Lively's Memories As Her Eyes Take In Aaron's Penthouse

Dad was driving the family back from the state championship game, visibly unhappy about our loss. I wasn't bothered by it, though, but rather smiling to myself, my fingertips grazing my lips where Aaron Wallace had kissed me. The truck had no back seat, just a bench at the front that fit the three of us—Mom, Dad, and me, sandwiched in the middle. The drive home was quiet. Mom, approaching the third trimester, was too tired to notice much around her. I fiddled with the radio until I found a station playing 5SOS, and biting my lip as excitement rushed through me, my heart still racing from that unexpected kiss.

How did he even find me among all the pretty girls on the field? The cheerleaders, the flawless girls from Portland. But somehow, he chose me. I couldn't stop smiling the entire ride home.

Dad parked in front of the house, and Mom unlocked the front door, flipping on the light.

"If you're hungry, make yourself a sandwich or some cereal," she said, already making her way to the room she shared with Dad.

"I'll just head to bed," I replied, slipping into the bathroom.

When I emerged and went to my room, the house was already quiet. I slipped under my duvet, my mind buzzing with thoughts of Aaron from the game. I waited, eagerly counting down the moments until Dad peeked in to say goodnight.

"Good night, bug. Love you," he said softly.

"I love you," I replied, smiling with an agenda as he switched off the light.

Once I heard the click of his door closing, I threw the covers off and jumped out of bed. I spritzed on some perfume, changed into a fresh jacket, restyled my hair, and even put on a bit of makeup for the first time, enough to make me look more like a junior and less like the obvious freshman I was. Aaron was a senior, still only seventeen but mature enough that I didn't want him to see me as a child. The eyeliner and styled hair helped a little with that.

After pulling on my worn Converse, I carefully climbed out the window and hopped onto my bike, pedaling hard toward Wallace Country Club. The timing was perfect, just enough for the winning school to wrap up their celebration on the field and for the team to move on to the party Aaron had invited me to.

By the time I arrived, it was after ten. After telling the gate security I was there to celebrate with Aaron's team and was let through, I parked my bike at the apartments. The place seemed unusually quiet for a party, though. I hesitated before finally knocking.

An older girl opened the door, her eyes giving me a once-over before she asked, "What grade are you?"

"A junior," I lied.

"Who invited you?" She raised her brows, clearly one of those privileged girls from the prestigious side of town.

"Aaron Wallace."

She let out a laugh like she'd heard something ridiculous. "Aaron, there's someone here for you," she called over her shoulder, giving me a condescending look as though she knew I didn't belong.

I lowered my eyes, already feeling out of place.

Then the door opened wider, and she stepped aside for Aaron. There he was, wearing a letterman jacket, his messy hair looking effortlessly perfect. The second I saw him, my stomach flipped.

"Pretty eyes," he said, grinning with that charming, crooked smile I'd only seen online before tonight. And I thought his teeth were the most perfect thing I'd ever seen. "Did your mom let you come?" He leaned extremely forward, both hands holding the doorframe as he looked at me with amused brows. The girl behind him didn't seem to like it, and it made me blush. She looked visibly annoyed as she walked away.

"I snuck out," I confessed shyly, and he smirked. Every little thing he did felt perfect.

"A rebellion! I like it," he chuckled, straightening up. "Come on, let me introduce you to everyone." It all happened so fast, that I barely had time to process before he took my hand and guided me inside, his arm draping over my stiff shoulders.

We clicked that instant, as though we'd known each other before.

The party wasn't anything like I expected. No music, no loud noise. Just a handful of people scattered around the fancy apartment, most of them lounging lazily. Some were smoking from pipes or downing large bottles of booze, while others lay sprawled across the couches, looking half-dead.

"Who've you brought?" a guy on the couch said sluggishly, his eyes red and unfocused. The girl from the door was lying with her head on his stomach, glaring at me with the kind of disdain that made me shrink.

Aaron squeezed me a little tighter. I felt protected by him. "Guys, meet..." he paused, looking at me expectantly. It took me a second to realize I hadn't told him my name. He hadn't even asked.

"Lively Kelby," I mumbled.

"Yeah, Lively Kelby," Aaron said to his friends. Some of them chuckled. I glanced away, my eyes landing on a group gathered around a table, sniffing lines of white powder. It looked painful but they kept doing it anyway.

"What's that?" I whispered to Aaron.

"Snow," he said with a smirk. I had a feeling he didn't mean the kind that fellfrom the sky. "Want to try?"

"No!" I shook my head, my heart hammering in my chest.

"She looks like a baby. What are you, a freshman?" The girl who'd opened the door sneered, and the others around her laughed.

"I'm a junior," I lied again, my voice barely steady.

"She's lying," the girl scoffed. "She looks scared." Everyone turned to look at me, and I felt like I was about to crumble. My heart lodged itself in my throat. I hated her.

"I'm not," I argued, trying to steady my breathing. I wanted to cry, but I couldn't. Not here or I will prove her point.

The girl crossed her legs and leaned back. "Casey, bring the snow over. Let's see if Aaron's little freshman can handle it."

More laughter followed, and I began to loosen my hold on Aaron's hand. Maybe I should just leave. Sensing this, he tightened his grip and shot her a sharp look. "Enough, Simone," he warned.

Simone's expression shifted briefly, then she rolled her eyes. "What, this girl from that dump school? You're serious?"

Aaron didn't hesitate. "Shut up. Why don't you go get in line for Reef? I'm sure he'll be done with the ten other girls soon, and he'll fuck you." The guys around him laughed.

Aaron's comment was harsh, but part of me felt like she deserved it.

Simone's face turned pale with shock. "You know I wouldn't do that," she muttered.

Aaron shrugged indifferently. "We both know you're not a one-man kind of girl."

Simone's eyes welled with tears. "Aaron, that's not fair."

"Come on, Lively Kelby," he said, his voice softening as he guided me down the hallway.

The room stayed silent as we left, his hand gently pressing against my back. At that moment I was above the sky. But the biggest mistake I made was thinking he was protecting me. If only I had known what was coming next.

~

A/N

Since Hues of Two Seasons is ongoing, there will naturally be final proofreading needed. The edited chapters will be uploaded as soon as the book is completed.