As if the universe could sense that school was around the corner, the remainder of summer sped on by until another week had passed. And of course, when there are only so many days of summer left, the teens of America will do everything possible to drink in every last drop of golden, shimmering freedom.

Ben pulls up to the house, prompting both Val and I to look out our respective windows. I knew we were in a rich neighborhood, but I didn't expect this: a giant sprawling house that could easily be a mansion. Light pours out of every window, and even from where we are outside, I can feel the thump of the bass inside. Cars line both sides of the street, people pouring out of them and standing around the yard like lawn ornaments up to the front door.

"Whoa," Val says, summing up what we're all undoubtedly thinking.

"Whoa is right," Ben says as he crams into a parking space along the curb. Pulling the key out of the ignition, he turns around to look at me. "Are you ready?"

I glance at myself in the rear-view mirror. I look nice, which I'm glad about, but on the inside, I feel like I'm about to be strapped into the world's steepest roller-coaster. In other words, like I'm about to throw up.

"Uh-oh, Ben, she's got her queasy face on," Val says, bringing me out of my head.

"What?" I manage. "No, I don't."

Ben arches a dark eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

I take a deep, steadying breath and nod. "I'm sure. I'll be fine."

Val and Ben glance at each other before getting out of the car. I follow them, letting the car-door slam behind me with a resounding thunk.

"Okay, so," Ben says, coming around from his side of the car, "we'll walk around, get some drinks, and then Val and I will split up."

I nod along to the plan, each word fresh in my mind. It's not like we've been drilling it for a week now. "I'll mingle, see who I can find, and if I run into Levi, I'll confront him."

My stomach flips as I say the words out loud. I'm really doing this, aren't I? No turning back. Sooner or later, I'm going to run into Levi Graham and confront him for how he's been playing with my emotions.

We start walking to the door and it feels like the path to the front door has become never-ending. The doubt blossoms like a weed in my mind, and before I know it, I'm speaking it aloud. "Guys, now that I think about it, is all this necessary?"

Val spins on her heels, her dark curled hair fanning out around her as she does. "Willa, I know what you're thinking, but you need to do this."

I don't say anything for a while, and Val's expression softens. "You're afraid of getting off on the wrong foot, aren't you?"

I close my eyes for a brief moment, sighing. Whether I like it or not, Val can read me like an open book. Of course, deep down, there's a part of me screaming for revenge, that wants to light up Levi with all the words that have ever existed. But overshadowing her is the realistic part of me, the one that has won out each and every time when an opportunity to speak up arises.

If I don't do this now, I'll never do it again and this plan for confidence will all be for naught.

I take a deep breath, looking back at Val. "I can do this."

I feel Ben's hands on my shoulders, jerking me back to the present. The feeling forces me to look around and remember that we're on someone's front lawn, and all around, there are people. Some of them I recognize, some of them I don't, but if I stand around any longer, I'll be making a scene before the real one can start.

"If you need us for back-up when the time comes, just say the word," Ben's saying as we get to the front door. "You've got this, Wil."

We step through the threshold, and I'm taken aback. It seems as if all of West High has shown up to this party, whether they're freshmen or seniors, like us. The idea is both comforting and terrifying.

"Is it possible to develop claustrophobia in the span of sixty seconds?" Ben asks as we meander through the crowds of people. "Because if so, I think I just did."

Val makes a face as she squeezes between two people that wouldn't budge, dusting herself off. "That's nice, Ben."

Ben rolls his eyes as we reconvene in what appears to be the kitchen. Sprawled across the counter are all kinds of drinks, and to my relief, not all of them are alcoholic. I grab a can of Sprite and pop it open, taking a sip. The carbonation seems to be a good representation of my mental state--chaotic and disorderly--so much so that I frown and lower the can.

"So," Val says as she takes a sip from her Solo cup, "any idea as to who's hosting?"

Ben shrugs into his Mountain Dew. "Don't know, don't care." He smacks his lips, making a considerate face. "This Mountain Dew tastes different."

Val slaps her hand onto Ben's shoulder, making him jump. "It's probably spiked, or else you're just being weird."

"Who are you calling weird?" Ben swivels his head around to look at Val.

"Guys," I say warningly, and that's enough to snag their attention. Ben and Val, faces frozen mid-argument, look back at me and assume their former positions.

"Sorry, Will," Ben mutters.

I roll my eyes with a laugh. "At ease, soldiers."

Val winks at me, downing the rest of her drink and shooting the emptied cup into a nearby trash can. "Perfect, time to go mingle!"

Before I can escape, Val's looped her arm through mine, leaving me no choice but to follow her through the crowds.

☼

About an hour into the party, Val, Ben, and I extricate ourselves from the pulpit of the crowds and into the backyard. There's still a lot of people outside, but ridding ourselves from the stench of alcohol, perfume, and sweat in exchange for fresh air is more relieving that I thought it would be.

The three of us sink onto a nearby wicker sofa around a little table, looking as if we'd endured a war.

"I'm normally great at parties," Val says, sprawling on her chair, "but I think there's too many people at this one."

Ben holds up a finger in agreement. "If what Nadia said was right, then she really did invite the entire school."

"So Nadia's hosting?" I ask, unsure as to where I was mentally during that conversation. It makes sense, though. Nadia Kensington's one of the most popular girls at West High, second only to Melina. Frankly, having Nadia as the host takes some imaginary stress off my shoulders; the girl is as sweet as sugar. It makes me wonder how she and Melina are friends.

Val presses her hands to her temples, her eyes shut. "Either way, it's still full of people." She takes a dramatic breath and then swings back into an upright position, opening her eyes. "What've we learned, Will?"

I think back to all the different conversations we've had with people in the past hour, surprised I can still remember them distinctly. "Uh, the fall show is a musical rather than a play. Prom might be at the aquarium, and the new captain of the football team is some new kid?"

"Good!" Val says with a little clap. "Staying in the know ensures you're never apart of the know, if you know what I mean."

"I don't," I say simply, "but I'll take your word for it."

As Val sprawls back on the sofa, Ben leans forward. "Hold on, what's this about the football team changing?"

Val rolls her eyes. "Looking for a new article to write about?"

Ben shoots her a funny look. "Ha-ha, as if Melina would let me write about anything indignant to her brother's name in the paper."

According to legend, Marco Sanchez--Melina's twin brother--was supposed to quarterback this season since his would-be predecessor graduated. However, the cheerleading squad--headed by Nadia--has spotted a new kid leading the team during the latest practices. He had the same dark hair as Marco, but, as Nadia put it, "He rode a motorcycle to practice, and Marco is never seen without his Lexus."

I know. Thrilling stuff.

Ben makes to take another sip of his Mountain Dew when he realizes it's empty. "Aw, man," he frowns.

I get to my feet. "I'll grab you another one, Ben." I look to Val. "Want anything?"

Val waves her hand. "Thanks, Will!"

I head back inside and try to meander my way back to the kitchen, whichever direction it had been. Without Val to domineer our way through the crowd, I suddenly feel so much smaller, but also, invisible. Not exactly in a bad way, more so like I'm hiding in plain sight. It would've been great for some reflection, had I not been hopelessly lost.

That's when someone taps me on the shoulder. Expecting it to be Val, Ben, or even Nadia, I turn around, relief on my face.

It's not either of them.

"Lost?" Levi asks with a smile.

I blink, unsure of what to do. Suddenly, I'm in a choose your own adventure game and two choices are spread out before me: play it safe and nice, or light him up for all he's worth.

Frankly, I can't bring myself to do either. At least, not right now.

"Sort of," I end up saying. His smile doesn't look warm, just calculating. I can feel my heart racing in my chest, but out of my crush for Levi or the anticipation of the other foot to drop, my foot, I'm not sure.

Levi chuckles. He raises a hand to point. "It's down that way. I'll show you."

Before I can protest, Levi spreads a hand at the top of my back, right between my shoulders, and gently guides me through the crowd. Without even having to look at him, people part the seas, knowing a god is among their presence. We're in the kitchen in a few moments flat.

"Thanks," I say, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear as I head for the island. My movements all feel robotic, like my very existence is malfunctioning.

"Don't mention it," Levi says with a shrug.

I scour the island for a Mountain Dew, expecting Levi to melt back into the crowd, but he doesn't. He just stands there, cup in hand, in my peripheral vision. Is he drunk or something? The thought sends a pang of anxiety through my being and I hasten my search, eventually stumbling upon the last can of Mountain Dew.

As if waiting for me to be finished, Levi says, "I didn't take you for a house party kind of girl."

I blink at him again. Of course, he didn't. I'm Willa Murdock, resident homebody of West High. Want me to write your essay for you?

I'm not is on the tip of my tongue when I remember what I'm here to do. If not to confront Levi, then to assert my own confidence, and confident people don't accept other people's claims about them. Right?

"You don't know me, then," I say casually, although not without a hint of ice.

Levi huffs a short laugh with a smile. "I like to think I know you pretty well, Will."

My eyes widen, and that's when I snap.

"No," I say. "No, you don't know me at all, Levi. Wanna know how I know? Only my friends call me Will, and you, Levi, are not my friend."

Levi furrows his eyebrows, watching me like I've grown another nose or something. He's probably thinking: Willa Murdock? Being loud and angry? Has hell frozen over?

"Did I do something?" he asks.

"Yeah," I say, my grip on the can of Mountain Dew tightening. I wonder if I'm strong enough to make it break. "Her name's Melina."

And with that, I storm out of the kitchen.

Whether people were watching or listening, I don't know, but the sea of people parts for me as well as I head back the way I came. Soon enough, I've melted back into the crowd, but something's changed, deep within me.

That was exhilarating. Maybe even a little fun.

In that moment, I was no longer the girl everyone thought me to be: quiet, submissive, naive. I was so much more, I was in control, I was me. And as if I'm not the only one who's realized the change, people begin whispering my name as I weave through the crowds.