"Truth or Dare? Really, Jacob? We're going to play a stupid children's game?" I questioned annoyance seeping into my voice. Jacob takes a seat beside me on the ground his eyes scouring the crowd for one person. I do a quick sweep as well, only I don't find my ray. I haven't had a single glimpse of her since we'd shown up at this stupid party and now I'm just itching to get home.

"Shut up, Noah, and just relax."

I toss my arms up at his calm tone my anger spiking.

"No, I won't relax. Jacob, I have responsibilities. Adult responsibilities where, if I don't pay my bills bad things will happen."

Jacob glances at me and sighs as he runs his hand through his hair, moving some of the brown strands out of his eyes.

"Listen, if you really want to leave, go ahead-"

"Give me the keys!"

"But," He continues as if I hadn't cut him off. "You should check twelve o'clock before making your final decision." Jacob nods his head in the direction and I whip my head around. My anger and annoyance vanish as if they had never been there, to begin with as my eyes land on her.

Dark brown hair cascades in waves down Claud's shoulders, resting on her exposed skin. Her even darker brown eyes flicker over everything, not letting anything go unnoticed. Pale arms extend from under the ruffled sleeves of her dark red off the shoulder top and she crosses them over her chest. It's subtle, but I catch her rubbing her hands up and down her arms no doubt trying to garner some warmth from the friction. My eyes go further down to her legs that seem to extend for miles on end, exposed thanks to her dark blue shorts.

A lump forms in my throat as my eyes travel back up her amazing form only to have my eyes clash with those deadly ones of her own. I suck in a sharp breath as the light from the bonfire seems to hallow around her making Claud look more gorgeous than I would think possible.

My light.

Claud's eyes leave mine as she looks to her best friend, Kaley, who takes the last available seat on the log to my left. My eyes go to the available space beside me and, judging by the way a frown turns down the corners of her mouth, she notices it as well. My own lips quirk upwards as I pull one knee up and rest my arm on it, almost beckoning my light towards me.

Come on.

I cooed in my mind, my smile growing.

Come to me.

She closes the short amount of distance between us and takes the seat. I look over to her just as she glances at me, our eyes clashing so I give her the best damn smile I own. The one I know will make any girl swoon.

"Hey, Claudette." I said, using her full name because I know just how much she hates it. Anytime one of the teachers uses it in class she'll almost go off on them. Just as expected her beautiful browns narrow and it only widens my smile.

"Hey, Noah. What're you doing here? Did the girls suddenly grow brains and stop falling for your mischevious ways?"

Oh?

I chuckle.

Is that how you want to play this?

Claud pulls her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around her legs which just draws my eyes to them.

How is a guy supposed to think properly when you're sitting here looking like that?

My eyes move back up to her's and I notice a very small amount of blush dusting her cheeks. It takes everything I've got not to run my hands over her cheek knowing that, if I do, even more of that attractive color will appear.

"Nah," I start, pulling myself out of my wandering thoughts. "They're still falling. Some of them pretty hard, too." She rolls her eyes at this, but before any more can be said between us Trevor stands up, drawing everyone's attention towards him. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch two guys leaning together and whispering something before pointing. My eyes follow their line until they land on my light and my stomach knots as I grind my teeth together.

Not happening, assholes.

I thought as I shrug my jacket off and place it over Claud's shoulders. It swamps around her and she looks even smaller than before. She looks up at me, confusion in her eyes and I smile as I say,

"You looked cold." My gaze travels back to the two who were whispering and pointing.

She's way out of both your leagues.

The moment our eyes meet they look away, getting the message to back off loud and clear.

She's mine.

I freeze up at the thought. Before, anytime I went after a girl, yeah I'd be protective of her, not wanting anyone else to grab her before I got the chance, but I never got like this. It's weird and exhilarating at the same time. My eyes glance over to Claud just as she gives her head a quick shake. I raise an eyebrow at that and my eyes travel to her hands where they hold on tightly to the jacket, pulling it around her. Those stunning eyes glance towards me, making contact and I smile bringing that pink back to life in her cheeks.

You can run away all you want.

I look towards Trevor as he explains the rules of the game.

But you'll be mine eventually.

When Trevor finishes explaining the game I start up a conversation with Jacob and him. Of course, the game is rigged to a small degree. I mean, we're playing with girls who are way out of our league. Of course, some of the guys rigged it.

"All I gotta say is Claud's off limits," I spoke up, keeping my voice low enough that the person in question won't hear. The guys look at me as if I've just grown a second head.

"No way! You're not even dating her and Claud's hot." Some random guy argued and I direct my even gaze towards him. He seems to sit a little taller as my eyes meet his. The guys around school know who I am, just like they know who Kyle is along with Chris and Mikey. I'm one of the ones to fear if they make me angry enough.

"Hey, what're we playing?"

I jump when the soft and melodic voice floats into my ear. I'd never expected my light to approach me this early in the game.

I must be doing something right.

"Off. Limits." The tone of my voice is hard and final. Understanding flashes in the guys' eyes and a smirk turns up the corners of my mouth. I turn to Claud after that, only to come to an abrupt stop when I notice there are only inches between us. My nose twitches as her heavenly scent of flowers wrap around me. It takes everything I have not to lean in closer so that I can drown in the scent. Her breath drifts across my lips and my eyes roam her face, burning every feature into my mind.

Full, soft looking lips shimmer in the light of the bonfire from a type of gloss. Long and dark lashes sit atop beautiful, dark brown eyes that are as hypnotic as a cats. Her pale skin seems to glow in the night and I watch as that paleness on her cheeks begins to turn into that breathtaking pink the moment my light realizes just how close it is we are.

Screw it.

I thought, giving in to the craving of running my hand along that blush. My hand comes up and I rest it on her cheek, loving the way the shade darkens. I brush my thumb over skin that feels better than velvet, never wanting to stop as I grin and say,

"If you want to kiss me, you should just say so. I'd be happy to oblige."

Her brown eyes widen and she yanks her head away from my hand so fast one would think I have the plague.

"I-I-I don't want to-to kiss you." She stuttered and it's the most adorable thing ever. Before I can help it I find myself laughing, my arms wrapping around my stomach.

"That's what I like about you, Claudette, your reactions are so fresh from the norm. It's great."

Any other girl would have jumped on the opportunity.

Her blush gets even darker and she looks away as she picks up a lock of her hair. I just watch, amused as she starts playing with it.

"Just call me Claud. I hate when people use my full name." Her voice is small and shy, very unlike the normal Claud and I know I must be getting to her. A giddiness washes throughout me.

"Alright, Claud it is." Time seems to slow at that moment as my light smiles at me. It's the same one she gave me when I fixed her car. It's genuine and has my heart stopping for a moment before starting up again.

She really is like the light when she smiles.

I smile in return before winking as I say,

"Just so you know, we're playing truth or dare."

Trevor stands up, then, drawing my attention to him. He wears a huge smile as he says,

"First up, April."