My hands were red from all the swiping my clammy hands . The arrangements were made. Drinks, food, lights, music. All set. People I knew and I didn't started barging in. I knew for the fact that some people didn't know what's happening except for the party.

It was their birthday the next day but we planned it today so we could visit our parents. 

I jumped out of my skin when Abby snaked her hand around my waist.

"Am I looking okay?", she asked tightening the bottom straps of her top to push her boobs up. The dark blue was a perfect fit with black jeans and a boot. She curled her hair unlike me and the makeup was simple. I would say Nick had a part in the simple make up.

I remember Abby said one day that Nick had a lick fetish, which I didn't wanna know,  and he wasn't very happy about licking off her heavy makeup from her face. Absolutely gross but who was I to judge. Afterall, I was bringing the one guy I shouldn't and they didn't know yet.

My heart rate picked up when I saw Connor enter the room. I turned to see Matt looking at me with a smile. Atleast he wasn't on the hit list. As days went by Connor and I drifted apart. There would be moments where we would be alone but nothing more happened than a catch up.

My throat clogged up when I turned to meet the familiar emerald eyes. The few unbuttoned black shirt gave me evil thoughts. The thoughts I could only live in the bedroom. 

Okayyyy.

I shook my head of that not so proud thought. That was out of nowhere but shit he was freaking hot. A girl could dream.

He slowly moved towards me until his hand reached out to me. His eyes almost disappeared when he smiled but it didn't last long. His features took upon a frown but his eyes weren't on me. I turned around to see Abby and Luke looking at up with a face of disgust. Well, hell was about to lose.

Luke rushed towards me and held my arm so tightly that I was sure it would leave marks. I gasped at the sudden contact more like by his abrupt action. I didn't say anything and followed him behind after giving Ryder a small smile.

He pushed past some people to the kitchen. "What the hell he is doing here, Em?", he turned and spat at me.

I shouldn't get nervous. I made the decision and I decided to give him a chance. I really wanted Luke to let it go and enjoy his birthday but this was gonna happen eventually and it was better if more people to save Ryder if Luke went on a killing spree.

"I invited him", I shook my hand from his. It definitely left a mark.

"Why? I don't understand. That's the fucking guy that fucking threatened you to date him. He has Abby's video and god knows what that video is", he yelled earning a few curious graze. I was getting redder by the embarrassment partially because it was supposed to be a private conversation.

"He deleted the video, Luke. I know it's crazy but please just give it a chance"

"What?!!", he asked with a burrowed eyebrows.

"We like each other". I saw his face grow stone at my words. 

"You like each other?", he laughed like I was joking. I was getting hotter by the crowd and the argument we were having

"When did you become so selfish, Em?", I snapped my eyes at him.

"Excuse me?"

"Yeah, excuse you. What you are doing now is absolutely ridiculous. We broke up Abby with Dustin because he was using her and you go and fall into the same trap. "

"I won't", my throat clogged. Fighting with people wasn't my niche especially with the people I loved. My eyes started burning but I held the tears at bay. It was time to make him understand. I knew Ryder was different and he was nowhere near that douche Dustin

"What makes you say that? Can't you see that everything is wrong in here? He can't make you happy, Em. I don't know what kinda trick he used on you but he is not worth it. He will hurt you and that will hurt all of us. Please don't be selfish and think about it in a long run", his voice softened as he held my shoulder and bend to look at my eyes. 

"You trust me, right? I know what is not good for you. I don't want my best friend to get hurt. That guy over there surely will"

I lost my focus with his words. Maybe Luke was right, I was doing it all wrong. But I couldn't deny the emotions I felt when Ryder was around me. I saw Luke walk out of the kitchen. I didn't mean to upset him and I've still got Abby and Matt to face. I hoped Matt wouldn't freak infront of other people.

I sighed and pushed myself off the kitchen counter. The mental exhaustion was too much and the headache was creeping in. Sleep was my medicine and I wanted it immediately. I walked through my living room and jumped when I felt a hand on mine where Luke left a mark.

"Hey", Ryder said with blank face but I could see worry in his face. I looked around for someone to notice me. When they didn't I pulled Ryder with me to my room. My stomach was doing the flips because Ryder was the only guy with feelings I've ever let into my room.

He didn't speak anything for the first few minutes. His eyes were trained on my hands where he was drawing soft patterns. He had a small stubble and his chiseled jaw was set tight.

"I am fine", I tried to wiggle my hand. I hissed when he pressed it tighter.

"You are not", he pulled my hand more towards him and inspected the place Luke showcased his fury. 

"Yes, I am not. But I'll be fine. I am gonna sleep for few minutes. You can explore my boring room or play with your phone or anything. Okay?", he just nodded still not looking at me. I pulled my blankets over my waist and closed my eyes

"Emily?"

"Hmm"

"Can I lie down with you?", my heart literally started jumping. I knew I was sweating in different places. I nodded, too flustered to open my mouth. He smirked and came under my blanket.

While I thought he would respect my space, he pulled me into him. His chocolate cologne hit me like a truck, a truck that I liked. I could feel his abs against my cushion stomach. I widened my eyes, Then he can feel mine too. Okay, you are over reacting. If he doesn't like it, he will leave you. So don't judge yourself too much.

My train of thoughts were cut when I felt his lips on my forehead. 

"I am sorry", his guilty voice broke my heart. I pulled back a little to look at him, "Why?"

"You are hurt because I came here". That was some ridiculous shit that he ever uttered. I bought him here because I decided it. 

"No, I am here because Luke hurt me. Its his fault ". I placed my hands on his cold cheeks. The heat trapped under the blankets did some things I couldn't say out loud. My eyes were drifting to his plump red lips, which was getting bigger and bigger until I couldn't see it anymore. 

I closed my eyes into the kiss. It was slow and passionate. We moved together and I was already running out of  breath but never made anything to pop the bubble. When his hands slid under my shirt, my senses poured in like a cold water. I gently shook my head and removed his hand and kept it in between us. Ryder sighed and sunk into the pillow while he played with my fingers.

"Nice room", he said and pulled me to his chest.

The continuous knock on my door woke me up from the nap. I knew it was some stranger because I didn't lock the door and definitely didn't have friends who knock before the entrance.

I adjusted my shirt and tiptoed trying not to wake up Ryder. I opened the door and the moment my eyes looked into his jade my heart tore in betrayal. The slow smile creeping on his face had my skin burning

"Hey Em-"

"No you did not", I screamed and slammed the door in his face.