| Hailey Pickett |

"I'm hungry."

"I'm Stella."

I rolled my eyes at her while she laughed like I just cracked the joke of this century. She was high on sugar, it was her brilliant idea to get some snacks , her idea of snacks is chocolate, with ourselves so we wouldn't die from hunger at the party.

Yes, we were at a birthday bash thrown by none other than Chuck. No, we didn't get the special invitation, we tagged along without an ounce of shame. He had a gigantic house so who would notice us lurking around? It was a last minute decision. I was the one who pulled the trigger.

Stella loved being scooped up in her chicken den of a house , it was a Saturday night anyways and I had nothing to do. Might as well crash into a party of the rich kids. I threw on a purple tank top and my favorite shorts since the weather was humid. Stella was covered from head to toe in a t-shirt and denim jeans. She didn't like flashy at all.

Neither did I.

But its good to push the limits sometimes , just a wee bit.

"Want one?" She offered me a mars chocolate and I shook my head. She shrugged her shoulders and chomped on her fifth chocolate.

"Who the heck eats this at a party?" I hissed at her.

She grinned, a manic grin and I really tried hard not to whack her with the stupid chocolate bar.

"You sound so funny." She giggled.

"Oh my God!" I exclaimed in disbelief while putting my hands on my hips and taking a look around. The house , surprisingly, wasn't packed enough like I had imagined. The crowd was decent. It wasn't a raging party , people were enjoying themselves with drinks and small talks. Chuck seemed like he bathed in hair gel , the way his hair shone . .glitter had nothing on his hair. He was surrounded by his circle and strangely enough, I couldn't seem to spot Brad.

"Isn't that Chelissa?" Stella suddenly said in my ear, burning it with the name.

I whipped around to where she was staring at, the entrance and . .sure enough, a cream colored slip dress on that reached her upper thighs, she looked ready to party. Chelissa oozed confidence and sex appeal. Eyes instantly turned at her and her legs. Excited, she waved her hand to someone in the crowd behind us.

Just as I was about to look away, I saw him emerging from behind her and my heart dipped . .dipped till the music faded away into the background. Unlike his friend, he was decked in a black full sleeves hoodie and jeans , his hair set up in effortless waves and his eyes. .

I took a sharp intake of breath.

His eyes, they were on me.

"Why is he looking at you like that?" Stella asked curiously.

"Someone needs to tell him Chelissa went that way." My voice burned a little.

She laughed.

Freaking laughed on my face.

Ian broke the contact when a guy slapped him on his back , getting his attention and I . . could breath again. He started to chat with the dude while I turned away, giving him my back.

I shouldn't be feeling so bothered about him! Why did my heart flip when he is around? This didn't make any sense!

Clouded with dark thoughts, I felt suffocated with the people all around me. I needed to get out, get some air . .sort myself.

"I'm going to the loo , kay?" I told her and she nodded.

"Stay right here." I warned her.

Chocolate was smeared on her chin and I gave up on her. Giving her one last look, I walked away.

We were on the ground floor and I kept walking until I reached the staircase , without thinking much, I hopped on and went up, avoiding couples in the way. The house sure was as big and unbelievable like my dreams.

Running my hand through my stick straight blonde hair, I reached the top of the stairs and stopped right there.

Left . .

Or right. .

Which way? And I picked right. Nothing could go wrong with right. Walking on , I had no idea where the hell was I suppose to hide? I could see shut doors and then I shrugged.

Might as well dive in.

Looking over my shoulder, I made sure no one was looking my way and nope, I was safe.

Gripping the golden handle, I pulled it down and yes! The door opened up with a soft click. I pushed it open and quickly stepped in. As soon as the door got shut, I leaned against it and breathed in and out. Letting go of everything boiling inside me.

Seeing him was a sudden shock.

I definitely didn't prepare for that.

I might have faked it to Stella but now I actually needed to release the pee I had been holding in for so long.

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I splashed water on my face , it's not like I had makeup on. Picking up a tissue , I dabbed my face with it.

Dumping the tissue in the bin, I turned the lights off and stepped out of the bathroom—

My eyes widened at the figure laying on the bed , his eyes were shut and his back was up against the headboard. . .and he was humming?

Feeling hot for some weird reason, I clenched my fists and straightened up.

Did he follow me up here?

If he did then I damn well liked it. .not that I was ready to accept it. I wanted to fool myself for as long as possible.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I asked in a cold voice.

The humming stopped.

His eyes opened and he craned his neck at me—the light was hitting his face making his eyes luminous glossy, dreamy.

Damn it!

"What's up with you?" He asked.

Feeling conscious, I crossed my arms.

"What do you mean?"

"You're ignoring my existence without a cause." He said slowly.

I looked away from his intense gaze.

"I'm not. I just needed to let my hair down for a minute." I muttered.

"Hailey. .," He said my name in a whisper and it pulled at my heart strings.

"What?" I sounded sour. I was trying to sound disinterested.

"Come here." He patted the space beside him on the bed.

I analyzed the situation and found no harm in sitting, I was tired standing anyways. Scowling , I walked towards him and hopped on maintaining a distance between us. I copied him by leaning against the headboard and stretching out my legs.

"Nice bed." I said trying to hide the fact how conscious I was of him. .of his energy.

Ian sighed.

"Spit it out."

I glanced at him, puzzled.

"I know you have questions. Ask away." He said in a tired voice , all this time just staring at the ceiling, his head resting against the headboard.

Yeah, I had.

Loads of questions.

The offer was too tempting to resist.

Of all the questions I could ask. . .

"What are you doing with Chelissa? Are you two dating now?"

I heard him chuckle.

"If this can put your demons to sleep then yeah she's. .like a sister for me. I'm her foster brother." His voice laced with dark humor.

And guess he was right.

The load on my heart lifted up in a second.

"And. .what am I to you?" I said it slowly, carefully. Watching his reaction and he turned his neck at me, his eyes . .open. Vulnerable. Letting me peek inside. .

We kept looking at each other like we would never look away. I let him in my soul, he let me in his. Our eyes talked and . .he was seeking permission.

His eyes were pleading.

Asking.

And. .I nodded.

Ian didn't wait a second as he closed up the distance and all I heard was the rustling of the bedsheets , tangling of breaths , hands spanning over my waist. . the fire within unleashed.

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