save for Jason, to whom I gave a 555 number). I was pretty sure it was Jade's idea, based on the way she wanted us all to be 'best friends'.

Classes flew by afterward and before I knew it I was home. By myself.

I headed into my room and turned on the radio, amusing myself by playing along to every song I could on guitar. I did that for a good half hour when I suddenly heard Back in Black come blasting from my phone.

"What is it, Sam?" I answered the phone, annoyed.

"Yo A, you need to come with me to this party tonight. You'll never guess who's hosting it." I could hear his smile through the phone.

"Dude, I don't even care. House parties are stupid. It's crowded and noisy, everybody gets drunk, people do it in every unoccupied room and sometimes there isn't even food." I'd only gone to one house party and that was because Sam dragged me along so he could get with the only cheerleader he hadn't been with, Alyssa White. In the time that it took for him to get back to me, I'd taken down a football player for trying to force a girl to make out with him and been vomited on by some freshman girl with red hair and braces.

"Oh but buddy, this is no house party. This is Priscilla Rose's 18th birthday party. She's having it at a club and there's gonna be an open bar with free booze! I heard she's gonna bring in at least 10 food trucks to serve all the guests and it's free too. I was talking to her earlier after school and she gave me six invitations, one for every member of our lunch table, including YOU." Priscilla Rose was a co-head cheerleader and had the richest family in the whole city. Turns out, her father bought quite a big share of Apple before it got huge. So of course, Pri got spoiled.

Although it sounded extravagant and would probably be fun, the fact that practically everyone there would be from school weighed on my decision. Did I really wanna see all those people I saw almost everyday grinding all over each other on the dance floor? Also, it wouldn't be safe to go to the bathroom in there, because that would be a total hook-up spot. Not to mention even though it wasn't at a house, the usual drama would occur, like people cheating on each other or complete strangers sneaking off together (probably to the nearest hotel).

"Nah, I'm good. Y'all can have fun without me." I decided.

"Come on, Adam. I know parties aren't typically your scene but this-"

"Sam. I said no." I interrupted before he could try to convince me again. "You'll have fun with the others, it's not like I have a special contribution to the group."

"But Adam, you're my best friend. I can't be goin' to parties without my bestie around, it's not as fun." He sounded like a freaking 12-year-old girl.

"Sam. I'm not going. Tell me about it tomorrow if that'll make you feel better, okay?"

He sighed, heavily. "... Okay. But I'm not gonna leave out one detail and by the time I'm done you'll feel like you were actually there, so will Derek!"

My heart nearly froze in my chest. "Wait... Derek isn't going?"

"Nope." Sam sounded even more upset than before. "Seriously, you guys are sticking me with Jason and the two girls. Not that I don't like the girls but seriously that Jason dude gives me bad vibes. I don't like him."

Knowing that Derek wasn't gonna be there made me a little worried. I didn't trust that Jason would look out for the girls, regardless if one was his girlfriend. I knew him a little better than that.

Even though all I wanted to do was just lay in bed, I couldn't help but imagine innocent little Jade or Audrey getting cornered in the club by Seamus McClain, the biggest scumbag ever who had many charges of sexual harassment to his name, all because Jason was being his irresponsible self.

"Ugh, what the hell..." I murmured before saying, "What time are you picking me up?"

We all met in the parking lot in front of Taboo, the club where Priscilla Rose's highly anticipated birthday party was being held. Jason's stark white BMW was easily spotted among the rows upon rows of darker and more vibrant vehicles. Jade, Audrey, and Jason were the only ones waiting outside the club. They didn't look like they'd been there for long, however Sam had insisted on being fifteen minutes 'fashionably late' to the party.

Before we even stepped in, I could hear the music blasting through the glass doors. Thank god I had remembered to dress up a little because I certainly hadn't been the only one. Both Jade and Audrey wore colorful dresses, the only difference between them was that Jade had gems covering hers from her waist up and Audrey's had a high, collared neckline and lacy sleeves. Both Sam and Jason had wore sports jackets, dress shirts and ties. I was wearing the same.

You see, people in this town were almost all rich, save for the handful of middle class families like mine. So when the rich people had parties (rich people were literally the only ones that threw parties) it was not socially accepted nor even tolerated to go under-dressed. Invitation, or not, you'd get thrown out.

Once we walked in it felt like we were in a movie. The song had just hit it's chorus and we were all standing at the top of a staircase all by ourselves in front of a huge dance floor. Some people turned to look at us, before going back to dancing. I could feel the bass of the song vibrating in my chest.

"Wooo!" Jade was dancing around Audrey, who was laughing at her friend's antics. "This is my party song! I love this already!" We all started to make our way down the stairs, heading straight towards the bar. Finding an open spot to fit all of us was difficult at first, until this one big group left and we all pounced. Both Jason and Sam ordered alcoholic drinks, while the ladies and I stuck to sodas.

"Come on, guys. Let's dance." Audrey said, grabbing my hand and Sam's, leaving Jade to drag Jason along. Somehow, we shoved through enough people to get to an open spot in the middle of the dance floor.

I had to admit, it was fun. When Sam and Audrey had a twerking competition and Audrey kicked his sorry ass, it got even more fun. Eventually the girls each had a couple alcoholic drinks (Jade had a little more than a couple) but I still did not have a single one. I'd already been in one accident before and I was going to try not to cause another one.

Hurt panged in my chest as that thought crossed my mind. I winced and had to close my eyes to will the thought away. I was supposed to be here having fun, not thinking about-

Nope. Nope Nope, Adam don't do it. Don't think about her, it'll just ruin your night and you won't enjoy yourself. Stop it.

But it was hard to. I kept having little flashbacks of that night a year ago, sometimes it was hard not to just break down and cry, let people comfort me. But I would never do that.

Burdening people with pity over me was not something I wanted to do. It had taken long enough to get Melanie and Cathy off my back about it. Longer to get my sister; Brittany off the topic. They already had too much stress from working and paying the bills, I couldn't do that to them.

Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I realized that someone had been calling my name.

"Adam!" Audrey waved a hand in front of my face. She looked relieved when I blinked and turned to look at her. "Oh thank goodness. I thought all this loud music might've deafened you."

Her joking smile brought me back to reality. My shoulders relaxed and I took a deep breath.

Her eyebrows furrowed and the smile slowly disappeared. "Hey dude, you okay? You look a little shaken." The concern in her voice made my heart tighten a little. Of course I couldn't tell her what was on my mind. That information was for me only.

"I'm fine" I tried to sound reassuring, though she didn't look convinced. "What's up?"

"Oh, uh, I have to be back by eleven so I have to go. Jason's driving me. He said he'd be back to catch the end of the party and drive Jade home." she said, holding her clutch purse up as evidence.

"Oh okay. Well, I'll see you on Monday then." I offered up a smile when I said it. I don't know how, but this girl was one of the only people I would smile to, as of recently. She returned it and patted me on the shoulder.

"See you then!" she called as she walked away, the crowd seemingly parting for her exit.

More people crowded in at one point and it got so crowded that it felt like everyone was purposely grinding on each other. I spotted Sam nearby doing exactly that with a girl who fit the exact description of tall, dark and mysterious.

When Jade came back after grabbing yet another drink, she was shoved hard by someone from behind and I had to catch her so she wouldn't fall. Unfortunately, in doing so, her high heel clad toe nearly crushed mine.

"Ow!" I yelled out, and she laughed, putting a hand on my shoulder.

"Oops! Sorry, didn't realize you were that close... oh my god." She seemed to sober up for a moment, her face clouding with annoyance. She looked around, as if searching for something... or someone. "Where the hell are Audrey and Jason? Jason was just behind me and Audrey was dancing with Sam!"

"Jade, they were doing that over an hour ago. Didn't Jason tell you? He's driving Audrey home and then he's coming back just before this thing ends." I hadn't exactly pegged her as a heavier drinker but I didn't expect her to get drunk off her ass after a mere three drinks. Now she was on her fifth and I knew it'd be a better idea to cut her off.

Gently removing the cup from her hand, I laid it on the floor where it would probably get knocked over by the feet of multiple dancing teens. Oops.

"No! Jason never tells me anything! Honestly, sometimes I consider nominating him for the Worst Boyfriend of the Year award." Jade slurred out.

Oh, she had no idea just how bad a boyfriend he could be.

"Why are you so drunk?" I arched an eyebrow at her.

"Pffffffft... Adam! It's free booze! You can't let an opportunity like that go to worst, I mean waste." she 'reasoned'.

I guided Jade off the dance floor and sat her on a barstool, taking the one next to her. I ordered her a coffee. At first, she was reluctant in drinking it but after her first sip, the sips kept on coming until she was taking gulps at a time.

"You know, dating a football player is hard when you're known as the girl who spends her spare time singing 'emo songs' in a band with her gay brother." She pouted her lips in thought. "People say mean things, like I'm just a phase and he'll go back to dating popular people like Priscilla Rose and her friends."

"Derek's gay? Huh, go figure... Also, you're in a band?" My eyebrows crept nearer to my hairline.

"Yes and yes. We try to practice when we all have free time. You know, those things on the back of the bar look like little flowers... or maybe little suns..." She trailed off as she gazed at the wall in pure concentration. I was on the verge of laughing at her when my phone started to ring.

Audrey

Surprised, I answered and brought the phone to my ear. "Hello?"

I heard crying on her end. "Adam? Hey c-could y-you come p-pick m-me up right now? Please?"

"Audrey? What's the matter? Are you okay?" My heart clenched in my chest and I knew something bad had happened.

"Jason-" A sob escaped her lips. Thinking about whatever had happened clearly made her more upset. "I'll explain w-when you get here, okay? I'm a-at the Walmart in Cleary Village." She sniffled over the phone.

"I'll be there as soon as I can." I hung up.

Shoving through the crowd, I grabbed Sam and dragged him to the bar where Jade was sitting, pleasantly sipping her hot coffee.

"Dude, what the-" Same began, furiously but I interrupted.

"I need your car keys. Watch over Jade while I'm gone. Audrey's in trouble." Sam had the car keys in his hand in a flash. I grabbed them, ran up the steps and sprinted through the parking lot to Sam's car.

After wrenching the car door open, it wasn't long until I was speeding down the nearly empty road at illegal speeds.

Multiple horns honked at me as I sped into the Walmart parking lot. My heart was racing. This had been, in fact, the first time since the accident that I'd actually driven a car. Taking deep breaths as I went along, I ignored the loud honking and occasional cursing and managed to pull into a parking spot without scratching up Sam's dark red convertible.

I turned the ignition and the motor ceased it's humming. After locking the car, I speed-walked toward the bright light shining through the parking lot behind the automatic doors.

Once inside, I looked around for Audrey's dark hair and bright dress, and there she was; sitting with a young teenage girl who looked no more than thirteen. She was talking animatedly and Audrey was nodding in as if consideration, but you could tell she was a little uncomfortable. As I approached, I over heard a bit of the (one-sided) conversation.

"I don't know why you would want to punch him. I mean, if a guy ever did that to me I wouldn't even move, I'd probably let him do his thing. Especially if he's hot." The girl was smirking at Audrey who was slowly turning red and starting to shake.

"Not that it was any of your business to begin with, but I already told you, he's my best friend's boyfriend. I couldn't just let that happen. Especially since I've only tolerated him for that specific reason and that tolerance has been at a bare minimum for as long as they've been together." Her stern tone made the girl falter and before the poor thing could think of something to save her stupid self, Audrey noticed me.

The harsh glare in her eye changed to a softer look as she gave a smile. I did not return it because I had gotten my first real look at the state she was in. I felt my face go white.

Her cheeks were stained with tears and eye makeup. Above Audrey's eye was swollen and it looked like she was having difficulty keeping it open. Her knuckles on her right hand were bloodied and the blood that had been dripping from there was smeared all along the back of her hand. Noticing my look, she looked down sheepishly at her hand and covered it with her left.

"Come on. I'll take you home." My firm tone made her look up before gathering her things and getting up, without a single glance to the confused young thing next to her.

Side by side, we walked into the parking lot and to Sam's convertible. The walk was silent. I kept shooting her sideways glances to make sure she wasn't going to suddenly start bawling. But she looked strong and steady. Ridiculously steady considering she looked pretty beat up. I had to admit I was impressed.

When we both hopped in, I turned the keys in the ignition and rolled up the car roof. It was a mere 41 degrees tonight and I couldn't ignore the chill in the air anymore. Also, Audrey had been rubbing her arms as we'd been walking.

As we made it onto the main road, I broke the silence. "What happened?" The curiosity had been damn near killing me but I had wanted to wait until we were in private to ask. We locked eyes for a moment before I looked back to the road and she sighed shakily.

"You know how Jason was driving me home? Well when we were driving, he passed my house. When I asked him why h-he didn't stop he told me that he need to make a s-stop and he wanted me to come with him." Her voice shook with tears of anger and she went on, her tone bitter. "We're not exactly best buds so you could see why I didn't understand why he'd want to bring me along."

Wiping at her eyes, wincing when she touched the swollen one she took a deep breath before continuing. I felt bad that I had even asked her. She was clearly a lot more upset than she'd been letting on.

"Anyways, h-he pulled up next to this club on Queen street and dragged me in with him. I'm not even sure why the bouncer let us in because we're both only 18. But y-yeah, when we got in there he pulled me into this back room with him. I guess it was a storage room or s-something." I didn't like the way this story was going but said nothing and let her continue.

"S-suddenly he was on top of me. I th-thought maybe he'd fell on me or something... until he started kissing my n-neck." She paused for a moment to calm down a little before she upset herself more. My knuckles had turned white from squeezing the steering wheel. All I could think of were ways of murdering that son of a gun.

"Ugh, I w-was so pissed I punched him right in the nose... four times."

I couldn't help it.

I burst out laughing right there because I had imagined it in my head and it was hilarious. Seeing him clutch his nose in pain in my mind's eye was so funny I'd thought I might piss myself laughing.

Audrey laughed a little bit as well before it faded and her face turned somber once again.

"But then he hit me back. Definitely harder than I'd hit him. He knocked me to the ground and kicked me before someone came in after hearing me yell." There was no trace of laughter left on either of our faces after that statement. "Two guys who looked like giants came to my rescue. Jason wasn't exactly a pretty sight once they let loose on him. I managed to get out of there and run to the closest public place; the Walmart. Then I called you. You know the rest." She turned to me and gave me a steady look with the end of her story.

"Damn. You're one tough cookie." I gave her a sideways glance. "Hate to imagine getting in a fight with you, physical or not." A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

I'm not sure why I felt the need to make her feel better. I guess it's just human nature to not want someone to be sad. Save for when you just straight up hate somebody and have no regard for their feelings (cough cough).

When I pulled up to her house and she hopped out of the car, I rolled down the window and called her name before she could get too far. When she came back she stuck her head in the window a bit.

"What is it? Make it quick, I'm freezin'." Her teeth chattered a bit as to prove her point.

"Are you going to tell Jade?" The answer was touchy, because telling her was the right thing to do, however telling her would also probably hurt her. Audrey's mouth pressed into a firm line before nodding.

"I have to." She cracked a small smile. "I'll see ya tomorrow."

With that, she was gone. I waited until she got inside to drive away.

I knew I had to go back to the club, though I didn't really want to face the awkward three that would be waiting for me when I got there.

Sam looked quite relieved when I got back to the bar. Jade had taken it upon herself to play with his hair. I could tell he was annoyed but keeping it at bay for the poor drunk girl.

"Get this woman away from me! I wouldn't have minded so much if she'd just given me sex hair! But it feels like she matted it!" He yelled dramatically, causing Jade to giggle.

After starting to fake cry, Sam rushed to what I presumed was the bathroom.

"No Sam, don't cry! I didn't mean to kill the potato!" Jade called after him, her eyes filling with tears. "Oh, Adam I've really done it this time. I killed Sam's potato friend, all for my own selfish needs."

Oh no I don't think so, I thought. No more crying females, I've had enough tonight to last me at least two years!

"No... Jade it's okay." I placed my hands on her shoulders, awkwardly, trying to offer comfort. Her big brown eyes, glistening with tears looked up at me. "He's not crying about your potato, he's crying because Audrey left and he has a big crush on her."

She blinked the tears out of her eyes in shock.

"He WHAT?!" Her shriek pierced through the air and a couple people turned to look at us until I shot them glares to mind their damn business.

A big grin manifested on her face. "Oh my goodness, Sam likes my little Audrey? Oh this is so perfect Adam. I can plan the wedding and you and I can be best man and maid of honor and you can help me buy flowers and..." She went on about how they'd be 'such a cute couple' and mentioned something about 'shipping them all along', which I didn't really understand.

It was satisfying to know the lie had worked. Hopefully she would forget I'd said anything by morning so Sam wouldn't strangle me.

Once he came back, Jade found herself giggling uncontrollably and making not-so-subtle gestures to him while puckering her lips. He kept looking at me for answers while I kept a poker face and shrugged.

Jason didn't make an appearance for the rest of the night, much to Jade's dismay and my disappointment.

"He left me." She pouted and I couldn't help but pity her for being stuck with that idiot.

"Jade, he's just a loser who doesn't deserve you. I wouldn't worry if he left." I tried to reassure her but she shook her head.

"No way. Whatever he lacks in personality, he makes up with looks." Her voice was miserable in her statement. "I think I don't deserve him. He's far too handsome." Now there was a word I didn't hear from a teenager very often.

I just shook my head and said nothing, turning and ordering my first alcoholic drink of the night; Corona with lime.

The last hour of the night was kind of a blur, and ended with me driving both of my remaining companions home, sweating like a pig the whole way.

"Adam, let me drive. I'm good. I only had like... 1 drink every time I got laid." Sam insisted groggily while reaching for the wheel. I slapped his hand away, though I did secretly appreciate his concern. Jade was blubbering in the back about how she didn't like that her feet weren't the same size.

Once arriving at her house, it was a group effort to get Jade into her house without waking her parents. The stairs were the most difficult part, but once we removed her 5-inch heels it got easier.

"You guys are the best." She sounded grateful but with a hint of sarcasm so it was kinda hard to tell if she was being serious.

"You know it baby... Agh, why are you so heavy?! You're like, five-foot-two!" Sam grunted under her weight. After a swift smack to his head, he shut up though.

Derek appeared in the doorway soon after we conquered the stairs. He thanked us, me specifically though, as Sam was puking in their flower pot.

"Big brother! Hello!" Jade shrieked. "You missed a really good time!"

She looked around, before whispering way too loud, "Psst, plus, I learned that Sam is crushing on Audrey."

Luckily, Sam couldn't hear over his dry-heaving. Just listening to him was making me nauseous so I refrained from looking at him.

Derek chuckled before patting Jade's head. "I'm glad you had a good time. Now, come on, let's get you to bed. I'll help you get some jammies on." Her eyes widened like a four-year-old's would and nodded.

After waving goodbye, I dragged the now relieved Sam to his car. It took five minutes to get to his house and five tries for him to unlock his front door.

Leaving the car there, I began walking toward my house. Oddly enough, although Stillsbury was small, I lived on the opposite end to Sam. The walk was going to take probably 50 minutes.

I was ready to collapse once I finally got home. The walk had taken its toll on me and the dramatic events of the night had certainly helped to tire me out.

"Melanie? Cathy?" I called in the doorway, but there was no response. With a sigh, I entered and threw my jacket on the kitchen chair.

I opened their bedroom door, and there were my mothers; sound asleep next to each other in bed. Cathy was still in her waitress outfit. With a sad smile I went into my bedroom and tugged off my shirt and tie, throwing them on the floor somewhere near my stereo.

I wasn't even sure if my head had hit the pillow before I was out.

It all started when Sam and I walked in the cafeteria.

It was like that typical movie scene, where the teenage heroine walks in the room and it goes silent, everyone staring at her and snickering.

And we all know the reason for the hush is never a good one.

Of course, unlike in those movies, people didn't stare or snicker. They snuck small glances and whispered before going silent and staring at their hands.

"Okayyyy then..." Sam muttered next to me.

"Can I help you?" I yelled across the room, and some people flinched, quickly looking away. I scoffed and clucked my tongue, annoyed. After buying a slice of pizza and chocolate milk, I made my way over to our table. Occupied by our favourite people.

Today, however, the group was not as cheery as usual. Everyone looked as royally pissed off as Ifelt, actually.

BothAudrey and Jade looked like they wanted to murder everyone in the room, both equally red in the face, though Audrey seemed to be trying to distract herself by reading a book. Derek was looking at his sandwich disappointedly, as if it had just told him that it'd gotten another sandwich pregnant out of wedlock. Jason looked amused, which was never a good sign. But he was beaten to a pulp, so that was something for me to be amused about.

No one noticed when we sat down and Sam had to say, "Nice to see you guys, too."

Still no reaction.

An annoyed growl sounded in the silence, and every eye turned to see Jenna Peters approach us, her high heels click-clacking against the tile floor

I should have known by the crazy sparkle in her eye that she was up to no good.

"Ah, Jenny, I knew you'd come back to me after last night." Sam came on with a grin. Jenna scrunched up her nose in disgust at him and her eyes narrowed.

"Ew, no. Don't call me Jenny. I came over to set the story straight." She eyes came over to me as I looked inquisitively at the girl. "Did you, or did you not try to hook up with Audrey last night?"

My eyes widened.

Audrey (who was still reading) and Jade's faces turned into tomatoes.

He Who Shall Not Be Named was suppressing laughter.

Derek looked dead inside, dropping his sandwich.

Sam looked like he was jealous.

"Excuse me?!" I practically roared and she faltered a bit in her stance. My voice echoed and almost all food-consumption noises stopped.

"Honey, you'd better walk away right now." Jade's voice took me by surprise. Her usual cheery tone was replaced by a low, menacing voice. Audrey, not looking away from her page, patted her seething friend on the arm reassuringly. Her eyes were glowing from her hellfire anger.

She was kind of freaking me out.

"Pardon me, beyotch?" Jenna exclaimed incredulously. Her hands went to her hips as she stuck one of them out in a show of attitude.

Jade took a deep breath and stood up, "I said to walk away." It seemed her breath had not calmed but in fact stoked her anger.

Their eyes met and Jenna finally seemed to notice that same hellfire I'd seen. Jenna's eyes squinted and they met in a glare war.

I sat there like an idiot, my head going back and forth like I was watching a game of ping-pong.

I spoke up, before the two of them could start throwing punches. "You heard the lady... Leave." I lowered my voice to emphasize the word 'leave'.

Jenna snorted, huffed dramatically and stomped her foot before grabbing Alice and going wheewheewheewheewheewheewhee all the way home (well, to their lockers really).

After yet another agonizingly long moment of silence, the crowd finally got back to their own business and the normal chatter returned to the air. Jade sat down, trying to hide a proud smile.

I pinched in between my eyebrows, sighing. "Someone please explain to me what the hell she was talking about."

"People have been saying they saw you leaving with Audrey last night, apparently looking pretty cozy." Derek frowned. "But Audrey wasn't even with you guys last night when you dropped Jade off... In fact, neither was Jason..." The look he gave Jason was like Superman's laser-vision. Apparently it was a trait that ran in the family. He was angry that Jason had left without his sister, which was a jerk move.

Jason shrugged, "I was the one who drove Audrey home last night, isn't that right Audrey?"

For the first time since I'd gotten there, Audrey looked up from her book. She stared at Jason in surprise. The asshat smirk on his face, somewhat twisted from his bruises.

"Actually, no. Remember? You offered but I'd already arranged with Adam to drive me home."

Jade and Audrey were polar opposites when angry. Jade was like a wildfire, blazing and ready to erupt, while Audrey was a stone cold bitch.

"I don't know how I could forget last night," He winked at her and I almost threw up. "Are you sure it wasn't-"

"Shut up, dilweed. I think she'd remember who drove her home." I rolled my eyes at him. "I did. Let's move on."

"Oy!" Jade broke in. "Let's stop the bickering. I've already used up my daily dose of rage today."

"Besides, I wanna talk about our project." she continued "Are we sure Ms. Belle's okay with me basically not playing at all and singing instead?"

"Yes, sister." Derek insisted, annoyedly. "We specifically asked that when we asked for you to be in our group."

"Well, it's just that I don't think she likes me very much." Jade shrugged, looking ashamed of herself. "Usually, adults like me! But there's always a select few that hate my guts and I think she may be one of them."

"Wait a second... Oh crap." I looked to Derek, after taking a moment to think about it. "We didn't negotiate that she wouldn't play. We only said she'd be the only one singing."

"Awww man! I knew it was too good to be true!" Jade pouted, resting her head on her boyfriend's shoulder.

Jason wrapped his arms around her and tried to act reassuring. "Well, hey. Maybe they won't notice you over Adam and Derek's playing. You could always fake it. I mean- why bother playing at all when we all know- "

She broke away from the embrace and punched his (probably already sore) arm.

"Jerk."

Sunday April 5th, 2015. 10:51 am.

"Come on, Adam! Service starts in 9 minutes!" Brittany cried from the car window as I rushed down the stairs from our home. "If you make us late, I might sneak some chocolate onto your seat on the way home!"

I ran to the other side and swung open the door, hopping in as quick as I could.

Panting, I said. "I'm starting to think I didn't miss you all that much in Michigan."

My sister gave her famous eye-roll, smoothing out her pale yellow sundress. "Gee, I love you too, Adam."

"Y'all buckled up?" Mel asked and as soon as we nodded, she stepped on it.

If you couldn't already tell, we were on our way to church on that fine Sunday morning. Also, if you're still wondering why my sister suddenly came home, it was Easter.

Lucky for us, we were 5 minutes away from the church and we still had approximately 8 minutes to get there.

Britt was bouncing her leg up and down in anticipation of our arrival. Not only did she have anxiety over being late, but we would probably get the same 'warm welcome' we normally got when going to church.

I took her hand to try and reassure her, but I too was not looking forward to church that morning.

Once we pulled into the parking lot, I noticed we were not the only last-minute arrivals.

"Okay, kids." Cathy began, and I already knew what she would say. "You guys will go in first. Then we'll follow after a minute or two... Got it?" Brittany and I nodded, then hopped out of the car.

We began walking up the steps.

Once we opened the doors, most eyes turned on us. Amongst them, I noticed Jade and Derek and they smiled and waved, but were obviously confused by the sudden group interest of my sister and I.

The church wasn't all that big, after all we didn't have too many people to fill it in Stillsbury. There were about 17 pews on either side of the church, including the ones in the balcony area, and a good sized space to walk in the middle. The stained glass window panes glistened with the morning sunlight and the large cross at the front.

Some on-lookers started to whisper to the person beside them when they noticed we were the Robertson kids. Brittany looped her arm in mine as we started to walk to our normal pew, to the left and fourth from the front.

"Man, there are just some things I don't miss about ol' Stillsbury." Britt mumbled and I hummed in agreement.

Per normal, we kept our expressions unchanged and happy, it was Easter after all, carrying on until we sat down and waited for our mothers to arrive. Jade was still looking over curiously in her pink Easter dress, probably wondering who the girl I was sitting with was. My eyes met hers for a second before I broke eye contact.

Our parents had arrived.

When Cath and Mel walked in, the whole room went silent. Holding hands, Melanie slightly led Cathy and they both were blatantly ignoring the crowd gawking and hissing at them.

Our normal Sunday routine.

Father Jakobs, one of the holy men who lived a couple streets away from us, met them near the doors and escorted our mums to where we were sitting.

"I do apologize on the crowd's behalf. They should know it's not their place to judge the lifestyles of others. 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.' " The priest shook his head and kissed their hands. He looked to the front and saw Father Neill tapping his foot uncontrollably and glaring slightly in his cohort's direction. "I'd better mosey on up and play the organ before Father Neill gets too impatient with me."

Cathy smiled, "Thank you for being so accepting, Father.", and he took his leave.

Once the service started, the crowd finally seemed to calm down. Jade still seemed confused and upset by their outrage and kept glancing at me for answers.

I tried to give her a small smile as to say, I'll tell you after. Father Neillgreeted us and asked the crowd to stand to join him in song.

Once the service was over, there was a gathering in the basement of the church. Mostly the older folks stayed, and the line up for sweets and sandwiches was nearly out the door. Although it might have been nice to stay, I knew some people would be uncomfortable and besides, our family was having our own barbecue at our place. Sam and his family were invited as well.

Melanie dug in her purse for the car keys. "I'm going to walk and bring the car 'round. It was a little harder to find a spot this time since we came later than normal." Pointed glare from Brittany. "Anybody wanna come with for the walk?"

Surprisingly, everyone wanted to walk but me; the only one not wearing heels.

"We'll be back in a sec, honey." Cathy called as they all went out.