01

Everyone had different lifestyles, different aims, and goals. As for me, I was known as the nice girl. Even my best friend, Joey, would always say that I looked too innocent and naive to be true, too good for anyone. Ever since dad died of lung cancer, I gave up on friendship. My two best friends betrayed me and then taunted me about my father's death. Since then, I worked very hard to have good grades in school in order to attain a scholarship after high school to relieve my mom. Those had been my utmost priority before this lame party came up.

Here I stood dressed in a body-hugging knee-length dress. Large blue eyes, pale blonde hair because that's who I am. Who is Ivy Young. My eyes scanned my body and my pretty dress. If I was truthful enough, I would say I look hot. This had been Joey's choosing not mine.

My brows drew together. "Is this dress not a little short?" I asked, blinking my eyelashes rapidly.

Joey turned to look at me, her honey brown eyes widened. "Oh my God! You look really beautiful, Ivy," She exclaimed.

Joey walked over to me and gripped my arm, pulling me to her full-length mirror. I let out a little gasp as I watched myself in the mirror. I was mesmerized by my beauty. If Joey had not been standing behind my back, I would have denied that I'm me. My deep blue eyes shone brightly, I never realized how pretty they were before. My hair was packed in a bun, as usual. Joey told me to let it down but I refused, I prefer packing my hair. Nevertheless, I still look pretty.

I pressed my palms to my cheeks. "I look hot, Joey," I said gently.

"Yes, you look hot," She agreed with me, grinning from ear to ear. "Are you ready?"

I nodded my head in the affirmative. Physically yes. Mentally no! "I'm kinda nervous," I said, picking my words one after the other. It was the first time I would be attending a party other than my neighbor's birthday party.

The corners of her mouth curled upwards. "You'll be okay, stop worrying too much." She assured me.

I beamed a little smile at her. If not for Joey, I wouldn't be attending this party. Jake would be there so she dragged me along with her.

Joey's eyelids dropped. "If I don't get Jake to notice me tonight, I don't think he ever will," she uttered.

I drew in a long breath. "Here we go again!" I muttered under my breath.

Jake Smith was the guy Joey had a sickening crush on. I did not know him that well but I had taken two classes with him this year. Within those times, I had seen nothing but rude behaviors from him. He was always with his gang of assholes. He was one of the bad boys in my school which makes me dislike him, and the fact that he was the best friend with Romeo Sparks, the school badass, the handsome jerk with annoying curly hair.

I patted my best friend gently on her shoulder. "He'll surely do, Joey. You only have to be positive," I told her.

I tried my best to cheer Joey up instead of saying what my mind really wants to say. "Stop crushing on that asshole because he'll never look your way. Ordinary and good girls like you are not his type," I thought.

Her mouth curved into a wide smile. That was typical of her, she would always smile even in the worst situations.

By the time we arrived at the party, the party was already in its full swing. "I need to go find Jake," Joey yelled over the loud blasting of music.

I forced a smile. "Okay," I yelled back, watching her go off.

With Joey gone, I somehow felt alone, lost. I noticed some faces from school but couldn't make out any of their names. Parties like this were not meant for people like me. Friday night, I would rather be in my room watching TV series.

My eyes landed on Romeo Sparks, Evergreen High School's baddest boy amidst the crowd. Since Romeo was here, definitely Jake would be here. I silently wished Joey got to tell him that she has an undying crush on him. I wondered what his reaction would be. I tried my best not to think about it.

I felt my throat dry as I waded through the crowd. I held my ears as I walked past one of the speakers, the bass pounding as loud as my heart. I turned around to check if I could see Joey. I felt left out being here on my own because this party is just not my thing. I should be in bed by now watching my favorite TV series and probably crushing popcorn or curled up in bed reading my favorite romance novel.

I took a deep breath, wishing that I hadn't come here at all. The air here was suffocating.

I needed air. I spun around and searched for the next available exit. I sighed as I made my way to the door. I pushed through the kitchen door and pulled open the sliding back door. The cold summer breeze welcomed me as I stepped out onto the patio. I shut my eyes, inhaling the deep fresh air.

Some girl screamed, invading my beautiful moment. Natalie Portman was a tall, beautiful cheerleader who spoke like a valley man, but she wasn't as mean as she seemed. We've worked together a few times and I can tell she's nice. Actually, we were kind of friends. I could go talk to her. At least there is finally someone to communicate with.

"Shit, sorry!" I heard a masculine voice.

A second later, a cold liquid soaked the front of my dress. The guy stumbled and pulled himself up. "My bad, really," he mumbled and sat down.

Could this party be any worse? My dress was filled with God knows what type of alcohol and I had nothing to change into. I took a second to look at the guy, he was wasted, and I could not blame him. I shook my head then walked inside to find a bathroom. I pushed my way through the crowded hall in search of the damn bathroom. Luckily for me, I found one. I tried to close the door behind me but it wouldn't lock.

Soon I realized the lock was damaged, frustratedly I left it hanging. I only needed to clean myself then get out. I pulled out some wipes to clean my clothes but the stain only got worse. I folded my arms over my chest and leaned against the counter. I was about to go out but was met with some broad chest. I traced the chest to its owner; it was the other guy that spilled a drink on me earlier. He smelled of cigarettes like earlier.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled as I tried to walk past him.

Something in his eyes told me it was not going to be that easy. Before I could go, he dug his dirty fingernails into my sleeveless arm and squeezed. I regretted that I wore this dress for the first time tonight.

"You look hot, girl." His breath burned my skin, and I whimpered in fear.

Tears pricked at the corner of my eyes. "Please," I begged him.

"We're only going to have a little fun," he said, trailing his hands up my hips.

I squeezed my eyes shut to block the thought of his hands on my body as if that would help.

Before I could process what was happening, I heard slight grunting and opened my eyes to see a toned figure beating the guy who was touching me earlier. I heaved a sigh of relief; I was glad the drunk man's hands were off my body.

I stood there, shocked. Whoever came to my rescue had not stopped, he was still beating the guy. It took all of me to muster the courage to speak.

"Stop!" I screamed to the shadow still throwing punches.

He didn't stop. He didn't act like he heard my tiny voice.

"You're going to kill him, you need to stop now otherwise you'll get yourself in trouble," I screamed once again. What the hell was he thinking? The drunk guy would soon pass out.

Still nothing.

I used all my might to drag him off of the guy. That's the only thing I could think of. It worked. The idiot that tried to harass me ran out immediately.

Finally, I was able to see my savior. My mouth fell open. What was this jerk doing here? How did he find us?

Series of questions ran through my head as I stared at my savior, still dazed. The moment I snapped back to reality, I moved away from him.

His forest green eyes bore into mine. "What the hell are you doing in a male bathroom?" He questioned me.

I stood there, staring into his eyes, but nothing came out of my mouth.

He waved his hand. "Hello dummy. Can you hear me?"

He shook his head, his nose wrinkling in disgust. "Dumbass," he stated and walked away.

I blinked my long eyelashes rapidly. Shit! I just acted like a fool, like a dumbass just as he said. Why was I speechless when he was here?

Of course, I was shocked that Romeo freaking Sparks just saved me!"