Chapter 1 - Aurora

I'm sprinting down the hallway towards my classroom, late. I really hate being late. It's not unusual unfortunately, because my mother lives by her own schedule, a world in which timings don't matter. Except they do, rigidly, in my world.

The only reason I'm not constantly in detention for it is because I get good grades and my teacher, Mr Whiting, once tried to explain the importance of being prompt to my mother and ended up on the wrong end of one of her tirades about living in the moment rather than to some man-made timescale. According to my mum, nature gives you all the timings you need and it's unhealthy to go against nature.

I usually drive in, but my car's in the garage, so until it's fixed I have to pester my mother and resign myself to the fact that I'm going to have to sprint to my first class.

Turning the corridor, I slam into someone, ricocheting off of them and flying backwards onto the floor. Laughter erupts all around me as I gather my books into my arms, trying not to look at them, before hurrying away. Luke Thomas and his bunch of idiotic friends continue laughing as I turn the corner, they don't care if they're late, they don't care if they don't go at all.

"Danny's tonight?" Jenny asks me when I finally get into my seat. She's got a glint in her eye as though she knows a secret she's not supposed to. "He's getting better and better looking, isn't he?"

"Yes I am and so you all keep saying." I laugh, then with a pointed look at Jenny I add. "He's still single you know."

"Why're you fighting it? How're you going to feel if he gets a girlfriend?" Jenny leans on the table, eyeing me with a serious look on her face.

"If you met him, you'd see it's not like that, we really are just friends. Plus, his parties are fun, you might find they're worth skipping Andromeda's for."

"Nothing's worth that." Rae laughs, putting her head down when Mr Whiting raises his eyebrow at us. 

"Plus, I'm not sure how I feel about someone who doesn't like dancing." Priya adds as soon as Mr Whiting turns back to the board. 

"He doesn't not like dancing, he just prefers house parties, they all do." We've been going out in town since before we were legally allowed to drink and the excitement of that hasn't dimmed for them. Although I enjoy it, my preference is definitely starting to go towards the house party side of things. You get the singing, dancing and fun of being out with your friends, but with the added bonus of not spending a fortune and only being with people you actually like.

"That's weird." Jenny laughs. "I couldn't just sit in someone's house drinking "

"That's not…"

Our chatter is cut short when Luke Thomas and his friends finally come into the room, chatting loudly, not caring that we're already halfway through the lesson. They slide into seats around the table next to ours and half-heartedly flip open workbooks that are near enough empty. 

"What's he talking about?" Billy Watkins walks over and nudges me, forcing me to look at him. My tongue feels huge in my mouth, words don't want to form. Panic sets in, my cheeks fill with heat and my heart echoes in my ears. A strange sort of strangled noise starts in my throat when I try to reply.

"Here." Rae, my best friend, saves me, flipping the nearest book to the right page and pointing to it. Without another glance, Billy grabs the book and goes back to his desk, forgetting I exist. At least that passed quickly. I think, smiling gratefully at Rae. I moved here a few weeks after term started in year seven and before she took pity on me and asked me to sit with them at lunch, I had no one, leaving me open to the cruelty of Luke and his minions. Even after we became friends, they continued bullying me and nothing seemed to deter them.

However, it's our final year and I'm determined not to let them get me down this year. The power of positivity and all that, which seems to be working since the first week of term has passed relatively well. Ruby Jones and her nasty little gang seem preoccupied with trying to keep the attention of Luke Thomas and his friends, so neither group has paid any attention to me and I got through the week without a single jibe from any of them. Definitely a cause for celebration!

My friends hover around the car park with me, waiting for my mother to arrive. It could be another hour yet since she's probably painting, so we sit on the benches, chatting and picking at a bag of Haribo set in the table between us.

"The Snow Ball might be at that new club opening in town." I say through a mouthful of sweets. The Snow Ball is the highlight of the school year, bigger than the end of year prom a lot of the time, and this year the school has decided to trial hosting it off the premises which has made it even more exciting.

"Where did you hear that?" Rae suddenly has a huge grin on her face. 

"I overheard Ms Alson and Mr Summers talking earlier, they've got to work out insurance stuff first, but apparently the new place thinks it'll be a good way of advertising itself if it hosts things like the ball." 

"I can't wait to see inside. Our cousin Simon has been working on it. Apparently it's bigger than Andromeda's." Jenny adds, picking through the bag to find the gummy bears.

"Aurora honey." My mother's squeaky soprano voice calls to let me know she's here.

"See you Sunday. Unless you change your minds about tonight." I grin at them, knowing that that will never happen. "Danny won't mind if you just turn up, text me." 

My mum drives us home, some weird whale music blaring through the speakers. She asks about my day as we drive, tells me about her own and shouts at me to slow down and experience the journey rather than focus on the destination when I race upstairs before she's even turned the engine off.

Stripping off my clothes and throwing them in the wash basket in my room, I pull my hair out of its tight bun, running my fingers through it to loosen it up and grab my towel.

Although I keep asking them to, part of me is glad my friends don't come to the house parties, I'm not sure if they'd ruin the effect. I'm different with my cadet friends, relaxed, confident, cool even, everything I'm not in school.

After a quick shower, I pull on a pair of blue jeans, a fitted green t-shirt and my black knee high boots and sit down on my bed to do my makeup, singing along to the music playing on my phone beside me. The shy, stressed out girl from earlier floating further away with every passing minute.

"Bye mum, love you." I shout through to her studio.

"Bye love, make sure you eat." She calls back and I'm out the door, thankful that it's a beautiful sunny evening as I walk to my friend Danny's house for his party.

Danny, Ben and Alex grab me into a group hug as soon as I walk through the front door. 

"Drink?" Danny asks, grabbing my bag and passing it to Alex to take upstairs. I nod, wrapping my arm around his waist, my feet already tapping to the music that's blaring from the living room. 

The house is buzzing with people dancing or playing various drinking games, the atmosphere rubs off on me instantly and I feel like my personality transplant is complete. Entirely relaxed and confident, I call and wave to various people shouting my name from across the room, promising them I'll come back and find them once I've got a drink. 

"Danny, come dance with me." A girl with black hair appears in front of us, running her hands up Danny's chest, he glances at me and I can see he wants to go but doesn't want to leave me alone when I've only just arrived. I grin, giving him a shove towards the living room, before heading into the kitchen chuckling and shaking my head. 

Even in a house full of our friends, he's still the protective big brother. 

"Finally. Where've you been? Get this down you." Kia throws her free arm around my shoulders and pulls me close, handing me a plastic cup. 

"Doesn't look your best, Kee." I laugh, peering at the mixture inside. An ominous murky green-black liquid, with jelly in indeterminate shapes floating like icebergs. 

I learned long ago not to ask her what she puts into her concoctions, she never knows anyway, it all depends on what's within arm's reach when she's making it. However, despite looking like bog water, this one actually tastes ok, once you get past the weirdness of drinking something with the consistency of furry jelly that is. 

"Looks like shit, tastes like heaven." She laughs and I nod in agreement, topping up both of our cups. Shouts and cheers come from the garden and we both follow the noise.

"They've put washing up liquid in the pond." Ian explains, although the bubbles coming through the fountain are explanation enough.

"Again? Danny's dad's going to freak out when he gets back." I say, walking over and snatching the bottle off of the boy still squeezing it into the water. 

"You'll have killed all the fish." Kia reprimands him, knowing full well there's nothing living in the pond. I don't recognise him so it's likely he's a crasher, I don't understand why Danny doesn't kick people out when it's clear they're just here for the free alcohol and to cause trouble. 

"Hey beautiful, you want to get a drink with me?" He asks, obviously hoping to distract me while he not so subtly tries to take the bottle back. I give him my sternest look, but he just grins and blows me a kiss, a look of a mock contrition on his face.

"Just go, you absolute moron." I say, rolling my eyes at him. He jogs over to some other lads who all cheer and slap him on the back, glancing over his shoulder he gives me a wink and then they all head indoors.

Ian goes in to tell Danny about the pond, and Kia and I gravitate across to a group near the swing chair and outdoor sofa. They shift about so we can sit with them, joining the animated discussion of university and where everyone's planning to go next year. Someone here has brought rum and it's passed around the group until we're all giggling and none of us are bothered by the cool breeze blowing through the garden anymore.

"Oh for God's sake, Ste, you're sorting the pond tomorrow." Danny comes outside with Ian and the culprit beside him. He looks at the pond and groans, before grabbing the drink from Ste's hand and downing it in one. "I need another drink."

"I'm really sorry." I hear Ste saying insincerely as they disappear back indoors.

"Rory, where are you? Boat race." Danny reappears moments later, hollering at the top of his voice.

"Coming." I jump up too eagerly, my head spins and I grab the arm of the chair, excusing myself from the group in the garden.

"Drunk already?" He laughs, wrapping an arm around my waist to guide me to the living room. 

"Rum." I giggle into his shoulder, taking my place beside him.

"Oh, you're already gone." Alex says, grinning at me. "I've got you this time, Jewkes."

"I'd still beat you if I was passed out, Simms." I smirk, knowing that's the only way he could ever beat me at this. No one ever beats me when it comes to speed drinking and I'm stupidly proud of this relatively useless talent.

"Ready, steady, go." Ben shouts and I pick up my cup, finishing it before Alex opposite me is even halfway through his.

"Better luck next time." I cackle, holding my cup upside down over my head with a smug grin. 

Danny starts chugging his drink and we win easily. Alex challenges us to two more rounds, and loses both, before I admit defeat. I may be fast, but I'm also small and I know it'll be the end of the party for me if I don't stop now. 

"Lightweight." Alex jeers at me, passing me another drink and looking more than a little tipsy himself. Sticking my finger up at him, I grab the cup he's offering and float through the dancing crowds, using my free hand to guide my way along the hall and aiming for the bathroom.

"Hey Ginge, watch it." I glare in the direction of the voice. My hair colour has brought me attention at school, mostly negative, ever since I can remember but none of my friends would make a comment like that, so I know these are more randoms that have found their way in. "Don't look at me like that, you poured your fucking drink on me. What the hell is it anyway? It's green." 

My eyes come into focus and I recognise the person in front of me. Suddenly, it's as though my feet are huge and heavy and I trip over myself backing away too quickly. 

Billy Watkins. 

My two lives collide and I stare open mouthed at him from the floor, unable to move or speak. The sheer sight of him bringing back all the fear I feel in school, now he's standing above me, furious that I've accidentally drenched him and I don't know what to do.

While I'm frozen in place, someone grabs me under the arms and I feel like I'm flying as I'm lifted to my feet. 

"Hello? Hello? I think we've lost her. Mate, get her some water." A voice echoes in my ears, fingers clicking in front of my face, but I still can't speak.

Billy nods reluctantly, a scowl on his face as he pulls at his wet t-shirt and disappears along the hall. The fear that I'm going to be wearing the water goes through me and I take the opportunity to escape, trying to run in the opposite direction.

"Hey, hey, relax." The voice says soothingly as I fight and scramble in vain against his grip.

"Get off me. Please, just let me go." My voice is tinged with panic, the hands still holding me in place get tighter and now I know something bad is about to happen. I kick out wildly, missing his body each time.

"Hey, stop. Just stop a minute. Are you ok?" The voice sounds concerned, but I'm not falling for it. 

Wriggling and squirming as though my life depends on it, the person holding me turns me to face him and my heart sinks. Shane Woodson's standing there, looking spectacular with his dark hair, easy grin and muscles on top of muscles. He's absolutely, heartbreakingly gorgeous, everyone has had a crush on him at one point or another. You'd never guess from looking at him that he's another of the idiots that goes to my school, well rarely, he's usually suspended for fighting or smoking or some other stupid behaviour but, alongside Billy Watkins, he's the third and final permanent member of Luke Thomas' group of friends. The guys who tormented me for years, calling me names, making up jokes and rumours, throwing or pouring things over me, just generally making my early years of school life miserable. 

My one saving grace right now is that he doesn't seem to recognise me, it momentarily occurs to me to feel offended by this, since I think I'll remember all of them forever, but then I realise, if I can get away from him now, they might never realise who I am and I can continue being relatively invisible at school rather than the focus of their attention again.

"I need Danny." I mutter, wrenching myself from his hands and promptly falling onto my ass.

"Ok, let me help. Is he your boyfriend?" He reaches down for me and I pull away, screwing my face up at the absurdity of his question. He takes the opportunity to grab my arms, pulling me to my feet.

"Don't be ridiculous." I snap, my drunken angry voice somehow sounding posh and patronising. 

I glare angrily at the blurry image of his face and he laughs at me. Rage fills me and I shove him away, falling backwards again and lying on the floor. Staring up at the ceiling, I use my hands and feet to evade his persistent attempts to lift me up and somehow flipping onto my hands and knees, managing to crawl slowly along the hallway, leaning on the wall for support as I go.

"I'm fine, just leave me alone and get on with whatever you were doing before." I call back as he goes to pick me up again.

"But I'm having so much more fun with you." In a sudden change of tactic, he grabs my waist, heaving me over his shoulder and carrying me down the hallway. "Don't want my new friend getting run over, do I?"

"Turn right, bathroom." I say in my most commanding voice, tapping his back to make sure he listens. Figuring once I'm inside, I can lock the door, text Danny to rescue me and Shane'll leave me alone. After quickly opening and shutting the bathroom door, he turns around and heads upstairs, opening one of the bedrooms and peering in before carrying me through. 

This isn't right, what's he doing? 

"What're you doing?" My tongue feels odd inside my mouth and it makes my words run together. 

Why did I drink so much?

"Looking for an ensuite, the bathroom was… otherwise occupied." He laughs, putting me down carefully and pointing to the ensuite behind me. "Shagging."

"I will not." I exclaim, in absolute horror that he would suggest it. 

Don't you know how much I hate you? I'd never have sex with you! 

He laughs harder, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

"We'll discuss that in a bit. Go, before you piss yourself." 

"You're disgusting." I snap, stumbling into the ensuite and locking the door behind me. Turning both the taps on full so he can't hear me pee. 

I can't believe they're here, why are they here? What do I do?

"Sorted?" Shane's still sitting on the bed when I come out, two drinks on the table beside him that I'm sure weren't there before. 

Don't drink them, he's probably put something in them to make you act like an idiot so he can film it and embarrass you later!

"I'm fine, you can go now." I glare at him, holding on to the door frame for support. He looks as though he's going to laugh again, but makes no move to go. I want to leave but my feet still aren't working properly, so I'll probably end up falling down the stairs if I try them alone. 

I need Danny. 

I reach for my phone but it's not in my pocket. Tapping each of my other pockets with my one free hand, I realise I've not got my keys either. 

Shit!

"Looking for these?" Shane stands up and walks towards me, holding up my phone, my keys dangling from his finger. "They fell out your pocket, when you were starfishing in the hallway."

"Thanks." I go to take them and he lifts his hand up out of my reach, shaking his head and looking down at me. My heart pumps faster at his proximity, but what's more concerning is it's not through fear, I'm actually attracted to him and that's absolutely ridiculous. 

Yes he's fit and tonight he smells amazing... but he's horrible, a cruel bully just like his friends. You hate them all. 

I remind myself, forcing a scowl onto my face.

"What's your name?" He asks. 

With his arm still in the air, he takes another step closer, our chests almost touching as he towers over me. There's a look in his eye that's sending heat all over my body and it's a struggle not to lean towards him. 

Get it together for God's sake, it's Shane Woodson! 

I shuffle my uncooperative feet until my back rests against the door frame. Crossing my arms over my chest and pursing my lips to show him I'm not remotely amused by this idiotic behaviour. "Come on, or are you so drunk you can't remember?" 

"Anne." I lie. I'm the only person named Aurora in my town, but I know at least three Anne's just in my year, so I might get away without this being all over school Monday morning.

"I'm Shane." 

"I know." Still trying to keep control of my faculties and work out how to get my stuff, without jumping in the air in front of him like a child, I don't realise what I've said until it's too late.

"You go to my school then? Why haven't I seen you before?" The question sends rage coursing through me and again I'm not sure why I feel so angry that he doesn't recognise me, because that's what I want after all. But after years of bullying, the delusional part of me at least hoped they would know what they did, maybe feel some remorse, but clearly they don't give a moment's thought to anything they did to me.

"Probably because you're never there, and to be honest, you're not really that bright, are you?" I snap, my voice dripping with malice. 

I can't believe I just said that, I'm going to be top of their hit list again!  

Surprisingly, he smirks at me, his eyebrow raised in interest, his eyes flicking all over me, lingering on my chest before moving lower, my face fills with heat under his gaze and I feel stupid and vulnerable all over again. 

This is bad, I need to get my stuff back and go. 

Holding my hand out in front of me, I try to keep my voice strong now my rage has subsided. 

"Can I get my stuff back, please?"

"No." He slides it into his back pocket and I stare at him open mouthed. 

Did he just steal my stuff? 

He bends forward, his hands pressing against the wall either side of my head, his face inches from mine. So close I can feel the heat from his breath and it would be nothing to adjust my position and be kissing him. 

Why did I just think of that?!

"Tell me, why are you such an angry drunk tonight? Or is this a regular mood?" His eyes watch mine carefully and there's amusement in his voice, both of which irritate me again.

"I'm not drunk." He stands up straight and takes a few steps away, his eyes still on mine, twinkling as though this is the funniest thing he's seen all night. 

I hate him so much. How can someone so awful be blessed with such a beautiful exterior.

"Let go of the wall and come get your phone then." 

He's so cocky, I'll prove the idiot wrong, I'm not that drunk!

I push myself off of the wall and walk, slowly and carefully, across to him, watching my feet and ignoring the amused look on his face as he backs away from me, making me walk further into the room. 

"See, I'm fine." The second I lift my face to look at him, I slip, bracing myself for the impact of the table or the floor, but it doesn't happen. 

When I open my eyes, Shane's face is there, that same amused look in his eyes is tinged with desire. 

For me? 

Heat pulses through me and I swallow hard, shaking away the lust filled thoughts that rush unbidden to my brain. 

I wonder if I should ask him to help me back downstairs or tell him to give me my stuff back and get lost. 

Before I've decided, he's pulling me to my feet and kissing me. His lips unexpectedly soft and warm against mine, his eyes closed and his arms holding me firm but gently.

Shane Woodson is kissing me! Why is he kissing me? What am I doing? Am I kissing him back? Why am I kissing him back? 

I stumble in panic, falling backwards and my arms flail, grabbing his jacket to stop myself hitting the floor, but instead of saving me again, he lets us both fall onto the bed, his body half on top of mine. His lips move from my mouth to my neck, sending delicious waves of pleasure through me and I can't help but moan out loud. 

Aurora, stop! What are you doing? 

As though my brain has separated from my body, while I'm questioning myself, my hands work quickly, pushing his jacket from his shoulders. He leans back to toss it onto the floor so I take the opportunity to wriggle up the bed a bit, estimating my position just right so when he climbs back over me, I can feel his erection pushing hard between my legs. 

Ok, just this once, but you're going to regret this. Don't say I didn't warn you. 

The feel of him touching me is too good and it doesn't take long for my mind to get on board and stop resisting, I rock my pelvis against him, groaning and arching my back as it angles his erection to push against me in just the right place, increasing the pleasure already building under his touch. Breathing heavily, his hands slide under my top, his nails dragging against my skin and I gasp, pulling him closer. I've never felt anything like this, it's as though my body's filled with electricity and his every touch has me swirling.

"Anne." He whispers and I freeze, aggravated that he's thinking about someone else while he's kissing me. He pushes himself up onto his knees, peering at my face. "I'm not sure this is a good idea. You're drunk."

"I'm not drunk." I repeat, a little burst of adrenaline shooting through me when I remember I told him my name was Anne. Shane Woodson is kissing me and whispering my fake name!

"Do you want me to stop?" He cocks his head, sitting back on his heels, his hand still on my knee as he waits for my reply. 

I should want him to stop, I hate him. But he's so beautiful and, for whatever twisted reason, what he's doing feels incredible.

"No." I shake my head and that's all it takes for his lips to find mine again. A groan of his own escapes into my mouth as I slide my fingers through his hair, pushing my body against his.

"Shit, you're so beautiful." He mutters against my skin, his fingertips toying with the hem of my t-shirt.

"Take it off already." I complain, making him chuckle.

"Impatient aren't you?" Instead of answering, I prop myself up to encourage him, just as a slither of light falls across us from the hallway outside, breaking whatever spell had me temporarily brain-dead. 

No, no, no, I can't have drunken sex with Shane Woodson! 

"Guys, not in my dad's room, come on." Danny's irritated voice cuts through the darkness, his body silhouetted in the doorway. I push Shane off me roughly and Danny sees me, legs apart, t-shirt pushed up and bra on show. His serious look morphs into a huge grin. "Rory, you should know better, young lady."

"Rory?" Shane arches his eyebrow at me, realising I lied about my name. 

"Shit." I reach into his pocket, grabbing my phone and keys and stumble towards Danny, grabbing his arm for support. "Help me downstairs." 

He nods, looking concerned and holding on to me. I don't look back at Shane before dragging Danny away from the room and downstairs.

Shane Woodson?! What the hell was I thinking? 

"You going to tell me what that was about?" Danny asks as I grab a slice of pizza.

"Bad decision down to too much alcohol. Thank you for interrupting before I did something I'll regret." I mutter, grabbing another slice whilst still chewing my first, a desperate attempt to try to absorb some of the alcohol in my system.

"No problem, although your bad decision is heading this way." He nods behind me and I glance backwards to see Shane making a beeline for me.

"Oh crap, bye." I duck under Danny's arm, leaving him laughing behind me and manage to squeeze through the mass of people into the living room. 

Thank God Danny knows so many people!

When I see him make his way into the living room and try to catch my eye, I duck through the patio doors into the garden, double backing into the kitchen and grabbing a pint of water and more pizza. 

Finally the room's stopped spinning and so, clinging to my pint of water, I continue moving from room to room in a bid to avoid Shane. He finally gives up trying to get close enough to talk to me and is, instead, leaning against the wall, watching me with such intensity it makes me shiver. 

It's not the look I'm used to from those guys, the one where something ends up dumped on me as they all laugh. No, it's much more disconcerting, he looks like he wants to drag me back upstairs to continue what we were doing before Danny interrupted. What's worrying me even more is that a large part of me wants that too.

While I'm watching him out of the side of my eye, Billy Watkins taps Shane's shoulder and, keeping his gaze fixed on me, he leans down to listen to him, nodding in response to whatever Billy is saying. 

Pushing himself up off the wall, I forget I'm pretending I can't see him and turn my head to watch him as he goes. With an inviting smile, he offers his hand out, twitching his fingers as though he's asking me to follow him. I screw my face up and glare, but it just makes him grin and he twists his hand to wave goodbye, then with a quick wink, follows Billy from the room.  

Finally. I can start to relax again! 

I think, ignoring the confusing little pang of disappointment that settles in my stomach at his departure. 

By midnight, the party's starting to wind down, a lot of people have gone already and there's just a dozen or so of us left, when Kia suggests playing truth or dare in the living room. 

I'm not sure how it happens, but someone dares Kia to streak around the estate and somehow it ends up with everyone agreeing to do it in support. 

Wearing nothing but a pair of trainers to save my feet from anything on the ground, I'm swept away by the energy of the group, giggling as I sprint along the pavement beside Alex, who's complaining loudly about the cold and muttering about who's stupid idea it was to be running around naked in public.

Oh dear god no! 

As we round the corner we see, not only Shane and Billy, but Luke Thomas too, whooping and cheering us on. 

I wrap my arms around my chest and keep my head down intent on getting past quickly, but Luke starts running beside us, shouting to Alex to give him a high five. Don't do it!

I try to send my thoughts into his brain, knowing whatever they're planning will happen regardless and trying to prepare myself for whatever it might be. 

Luke slams his hand so hard against Alex's, it knocks him sideways, tripping me and sending me skidding across the pavement, unable to stop myself. 

My skin is on fire and tiny droplets of blood break through on my side and shoulder almost instantly as I roll to a stop beside someone's hedge.

"Shit, sorry Rory. Are you ok?" Alex jogs over to me, offering me his hand. 

No! 

I almost say, but I'm very aware that I'm sitting in the street completely naked, under the studious view of the people I hate most in the world.  

The others have already disappeared around the corner, leaving Alex shifting from foot to foot, silently begging me to get up so we can go.

"Come on." I reach out my hand and let him pull me up, feeling a painful twinge in my ankle.

Shit, how am I going to run with a twisted ankle? 

I test it out, pain shoots up my leg and I swear out loud. Gritting my teeth, I ignore the faces staring at me and hobble a few steps.

"Here." Shane's beside me, offering out his jacket, his friends laughing and shouting 'boo' loudly behind us. Ignoring them, he slides it over my shoulders, doing it up for me when I fumble with the zip. 

Why's he being so nice to me? 

He turns to look at Alex, standing naked beside us and a look of pity crosses his face.

"You go on mate, I'll help her." 

"I'll tell Danny to come back." Alex calls back as he sprints off around the corner.

"Thanks." I mutter sarcastically, limping along the pavement after him, pushing Shane's arm away when he offers support. Walking beside me, he waits until we're out of earshot of his friends before speaking. 

"So, Rory is it? We meet again and now you're naked, it keeps getting better." He chuckles, sliding his arm around me and lowering his voice to a whisper. "I wonder if you'll kiss me again."

"I didn't kiss you." I snap, spinning to face him and sucking in a painful breath when my ankle twists again. It feels like the muscle's being ripped apart slowly and the house seems like it's miles away. I lean on someone's fence behind me to build up the resolve to carry on.

"Who was I with on the bed then? Because she sure as hell looked like you." He reaches over to help me again and I flinch away, hissing with the pain when I stumble. He grabs my shoulders, tutting as though I'm being ridiculous and bending to look directly into my face as he speaks. "If you let me help you, it'll hurt less." 

"Ok." I nod, confused by the kindness in his beautiful brown eyes but desperate to get back to the house. I regret accepting his help almost immediately when he scoops me up, one hand under my knees and the other around my back. 

"Help me out by putting your arms around my neck, would you?" I hesitate and he smirks. "Unless you fancy staying here and exploring whatever reasons have you so desperate to keep away from me." 

He laughs when I quickly grip his neck, my face is so close to his, it's hard to think about anything other than kissing him. Squeezing my eyes shut, I crane my head as far away from him as I can and focus on my throbbing ankle instead of how good it felt when we kissed. It starts to work, it could be anyone carrying me, just a random someone who is just helping me out. A Good Samaritan if you like. 

I open my eyes and immediately meet his beautiful brown eyes, immediately my traitorous brain decides to remind me how it felt when he was running his hands over me and my face burns. He laughs again as I scrunch my eyes shut, pulling me closer he blows a stream of air onto my neck and goosebumps dance across my skin. He knows exactly what he's doing to me, so I force myself to open my eyes and meet the amusement on his face with scorn. 

Why him? It's not normal to be this physically attracted to someone you dislike, and you do dislike him Aurora! 

"I was drunk, we kissed, it was a stupid mistake. Nothing more. Ok?" He snorts a laugh, stopping in the middle of the pavement just around the corner from the party and gently lowering me to my feet. I can already hear the music, it won't take me long to get there, even hobbling. His hands gently hold my waist, supporting me while I take a small step away from him. "Thank you for your help, I can manage from here." 

"I like you, Anne." He strokes my hair behind my ear, his hand resting against the back of my head and despite myself, I lean towards him. "I want to see you again. Just us. Do you want to?" 

I stare at him, focusing on my anger so I don't fall for that seductive twinkle in his eyes. No matter how much I want to, I can't. It's not worth the hassle I'd inevitably get from them all at school. His arm snakes tighter around my waist and he steps closer, my heart hammers in my chest and I should step away, I should stop this before it happens again. 

I look up into his face, I can almost see the question in his eyes and I find myself smiling up at him, as though I'm giving him the green light to kiss me. He must think the same because he presses his lips to mine, gently this time, as though it won't lead to more. 

The electricity is back in an instant and my body feels more alive the closer I get to him. My hands grip his hair and a groan of pleasure escapes when I feel his hand brushing lightly over my bottom while he holds the back of his jacket down to keep me covered. With a jolt of panic followed by a pang of arousal low in my stomach, I remember I'm naked.

"Touch me." I whisper directly into his ear, then freeze as soon as the words leave my mouth. 

What did I just say? I can't believe I just said that. To Shane Woodson! What is wrong with me? 

He leans back to study my face, a smile playing on his lips. Mortified, I take a painful step backwards, staring at my shoes, my face burning. I can feel his eyes boring into me and I want to move, to end this humiliation, but I can't make my feet cooperate and the last thing I want to do is fall on my face in front of him again, so I stand there like a fool. After a few seconds, he lifts my chin with his free hand, forcing me to look at him. 

"I-I'm sorry, I don't… I didn't mean…" 

How am I going to explain that? 

"Shhh." Sliding his hand to the back of my head, he kisses me again, more urgently this time, his teeth tugging at my bottom lip. "Do you want me to…"

"Don't stop." I mumble, not caring what he's asking. 

I give up, you're your own worst enemy, you may as well enjoy yourself! 

He lifts me gently into his arms, but this time, I wrap my arms tightly around his neck without him having to ask.

"Back to the bedroom?" He asks and I nod, moaning in complaint when he breaks the kiss. "I can't walk like that." 

"Try." I mumble against his lips and he laughs into my mouth, taking a hesitant and blind step forward. It's too slow, so I lower my lips to his neck, inhaling the delicious scent of him as I kiss and nibble his skin. "Better?"

"Mmm, yeah, keep doing that. Oh shit, again?" He stops walking and a confusing mix of relief and disappointment washes over me when I hear the footsteps hammering towards us. Kia and Danny, now clothed, grind to a halt. Both grinning at me as I pull back from Shane, my cheeks burning red.

"Second time tonight, are we going to have to talk about stranger danger and good decision making, Missy?" Danny jokes, wagging his finger at me and then jerking his thumb back the way they came. "We left them making more pizza, so I gotta get back before they burn my house down." 

"Are you coming too?" Kia grins at Shane who's still holding me. 

"No." I squeal quickly, wriggling until he drops me to my feet. 

Ouch! 

My breath catches in my throat and Shane sniggers, tightening his grip on my waist. Danny's voice carries over me, but I can't understand what he's saying because Shane's fingers brush against the bare skin at the back of my thigh. 

"Please." I lean closer to him, breathing in sharply in anticipation of what's to come. 

"Please, what?" He mutters, his face still angled towards Danny, nodding as though he's listening to him. 

I hold my breath as his nails graze lightly over my skin, tickling their way upwards and stopping just as he reaches the soft hair between my legs. Goosebumps cover my body and, as if I have no self control, I move my legs apart, allowing him full access. He moans quietly, cupping his whole hand underneath me, teasing me with possibility. I press my forehead against his arm, letting out a shuddering breath. "Just say the word and I'll come back with you now." 

"Oh." I gasp when his middle finger twitches beneath me. 

Yes. 

I think, but Danny is still talking and I can't seem to think clearly. 

"I can't..." I don't know what I was intending to say, but he takes it as a no. His offending hand returns to my waist, leaving me cold and disappointed. He turns back to Danny, a friendly grin on his face.

"I gotta go, people waiting. Sounds like a good night though, maybe we can come to your next one?"

"Yeah, definitely, just pop in. You alright, Rory? Alex said you got hurt." Danny finally walks over to us and I nod, lifting the jacket to show my bloodied hip. "Nasty, ok, don't worry, I'll get you home.'

"To be continued." Shane's breath tickles the skin just below my ear as he speaks and I snap my head up, my mouth dropping open as I stare at his handsome face in horror. "Keep the jacket, you can give it to me at school next week. I'm looking forward to it." 

Brushing his lips against my neck, he hands me carefully across to Danny, jogging back in the direction of his friends and I try to tell myself the shivers going through me are from the cold, nothing to do with him. 

But who am I kidding!?