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You know those moments in your life when you agree to do something, are forced to do it because you promised to, and then sincerely regret it afterward?

Well, I'm currently having a major moment, sitting at the back of an unmarked van with Astrix hyperventilating next to me.

I sigh and shoot her a look. "I can't believe we're doing this."

Astrix smacks my arm and shoves me into the door.

"Shut up, it's going to be fun."

I roll my eyes. "You know how many better ways I could be spending my Tuesday?"

Astrix shakes her head. "There are no better ways, Oaklyn. I know there aren't. Not for you."

I scowl. "Like I need to be reminded."

My home life is not a happy one. It's pretty lonely actually. I mean, there are only so many ways it can go living by yourself as a minor in a one-bedroom apartment. But that's another story. Back to the present day...

Astrix gives me a pitying stare and sighs. "You literally need this right now. An afternoon out at the club. Refreshing."

I scoff. "Um, yeah, sure. Refreshing. Especially considering it's technically illegal!"

"Live a little. It's not like a bit of partying is going to hurt anyone."

"Yeah...Other than ourselves," I mutter under my breath.

Astrix chooses to ignore my statement. "It's not like we'll be drinking or anything. We'll be meeting up with my cousin, and he's a bouncer there. We won't have any trouble getting in, and he'll look out for us. Trust me, Noah will not let anything bad happen to us."

She tries reassuring me, but instead of calming me down it succeeds in having the opposite effect.

"Isn't Noah the one who ended up drunk on your sofa that time covered in ketchup and potato chips?"

Astrix shakes her head. "Potato Patato. He's matured since then. He's better now."

"It was last week!"

She pretends like she didn't hear me and suddenly finds herself immersed in staring at the grime on the van window.

I sigh and lean against the door. I hope this party doesn't end up like a total disaster. (Famous last words?)

...

Astrix pulls me over to a side door where a guy with dark, curly hair and darker eyes checks over people's ID. It's Noah.

Hard to believe the two of them are related. They look nothing alike, and they're even more contrast in their personalities.

Noah is a brooder, and hardly ever smiles. Which is why it's so funny when he goes drunk, because it's then when he really lets loose.

Astrix is a true care-free spirit. She'll tell you what she's thinking straight off the bat, not caring if her thoughts or opinions hurt your feelings. She's good at dishing out the tough-love I really need in my life. I think that's where our untimely friendship first began.

However, despite the joy-killer persona Noah puts on, he's still a cool guy. I genuinely love hanging out with him. And recently...Well, those feelings we harbor for each other may bloom.

Right now, however, he's the 19-year-old bouncer sneaking 17-year-old us into an exclusive party.

Astrix is almost 18 anyway, so good for her. But me? Just my luck I had to be born on the very last day of the year...Late birthdays are the worst.

As we walk up to the door, Astrix lets out a low whistle to get Noah's attention. Noah whips his head up to look at her and he allows himself a small smile.

"Hey there, party is at the back door. Don't let Cardoza run into you guys."

His eyes switch back and forth from me to Astrix and a shiver goes down my spine. If we get caught by Cardoza, it's a one -way ticket to juvie. And I don't know about Astrix...But I really don't feel like getting arrested today.

Astrix nods at Noah and plants a sloppy kiss on his cheek.

"Best cousin ever!"

Noah bats her away and then glances at me, shooting one of his rare, small smiles. I laugh and tear my gaze away from him, walking with Astrix towards the back door.

We slip inside the party hall, and I can tell things are just starting to get heated.

Drunk boys and girls stagger across the expanse of the arena, dancing to blaring music and carelessly sipping from beer bottles.

I notice Astrix eyeing the bar and slap her arm, hard.

"No alcohol. Underage, remember?"

Astrix whines. "Aw, you're no fun!"

"What did we agree to? I wouldn't have come if it wasn't for it!"

I cross my arms and raise an eyebrow at her, waiting for her response.

She opens her mouth to speak, and holds it there, a look of shock plastered on her face. She stares at something behind my shoulder, disbelief etched everywhere.

"What are you loo-"

I spin around and cut myself off, an expression similar to the one Astrix has riddling my features.

Jack Travels. God...He's everywhere.

But of all places, why is he here?

I turn back to look at Astrix, breathless. "How did he get in here? He's underage too!"

Astrix shrugs. "Don't ask me questions you know I don't have the answers to!"

I sigh and exhale deeply. I'm going to avoid him. He's an annoying little "crew" member, admittedly good-looking, but not my crowd.

I clutch onto the corner of my t-shirt and steady myself. I'm just going to walk over to the punch table, grab a cup of water and spend my time in the corner with Astrix.

Before I can lean over and tell her of my genius plan, she's already gone to flirt with a senior from the local college.

I shake my head. She's so going to get laid. Jesus Christ, that girl has an attention span of a goldfish minus three!

I sigh and walk over to the punch table myself. Guess I'll be doing 'mission isolation' alone.

But that's when I spot Noah, helping himself to a cup of punch at the table. Okay...So alone plus one.

I slide up to the table and pour myself a cup. Noah looks over at me as he uncorks a stopper.

"Hey Oaklyn, how's it been?"

I nod. "It's...Well...Been."

I gulp and can feel my cheeks heat up under his gaze. I just hope it's dark enough in this room so that my blush goes unnoticed.

Noah laughs. "Nice. So I see Astrix has already abandoned you in pursuit of a one-nighter?"

I glance across the room to see Astrix getting cozy with some guy. I sigh.

"Yeah...He's probably her new 'friend with benefit.' When is she ever going to learn?"

Noah joins in my exasperation. "Just Astrix being Astrix, I'm afraid. Maybe one day she'll find a guy who makes her feel like she doesn't need anyone else."

He gives me a sideways look and I can feel my pulse quicken. I've known Noah ever since I moved to Wisconsin, and I admit to having a crush on him at one point. But I still have no idea whether or not the feelings are reciprocated.

I hope I don't have to die a lonely...Single...Pringle...

As I'm thinking about all of this, I hear glass on glass as the fruit punch cup is pulled out of my hands. I spin around to face whoever dared touch my juice and my eyes meet a pair of flashing green ones.

Jack? Seriously dude?

He's chewing on spearmint gum, and since my nose is literally level with his, I can smell the minty breath and feel it tickling my face.

I step back a little, intimidated.

He smiles and refills my cup for me. "Hazel. Funny seeing you here."

Noah looks between the two of us in confusion. "Hazel?"

I bite my lip, about to explain, when Jack cuts in.

"Yeah, it's sorta our thing now."

Noah slowly nods and backs away. "O-okay..."

He walks towards the bar, leaving me and Jack alone at the punch table. I scowl at Jack and cross my arms.

"What's your problem? I've already told you not to call me that, Jackass."

He shrugs and smirks at me, still chewing his gum. Has he been chewing the same piece the entire day?

I shake my head and grab my punch from his hands. He loosens his hold and lets me take it, but not before tilting it so it spills all over the front of my shirt.

I gasp and take a step back. "What is wrong with you?"

He walks around the side of the table.

"Oh, shit. I'm sorry." His words drip with sarcasm.

I growl and wring out the shirt. He hesitates for a second before picking me up and slinging me over his shoulder. "Here, let me help you."

I let out a shocked breath and try to pull myself out as he weaves through the crowd while I'm slung across his shoulder, struggling to get free. I'm probably flashing every single person in this room.

Jack doesn't seem to care. He heads out the door and straight to the washroom, dropping me on the floor in a soaked pile.

I get to my feet and shove Jack away from me, indignantly stepping back from him with a scowl.

"What's your problem!?"

He smiles. "I believe the words you're looking for are 'thank you.' Oh, and you're welcome."

He did not just quote Maui!

I let out a breath. "Are you insane? Just leave me alone."

He smiles. "No can do Hazel. "

I cross my arms. What's that supposed to mean?

"Don't call me Hazel."

I can practically hear the gears turning in his head. "Why not?"

I hope my blush isn't as obvious as I think it is. "I just don't like that name."

"Why not?"

"I just don't."

"I'm making you nervous, aren't I? You're blushing..."

I don't answer.

Jack's mouth tilts up in a knowing smile and he steps closer. "There's something you're not telling me."

He's right. There is something I'm not telling him. Something I will never tell anyone for as long as I live.

Instead of answering, I rush into the nearest stall, lock myself in and set a barricade against my door. I lean against the wall and sigh in utter exasperation, both for looking like a fool in front of Noah, and for this random new guy sent here to make my life hell.

I open the spouts of water in the sink and use a rag slung across a stall to wipe at my dripping clothes.

If only my life problems could be rubbed off like a stain...