Hi guys, I'm so sorry for the delayed upload I had some family stuff going on and postponed writing for a few days because I had to deal with it! I've already started writing more chapters and as today was my day of work hopefully I'll get a few written in advance for the coming week. I really wanted to keep doing daily uploads but It's clearly not going to be possible with my new job so I'm hoping to keep uploading at least ever 2-3 days! But if I have more ready then you'll get daily.

I hope you like this scene! I realise that although these say 'chapters' on them obviously they're not all chapters as they can be quite short but I'm trying to keep each one above the 3,000 words line for you guys. 

This chapter does contain DRUG USE (not heavy drugs or overdoses or anything but some weed, if anyone isn't okay with that) aaaaand I can't wait for you guys to read the chapter after this either eek! 

Thank you for all the love and support, this book is now on 18K reads and I'm gobsmacked at how quickly it's gaining support, you guys are unreal. 

This chapter is dedicated to @MadlyInsane13 who made this gorgeous mood board and sent it to me! I love it so much and I'm so excited to get the first thing sent to me for Golden! If any of you make any graphics banners moodboards or covers then please send them and I'll display them!

Also a shout out to @steamednoodlesss for suggesting this song for the book and I think this chapter fits it perfectly! Give it a listen x

ENJOY THE CHAPTER XXX

It turns out that Trent did turn it into a good story, a totally unbelievable and fictitious one, but a good story none the less. In his words, I had fainted with just one touch from him, and he acted out the whole thing just to make it better. Cole had played the part of me. Apparently, I spoke with a voice ten octaves above the normal human tone and constantly swished my hair from side to side, but overall he did a pretty good job. Trent had strutted around as if he was a giant for the most part and seemed to just be continuously throwing winks in my direction. I have to say, Cole's squealing and gushing about Trent's muscles did resonate with me a little, but of course, I never let on; It was clear after the performance that Trent didn't need anything to give him an even bigger head. Everyone watching was rolling about in laughter the whole time, and even though I kept blushing every time Trent complimented Cole (as in me, but Cole pretending to be me... Cole-me?), I still couldn't help but join in with the laughter. It had been a long time since I'd been able to properly laugh about myself and feel like I wasn't going to get berated for it.

After that, it seemed like old funny stories just began pouring out of peoples mouths and the whole group began to interact. I met a lot of Trent's friends and I was surprised at how close they all were, there were people a few years younger than us there but they didn't once try to touch alcohol or do anything bad. There seemed to almost be a level of respect amongst everyone and for the first time, I felt totally at ease around a group of strangers. Everyone seemed to want to talk to me and to had to wonder what exactly they knew about me or why they were so eager to get to know me.

Some people brought a football out and while Kristie jumped up in excitement and ran off to play, I decided to stay around the fire and chat with some of the girls from EVH, I knew Scarlette was lovely so I assumed that they would be too – and I was totally right.

We sit and laugh for ages, all chatting about the school and how they're getting on at it and time seems to fly quickly and before long it's completely pitch black. A slight shiver begins to take over my body and I regret not wearing a jacket.

"So, what's going on with you and Trent?" one of the girls named Laura asks and I look at her confused, "Oh come on, everyone can see the way he looks at you."

I laugh and shake my head.

"Nothing is going on with Trent and I." The girls give me looks that tell me they don't believe me, making me roll my eyes, "Really, there isn't."

"Elle, even now while he's playing football over there, I can see that his attention is here," Rochelle whispers, eyes glancing over my shoulder and I resist the urge to turn around, "He looks over basically every two minutes, and I'm pretty sure it's not any of us that he's looking at."

"He's probably just watching to see if I'm alright," I counter although my heart beats faster with the idea that he's watching me, "I was pretty nervous to come because I didn't know anyone, and I'm not like Kristie who just blossoms in social situations."

The girls all give me soft looks and Laura reaches out, her blue eyes gentle as she squeezes my hand.

"Well now you know us," she states firmly, "And because you are now one of us, it is customary that you smoke a joint with us."

My eyes widen as all the girl's nod and she pulls out an already rolled joint from her pocket, grinning. I hadn't smoked weed in a long time, not since Matt started to not be okay with it, however, whenever Kristie and I used to get the chance when we were younger we would do it. Her brother Scott and his friends used to do it whenever her parents went away and they would let us join them, although they kept an eye on us. We never really did anything crazy, we just used to eat a lot and watch a good film and then fall asleep, but it was always a peaceful break from the demons inside my head and the constant need for me to please people.

"You don't have to if you don't want to," Rochelle tells me, "We're not going to force you and we won't judge if you don't... it's just we noticed you haven't drunk much."

She's right. In the couple hours that we had been here, I'd had about two drinks and I was nursing them all night.

"I don't really like alcohol," I mumble embarrassed, not wanting to seem lame, "I just think it... changes people."

For a moment, I wish I hadn't said anything because I'm scared that the girls will ask why or try to get me to open up about the traumatic experiences of my childhood, but they don't. They simply smile and each wrap an arm around me, making me into a sandwich.

"We don't like it either," Laura smiles, "Which is why we prefer this."

She hands me the joint unlit and I take it from her hesitantly, looking at the almost perfection of the way it is rolled.

They must do this a lot.

It seems that everything pauses for a second while I decide on what I want to do, and the girls just patiently sit and wait for me to make my decision, they're eyes caring and not pressurising at all.

The reason I had stopped doing it was that Matt didn't like it... but he wasn't going to be thinking about me while he was out on Tracey's boat, was he?

"Do you have a lighter?" I ask and their faces light up in excitement as they pass me one. As they clap I can't help but grin, feeling giddy at the thought of doing it again but I quickly stop before the flame touches the paper and spin around on the log I'm sitting on, my eyes finding my target who is running with the football.

The whistle leaves my mouth at a high pitch, echoing across the grass but the person I intended it for isn't the first person to turn around and I have to try and not blush when the two girls beside me chuckle, noticing it too. I ignore Trent's gaze and whistle again, finally getting the attention of the person.

"Hey, K!" I shout, knowing that she'd kill me if I did it without her, especially when she was here, "You wanna join?" I wiggle my fingers, showing her whats in them and even from where I'm sitting I can see the happiness on her face as she discards the ball without a thought and starts running over, cheering at my offer.

The boys behind her shout and scowl at us, complaining about how we hadn't offered them.

"Bring your own!" Laura shouts back and they all grumble, going back to their game, except one of them.

I feel his eyes watching me intensely as I reach my hand out to my best friend and help her sit down beside us, but I don't look at him. I was having fun with the girls and I knew that if I looked at him I'd probably never want to look away. Plus, I didn't need any more reason for the girls to think anything was happening between us.

"Am I okay to join?" Kristie asks politely and Rochelle scoffs, wrapping an arm around her and yanking her in.

"Don't even ask, you're one of the girls. What's ours is yours."

My heart swells at her words, as well as the way Kristie's smile broadens and I can almost feel tears forming in my eyes. Kristie deserved people around her like this, who were so caring and full of life and never brought her down.

Sometimes I felt like I didn't deserve her, but right now I felt like I deserved this too. I deserved a night to be truly happy.

"Light it up!" Laura instructs and I do as she says, taking a deep breath as it lights and I inhale the smoke, bringing it deep into my lungs. The two EVW girls look at me in shock while Kristie grins with something akin to pride, her laughter booming around us.

"Elle Williams, the best toker I know," she chuckles and the other girls join in and I exhale finally, laughing once it's all out before repeating it again.

"This is definitely not your first time," Rochelle gasps in shock and I shrug, trying to not smile too smugly at their awed expressions, "Who knew the golden girl of North Valley High was an A class stoner."

If I hadn't been beginning to feel the effects of the marijuana then I may have panicked at her words, perhaps I would have stopped what I was doing and closed my self back off to them, stopping them from seeing any more of the real me, but I don't. Instead, I wink at the blonde girl and pass her the joint, releasing all the negative feelings that are pent up inside my body.

"Kristie and I used to do this a lot with her brother," I explain, "We used to have competitions, which usually ended up with us all passed out, but fun none the less."

Kristie smirks as she takes a draw, her eyes shining at the memories, "Elle used to kick ass against my brother's friends, and they were all older so they didn't like it at all. In fact, one of them stopped coming round to do it because he couldn't stand that a girl was better at smoking than he was."

My laugh comes out much louder than it probably should as I remember Seth and his childish issue, but I don't care. It feels good to just laugh in any way I like and not try to make it pretty or alluring.

My legs begin to tingle a little bit and it feels like a weight is lifted off my shoulders as my mind quietens, the constant buzz of stress and self-loathing taking a back seat to the peaceful breeze coming over me.

"Does your brother go to our school?"

Kristie's smile falters a little but she clears her throat and takes another go, breathing in deeply as she pauses before shaking her head slowly, her eyes becoming softer as she no doubt thinks about Scott and where he is.

"He's already graduated," I answer for her and she shoots me a grateful smile, relief evident on her face. "Do you guys have siblings?"

The two girls glance at each other, humour evident on their faces as they answer.

"We're both from pretty big families," Laura states.

"Everyone from East Valley Woods usually has at least two siblings and when they don't they usually have cousins to make up for it."

I'm quite shocked at their answer, I didn't think that there were that many people in the town but if everyone at this party had at least two siblings and cousins then it seems like the population is massive.

"What about you Elle, do you have any siblings?"

"I'm an only child," I reply quietly, not being able to help the feeling of loneliness overcoming me.

"You must get spoiled by your parents then," Rochelle teases and I let out a light laugh but I can feel my throat catch at her words as I try not to think about it.

Kristie must notice my unease because she quickly cuts in, passing me the joint so I don't have to speak.

"My mom has basically adopted Elle and I think she prefers her to me," Kristie says, pretending to be angry at me and I immediately feel myself lighten up. I was so unbelievably grateful to have her around all the time.

"Yeah, that's like Trent's family with Cole," Laura chuckles and I glance over at the two boys who are currently fighting each other on the grass, "We always complain about how easy Cole gets off with stuff compared to the rest of us."

I turn to her with a frown, confused at her comment.

"What do you mean? Was Trent's mom like a teacher or something?"

Their faces both drop a little at my question.

"Yeah, something like that..." they trail off, "So, about you and Trent..."

I know that it should pique my interest and I should realise that something is strange but my mind just feels foggy and I'm too at ease to worry. Plus, despite my refusal to admit something was happening between Trent and I, I couldn't help but be eager to discuss him. "You keep saying nothing is happening, but everyone can see that he likes you."

I blush as Kristie's face morphs into one of surprised happiness as she looks at me, waiting for my response and I groan, knowing that she was definitely never going to let it go.

"You sound like Scarlette," I huff and the girls smirk at my words, "Trent just likes making fun of me, that doesn't mean he likes me."

Kristie rolls her eyes and turns to face the two girls, deciding to ignore me for a moment.

"Elle is in total denial about how perfect her and Trent are together, trust me I've tried."

I punch her arm as I hand Rochelle the weed and then I relax into the grass, sliding down the side of the fallen tree as I wrap my arms around my legs. Despite the fact that I felt warm inside my limbs would not stop shaking and I furiously rub my arms in an attempt to heat them up.

I glare across at Kristie who is gossiping about me and my refusal but I'm not annoyed at that, I'm annoyed that she's managed to get a denim jacket from somewhere and I hadn't.

Where had she got it from?

"So Elle, do you like Trent?" Rochelle asks suddenly as I sip my drink and without thinking I answer.

"A little."

All three girls eyes widen along with my own as my words ring out, hovering in the air as I realise what I've just admitted and the shrieks are instantaneous as I try to take it back, words tumbling out of my mouth in a babble.

The girls don't listen to me however and in all honesty, I wouldn't listen to me either. My words are coming out all muddled up and I can't string a full sentence together as I sit shocked at my confession.

"I knew it!" My best friend sings happily, "What do you like about him?"

All the girls go silent as they inch in closer to me, our heads all coming together as I glance around us, making sure no one is suddenly going to creep up on me.

"I don't know..." I grumble, my eyes drifting over to the man playing football a few metres away from me, his dark hair glistening in the moonlight as he runs, a huge grin on his face., "I just... do. He makes me feel like it's okay to be myself."

I don't think I've said anything special, however, all three girls 'aww' at my words and they turn and look at Trent too, their eyes soft as they watch him.

I know what I've said isn't completely true – there were a hundred reasons why I found myself liking Trent but I just wasn't ready to admit them yet. Not completely anyway.

Before I can realise how bad it looks, Trent turns and glances in our direction, looking as though he was expecting us to not be paying attention but when he notices us all staring at him he falters in his run and stumbles, crashing into Robbie. Or maybe it was Lyle.

I wince at the sound, as does Kristie, but no one else seems to be worried and instead, they all howl in laughter at the two of them on the floor.

"That was amazing," Rochelle giggles, leaning into the girl beside her.

"Do you think he's alright?" I ask as they stand up and I quickly turn my head away from him, not wanting to be caught staring again.

"He's fine Elle," Laura laughs, wiping her eyes before they look at something over my shoulder, "If you don't believe me, you can ask him yourself."

I begin to battle with myself on whether I should go over and see him or not but before I can make up my mind, it seems like he's already decided for me. And out the corner of my eye, I can see him making his way towards me, the girls faces in front of me smug as they watch.

"Everything okay?" His deep voice asks from behind me and my whole body seems to melt at the sound of it.

I blame the weed.

"Actually, Elle was just wondering if you were okay," Rochelle smiles, the glint in her eyes clear, "That was quite a fall you had there."

A smirk makes it's way onto his lips as he looks at me, one eyebrow raised, waiting for me to speak.

I feel the blush take over my cheeks immediately and I shoot a glare at the giggling girls who choose now to turn their back to me and have a discussion of their own, leaving me to talk to Trent.

He steps forward until he is towering above me and I look up at him with a small smile, not knowing what to say. I felt like I didn't need to actually ask him if he was okay, I knew he was and he seemed to find it funny that I thought he'd be hurt, but he still knows that I care and maybe that's enough. Maybe nothing about it needs to be said.

"Do you want to go for a walk?" Trent asks, his eyes looking over at the glimmering lake, "You've been sitting all night and I don't want your legs to go numb."

I know it's a joke but my legs to feel a little wobbly and so I nod and stand up slowly, trying not to move too quickly in case I fall. I could end up in the fire.

I step over the log and take Trent's extended hand which guides me over, ignoring the grins of the girls below us and the tingles in my hand that make my whole body ignite in response.

As soon as I'm steady he lets go of my hand and starts to walk, waiting for me to join him and I follow, eager to see more of the area.

And maybe to get some alone time with Trent too. 

 Next upload hopefully tomorrow! Happy Sunday y'all xxx