04

OLIVIA

Aiden's arm, which had been wrapped around my waist, loosens suddenly. I almost trip as I move away from him.

My sister just caught me almost kissing her best friend, which is out of bounds in our fûcking house.

"Olivia , go to your room!" Sarah's high pitched voice echoes in the living room.

She is still standing by the staircase.

I nod my head. I avoid my sister's gaze as I walk past her, my head bowed in shame.

I know how she acts when she is angry. Sarah can destroy any fûcking time when she is mad. She is force to be reckoned with when she's upset.

Aiden must know that too – he has seen her blow up before.

"What do you think you are doing, Blacksmith? How dare you even consider messing around with my sister! She is my sister, for heaven's sake!" Sarah's voice rings in my ears.

I enter my room and sit on my bed.

"She is only eighteen, you are not supposed to try doing shits with her," Sarah continues, her tone still shrill and angry.

I roll my eyes. Saying my age is unnecessary. As if she does not tease me for not having my first kiss yet. Whenever she's annoyed at me or I get on her nerves, she'll often throw in my face the fact that I have never been kissed or been in a relationship.

But, that's not why I kissed Aiden! I was just caught up in the moment. I don't even know what's going on with me right now.

For a moment, I don't hear anything from Sarah, there's only silence. I look out the window and watch Aiden's car pull out of the driveway.

I swallow hard. I don't want to believe that what happened could have caused a misunderstanding between them. While I maybe the cause, I don't want to think about it.

The door to my room creaks open with an ominous groan, and I know without looking that it is Sarah. Who else would barge into my room without bothering to knock? I prop myself up against the headboard, preparing myself for whatever is about to happen.

"If I had not interrupted you, you would have kissed Aiden Blacksmith," Sarah hisses from beside my bedside table.

I take a deep breath . "I know," I murmur.

She whips around to face me, her voice sharp "What were you thinking? How could you even consider doing something like that?" She snaps at me.

I swallow a gulp down my throat. I know this moment, the moment it's best to stay quiet and let her finish.

Sarah's rant continues when I don't respond. "I would not care if you were interested in any other guy. But Aiden? Seriously? He's my best friend - he is off-limits for you."

I can't help but glare at her. So she doesn't care if I end up with some random guy, but Aiden is out of the question because of their friendship? What kind of logic is that?

"Stop looking at me like that," She snaps. "I've always said this and I will say it again, I don't want you around Aiden. Stay away from him."

With that, she walks out of my room.

My eyes blink rapidly as if my body is trying to catch up with my racing thoughts. Sarah said I should stay away from her best friend. Is that not what I have been doing? Is that not the reason I have never had a chance to speak with Aiden before today?

Damn, this is trash.

I lay down in bed and close my eyes, willing myself to fall asleep and escape from the confusing thoughts swirling in my head. I have always turned to reading books to help me get through tough times, but right now, I'm too frazzled to read. Just as I am about to drift off, my phone buzzes on the nightstand. I grab it knowing it will be a text from my friend. Besides Ashley, I don't have many friends these days . I have not kept up with my highschool friends.

Ashley's message reads: "The party is tomorrow night, bitch. What do you think?"

Tomorrow night is Friday. Maybe, a party won't be a bad idea after all. Maybe it will be a good distraction.

I text back, "okay," and set my phone back down on the nightstand. I have had a long day, and I just want to sleep and forget about everything that has happened.

~~~

I stand in front of the full-length mirror in Ashley's room, tugging at the hem of my skirt. It rides up again, and I tug it down. It feels like an endless battle.

"Don't even bother," Ashley says, pausing from applying makeup on her face. "Can't you see that it is a mini skirt, and the material is stretchy?"

I spin around, fixing her with a puzzled look. "Maybe, I should just wear my boyfriend jeans instead," I mutter.

"No way, bitch!" She snaps at me, giving me a deadly glare. "Can't you see how hot you look in this?"

I turn back to the mirror, taking in my reflection. I do look different - my skin is more exposed, and my curves are accentuated by the form-fitting outfit. I am wearing a crop top and a miniskirt that my friend, Ashley, chose for me. She insisted I shouldn't wear the clothes I originally planned to wear. She said I would look like a goody two shoes.

I may be a bit of a "goody two shoes," as they say, but that doesn't mean I have to dress like that all the time. In fact, this new outfit gives me a bit of a confidence boost. I feel like I can fit in at the party, instead of feeling out of place. If I am willing to try something new by going to the party, I might as well try something new with my outfit as well.

"Maybe, you should put on some makeup too," Ashley's voice jerks me out of my thoughts.

I lift my shoulder in a half shrug. "I'm fine with just a bit of lip gloss," I reply.

I have never been a big fan of makeup. I like my natural look, and I have always gotten compliments on my appearance.

I may be a bit of an introvert, but I know I am beautiful. Sarah and I both got our looks from our mother.

Within a few minutes, we are ready to head to the party in Ashley's car. My car is still in the repair shop.

*

Sound of loud music blaring from the speaker. Different scents of perfume mixed with the heady scent of sweat. Whiff of alcohol and cigarette smoke. Couples making out in the corner.

So, this is what makes a college party.Will I be able to survive this night? What am I going to do?

I spot a few familiar faces - people I recognize from campus, but whom I don't normally speak to. They are mostly freshmen, but there are a few sophomores as well. I even see some of my sister's friends. Despite knowing a few people here, I know that my sister is not one of them. She is at home tonight.

"Oh damn, there are some hot guys here," Ashley purrs into my ear, followed by a giggle.

I heave a sigh of relief. With Ashley by my side, I am sure I can make it through this party. She is definitely more used to this scene than I am.

"I don't see any cute guys here," I say, knowing fully well it is not true.

The bad boys of campus are all gathered in one place, and they are even hotter than usual.

"You always have such different tastes," She blurts out. "Come on, let's get a drink."

Ashley grabs my hand and tugs me over to the bar. It's fully stocked with a wide selection of alcoholic beverages.

It is not like I have not ever had alcohol before, and tonight is a special occasion. It is special, my first time going to a college party. Maybe just a drink or two to loosen up. I am not usually one for parties, so I am not sure what the rest of the night will hold.

"Hey girls,"

A male voice interrupts my thoughts. I look up and see a handsome guy smiling down at us.

"What's up?" Ashley asks, flashing him a smile.

"You ladies want to play a game?" He probes, his smile growing even wider.

"What game?"

I find myself asking before I can stop myself.

"Seven minutes in heaven!" The guy answers me.

"Sure!" Ashley squeals.

I can already tell she is going to drag me along for the ride. Before I can object, she's already holding my wrist.

The guy leads us into a small room, where the only furniture is couches. I can feel the eyes of everyone in the room burning into me, and I shrink down in my seat, wishing I could hide. I am so grateful to have Ashley at my side, and she gives me a squeeze on the shoulder. We sit on the couch, and I look down at the floor, not wanting to meet anyone's eyes.

Seven minutes in heaven.

I know the game. Everyone will write their names on slips of paper, and the papers will go into a bowl. One person will draw a name from the bowl and spend seven minutes alone in a private room with the person whose name they picked.

It is a silly game, but it seems like a lot of fun. Ashley is already writing down our names, without a care in the world. I'm not sure if I am even feeling nervous or excited.

The game begins, and I watch as person after person comes out of the private room, their lips swollen and their clothes rumpled.

It's pretty clear what is going on in that room. What else do I expect in a room full of horny teenagers playing a silly party game?

"Aiden is here," Ashley whispers in my ear.

My heart flutters. I have not seen him since the night we nearly kissed.

I look up, and there he is. He's laughing with his friends, and has a pretty blonde sitting on his lap.

I ball my hands into fists and shoot daggers at them with my eyes. Seriously, get a room, guys.

"Aiden, come get a name," the guy hosting the game tells him.

Aiden gets up, walking over to the bowl. He reaches into the bowl, his eyes scanning the room as he does so. I watch as he takes a slip of paper from the bowl.

All of a sudden, his eyes lock with mine for just a moment, and I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. He gives me a small smile before looking down at the paper in his hand.

Aiden's brows furrow. His eyes meet mine again, his gaze lingering on me for a long moment. His brown eyes are intense, and I feel like I can't look away. He breaks eye contact, and gives the paper to the host.

The host reads the name aloud. "Aiden and Olivia!"