Chapter One

"I just wish you'd keep your damn mouth shut! All you ever do is run it!"

"Maybe I'll keep mine shut if you actually get the hell out of my sight! At least I have all the people fawning to be with me!" His eyebrows furrowed.

Andrew Harem was the most popular and athletic guy at my high school. His self esteem shot through the roof, eliminating other competitors.

He hated me with a passion, and I him. We've been enemies since the first day of school, when he pushed me in the lunch line and spilt apple juice and milk in my hair and even stole my best friend only to break her heart.

I never forgave him for it.

I stormed off, infuriated at his snarky comebacks. It's not like I've never had a boyfriend, I just never found the right guy.

The three guys I've dated have all been too sexual with me, leading me into stuff I didn't want. I regretted every moment with them. I wasn't going to waste another breath with guys like that. Especially Jackson.

I made my way upstairs to my sixth period. Grabbing my usual seat next to Alina, she turns to me, curiosity in her big brown eyes as her hazel braided hair whirled around her face.

"I saw your little 'battle' with Drew."

"Ew. Don't speak of his name. Even with the shortened version."

She laughed. I was always jealous of her laugh. It radiates brightly in every room she was in and put a smile on everyone's face.

My laugh? Awful. I snort when I laugh and it's one of the funniest sounds you'll ever hear. It's that bad.

"Settle down. We're taking our exam today. Pull out your pencils and place your bags at the front of the room," Mr. Lendzo stated.

Alina and I both did as told, ready for our exams like every end of the semester. We were study buddies and always did little projects together. It was always a plus that we were ready for our finals before break.

Besides, it was winter break! I love the winter weather and was so ready for the snow this weekend. I couldn't wait to hang out with my friends after school!

- - -

After school, I packed my bag and grabbed my keys. I promised Alina I'd meet her by my car with a few of our other friends.

Turning into the parking lot, I see my friends Kyle, Jake, and Tyler.

Kyle was one of the taller seniors. He had jet black hair with a matching pair of stunning blue eyes that drove the girls wild. He wore his letterman jacket with jeans, a normal outfit for him.

Jake was one of the smaller guys. He had blonde hair with hazel eyes, an odd combination, but he pulled it off with his own letterman jacket and jeans.

Tyler was like the rest with his jacket. But he had the loveliest brown hair and green eye contrast. I used to date him back my freshman year, until I broke things up because I didn't like him like that. Besides, he has another special girl on his mind.

What caught me off guard though, was Andrew. He stood there, smugly talking to Kyle while paying no attention to his ex, Alina.

I saw Alina turn toward me, her expression telling me to stay away. But it was my truck, how else was I suppose to get home?

Approaching the group, I say hello to my friends, ignoring Andrew.

"Well?"

I felt Andrew's gaze on me. I turned around.

"Well, what?"

"Where's my hello?"

"Hiding with your dignity. Where else?" I turned on my heel, marching my way to the driver's seat of my truck. A hand landed on my shoulder, stopping me in place.

"Now thats not very nice. What would your mother say?"

My face fell. She wouldn't say anything because the dead don't speak.

Alina saw my expression from afar and decided to come help out, but was stuck when Kyle went to talk to her.

Glaring at Andrew, I ripped his hand off my shoulder, dropping it down to his side. He was still smirking once I got in the truck and locked the doors.

- - -

Against my wishes, Alina had me drive the gang and Andrew down to Jake's house. I felt Andrew's gaze from my rear view mirror, but ignored it to the best of my ability.

Pulling up the driveway to Jake's home, the guys and Alina begin leaving my car, leaving me alone to take a breath.

Until Andrew knocked on the window.

I ignored him, pretending to not hear him. It worked well for a few minutes, then he opened up the door I swore I relocked.

"Come on, Ashlyn. Everyone's waiting for your stupid ass to come inside."

I nailed him to the floor with my gaze, causing him to shut the door and walk back inside. I honestly didn't want to go in, but I promised my friends I would join them. Besides, it's alcohol night, and who doesn't love alcohol?

Intaking a huge breath, I opened my car door and shut it, locking the vehicle. I trudged my boots up to Jake's door, pushing open the sturdy wood.

Everyone except Jake was already placed in their usual spot, mine occupied by the one and only Andrew. I rolled my eyes and sighed, sitting on the arm of the large couch instead.

"So," Jake stated, coming into the room with his arms full of bottles, "I've got Jim Bean, Maker's Mark, Woodford, and Jack Daniels. I may even have some Fireball somewhere..."

I smiled at the mention of my favorite, Fireball. "I can help you find the Fireball if you'd like me to."

Jake smiled. "Sure. I'd like that."

Hopping off my spot on the couch, I follow Jake into his basement. I see the familiar old, rustic bar table and liquor cabinets his parents own.

Every break we came here to drink. His parents never knew. They tend to overstock the cheaper bottles, leaving the rarer finds for themselves.

I got down on my hands and knees, searching through the cabinets for my Fireball. After the four one, I finally found it.

Turning around to show Jake my find, a pair of hands fall on my waist while a head hooks into the crook of my shoulder. I tried to move, only to fail. His hands had me pinned in place. He transitioned me up against the bar top, his lips finding their way onto mine for a unreciprocated kiss. The bottle dropped from my hand, landing on the ground with a thud. It was a miracle it didn't break.

"Dammit, Jake." A man's dark voice boomed through the basement. One that I hated.

Jake jumped off me, clearly confused. His house was pretty big with lots of confusing turns; only the gang and I knew the way to his basement. It would've been a hassle for Andrew to find his way down.

"How'd you even get down here? Why are you even down here?" Jake asked, clearly having the same ideas.

Andrew shrugged. "You guys took so long. Wanted to make sure you weren't making out. But clearly, it was only one-sided. Besides, your house isn't that confusing."

What kind of bullshit was that?

I brushed past Andrew, heading up the stairs with the fireball.

Slamming it on the table, I immediately begin talking. "Who the hell sent him down there?"

Everyone looked at each other, clearly confused. They turned their heads to stare back at me.

"Who sent Andrew down to the basement?"

Alina spoke up. "Nobody, he asked where the bathroom was and left. Didn't know he found you two."

I groaned. Not creepy at all.

Jake and Andrew came up the stairs, each clearly pissed at the other.

Something seemed off as they came into the room. Especially with Andrew. Nothing ever seemed right with him. I knew something was up.

And I was going to figure it out.