Every step was a step towards my downfall. Or maybe it was my escape. I can't believe I'm doing this: I remember thinking again and again. The thought going round and round my head like lyrics that won't escape my mind. The sentence trapped insidiously beneath my skin.

The sky was inky black that night. One of those evenings when the night is so clear you can see the stars dotting it with faces. Twinkling eyes watching us, guiding us forward. Or condemning. The breeze was cool and fresh and seemed to lead the way for me and tell me that everything was OK.

My fingers brushed the swing chains and I plonked myself down onto the seat. I rose higher and higher into the sky, the moon watching me as I closed my eyes and felt the air against my skin. It felt like freedom. But it would taste like sin.

All of a sudden I was hurtled back down to earth. My whole body shook at the impact of the chain rattling and the swing spinning from side to side. But mostly from the waiting-

"Boo!" A familiar voice chuckled and it made my whole body tense in an instant. What am I doing? I asked myself as I opened my eyes.

That toothy grin greeted me and she laughed once more.

"Don't look so scared you, it's only me."

If only she knew.

Nervously, I made myself smile and went to stand up, but she gently pushed me back into my seat.

"Stay," she cooed, "you look so cute- want me to push?"

I laughed, but my cheeks turned to fire, in fact my whole body felt like it was dipped in flames.

"No- don't be silly-" I managed to stammer. What's wrong with me right now? I'm Alyssa Smith- future Prom Queen and I'm acting like the biggest dork of the century.

She chuckled again and her dark eyes lit up as she took a step back.

She pulled the swing set closer to her so the old chains groaned due to the movement and then paused once we were face to face.

Everything was on pause except me. The whole world seemed to stop spinning in the moment as we were face to face, nose to nose. My eyes flickered down to her red lips. Perfectly accentuated and round, perfectly smooth and ready, just inches from my own. Electric currents seemed to vibrate from my toes to my finger tips whilst my heart pounded like it was desperate to escape my chest. I never knew I could feel like this.

She let me drop and I went swinging away from her. The force made the swing rattle and wail, as I rocked from side to side.

"Told you it would be fun," she laughed once more, "so, Alyssa Smith- my designated guide- what made a nice girl like you, meet up with a girl like me in the middle of the night?"

She's still smiling as her eyes scan around our surroundings, then she stopped and ominously said, "In this isolated- we could be in the start of a horror movie- setting?"

She had me there. My mouth opened a little and then shut- like a fish gaping into nothingness.

"Don't tell me you want your wicked way with me?" She chuckled again, then winked before prancing away from the swing set.

I followed her like I was mesmerised; maybe I was; maybe I still am- despite everything.

"Poison?"

She pointed the hip flask in my direction.

"Your face!" She burst into laughter again and then took a swig from the flask. "It's vodka sweetheart- try it."

I'd never drank before, but I couldn't say no. Not to her. I pulled the flask towards me and took a giant gulp. The warm liquid hit the back of my throat too quick and I spluttered at the metallic taste. It was like pennies and bleach all blended into one.

"You'll get used it," she said as she took another drink before passing me the flask once more.

Everything started to get hazy then. The night seemed a little warmer and lighter and I felt like I could relax, finally. It was like everything had been blurred softly with a giant paintbrush. It made everything better, brighter, easier. I sighed deeply as I lay my head back into the grass, the night sky rotating above me, but I stayed still in the moment. I felt George lie next to me, her hair got caught up with mine as we lay there watching the stars.

We were so close and yet miles apart and I didn't even know it. I'd go back in an instance.