The next few days, Kai came over to my house and we worked on our project. He talked and argued less. We managed to figure out what we would like for our base note, middle, and top note for our homemade perfume. It was a weird feeling. I was used to him making dirty, smartass comments every now and then. He seemed to be distracted, almost deep in thoughts. He was here, but his eyes were distant.

On Saturday morning, we put our rose petals into a cheesecloth and placed it inside a bowl. Then we poured the distilled water over the rose petals to soak overnight. This process will hopefully infuse the scents of the rose petals and start the process of making our perfumes.

When night time came, I felt the jitters. I lied to my parents that I'll be sleeping over at Avery's house. They agreed because I've been friends with Avery since elementary school.

I didn't know what to wear. I thought about picking a dress, but I thought that it might be too flashy or too much for the party. So, I picked a plaid black and white skater skirt and a black cropped sweater. I would've worn them with high heel boots, but it felt over the top and not me. So, I picked a pair of white slip on shoes. The hickeys on my neck were healing and almost disappearing, but I still wore my hair down to hide them.

Avery's house is located in the most sub urbanist place in town. Her house was considered huge and grand due to its size from the outside. Inside, it had a large foyer and living room. She even had a private chef. Her dad was a businessman.

When I arrived at the party, Avery noticed me right away. She made her way through the bodies. Loud grinding music thumping in the background. She wrapped one arm around me and leaned close to my ear.

"Oh my god, I can't believe you did it. I almost thought you would chicken out."

I shrugged my shoulders. "Technically, I didn't lie. I told my parents that I would be sleeping over at your house for the weekend. I am here."

"I'm so proud of you," Avery grinned. "We are going to have so much fun."

"There is a lot of people." I looked around me.

"I know! I think the people I invited, invited more people. Half of these people, I don't know." Avery looked me up and down. "You look gorgeous, baby. Dean and Kai are going to go crazy when they look at you."

"Are they here?"

"Kai isn't here, but I think I saw Dean come in about ten minutes ago. I'm not sure where he is." Avery looked around her living room.

Her living room looked fitting for a millionaire's home—with bleached wheat color walls and white trims. The light gold color of lighting fixtures above matches the colors of the wall. It gave a luxurious look. In the middle of the room were white sofas lined up on all four sides in front of the fireplace. A pentagon glass coffee table in the center of the sofas.

People were sitting on the sofas, dancing in the living room, and sipping mixed drinks in plastic red and white cups.

"Come on. Let me get you a drink." Avery took me to the kitchen.

It also held a luxurious almost cathedral feel to it. Beautiful refrigerators with a long island table in the middle. Drinks lined up in perfect lines on the table. Avery maneuvered behind someone and pulled me along. When we reached the table, she looked at the cups until she found what she was looking for before handing it to me.

"Oh, I don't drink. You know that," I reminded her.

"Loosen up. You are going to need it, Tamsin. You have Dean in the house. Possibly Kai too. You'll need to loosen up a little and enjoy the night."

I sighed and glanced at the cup. Debating if drinking was really a good idea. Tomorrow I was going to meet up with Kai again to continue the project. However, I don't think one drink will make a huge difference.

I accepted the cup from Avery before bringing it up to my lips. The first sip was sweet and fruity and then I felt the aftertaste of alcohol. A sneaky sting slid down my tongue and the back of my throat. Avery watched me take a sip.

"Good, eh?"

It wasn't bad to be honest. I took another sip.

"What did you put in here?" I asked her.

"I am not sure. I threw everything into one jug," Avery laughed.

I took another sip, and another sip. And before I knew it, I finished the entire cup. It was delicious. My body felt heavy. My muscles seemed relax. I liked this feeling.

So, I moved to grab another cup from the counter. Avery grabbed the cup from my hands before I could sip again.

"Take it easy, Tam. You got all night. If you continue at this rate, you are going to get drunk faster than you could blink. You don't have a high tolerance."

"I feel fine. Now, who is the worry wart?" I grinned.

She chuckled and was about to just pull me away when I heard someone call out my name. I turned around to see Dean making his way through the bodies to me.

"I thought it was you," Dean said. His eyes swept my body quickly from head to toe. He bit his bottom lip and shook his head. "Wow, you look amazing."

"Thank you," I said. Suddenly, I could feel my cheeks flush with heat.

Unconsciously, I moved one palm to my cheek. It was true. I was feeling the heat on my cool palms. Dean leaned closer so that I could hear him.

"Did you just get here?"

I nodded my head. His nearness felt comforting. The smell on his body wasn't too strong. He didn't put on any cologne which was nice.

"Did you want to dance?" he asked.

For a moment, I hesitated. I didn't know how to dance. The only dance I knew was jumping around in my underwear in my bedroom. However, I didn't let that stop me from nodding my head. He pulled back and flashed me a full grin.

He intertwined his fingers through mine before leading me to the living room. There he pulled me close. It was a slow grind music. The kind of music that you would put on when you want to slow strip or get kinky with someone.

"I don't know how to dance." I leaned into him and whispered.

"Don't worry, I don't too. But I'm willing to try with you."

He placed his hands on my waist and pulled me close to his body. I had no choice but to my hands on his shoulders. He leaned close to my ear and when I felt his breath brushed against my cheek, I felt myself shiver.

"Wrap your arms around me."

I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and with his hands he guided me to move with his body. It was kind of an erotic dance. I felt every part of his front body. His fingers played on my open skin just above my skirt and below my cropped top.

"So, are you here with anyone?" he asked. It was weird that he was asking me this now. He didn't ask me this when I got here. Did he wanted to know if I had a boyfriend or was he just asking if I came with someone?

"I came alone. What about you?"

"I came alone too."

"I find that hard to believe," I giggled. When did I start giggling? I don't giggle, but I felt like I needed to giggle so that Dean doesn't think I'm a freak.

Dean turned me around suddenly and my backside was now pressed up against his front side. My backside felt something. His arms slid around to my front and I felt an uncomfortableness settle in my stomach.

I looked up to see if anyone was looking, and to my horror I see Kai leaning against a wall, drinking, and looking in my direction. His eyes were dark and I couldn't tell if he cared or didn't care.

"Why do you find it hard to believe?" Dean asked.

"W-what?" I stuttered.

He laughed at my stuttering. "Why do you find it hard to believe, Tamsin?"

"You're the school quarterback. All the girls in the school wants you."

"But that doesn't mean I want them. I like you, Tamsin. You seemed pretty chill and cool. I've noticed the last few times you and I talked, we clicked. I want to continue that. I want to know more about you."

Something was wrong. Why do I feel the wrong vibes coming from Dean? Why was the voice in my head screaming for me to run the other way? I don't understand. I liked Dean. I wanted this.

"I..." I couldn't say the words. The words that I've been telling myself for years. I liked Dean! Say it!

Before I could say anything, another girl appeared in front of me. She had long brunette hair that shine beautifully. Her makeup was on point. She wore a perfect baby blue bodycon dress. I knew who she was. The entire school knows who she was. She was Dean's ex-girlfriend? Or current girlfriend? I wasn't too sure. I haven't kept up to the school gossip, but I've seen them together enough to know that they were a thing.

Ava Roberts—the school beauty.

"What are you doing, Dean?"

Dean and I both stopped. He moved to put me behind him. It was kind of him to protect me from others, but I know it was useless. People were already looking in our direction.

"None of your business."

"It is my business if you are my boyfriend."

"Ex-boyfriend," Dean retorted.

"Who is the bitch behind you?"

"She's none of your concern, quite frankly."

Oh shit. I don't want to be a part of this. I tried to back away but Dean had a firm grip on my wrist. I tried tugging it, but he held on tight. The uncomfortable feeling doubled and I wanted to run. I wanted to leave. I didn't want to be here. Couples that just broken up or couples that haven't gotten over each other was a dirty situation.

"Move over, Dean. Why are you protecting her?"

The heat in my cheeks flushed and I just wanted to die of embarrassment. By now, nearby people were stopping to watch.

Suddenly, a large hand removed Dean's hand and took hold of mine. I looked up to see Kai standing between Dean and me. He looked angry as he shoved me behind him. Dean turned around to look for me and found Kai staring right back at him. The tension in the room increased.

Both the quarterback and the school bad boy were staring each other down.

"Who is she?" Ava stomped around Dean to look me over.

Dean was the first to break away. He wrapped his arms around Ava's waist and pulled her away. She was a feisty girl though. She fought to break away from Dean's grip.

"I suggest you take care of your woman and leave mine alone." Kai spoke up for the first time. He said mine. I glanced up to find him staring at Dean with clenched jaw.

"Yours?" Dean shouted over Ava's rage.

Kai whipped me around and into his arms. With one hand cradling my cheek, he slammed his lips over mine. A moment of shock hit me. My entire body lit on fire and I felt safe. My lips moved with his. He tongue slipped in and tugged with mine before he sucked my bottom lip so hard that it was almost painful. He was angry and I don't know why. He seemed to always be angry. His other hand dug into my hip bones while he pressed my body up against his.

When Kai pulled back, he turned to Dean. Ava stopped struggling to look between Kai and me. She then stopped her gaze on Kai.

"Keep your bitch on a leash or I'll beat the fuck out of her."

Beat me? I glanced at Ava. She was smaller in frame. If we truly fought, it might be a tough win but I could take her down.

"Ava," Dean growled his frustration.

"I don't need to put her on a leash. She could fight her own battles. She's got a mind of her own. I don't own her." He's right. He doesn't own me.

"I have no interest in Dean," I replied almost too low for anyone to hear. Yet Ava heard it. Dean glanced my way. I felt my heart breaking.

Without another glance, I walked away. Kai followed me. When I got to the kitchen, I grabbed another red cup and downed it down fast. Tossing it in the overflowing garbage, I grabbed another and gulped it. Kai got to me before I could get to my third one. He grabbed my wrist to stop me from drinking.

"Leave me alone. I don't need your pity or your help."

Kai's jaw ticked and he released his hand. I drunk the third cup. Suddenly, my body felt heavier than before. The room spun a little and I had to prop my hands on the kitchen counter to prevent me from falling over.

"Are you done now?" Kai growled.

Avery appeared around the corner and ran over to me.

"Jesus, Tamsin. I didn't know what was happening until I heard people talking about it. What the hell happened? Do I need to kick some bitches out?" She grabbed onto me.

I shook my head and even that spun the kitchen. I closed my eyes.

"I think I'm drunk," I giggled and slapped a hand over my mouth.

"You're drunk," Avery confirmed before looking behind me. Her eyes were pleading.

"I'll take care of her. Do you have a room I could put her in?"

"You can put her in my bedroom. Go up the stairs and take a left. It will be the first room to your right."

I was swept quickly into the air and I wrapped my arms around a large pair of shoulders. Resting my head against his shoulder, I could smell him. Kai smelled like smoke cigarettes. For some reason, it was comforting. I felt safe. Moaning, I rubbed my face on his shoulder until I felt comfortable. The smell of cigarettes grew stronger when my face was closest to his neck. I inhaled deeply and waited.

When it was finally quiet, I opened my eyes again. The loud music could still be heard distantly, but it wasn't loud enough to thump through my body and deafen my ears. I noticed that I was in a room that I recognized. It was Avery's room. Kai slammed the door shut with his feet before carrying me over to the bed. He settled me down beneath the covers and tucked the covers over my shoulders.

I looked at him from lying down on my side. He looked angry still. Slowly, I pushed myself up into a sitting position before lifting my hand to smooth out the frown lines on his forehead.

"Stop being so grumpy," I mumbled.

"You're an idiot."

I didn't appreciate the comment so I shoved him, but I ended up shoving myself. The world spin again and I plopped back down on the bed.

I thought back to what happened a few minutes ago and I felt like crying. Tears welled up in my eyes and I covered my face.

"I hate you," I grumbled.

"No, you don't."

"Yeah? How would you know?"

"You don't hate me, because you consider me as a friend."

I hate that he was right. I did consider him as a friend, but he hurt me the other day in the new wing. The tears fell and I couldn't stop it.