CHAPTER TWO

  "You burnt the toast, again," Jasmine groaned. "Seriously, Liam."

It was a Sunday morning and both Liam and Jasmine were feeling extra hyper. Both waking up few minutes past eight and both being not exactly religious enough to go to church, they ended up in the kitchen hopelessly trying to make edible breakfast.

"Not really," Liam blinked his eyes. "It's not that bad. Have you ever had burnt toast with orange juice? It's the best."

"It sure is," Jasmine replied him, tossing the third burnt toast into the trash can. "So much for 'finally being able to 'cook.'

"Okay, no," Liam laughed. He could cook. At least, successfully enough to make his own toast. "I can cook, really. I'm just a little distracted."

"Oh, honey," Jasmine turned taking a sip of her orange juice. "What's on your mind?"

"Nothing."

"Don't."

"I have school tomorrow," Liam pouted. "Without you."

"Oh, c'mon not again," Jasmine groaned. "You'll be fine. It's no biggie."

"Yeah, thanks," he sighed. "But no, that didn't make me feel better. Ah! You see? I just made perfect toast."

Jasmine shook her head. "Yay, that calls for a celebration."

"You know it's not my fault I'm not good at these things."

"Of course, it is," Jasmine mouthed, taking a huge bite of the toast. "Awww. Wait a minute, are you going to finally have a girlfriend?"

"Oh, please."

"Oh, please," Jasmine mimicked. "You know quite a number of girls would die to date you."

"Mhm mhm."

"Honestly!" Jasmine exclaimed. "But you just- Oh, Liam."

"We're not talking about my relationship life."

Jas snickered. "You make it sound like you actually have a relationship life. You have a single life."

"And what about you?" Liam fired back. "Why haven't you dated anyone since you broke up with Chad even though dozens of guys ask you out on a daily."

Chad was Jasmine's ex-boyfriend. Things were going smoothly until they had a fight and he called her out on her and her parents relationship. In public.

Though he apologized and said he didn't mean it, according to Jasmine's exact words, she had tossed him straight into the trash can.

"I'm waiting for you," Jasmine smiled. "I'll get a boyfriend when you get one too."

"Well, prepare to be single for a very long time."

"I won't be," she winked. "By the way, which school are you transferring to?"

"It isn't private."

"As expected," she chewed noisily, taking loud sips from her juice. "What's the name?"

"Um...Craw... Crawstar High."

"Ouuu, Crawstar. Cool."

"Cool?" Liam arched an eyebrow. "You know it?"

"Of course I do."

"Then how is it that I don't know it?" Liam's eyebrows were knitted. "It was my first time hearing it."

"Of course, honey," Jas smiled weirdly. "No offense but your life revolves around just three places- your house, school and the hospital."

"Offense taken."

"I'm not sorry," Jas kept on smiling. "It's the truth."

"Get out."

"So, ah, Crawstar," she tapped her fingers on the kitchen counter. "You won't be single for long."

"And why is that?"

"Because Crawstar has a reputation of housing the finest species on humans this state has to offer."

"Okay that's just an exaggeration."

"Trust me, it isn't," Jas replied and the look on her face was serious. "The girls and boys at our school are no match."

"Well, I don't know how to feel about that," Liam replied, honestly. Intimidated? "I won't be bullied, will I?"

"Nah. You look way too good for that."

"Technically, true," Liam nodded. "But-"

"Just don't become a boring nerd at Crawstar," Jas pat his back. "Or wait a minute. Shall we go to a party?"

"A what?"

"A party," Jasmine replied, excitedly. "A student from Crawstar is throwing a party today."

"What in the- wait, what? How do you even know that?"

"I know someone from Crawstar."

"How?"

"Well, my brother's best friend's niece's friend attends Crawstar."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Forget the history," Jas laughed. "Point is, I know someone at Crawstar."

"Oh."

"Yeah and I was invited to the party but had no plans on going cause my weekends are for you, honey and asking you to go with me will be a waste of my time cause you're a sport."

"I'm not a sport."

"Yes, you are, honey," Jasmine grinned. "So, you in?"

"Hell no."

"Why?"

"Because- it's a Sunday."

"Yes, I know."

"And school just resumed. Why throw a party when school just resumed?"

"A back to school party, perhaps?"

Liam groaned. "We both know that's not the case."

"You can't be so sure."

"No. We have school tomorrow."

"So?"

"Going to a high school party, Jasmine. There'll be drink and drugs."

"Maybe...a little."

"You, i, we, can't go to class drunk."

"We won't drink."

"Really? Hormonal teens partying at night. Yeah right."

"You won't. You're disciplined."

"Is that supposed to be a compliment?"

"Depends on how you take it."

"And you? Who isn't disciplined."

"I won't drink."

Liam arched an eyebrow.

"I've got Jesus, baby."

"Even Jesus had wine."

"Liammmmm," Jasmine whined. "Let's gooo. It'll be fun. We'll be back by 10."

"10pm?! When the hell am I gonna sleep?"

"Dude, are you being serious right now?"

"Forget it," Liam got up from the sofa he was sitting on. After talking for so long, they'd both subconsciously left the kitchen to the living room and ate everything edible around them. "I shouldn't be partying at night."

"I'm pretty sure your mum won't be glad to know that all his 17 year old son does is stay at home thinking thus making his close to sad life even sadder."

"Ouch."

"Honestly, I'm sorry but the truth stings."

"Ugh," Liam groaned. "You're bad influence."

"You still love me anyways," she danced to an imaginary tune. "So, we're going?"

"I never said so."

"Oh, we're going!" she squealed. "We still have over 5 hours to get ready. Let's get dolled up!"

Ugh.

---

Liam felt like a Hollywood actor who didn't want to go to an award show because he knew he wasn't getting the award but still had to go to look fine and... be there.

Jasmine, on the other, fully clothed in the gown they went to pick from her place, looked perfect in the bright red gown hugging her body.

Liam was dressed in a black jean, bright white t-shirt and one of the numerous fancy Nike sneakers his mum bought him with the hope he'll get to wear them when he finally goes on a date. Ha was tall, not really tall but tall enough to be considered tall as a guy. Ha has dark long hair that fell to his face occasionally unless he tied it up into a little bun. His mum said he looked good with long hair so ever since he was growing up, his hair was never cut to the normal length most guys grew up with. As he grew older, he just let his hair grow longer than usual before giving it a trim. Probably because he now loved it or was just used to it.

That night, his wavy hair was let loose. They fell to his face with every step he took but more than anything, he was used to it. His eyes, a dark shade of black, matched perfectly with his light colored skin.

"Well, here we are," Jasmine exclaimed as they stepped out of the Uber. "This is it."

There was no look of enthusiasm of Liam's face. "Yay."

Jasmine scrunched her nose and slid her hand around Liam's. "Let's go."

The extremely loud music welcomed them as they stepped into the house. It was a big house and as expected, a huge party. The house even had a pool, impressing Liam and also making him wonder if it was a normal party or a pool party.

His unvoiced questions were answered immediately they stepped into the interior part of the house. It was a really big party and apparently the house wasn't big enough for them so they got outside.

Was the pool really necessary though? He eyed some half naked girls and boys doing unreasonable things in the pool. No, he wasn't exaggerating. Why make out in a public pool?

"This place's huge," Jasmine stated the obvious. "The party too."

"Yeah."

They walked through the crowd of people their age- some dancing offbeat, some drinking, some smoking and some literally shoving their tongues down each other's throats. The music was unfamiliar and for listened to a lot of songs, Liam considered that weird.

"Let's partyyy," Jasmine pulled Liam into the crowd, shaking him violently. "Shake your bodyy."

"Yeah, I sure am," Liam laughed, violently shaken. "Please, stop."

They both laughed for a while, getting entertained by the few people drunk dancing in front of them.

"Ouuu, Liam, look at that guyy," Jasmine squealed. Was she drunk already?

Lian looked at the guy making his best friend nuts.

He looked decent.

That was sarcasm, by the way.

He was tall, pretty tall, had a cigarette sticking out of his mouth, was holding a red cup and no priest was needed to tell what was in the cup. He wore a sleeveless top, showing off tattoos that decorated his left arm.

"Jesus, Jasmine where's your taste in guys," Liam was obviously disgusted.

"Straight outta the window," Jasmine laughed. "We're at a party not a church. I'm not here to look for a husband."

"What's wrong with his eye."

Jasmine looked done with Liam. "He winked, Liam. Winked."

"At you?"

"Yes," she beamed. "You're pretty but this one's mine."

"You can have him for dinner," Liam replied, unenthusiastically. "I'll be around."

"Fine. Shall I get you a drink?"

"Shall you get me a drink?"

"Yeah," she replied, pointing at a table housing dozens of red cups. "From there."

"You must think I'm such a fool. No thanks."

"No, no," Jasmine laughed. "I wanted to get us actual drinks."

"Do whatever you want, Jasmine."

Liam leaned by a wall having absolutely nothing to do since his best friend left him for man-hunting. The music seemed to be getting louder and he could sense a headache coming up.

"Hi, there."

Liam looked around to confirm who the stranger in front of him was talking to. He looked at him, his eyes meeting his making him realize his gaze was fixed on him.

"Yeah, you. I'm talking to you."

"Oh," he replied him, trying to check him out in the least obvious manner.

He was tall, dyed blonde hair and his eyes had a color Liam couldn't put a finger on as he tried to avoid his gaze as much he could. He wore a grey t-shirt with dark jeans.

"I'm Steve."

He hesitated. "Liam."

"Nice name," he comment, Liam internally rolling his eyes.

"Mhm."

"Are you new around here?" he enquired. "I don't think I've seen you around. Or do you go to Crawstar too? I attend Crawstar."

Oh, that explained it.

"No...not yet," he replied, immediately regretting it.

"Not yet? Cool. Are you-"

No, he wasn't having that conversation. "Look, Steve, right? What do you want? Let's go straight to the point."

"What?"

"Ah, is it Jasmine? The hot girl you saw me with earlier? No, she isn't my girlfriend. And if you want her number, you're going to have to get it yourself. Leave me out of it."

"Damn, bro," he laughed. "No, no. Just wanted to talk a little."

He hated how he quickly paid attention to his heavy accent making every word that came out of his mouth pleasurable to his ears.

"I'm pretty sure we've been doing a little more than just talking a little," he replied, knowing he was being dramatic.

"Okay," he laughed, lightly. "I admit. Fine. Can I have your number?"

"For what? No?"

Steve nodded, like he was expecting his reply. "Your I*******m then? Or Snapchat?"

"No," Liam was beginning to find his persistence very annoying. "No, you can't have my contact."

Just how far were guys really willing to go just for hot girls? Jasmine was hot, he admitted but all of these was beginning to annoy him.

"Very well then," he tried to laugh again to hide the obvious disappointment in his voice. "I'll see you around then, handsome."

"Excuse you?"

He turned to leave, dropping a wink as he did. "It's okay. I love those who play hard to get."

"Excuse YOU?"