Tina leads me down the hallway of the second floor. We end up by the end of the hall, in front of a white door. She knocks but instead of waiting. She barges in.

She pushes me into the thankfully empty bedroom and closes the door with a heavy smack. The music drones out. Yet the bass shakes the entire room, the floor beneath my feet vibrating.

I go over to the bed to sit down. Tina drags herself over and sits down next to me.

"What's wrong?" I ask her, breaking the silence, or lack thereof.

She sighs.

"I'm so dumb, Caleb," She states. "I'm so stupid. I don't know how I could fall for any of it."

I touch her on the arm softly. Slowly, starting to rub her arm up and down comfortingly.

"I'm not really following, Tina," I tell her.

"It was all some stupid joke!" She exclaims, looking at me with big eyes. Tears are starting to well up again.

"Kyle did this to you?" I ask her as I dry up her eyes with the sleeve of my shirt.

She nods sadly.

"Apparently, his actual girlfriend didn't get the spot on the basketball team. She somehow blames me for it. I guess she wanted revenge or something like that because I overheard how they spoke about me. She made him invite me to the party so he could lead me on and embarrass me in front of everyone when he rejects me," She explains. "I ran to find you right when I found out, and I haven't been able to stop myself from crying. It's so embarrassing."

I take her into my arms, hugging her, squeezing my arms tightly around her.

"Hey, don't cry," I wince as she breaks out in tears once again.

She hides her face on my shoulder. Tugging me closer. Arms wrapping around my chest.

I knew there was something off about Kyle at the start.

I should have been more consistent in showing my dislike towards him. I guess I let Tina's obsession with him blind me.

I browse back in my memories. Thinking about where I could have done something different. To save Tina from this heartbreak. It all brings me back to that day by the basketball court. Where I helped her practice.

If I had never forced her to join them, she would have never gotten hurt in the first place. Or maybe it was later. Back when she got invited to the party. I should have put my foot down, said no. But then Tina would have had to go with or without me. And she would be all alone at the party.

I only see one solution to all of this.

"Do you want me to beat him up?" I ask.

Tina chuckles lightly. It makes me feel better, seeing the smile on her face.

"You could never win in a fight, Caleb," She states, pinching my biceps. "Not with these skinny arms."

I place my hand on my heart, faking hurt.

"That's rude," I interrupt, poking her in the ribs. "I so would. Just tell me to, and I'll make Kyle's face look like a Picasso painting."

She rolls her eyes at me, sitting upright and drying her eyes with the back of her hand.

"You want to drink the pain away?" I propose.

"I think I might leave actually," She says, biting her lip.

"But what about me, and M for that matter. We both came here majority for your sake," I tell her.

"I'm really sorry Caleb," She takes out her phone, pointing to the screen's text messages. "But my mom will be here shortly to pick me up."

"Hey, don't worry about it," I reassure her with another hug. "Let me walk you out then."

"Thanks, Caleb," She smiles sincerely. "I'm lucky to have you as my friend."

"Oh yes, most definitely," I reply.

We both go back down the stairs.

When we reach the spot where I left M, he's nowhere to be seen. I look around. Considering he's at least a foot taller than almost everyone else, he'd be easy to spot. But I can't see him anywhere. I can't spot his wavy brown hair anywhere, nor can I see the stupid halo or his white wings in the crowd.

"Can you see M anywhere?" I yell over the music.

Tina only shakes her head in confusion, brows furrowing, "He's probably out for another drink or something. Now, come on."

"I told him to stay," I shake my head.

"I'm pretty sure he's not a dog Caleb," She says. "He's a big boy. He can do whatever he wants to do." She grabs my hand, trying to lead me out of the house, but I shrug out of her hold.

"No, you don't understand," My heart drops down into my stomach. "What if something bad has happened to M?"

I can feel the panic rise within me. All the worst-case scenarios, playing on repeat inside my head.

"He's never been to a party before. This is all so new for him," I say.

"I'm sure it's not the end of the world if your boyfriend talks to someone else," Tina says unfaced. "Are you coming because you know how impatient my mom gets?"

I shake my head. "You go," I say. "I need to find M."

Tina gives me an odd look and scoffs. "Caleb, you're being really weird." Reluctantly she turns her back to me and hurries out of the house. Merging into the sea of people.

I'll fix this, but for now. I need to find M.

I check the hallway, then the kitchen, and the dance floor. But M's nowhere to be seen. It's like he's just up and gone. Like he flew up in the night sky, leaving me behind. Laughing down at my desperation.

I still haven't checked outside.

The cold air does nothing to cool my heating skin. My face is probably red. Teethmarks indented in my bottom lip from how much I'm biting down on it worryingly.

People are playing around in the pool, splashing around. But none that look like M.

A roar of cheers drowns out my rapid heartbeat.

I look over in that direction. A group of people surrounds a table, cups on both ends, probably filled with plenty of alcohol, and somewhere in the bunch, there's a white ball, ready to land in one of the cups. It's easy to see they're playing beer pong.

I don't give it a second thought until I spot a familiar set of wings and a halo to go with it.

I rush over there.

I can see M empty a red solo cup, its content dripping down his naked chest. Flowing down his gleaming abs.

People are cheering on him. Clapping his back.

There's a blonde girl too, wrapped around M. Laughing up at him. His arm wraps around the girl as well, and he gives her one of his charming smiles. One that only I've been fortunate enough to witness.

It's almost like he's being flirted with, and he's flirting back. It shouldn't bother me, but still, it does. Jealousy blooms in the pit of my stomach, coloring my cheeks pink.

I can see how M prepares his stance, taking the small white ball in hand. Aiming. The ball lands in the last cup at the end of the table. Winning them the game.

Cheers erupt once again.

The girl pushes herself even closer up against him as if that's physically possible.

I can see how M's smile goes away. He shrugs out of her hold as someone hands him a drink. He takes it, downing it in one go.

The next thing I know, before I reach him, the girl already has her tongue down M's throat.