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"We have to find Penny, Mont and tell her that we're here." Sarah said tugging on my arm. Penny was the whole reason we were here, she was the one who invited Sarah in the first place. I nodded,

"Yeah sure,"

"Keep your eyes open for her." She said

"Okay." We stood there for a moment. "What should we do in the meantime?" I asked.

I could see Sarah's eyes sparkling with excitement and interest. I had less enthusiasm for such a sweaty, loud place, but I could also see the fun that people could have here.

There were people grinding against each other on the makeshift dance floor. There was a large crowd of people gathered in an archway to another room which I guessed was the kitchen. That's where all the drinks were. All the places to sit were taken. Couples were tucked into every corner and crevice of the house eager to snatch a moment to themselves. Many acted like they were alone, hands wandering and mouths meeting.

Oh god, this was a high school party.

This felt cliché.

No, this was cliché, but then again weren't high school parties the epitome of cliché? Wasn't that why they were in every high school movie ever made?

At least American high school parties were and sadly I found myself in the midst of the pit of madness.

"We could dance?" I said, though it was more of question. Sarah and I both looked at the grinding bodies. She caught site of something and smiled. Suddenly Sarah let go of my arm.

"I think I'm going to go to the bathroom." She murmured and started to walk away, I tried to call her back, but she disappeared into the crowd. Great. Just great. Thanks Sarah, I won't forget how you "Ditched me!" I shouted over the crowd.

I let out a frustrated whine and then turned to my left. Well maybe I should go get something to drink while I wait. I started towards the crowded doorway and pushed through. Earning a few grumbles and glances along the way. The lighting in the kitchen was significantly brighter than the rest of the house. The counter was littered with cups and bottles and a large tub of ice. Was there water anywhere?

I felt hot just being around so many people.

Suddenly there was a voice behind me.

"Monty," I spun around to see the golden eyes that seemed to be on my mind a lot. Except this time I wasn't imagining them.

"Harrison," I am ashamed to say that his name was quite breathy as it came out of my mouth. How could you blame me? His chocolaty hair was rugged and messy. His flannel red shirt had its sleeves pushed up to his elbows and his black jeans were worn out on the pockets.

"You didn't tell me you would be here." He said flashing me a bright, unexpected, knee-weakening smile.

I frowned. Why would I ever tell him what i was doing? He never spoke to me unless his friend had been rude to me. Up until a day ago I didn't even know he knew my name.

"Um, I didn't think that it would concern you." I retorted and his smile faded slightly, his brows knitting together and forming a cute little crease on his forehead.

"Did I do something wrong?" he asked taking a step back and I felt the need to reach out and pull him forward again. Don't walk away.

"No, of course not! I mean... I don't know." I said and he only seemed increasingly more confused.

"Look Monty, I'm sorry if I-"

"Oh gosh, no, you haven't done anything I just... I guess I just don't know why you would care if I came to a party." I know why I would care if you were here, is what I didn't add. He shrugged, and stepped closer to me.

"Well now you know I care." He whispered and I felt a shiver run down my spin. I wish I could tell you what I was thinking then, but my brain turned to mush. I swallowed and managed a nod. Oh god, his scent was swirling around me, a mixture of sweet cologne and smoke. He smelt like the first few puffs of a cigarette. Funny, I didn't know he smoked.

"You smoke?" I asked and he smiled

"Nah, that stuff is bad for you." He said with a grin. I raised my eyebrows and he chuckled "I swear, it was Finn." He said "And John." Harrison added. I still wasn't sure if he was leaving himself off that list. "Don't believe me?" I shrugged

"Sure, I believe you."

What reason did I have to not believe him? What reason did I have to believe him though? He owed me nothing.

"Monty." He said tilting his head to the side, his arms reached out and I thought he was going to hug me, but then they were placed on the counter behind me, caging me in. My heart jumped into my throat as I felt his body heat flowing towards me. "You smell good." He said and my already pink face turned red "Like Coconut."

"It's my shampoo." I said dumbstruck. Oh gosh I sounded so stupid. He smiled

"It suits you." He said "Monty?" My name, when he said my name nothing could sound better.

"Yes?"

He furred his eyebrows again and he seemed to be thinking hard.

"You look really pretty." He said. My body was frozen as his eyes scanned my face like I was some flower that he had never seen before.

"Thank y-you."

"I've never seen you without your uniform on." He whispered. The closer he got the more I could smell the alcohol. He was probably drunk. He must not know what he's saying. He couldn't know it was me. He couldn't know I was Montana Montgomery.

"Monty is a nice name," he said out of the blue. His eyes were locked to mine. Please look away. No don't look away. Look away. Don't!

"It-it's a nick name." I say with a small smile and he smiles back?

"Really?" I nod

"For what?" I can't believe he didn't know this...

"Montana."

"Mon-TANA." He mumbles emphasising the 'tana'.

"Everyone calls me Monty though." I add, "So it doesn't come up much."

"Everyone? Am I everyone, Tana?" he asks with a smile. His mouth opened, as though he was about to speak again when he was jerked away from me.

"Montgomery." Someone snapped and I jumped. I knew there was only one person who called me Montgomery. I looked up and away from Harrison's face and over his shoulder.

"John." I replied with a sigh. My face was still slightly red from Harrison's close proximity, but I was surprised by how steady my voice was when his cold grey gaze me mine. I expected him to crack a joke, or tease me about what I was wearing, but he didn't. I was so busy preparing myself for his wicked lines that I didn't notice the girl behind him, or maybe my brain wasn't able to comprehend that Liana Davis would be so close to me out of school. Could you blame my brain though? Why would three members of the popular jocks be all looking at me at the same time?

"Monty Montgomery?" Liana's voice was so honey coated and silky. I glanced from each one of them "Oh my goodness, Monty? I didn't know that you were Monty." She said with a chuckle flinging her hand in my direction. Her blonde hair was up in a high ponytail. She had a enviously sparkly smile on her face. Her skirt was tight and her tube top was tin, yet I couldn't deny she looked stunning.

I could only wish I was confident enough to pull off that outfit.

"Er... yeah I'm Monty?" Why did I sound like a blubbering idiot when I said that? And why did it come out like a question? Did I not know my own name? She placed a hand on her hip and looked towards Harrison.

"Baby, you didn't say she would be here." she raised an eyebrow.

What was it with these people caring if I came to a party or not?

I couldn't help but be disappointed when she addressed him with a pet name. I guess they were on at the moment. Still, why had he been so close to me if he was with Liana? At one point I was pretty sure he was going to kiss me.

Harrison didn't look at her though he just shrugged.

"Tana didn't tell me."

"Tana?" John's voice snapped. Yeah, Tana? I asked my mouth drying out. Oh god I really needed that water. Right. Now. I just wanted water.

Liana's eyes narrowed and her lips pursed,

"I'm just here with my friend...." I started.

"Yeah," Liana said and then laughed "This is so cute don't you think?" she asked. Cute? I wouldn't exactly say 'cute' was the word for this senario.

"Mhm." I replied. She grinned.

"Oh Monty, I've heard some stuff about you from Harper here." She said looking at John, whose jaw tensed at that. Oh great. He was talking about me. I tried not cringe at the shit he probably talked.

"You should eat lunch with us on Monday," Liana said and my eyes practically popped out of their sockets. John shouted his objection to that while Harrison smiled.

"Oh- I- I don't think that's-"

"Nonsense, we insist." Liana said holding a hand up at John to shut him up. He did. "And bring your..." she looked around with an amused look "...friend." She finished with a single arched brow. I didn't have time to object before she waved her fingers in goodbye and walked away. Her body brushed Harrison's as she left and I felt a stinging in my chest. A little bud of annoyance bloomed in my brain. It popped though as he glanced after her as she left. He looked back at me with a smile before slowly turning and following her out. That was when my annoyance turned into an ache. I must have been staring because John spoke.

"See that?" he asked, but I didn't look at him. I didn't want to see his cold face. "He follows her around like a lost puppy." He says and the ache in my chest grew stronger. "Look here Montgomery," I could practically hear the smirk on his face "I'm going to tell you now, that guy isn't interested in anything more than your ass." I wanted to turn towards him tell him how wrong he was. Tell him that such a comment was wrong, that it was hurtful, but I didn't. I didn't have the guts, because I think I thought he was right.

I could never compete with girls like Liana.

"You need to wake up, smell the roses or some shit. Harry might be glancing your way today, but its a fad. Liana probably sees you as a charity case or something." I didn't bother to look at him as he walked away. So many words caught in my throat.

My chest was heaving and my head was thumping. Sarah's petite frame came into view before I could fall into my own thoughts. Her face was bright red and her hair slightly out of order.

"There you are!" she gasped. "I've been looking for you everywhere."

"Sorry."

"You won't believe-" she cut herself off "Oh god, I just- you want to get out of here?" she asked and I nodded vigorously.

"Please!" she smiled in relief and grabbed my hand. Thank god. I couldn't spend another minute in this house. Some party.

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A/N- Oh my gosh! Thank you so much for all those who clicked and have read this far!

Things are really starting to pick up in the plot I think... The chapters are definitely shorter now, hope thats better for most people. Not sure if I should go back and make the longer chapters shorter?

Please let me know what you think, I'd really appreciate any feedback.