"I have better things to be doing." I grumble, trailing behind Becky, Zara and Georgia as we approach the mansion.

"We know. You've told us ten times." Georgia responds.

"And yet I'm still here." I retort, Becky shooting me an amused smile.

"It's the biggest party of the year Sav!" Georgia lectures, "I wasn't about to let you miss it."

"Clearly." I mutter under my breath.

The girls are all dressed up for the event, Becky's mini skirt barely covering her, Georgia's pink dress dipping low at the front. I was seriously under dressed in my black cami and jeans but I didn't care.  Becky had insisted I at least wear my hair down, and thrown a pair of black heeled boots my way.  That was the grand extent of my effort for this party.

Brett Winters' 18th.

The so called party of the century, one that if I missed it then I would become an outcast.

"Can we at least leave early?" I groan and Zara shakes her head.

"We'll be here until the end." She smiles wickedly and I roll my eyes, walking up the driveway. I will not be here until the end.

Teenagers have already spilled out onto the grass in front of the house, the music thumping loudly as we walk up the steps, carefully avoiding the glass that covers the floor. As soon as we enter Zara's mouth understandably drops open in awe.

"I knew they were rich but..."

"Unbelievable isn't it?" I reply, nodding as I take in the familiar entrance way. She shoots me a quizzical stare and I immediately shrug, folding my arms across my chest and glancing with distaste at the drunk teenagers that litter the room.

In the heat of the moment I forgot that no-one but Becky knows I've been here before. A fact I'd definitely like to keep to myself.

"I need a drink." I mutter, changing the subject.

"Yes girl!" Georgia exclaims, linking arms with me and dragging me forward, "Drinks?" She asks someone, instantly pointing in the direction of the kitchen, all of us then continuing towards the back of the house, immediately spotting the alcohol as soon as we enter, "Perfect!" Georgia grabs a glass from the side, filling it with punch and passing it straight to me.

I can practically smell the cheap alcohol from here, wrinkling my nose at the look of the bright red liquid.

"Just don't drink it too fast." Becky lectures, nudging my shoulder before downing the contents of her cup.

"Becky!" Zara squeals, eyes wide as I shake my head, giggling at how innocent and inexperienced we are.

"What?" Becky smiles proudly and I grin, taking a sip of the punch. It's a pleasant tropical flavor, but I don't miss the burn of alcohol that instantly hits my throat. I kind of like it.

"It's you!" A voice calls from behind and I spin around, rolling my eyes at the sight of Ellis, "Diner Girl!" He exclaims, holding his arms out towards me.

"I have a name."

"Diner Girl is so easy to remember." He complains as I take another drink.

"So is Savannah." Zara snorts.

"Long though." He grins, slumping on the kitchen side.

"Been drinking have we Ellis?" Becky smirks.

"Of course." He grins opening his arms, "Got to celebrate my man."

"That's cute." Becky remarks.

"Thanks. Want to go upstairs?"

"Thanks for the enticing offer but no." Becky reaches for the cup in his hand, grabbing onto it and downing the contents. "I'm here with my girls."

"They can all come." He shrugs and I shake my head taking a sip as Zara grimaces.

"Gross!" Georgia exclaims, flicking her blonde hair behind her shoulders. Ellis notices the action, raising his eyebrows as he scans her up and down with a grin.

"You giving the girls a hard time El?" A red haired boy pats him on the shoulder, grinning.

"Sam!" Zara immediately shoots upright, her eyes wide as she runs her fingers through her hair.

"Hey Za."

"How are you?" She babbles, her grin as wide as it can possibly go.

"Alright, you?"

"Perfect."

"Okay," Becky pipes up, looking between Zara and Sam, "How's the party?"

"Good." Sam grins, nudging Ellis' shoulder. "The night is young."

"You got that right." Georgia smiles, leaning back on the counter and flicking her hair away from her face again. Maybe she should have pinned it up. Wouldn't be getting in her way so much then would it? She's absolutely loving the attention.

"I already need another drink." Georgia smirks before grabbing hold of Zara's arm, both of them disappearing into the crowd.

"She should have picked up two to start with!" Becky lectures, already on her second cup.

"Shouldn't you slow down?" Ellis questions, his eyebrow raised.

"I'm a big girl, I think I can decide how much to drink." She shrugs, and I can't help but smile.

"Whatever." Ellis replies, looking over at me, "At least Diner Girl knows how to pace herself."

"I'm not a big drinker." I retort, taking another sip of my drink.

"Why not?" Ellis asks, holding his own cup out. "Here have mine." I look down at the sickly blue liquid in his cup and wrinkle my nose as the smell hits me.

"I'm okay really." I reply, shooting him a quick smile. "Thanks though."

"You'll relax..."

"Don't pressure the girl. I'll get you done for harassment." Becky snaps, stepping in front of me.

"Sure you will."

"You think I'm joking."

"Drink your drinks and shut up." Sam pipes up, rolling his eyes as I giggle.

"Heads up!" A loud yell suddenly sounds out from the other side of the room, cold liquid raining down from above.

"Urgh!" Sam groans as I hurriedly try to wipe my arms, "Fuck sake!"

"Now that was amusing." Ellis grins, looking back through the crowd to see who threw it.

"This is why I don't like parties." I scowl, wiping my hands on my jeans.

"Did you get hit?"

"What?" I'm startled by Becky's question.

"Did you get hit?"

"A bit..."

"Come on Sav!" Becky lectures me, reaching behind her and grabbing a can of beer. "These parties are fun and you know it. Don't get caught up because you don't get on with everyone here." She looks around, opening the can and handing it to me. I look down at it with trepidation. "Drink and enjoy yourself." She grins.

"Seriously?" I roll my eyes as she nods. "Fine!" I relent, taking a quick sip of the canned drink surprised when it's nowhere near as bad as I expect it to be.

"Yeah!"

"Good spirit Diner Girl."

"I am a cheerleader." I point out, giggling slightly.

"Didn't realize all cheerleaders were this enthusiastic off the field."

"Well, dearest Ellis..." Becky smirks, taking a step towards him, reaching up and placing her arm around the back of his neck. He stills, a deer caught in headlights as she leans in, stopping just beside his ear.

"The night is young and so are we!" She sings, letting go and pushing him back, stealing his drink from his hand. I can't help but laugh at his surprised expression as Becky chugs from the cup, winking at him before handing it to me. I take my own sip as he shakes his head at us, clearly amused.

"Ellis!" One of the football players suddenly calls out across the room.

"What's up?"

"They want to play a drinking game."

"Alright." Ellis nods, the boy quickly disappearing back into the crowds, Sam following him. Ellis grins down at us, "You girls coming?"

"I don't know..."

"Of course we are!" Becky cuts me off, grabbing hold of my hand and dragging me after Ellis. We walk into a modern looking games room, everyone gathered around the large pool table.

"Brett!" Ellis calls, making his way over towards the far corner of the room. Becky drags me along behind, and it is only now that I notice Zara and Georgia are here too, standing close to the birthday boy.

Brett.

He looks gorgeous in his black jeans and a navy shirt, the sleeves rolled up to reveal his muscular arms.

"Hey!" Brett replies, glancing behind at the crowd Ellis has bought with him, his eyes lingering on me.

"Hi." Becky greets, smiling casually up at him.

"Eighteen man!" Sam grins, whacking him on the back.

"Brett!" Ashley's voice calls out as she roughly pushes past me causing me to stumble into Becky, "Where have you been?"

"Ash! We're going to play a game!" Phoebe squeals, grabbing hold of her hands as Ashley snuggles into Brett's side.

"Excellent." Ashley smirks, looking around and grinning as her gaze settles on me. I'm imagining it.

Becky grabs onto my hand, pulling me away from the popular crowd and instead settling ourselves closer to the door. Zara and Georgia hastily follow and I lean back against the wall as I await the impending misery of teenage drinking games. I want to go home.

"What game?"

"Truth or dare!" Phoebe suggests.

"Spin the bottle?"

"How about never have I ever?" Ashley counteracts and the girls around her quickly nod. Fucking sheep.

"Alright." Brett shrugs, drinking lazily from his can.

"Liam, you start."

"Alright," one of the jocks replies, grinning, "Never have I ever been so wasted I've collapsed into someone else's bed!"

"Hah!" Ashley grins as Phoebe downs her drink. I watch wordlessly as half the room drinks, barely even flinching at the relatively tame declaration.

"Brett?"

"Never have I ever been with more than one partner in one night!" He announces, gaining a cheer from the football players as he drinks. I find myself unable to look away, grimacing at his arrogant attitude.

A larger chunk of people in the room drink to this and I'm surprised, Georgia scowling as Becky shrugs, drinking from her cup.

"Ellis?"

"Never have I ever made out with a teacher." He grins, taking a sip of his own drink. "No-one? Damn."

I don't believe him. The teachers at our school are very professional. This is just a classic cocky jock making stuff up. We know they're capable of it.

"Never have I ever had sex." Ben yells before raising the cup to his lips, along with the majority of the room.

"This isn't for me." I whisper to Becky as she lowers her cup and nods, gesturing to Zara and Georgia.

"Should we get out of here?" Becky whispers to them and Zara nods.

"Why?" Georgia shrugs. "I'm having fun."

"I'm going to go." I reply and smile at her. "Stay if you want. Really, it's fine." I smile at them and Zara hugs me.

"You sure?" Becky asks and I nod.

"Of course!" I take the cup from Becky and grin. "One more for the road." I giggle, and Becky grins before I turn, beginning to make my way towards the exit.

"I have one." Ashley's voice calls out and I roll my eyes.

Probably some sort of sexual act she enjoys doing with Brett. I don't want to hear this.

"Never have I ever worked at Aphrodite's Palace."

Wait... did I just hear that right?!

I look up quickly and find Ashley grinning at me, holding her cup. I glance around at the popular crowd, Ashley's crew staring directly at me, their arms folded as they grin. My eyes slide over to the football team who smirk, desperately trying to hold in their laughter.

They all know.

My eyes soon fall onto a laughing Brett as the football players around him jeer and slap him on the back. I can't believe him. How could he do this to me?

"Come on Sarah." Ashley takes a step towards me, raising her cup to me. "Drink up."

"Sav?" I hear the confusion in Zara's voice as she calls out to me and bite my lip in an attempt to control the overwhelming panic I'm feeling.

His gaze finally locks onto mine and I feel my vision become slightly blurred as tears well in my eyes. I raise my cup to my lips and take a sip, desperately trying to hide my face, whilst keeping my eyes on Brett.

"Yes cheerleader!" The crowd erupts into yells and cheers as I drink whilst Ashley laughs, taking a step back towards her friends.

I can't help the single tear that slips down my face although I am certain that it is only Brett who notices. His smile immediately fades and his face furrows.

"Now we know she's a cheap whore." Ashley winks at me before tossing her hair over her shoulder and leaving the circle. I look back towards Brett, my jaw tense.

By this point his expression is full of regret and I tear my eyes away from him, desperate to ignore that my tiny, insignificant world has been ripped apart. I avert my gaze to the floor and turn, pushing past my friends, needing to escape this hellhole.

"Sav!" Becky calls out behind me but I ignore it, pushing through the crowd and heading straight for the front door. I push past the teenagers that have gathered in the doorway, conscious of the tears flowing down my face as I leave the building. Heading down the driveway I slap my hand over my mouth, a loud sob escaping me.

I'll never be able to escape this.

"Savannah!" I hear Brett's voice clear as day and quickly turn back to face him. His expression morphs into one of shock as he spies the tears streaming down my face.

"Don't!" I yell, "Just don't!" I stomp back towards him and shove his chest. Unsurprisingly, he doesn't even budge. "How could you?"

"Savannah I'm sorry I didn't..."

"Now everyone knows! Do you know what that means?"

"Savannah..."

"Shut up Brett! Just shut up!" I push against him again. "I don't know why you did this. But I will never forgive you for this Brett. Never!" I yell before turning around and heading back towards the road, away from him.

And now everyone will know...

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And suddenly, we all hate him again, am I right?

Thanks for sticking with me this far, I really appreciate it! 💙

For those who are interested - you can find the PLAYLIST for The Test of Time on Spotify ⬇️

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