All I could think about was the party until the party arrived. Or I arrived at the party. It hadn't stopped feeling like the wrong decision. And with the way Eric and Flo had yelled at me, I don't think it would ever feel right.

Mich wasn't around, or he'd be the one to drop me there. He had no idea of this entire debacle. He just knew it was a party I was going to. He was the only one happy I was actually going. Oblivious, but happy.

Christopher wasn't happy I was going.

Eric wasn't happy I was going.

Flo wasn't happy I was going... without her. Might've been a bit of jealousy involved in her anger too.

I could've used her moral support as Eric cruised up to Sean's mansion. He promised to linger for awhile and be on call late, in case I didn't get a ride back, before zooming off. I felt some butterflies in my stomach as I watched him leave. I knew no one here. I wasn’t supposed to know Christopher, he didn’t count. And I didn't want to get to know Sean. He didn’t count either.

It was a beautiful house. Red brick walls spaced with huge French windows that spilled soft, welcoming light. There was a round driveway in front of the entrance. It encircled a circular patch of well trimmed grass, hedged with flowering bushed. I liked their lawn. Neat, no garden gnomes, no flamingos, no bird fountains or other tacky lawn ornaments. I hope he had a gazebo in the backyard. I love gazebos.

I walked across the road, my heels clicked as I ascended the the marble steps to the door. I could hear soft conversation inside as I rang the bell. It had been a while since I'd been to a party. It wouldn't be wild, that's for sure. About twenty-five people. Please. I've seen PTA meetings with a larger attendance and a wilder crowd.

Sean pulled the door open. His face lit up. "Fiera! I can't believe you actually came!"

"I know." I wasn't as enthusiastic in my greeting. "Me neither." He chuckled good-naturedly, and stepped aside to let me in. We had a brush by introduction with the few people who'd arrived before me as he ushered me to the bar to get my welcome drink. I recognised a few of them as they’d been placed in my Tier. I’d been with them inside that room at one point. The others I’d only seen in the hotel.

I smiled at the bartender as he set up to start making a drink. Makes sense Sean has a bartender. He won't be behind the bar making drinks for everyone all night. Probably has a chef too. A waiter would be overkill, wouldn't it?

No sooner had I touched the rim of my glass to my lips than someone tapped my shoulder. I stifled any of my anxiety from showing on my face as I turned to face the person.

Francis.

He'd greeted me quite enthusiastically and I'm pretty sure I'd said something fitting back before he pulled me into his arms. Images of a bloody, unconscious guy under me flooded my mind as he hugged me. It was a bit hard to compare the former bloody visage to the well-suited guy in front of me. He’d given me the most frustrating time.

"You look beautiful." He gushed as he pulled away. His hand on my back to guide me. "Come join us. I believe you've met her before too."

Francis whistled at a brunette busy tapping away on her phone screen. She twisted around and her face clicked immediately too.

"Anita!" I decided to lead the charge first. My voice was squeaky as I continued. "How are you?!" Please don't choke me with my drink tonight.

"Fiera?!" She gasped, giving me a once over. "You look so good! I didn't think you were capable of dressing up." She rounded the sofa, winking as she spoke. "Of course, I prefer you in a tank top and shorts, more to see."

I blushed, more out of surprise than a sense of flattery. But I was glad to see that for once in my time here, I wasn't underdressed. The off-the-shoulder cream dress I wore wasn't very new, but it helped me fit in. It's straps fell to the side of my shoulders to off my shoulders. The neck line had a teasing dip in the center. It was perfect for today. Showing everything, yet revealing nothing. It accentuated my bust, hugged my hips and tapered down my thighs to stop, modestly enough above my knees. I towered above Anita in my heels.

"Can't say I disagree." Francis laughed from behind me. His hand slid away from my waist only to be replaced by Anita's.

She leaned in to whisper, her lips brushed my ear as she lowered her voice seductively. "I'll always have the hots for you, babe. Just say when and we can head back to my place."

I pulled away as she grinned smugly and blessed me with another wink. I gave a bashful laugh but it wasn't long before I settled in with the two of them. They kept me comfortable throughout the party, introduced me to their teammates with them as buffers. It was quite fun because I got to lord over them quite a bit. An interesting role reversal where they were being upscaled by a junior, but they were good-natured about my jabs at the fights. They themselves initiated a few of those jokes. No matter what the argument, that's all it took to end them.

As the party filled up, there was a niggling worry in the back of my mind about what would happen in the case Elizabeth showed up. So when the girls closer to the entrance got a bit hyped up on Christopher's arrival, I tensed up a bit too. Only to relax as he stepped into the house without his usual companion. Sean being the social butterfly he was, hopping from person to person, topping up glasses, keeping good food coming and laughter flowing— guidedChristopher through everyone right to the bar for his welcome drink and then right over to where I was.

I grinned at him and got up from the couch. "Hey! Good to see you!" I greeted, giving his well-fitting suit a once over.

A black shirt under a dark grey blazer and pair of pants with his hair swept back. It was wet, shiny, and still damp from a shower. Some strands dangled over a pair of sharp blue eyes, widened at the moment to convey fake surprise. Fake because he knew I was already coming.

He grinned back at me, opened his arms and pulled me into a hug. "You too! You look great, by the way."

I laughed as I kept the hug short.  "You look fair enough too." That cologne was intoxicating.

"Fair enough?" Christopher rolled his eyes. "I'll take it."

He seemed to seamlessly merge into the conversation. Joking about with others, and since he was the only one who'd defeated me, he had his chance to lord over me occasionally too. I could see that Sean was a bit more attached to this group than the others, but as party host, he had an obligation to fulfill.

We barely felt the time pass but people eventually started departing. I didn't feel like leaving, and apparently my sentiments were shared by the other three. Sean was more than happy to accommodate us with the pool table a little deeper into the house.

It was a cozy room off to the side of the large lounge slash entrance slash bar slash living area. Wood panelling on the wall, soft lighting, comfy brown leather sofas with a soft electric fire in the fireplace. Soon, everyone had left and it was only the five of us. Even the bartender and the chef had been told to leave. We had our drinks neat, and munchex on leftover finger foods.

"Is it Fiera's turn again already?" Francis whined as I used the chalk. "She's cheating somehow. She manages to take two or three balls each turn."

I shrugged casually as I surveyed the table. "Mich is amazing at this. I've never won even once against him but I have gotten quite good at it." I leaned down, my gaze narrowed to the tip of my cue.

Two balls rolled in one attempted shot after the other, the third bounced off the rim and rolled to the side in a tantalising setup for the next player.

"Dammit." I stomped my heel huffily as Christopher got up to play.

"Leave some for the rest of us too." He chuckled. Christopher rounded the table as I flopped onto the couch. I watched the muscles bunch up in his back as he rolled his shoulders. I sulked as my rebound dropped into the pocket and chose to drown my frustration in the alcohol.

"It's not like we're counting points anyway." Anita spoke up, a yawn hidden behind her hand. "All we have to do scatter the balls all over again and keep playing."

"Spoken like a true loser." Snickered Sean. He raised his glass to her.

Anita sneered at him and stuck her tongue out for added measure. "Go suck something sour."

I giggled from my sunken spot in the sofa. "Now, now. That's very unladylike."

Francis visibly rolled his eyes as Christopher laughed, a resounding clack following his shot. "That's rich, coming from you... Dammit, so close."

"I might not have aced you in the Trials but I'm kicking your ass on the table." I sat up a bit straighter as he sat down beside me. "Show me some respect."

"I'll show you respect anytime, ma'am." Francis winked at me instead with a mock salute.

I giggled once more. Francis and Anita had been playing this sort of flirt tag with me throughout the evening. They'd started it with Christopher too but he'd politely declined them. I couldn't help myself. It was amusing, and Anita's interest in me was flattering. I’d already shut Sean down. And I’m glad that he didn’t try to push the boundaries I’d set now. Normally, I kept one-night stands at a distance but Sean was just a nice guy unfortunate enough to somehow be into me. After I'd alread kicked his ass, and almost stabbed him. Go figure.

Eventually amidst the rescattering and lack of point-gathering, the glasses and trays ran empty. We were all full. None of us wanted, nor needed more drinks. I was feeling a buzz but I knew with this ridiculously high tolerance, it was bound to buzz off given enough time.

I yawned, my hands stretched above my head as I took a seat on the arm of the sofa beside Christopher. He seemed to be asleep. Anita pursed her lips at me as she spoke. "Aww, how cute. Is it past the junior prodigy's bedtime?"

The others laughed at her joke. I narrowed my eyes in mock anger and pointed at her. "Watch it, Annie. I burn stuff." On point, my finger burst into flames.

Anita gasped melodramatically, her hands flying out the side of her face as she swooned in the arms of the closest person to her.

"Hey!" Sean protested at the unexpected weight he was forced to take on. He leaned heavily against the wall as he tried to get a grip on Anita.

The three of us were laughed away as Anita 'regained' consciousness. She blew kisses up at Sean while sprawled in his strong, but reluctant arms.

"Hey, hey." Sean finally managed to right her and stepped out of her swooning range. "I thought you didn't swing my way."

"She never said she didn't." Christopher spoke up, sitting up as he opened his eyes and smirked. "But does swoon that way."

I couldn't help it, I snickered as the other two guys groaned. Anita liked the joke. She made finger guns at Christopher as he smugly watched the others writhe in misery. He looked up at me as I patted his back, still chuckling like an idiot.

"I need to get out of here." Sean decided to partake in some of the drama too. "Someone help me carry these trays and glasses."

Out of habit, I stood up from my perch and started collecting the glass tumblers closest to me. Christopher huffed as he stood up. I tried not to look surprised as he picked up a tray and followed Sean out. Anita and Francis didn’t even bother with a pretense of wanting to help. The stayed back as I joined the conga line too. I paused at the doorway to give those two a practiced glare and putting on a high, nasally voice.

"Now don't you two get up to any sorts of hanky-panky with the grown-ups gone. Mmkay?"

Francis laughed but Anita was quick to reply. "The only hanky-panky I'm interested in is with you."

I burst into laughter too. "You're insufferable." I threw over my shoulder as the door slammed shut behind me.

"Just keep the glasses behind the bar, Fi." I barely heard Sean say as I caught up. "They'll be washed tomorrow."

I glimpsed them vanish into the kitchen as I moved behind the bar. I neatly placed the tumblers down. And then stuck around to snack on some of the cherries. Sweet. Ducking out from behind there, I did another leisurely stretch, my entire body emitting a harmony of cracks that, in a way, rejuvenated me. I yawned, leaning on the bar and rolling my ankles to relieve some of the pain from the heels. I don't care who's leaving next, I'm going with them. I might not have a curfew but I don't want Mich to worry about me either. It was way beyond midnight, approaching some very early hours. It would be sunrise soon. Not my first time seeing the sunrise at a party. .

I gave a impatient sigh as I turned to the kitchen. The carpet was soft under my feet as I walked over. It ticked a bit too. What was taking them so long? I doubt they decided to start washing the dishes.

I could hear loud voices as I approached the side door. My steps became slower, more hesitant as I questioned whether I should interrupt or not. But then again, it's the kitchen. There is sharp stuff there. And while I might not trust Sean, I'd rather not see him stabbed and Christopher in jail. That would put a huge damper on my life. Social, academic or otherwise.

I pushed the door opened. They weren't very deep in but they didn't see me enter. It was clear that they’d been arguing. Their eyes were locked onto each other, both angry and seething. However, Sean was a bit more drunk than Christopher and his slight sway proved it. It seemed like they were in a deadlock, neither of them willing to do what came next.

I took a few steps forward and my eyes landed on Christopher's clenched fists. I might be wrong, Christopher would take that step.

And unfortunately enough, he did not disappoint.

The anger on Sean's face was quick to switch to confusion and pain as Christopher's fist slammed into the side of his face.

My legs propelled me forward before I even knew it. I managed to wrap my fingers around Christopher's fist as he pulled it back for a second punch. My other hand worked to undo the grip he had on Sean's collar.

I bit my lip in effort as I pushed Christopher away. Surprise filled his eyes as I stepped in between him and Sean. Christopher righted himself after he stumbled back a few steps and glared through me right at Sean. "Move out of the way, Fiera!"

"Sit down, Christopher!" I snapped back at him immediately. The intensity of my tone surprised the both of us. Glaring at him for another few seconds, I turned around to face a disoriented Sean.

He had his hand pressed to his nose which was dripping heavily. I grimaced as I looked at the blood on the kitchen floor and his shirt. Christopher stayed in the kitchen as I guided Sean out of and onto a barstool. We avoided the living room. Blood does not wash off cream easily.

Sean leaned back on the wooden bar top. His face was screwed up in pain as he pinched the bridge of his nose. His head rested on the bar. I grabbed a couple of tissues and stuffed them into his free hand as I turned to face the direction of the pool room. "Francis! Anita! Come out here, I need your help!"

I heard a replying yell, garbled through the thick doors. A minute later, Anita's giggled echoed down the hallway.

"What's up?" Francis greeted casually as he walked in first. Idiot still had his pool cue.

Anita was a little faster to notice the situation as she walked in behind him. The mirth on her face faded away as ger drunk brain was pushed aside. Her eyes moved from Sean, to me, to Christopher and I'm pretty sure she connected the dots. Shaking her head, she walked towards me. "How many punches?"

"One." I stepped back to let the Air Elemental work. "Pulled Christopher away in time."

"Ooh." Francis leaned the stick against the wall before walking over. Took him a while. "Strong punch." He watched over Anita's shoulder as she observed Sean. "I don't think Christopher fully broke his nose though."

"I can try again." Christopher spoke from the kitchen door as he finally walked out. Water drilled down his straight nose, his collar was wet too.

"Sloppy punch." Anita added, stepping in as I stepped aside. "He's drunker than he thinks he is."

"I'm not drunk." Christopher growled as I moved between him and Sean once more. He stopped.

"Shut up." The three of us chorussed as they focused on Sean.

Sean tried to wave a hand dismissively as Anita leaned over him. "It's obkay. I'mb fine." He mumbled through Anita’s hands.

I twisted back around to look at Christopher. He was now in an armchair. His brows were still pulled down and his lips twisted unpleasantly as well. A dangerous look in his blue eyes as they came to rest on me.

"What?" He snapped.

I sighed and walked over to him. "Come on, give me your keys."

"I'm not drunk."

I narrowed my eyes too. "Give me your keys. I'm driving myself home and if you're nice on the ride till there, I'll give you coffee before you drive off."

"Maybe I should drive you both home." Francis cut in, also drunk.

I ignored him, hand still held out as Christopher glared up at me. "Christopher, give me the damn keys or I will take them from you."

"Can you even drive?" He countered.

"I can. We just don't have a car because we move around so much."

There was another few intense moments filled with his glare before he fished them out of his pocket and tossed them up to me. I jangled the keys in my hand. "Let's go." I gestured to the door. "Or do you require a royal invitation?"

Christopher stood up. He pulled a sour face at the remark but stalked towards the door and slammed it shut behind him. He could've held it open but apparently, chivalry is drunk.

I turned back around. "You guys fix up Sean. I'll make sure this genius is a bit more sober when he drives home." My feet led me to the pool room. My clutch, mobile and heels were still there.

"Good luck." Anita threw me an impressed look over her shoulder. "I've never seen someone handle a Royal with that much confidence. You stared him down."

"I'm not from here." I threw over my shoulder. "They don't scare me. I've dealt with scarier toddlers."

I could hear their laughter ringing out behind me as I stepped into the pool room. It was quiet in here. My stick still leaned against the arm of the sofa I'd been on barely ten minutes ago. Empty glasses and plates around the room, balls still scattered on the table as if we'd return and complete the game. A sigh left me as I picked up mine and Christopher's belongings and left. Everyone said their goodbyes as I walked through the living room. Paused by the door to tug on my heels before I stepped out.

The cool air brushed against my legs as I gave myself a moment to adjust to the temperature difference before I walked down the steps. Christopher was leanes against his car, arms crossed, head down. It was dark. The streetlights just made him look super emo with his black hair falling over his angry face.

I snickered at my inside joke as I walked over to the driver's side. It had been a while since I'd driven. It was a sports mobile so there might be a bit of getting used to.

Christopher slipped into the passenger seat without a word as I unlocked the car. It purred to life under my hands with the twist of a key. I let the engine warm up as I twisted to click my seatbelt in, telling Christopher to do the same. I made sure he was strapped in before I shifted gears and moved out of the driveway.

They were right about never forgetting how to drive a car. I smoothly shifted as we picked up speed on the empty streets. As houses started disappearing beside us, I slowed down a bit to navigate the twists and turns.

"I always thought you drove automatic cars." I finally spoke in the silence. "This is a pleasant surprise."

"I learnt in a standard. If I started using automatics, I'd fall out of practice." I saw him turn to look at me for the first time since we started off. "Where did you learn to drive?"

"I didn't want to tell you before we left because you wouldn't have let me drive." I paused. "And I really was looking for chance to drive your car."

"Why? I wouldn't do anything." He shrugged.

I chuckled. "Alright. I learnt how to drive when I was fourteen, or I thought I was fourteen which means I learnt at fifteen. Mich has a friend who is a stunt driver, and he-"

"Oh no." Christopher sat up straight, slight panic in his voice. "Pull over right now. I'm driving."

I laughed. "Calm down. He refused to teach me stunts until I turned eighteen. I'm a good driver— trust me."

I felt his eyes move over my posture in the driving seat. I switched gears once more as we headed uphill. He relaxed back in his seat and went quiet again.

All this silence was nice but I had to talk to him about what had happened back there. That talk wouldn't happen in the car and certainly not outside my house as it ticked to the morning. I couldn't guarantee calm voices. And I didn’t want to cause a scene that might wake Mich up.

I pulled over to the side on a straight stretch of isolated road. We were only ten minutes out from my home. Christopher turned to look at me in puzzlement. I switched off the car, pulled the keys out of the ignition and stepped out. A door opened as I walked behind the car and then turned to face it.

It was a few moments before Christopher started to move. The door slammed shut as he walked towards me. Confusion visible on his face under the harsh street lamps as he looked around. "What is it?"

"We need to talk about what you did and it's better we do that face to face." I crossed my arms as his defenses immediately shot up. "Why did you punch Sean? What were you guys arguing about?"

Christopher's brows lowered, his lips pressing into a thin line. "I'd rather not talk about it." I should have expected this.

"You have to." I shrugged. "Or I'm not giving you the keys. I can walk home from here." The headlights flashed as I locked the car to make my point.

Christopher grimaced. "Is this why you wanted my keys?"

"I'm winging it... I also really just wanted to drive your car." I paused expectantly, waiting for an answer. I think I'd already said that.

He went silent, eyes on me as the gears grinded in his head. He finally sighed. "It... It was about Elizabeth."

I couldn't help the irritation crossing my face. "Really? You punched Sean... over Elizabeth?"

He nodded tightly, his eyes darting here and there. More irritation built up within me, alcohol helped push it out in a flurry of words. "No wonder the two of you are together." My voice was bitter. "She beats up anybody who looks sideways at either of you, and you beat up anybody who even talks about her. Birds of a feather indeed flock together."

"You didn't even listen to what happened." He sounded hurt, his eyes moving to me for just a second.

"I don't need to." I threw my hands up, ignoring the tone of his voice. "Whatever happened— you just hurt another person because of Elizabeth. How long does this have to go on? She hurts someone, you hurt someone. Is this a never ending cycle?!" I threw my arms out.

"Fiera, plea-"

"Don't try to defend yourself." I hissed, my voice rose a notch. "You have to stop making excuses for the way the two of you act." I shook my head, disappointment crept into my voice. "I can't believe I thought you were actually a nice guy..."

“Fiera, I-I… you’ve got this wrong!” Christopher seemed to be struggling. There was pain in his features now. "I lied, okay? It was not about Elizabeth."

I rolled my eyes. "Sure it wasn't. You can’t backtrack your way out of this. You both tend to go ballistic over each other anyway. I'm surprised she didn't show up today. I doubt I could've held off the two of you together. Hey, maybe we'd have another sh-"

"It was over you!" Christopher blurted out. He slammed his hand against the car. The sound cut me off as I jumped. "It was about you, okay?! I punched him because of you!"