"Diner Girl!" Is all I hear as I stand up from behind the counter.

No way.

No, seriously. A Friday in July and they all choose to come in here, halfway through my shift. Why aren't they out on the football field or the basketball court? That's definitely more fun than being in here. I'm fairly certain sixty five percent of customers get food poisoning.

I turn around, my face blank as I take in the familiar group of jocks that have walked in, Brett standing in the center, his hands tucked into his letterman jacket.

"Don't call me that." I shoot back at Ellis, glaring. He holds up his hands in surrender.

"But..."

"I have a name." I cut him off as they all take a seat in the booth by the door, Ellis rolling his eyes at me.

"I like this girl more and more." Chris grins.

"Me too." Brett agrees, never taking his eyes off me, a smile pinned onto his face. I can feel the blush flood my cheeks and internally curse Harry for insisting I wear the disgusting hair net that pins my hair away from my face, leaving my red cheeks on full display.

"What can I get you?" I ask, trying to hide my uncontrollable smile.

"Latte please." Ben smiles and I nod.

"Coca cola please." Liam orders and I smile. Turning to the others I take their orders quickly, Ben ordering a burger in addition to his drink.

"Are you coming to the party tonight?" Ellis asks, as I finish noting the order down. I look up, surprised to see them all staring at me.

"Me?" I squeak, pointing the pencil at myself. They want to know about me? Whether I'm going to a party?

"Yes." Ellis answers, looking at me like I've grown two heads.

"Probably not." I shake my head, looking back down at the notepad. Judging by past experiences I'm not sure these parties are my thing.

"Come on, it'll be fun!" Ben grins, nudging Ellis' shoulder.

"I don't..."

"I'm not taking no as an answer." Brett cuts me off and I stare down at him, eyes wide in surprise.

"What if I'm busy?"

"Cancel your plans, I'm more important." Brett smirks, sitting forward and smiling up at me. "I'll have a lemonade please."

"I.. uh.."

"Winters your girl is speechless!" Chris chuckles and I struggle to control myself, feeling my cheeks redden again, my legs turning to jelly. Girl... His girl? Brett's girl?

"I'll get your drinks." I manage to squeak out before turning and rushing back behind the counter, the sweat pooling on my forehead. They see me as Brett's girl? Is that what I am now? Has he told all of them about us? But if that's the case then what exactly has he told them? If he's told them everything then I swear we are over before we've even begun.

I hastily pour their drinks, my hands slightly shaky before I turn, taking the tray over to them, smiling as I approach.

"Here you go."

"Thanks Diner Girl." Ellis grins and I ignore him, turning away and placing the rest of the drinks down.

"Thanks." Liam smiles and I nod.

"Let me know if you need anything else."

"We will." Brett smiles at me and for the tenth time I feel my cheeks redden, looking away and walking back to the counter. Why can't I keep my cool around him?

*~*~*

"Sav!" I shoot up at the sound of my name, coming face to face with Ben, the others stood behind him.

"Yes?"

"We'll be off now." Brett announces, smiling. "See you later."

"Uhh maybe I have a lot to do..."

"See you at the party Diner Girl!" Ellis calls before disappearing out of the door. They all follow, Brett shooting me a killer smile before he exits, causing my heart rate to rise, my stomach to flip. I'm confused by when exactly it was that I turned into one of those girls who craves attention from a boy and how it has happened. Shaking my head I turn to the little girl who's sat eating a sundae at the counter and staring at me wide eyed at the exchange that's just taken place.

"Don't work in a diner kid. I've had that nickname for a year now."

*~*~*

"I have nothing to wear!" I moan.

"You have loads of clothes." Zara counters and I glare over at her, sat impatiently on the bed, completely ready in her lilac maxi dress.

"But nothing suitable."

"You should've raided Elle's wardrobe." Becky replies and I screw up my face and shake my head.

"It's worse than mine."

"I don't know what I have that you could wear... ah! What about this?" Georgia holds up a low cut black top, jewels decorating the neckline.

"Really?" I ask, looking pleadingly at her. What an angel.

"With your blue jeans." Georgia nods.

"Looks good to me." Becky grins, sliding her black dress over her head.

"Let your hair down too." Zara inputs. "Natural waves."

"I'm gonna wear this." Becky grins, turning to face us, her cleavage causing Georgia's eyes to pop out of her head. "Thoughts?"

"You're trying to get laid?" Georgia snorts.

"Correct." Becky nods, running her hands through her straight black hair.

"Becky don't you want to wa..."

"I don't want to wait." Becky cuts Georgia off. I turn away, pulling the outfit on quickly. "I want to have fun."

"You can have fun without..."

"I know. But this is how I have fun." Becky snaps.

"How does it look?" I interrupt, turning to face them.

"Amazing." Zara confirms, smiling.

"It suits you." Becky nods. "Innocent but feisty."

"I really don't think an outfit can say that..." Zara comments, laughing.

"It definitely can." Becky defends, "Yours says 'get me out of here. I hate high school!'" She jokes.

"Whatever. Let's get this over with." Zara rolls her eyes, getting up and shoving Becky's shoulder playfully.

"Lighten up babe, only one year left." Becky teases, grabbing onto her arm.

One year left. One year and I don't even have half the amount needed for one year at Stanford.

Great.

*~*~*

"Can we leave yet?" Are the words that pour out of Zara's mouth as soon as we enter the crammed house. I grimace as I look round at the room.

It's new territory, I've never been here for a party before. Liam's parents went out of town for the week and everyone jumped at the chance, a new house to wreck. His house is smaller than the likes of Becky and Brett's, but still far bigger than mine. Not that it's hard.

As Becky runs off for a drink and Georgia rolls her eyes, sloping off into the living room with Zara in tow I can't help but gaze at the family pictures pinned up on the wall of the entrance way, his Mom and Dad grinning, their hand on his shoulder. It's a proper family picture, and I'm an absolute sucker for those.

Staring at the picture, I'm drawn to it, unable to tear my eyes away. His parents are your average happy middle aged parents, proudly staring at the camera. His Dad looks kind, friendly and approachable just like my Dad used to be. His Mom has a prim and proper haircut, perfectly straightened to her chin, a blazer covering her button up shirt. My Mom was the opposite, her wavy blonde hair flowing down passed her shoulders, never constrained into an updo. She felt more free when it was flowing loose. I loved her hair and I know Elle was jealous that I inherited it, Elle left with the strawberry blonde locks of our Father.

"Diner Girl!" Ellis' voice wrenches me out of my daydream and I roll my eyes, turning to face him.

"I will punch you." I snap.

"I'd like to see you try."

"She'd flatten you." Becky snorts, coming up from behind me, her cup already half empty.

"Well don't you look goooood." Ellis grins, crossing his arms as he analyses her.

"Not interested." She retorts.

"Where's the drink?" I ask, my private moment ruined.

"Kitchen." Ellis gestures.

"Anyone want some?" I ask, looking between the two of them.

"I'll come!" Becky nods downing her drink and shoving the empty cup into Ellis' hands, his expression priceless. Becky grabs hold of my arm and drags me away, leaving the arrogant football player in our midst. When we reach the drinks table Becky lets go of me, quickly reaching over to grab some drinks.

"Hey." The sound of Brett's voice sends warmth flooding through my body and I feel him wind his arm around my waist, turning me towards him and allowing me to stare into his captivating blue eyes. "You came."

"I don't know why." I reply, unable to stop the small smile from forming on my face.

"I do." He smirks and I roll my eyes, pushing him back, away from me.

"For the last time it isn't because of you." I scoff, crossing my arms.

"Here." Becky turns, handing me the cup. I look down at the green liquid, an eyebrow raised.

"What is it?"

"Punch." She shrugs.

"Absolutely not." I object, wrinkling my nose at the horrible looking liquid.

"I can promise you it hasn't been spiked. Yet." Brett assures, grinning slightly.

"What?"

"There's only vodka in it. Liam only just put it out." He shrugs.

"Fine." I surrender, raising the cup to my lips. I take a big gulp, cringing as the liquid hits my throat. "That's strong."

"That's a party!" Becky remarks, lightly shoving my shoulder.

"Winters!" Ben bellows from the other side of the room, "They all want to play a game in there." He grins, gesturing. "Come and join." He calls before disappearing back into the room. Brett turns to me, a slight smile on his face.

"Come on, let's go." He gestures and I shift on my feet, unsure. I still haven't forgotten what happened at his birthday. The hurt is still there, buried deep.

I wonder whether it will ever disappear.

"I don't..."

"Let's go Sav!" Becky encourages, grabbing onto my hand and sending me a supportive smile.

"You'll have fun." Brett whispers by my ear and I shoot him a doubtful look. Becky tugs on my hand, gently encouraging me to move forward. I shoot her a glare, my eyes narrowed.

"I am not a dog."

We make our way into the next room quickly, gathering around the two couches in the center of the room.

"What are we doing Ellis?" Ben asks, his arm looped around Elisha, a cheerleader who's normally in Ashley's clutches.

"Never have I ever!" Ellis grins.

"Really?" I groan. "Didn't people do that when they were fourteen?" Not forgetting it's the game that caused me to lose my job.

"They sure did." Ellis nods, "But you didn't come to our parties when you were that age... so we have to find out all your secrets now instead."

"Alright." Becky shrugs, "I'm an open book."

"I'll start." Zara pipes up, leaning back on the couch, "Never have I ever... passed out from drink." The majority of the group drinks and as Brett looks over at me expectantly I shake my head, giggling slightly. I know how to handle my drink. Or, it's probably just because I haven't ever got drunk enough.

"Never have I ever thrown up from drink." Georgia smirks, giggling at Zara. I find myself chuckling slightly as well at the memory and turn to see Zara take a big gulp. When Georgia had turned fifteen we had decided it was a good idea to raid her parents liquor cabinet whilst they were out. It was disgusting, Georgia and I barely managing more than two sips, but Zara drank the lot. As the night wore on she became more rowdy, dancing on the table, serenading us. It all came to a head when we burst out into the street singing 'Dancing Queen'. Georgia's parents came home, their car stopping two foot in front of us and Zara took one look at them before throwing up all over their car. We'd been sent home immediately, Elle having to put me to bed with a lecture about how if I'm going to drink, I should make sure I'm not caught by the parents.

I love my sister.

"Never have I ever pissed myself from drink." Ellis pipes up. A few of the jocks drink and I grimace. I hope I never get that drunk.

"Boring!" Becky grins sitting forward in her seat, "Let's make this interesting." She smirks, "Never have I ever had sex." Once again the majority of the room drinks, the exception being Zara and I. Georgia looks uncomfortable as she takes a sip and I notice Zara take a step forward, stumbling intentionally in order to distract everyone.

Georgia lost her virginity when we were fifteen. She had been meeting up with an older boy from the next town over. She was smitten, so obsessed with him. He'd buy her gifts every day, send her flowers each weekend. We all believed that he was a good guy, that he was someone special, he could make her happy.

When they slept together he disappeared. He never called her again, never spoke to her. She was heartbroken, and Zara and I spent months picking up the pieces of her heart and mending it. She seems like a callous bitch to Becky, but the pent up anger comes from her own experiences of being a 'bed them and dump them' victim.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••