I snickered at Aria who bumped her butt into my hip. We were hiding in the library while the boys had practice.

I mimicked her and jumped when she smacked my butt.

"This ass needs to be shown!" She exclaimed. I furrowed my brow and held my cheeks protectively.

"Some time soon there's going to be a party. And maybe you could come!"

I bit my lip in thought, "I don't know..."

"Only if you want to! We could get dressed up, you could tease Augustus a little..."

I bit the tip of my thumbnail to avoid the grin threatening my lips.

"That does sound fun," I muttered. Aria clapped her hands in excitement and tugged me to sit down. I rolled my eyes at her enthusiasm before grabbing my forgotten book as she looked for upcoming parties.

As I read quietly I was lifted and sat in a persons lap. I turned to see Augustus and pecked his lips quickly before curling back into a ball.

I gave a small greeting to Hunter before leaning over as I scrunched up my nose.

I turned back to Auggie, "you smell."

He smirked smally, "missed you too beautiful."
~
I'd just convinced Auggie to come to a party with Hunter, Aria, and I. My main point was if he wasn't there who would watch me?

Of course it didn't take long to persuade him after that. Aria would be coming with my outfit in an hour and that would be where my persuading would have to kick it up a notch.

For now we laid in bed after school. I ran my hand up and down his chest mindlessly and listened to his soft breathing. His hand naughtily cupped my butt before I pushed myself up.

"I've been thinking," I started and watching him crack an eye open. I pushed myself to straddle him and watched him smile smally.

"I told you all about the orphanage a-and my 'parents'." I met his gaze and he stared questioningly.

"But I don't know anything about your parents," I didn't notice him tensing beneath me. "I don't know much about your family other than Lauren and Kace. Like should I meet them? When I meet them would they like me?"

"No," I jumped when he cut me off sharply.

He rubbed a hand down his face before taking a harsh breath. "I don't want you meeting them Esme."

My face fell and I stared at him. Did he not want me meeting his family? I mean I spent plenty of time with his sister and nephew.

"I... I don't understand," I admitted while tilting my head in confusion.

"You wouldn't understand even if I tried to explain it," he grunted as he sat up and moved to get up. I quickly got off of him.

"I could try if you talk about it-"

"No Esme! Just, no. I've gotta go, there's something at the garage I've got to take care of." He gripped his jacket and I watched in shock as he practically couldn't get out of here fast enough.

My lip wobbled and I ran my hand through my hair as I tried to figure out where I went wrong. I must've pushed too much. Auggie doesn't like it when people pry I should've known.

I bit my lip, I couldn't help but think we were closer than that though. Why does he get to know every aspect of my life with a single question and I can't even know his parents?

I quickly picked up my phone.

"Hey Aria," I forced joy into my voice.

"Hey hun, what's up?"

"Well A-Augustus can't make it. Something came up..." I trailed off.

I heard Aria pause. "Are you alright Esme? Did he do something?"

"Of course not," my voice cracked and I cursed my tear ducts for filling.

"I'm gonna come over early, is that alright? We can get ready for the party and you can fill me in. Then we'll go to the party and you'll have fun yea?"

I nodded and quickly agreed.

~

"He's ridiculous," she scoffed as she was straightening my curls.

I met her gaze through the mirror and shrugged.

"I don't know. Some people are more sensitive about their past."

"He doesn't get to treat you like shit because of it." Her final tone made me agree with her as she straightened my baby hairs carefully.

Her long nails scratched my scalp gently before combing out my hair to give it an intentional messy look.

"I guess your right," I smiled at her wearily.

"I'm surprised he left. He knows we're going to a party and no matter how mad he is why would he let you go around a party unprotected?" Aria spoke to herself while handing my lip gloss to finish my simple makeup look. I painted my lips and rolled them.

"I don't know. But I'll be fine either way. I may be naive but I did grow up in an orphanage. Sometimes Auggie forgets that." I pushed myself out of my chair and Aria took a seat to do her own makeup. I played with her hair absently before bringing it into two braids like she wanted. She kept her natural curls and I smoothed her edges down.

I turned to the clothes she brought. I sighed when I saw black jeans and a matching belt. The shirt was red and completely sheer. A red lace bustier top was what I would wear under it.

Now I was almost glad Augustus wasn't here, I'd never be let out the house.

I grabbed the clothes and began getting dressed, uncaring that Aria was in the room.

Once I was dressed Aria exclaimed, "damn!" I felt a hand smack my bottom. I yelped and laughed loudly. She began dressing and I sat on my bed to take in her outfit.

A simple plaid skirt with black stocking dawned her legs and a small white tank top barely fit over her breasts.

I smiled and hugged her quickly. "Thanks for everything," I said earnestly.

"Aw," she cooed and hugged me tightly.

"I've never had many friends, so it means a lot Aria." I promised her before the doorbell rang.

We looked at each other before racing to the door. We laughed as we tried to get in front of each other. I got to the door first and saw Hunter waiting there. I smiled brightly at him and moved out of the way so Aria could give him a kiss.

He smiled into her and they pulled away. A pang in my chest reminded me of Augustus but I pushed it away.

"Where's Bain?"

I sighed and quickly told him he had an emergency at the garage. He raised a brow and looked at my outfit.

He only nodded before gesturing to his car. I smiled at him and grabbed my phone. Hunter patted my back as I waked next to him.

"I'm sure he'll make it to the party," he reassured. I only nodded and hopped into the back while Aria sat next to Hunter in the passenger seat.