Scandalous

until it was physically and emotionally jarring. The smell of liquor and marijuana hung i

scanning the faces to find the one I was loo

the crowd, and I turned, hoping it

familiar teenage boy approached me. "Aaron, right?

ouldn't read, and I wasn't sure I wanted to. He no

s upstairs wa

Aaron." I was grinning now, thrilled I'd come as I swam through the crowd of people and made my way upstairs. I didn't realize Aaron wa

hey both looked up at me as the door opened, and the girl snarled something that didn't even reach

ed to

id with an easy chuckle. "Want to joi

Aaron, who reached out to steady me. Bile clawed up my thr

he worst part was that he l

behind Aaron. "Matt's been expecting you. Aren't you going to go in?" He laughed mockingly, and I was so clos

e tears. Turning on my heel, I rushed past Aaron and Jake. Jake was s

ch a know-it-

gin Lyon d

have you ever he

ble. As I shoved my way through the crowd of partygoers to find my coat, the music's bass was overwhelming, and for a moment

cended the stairs. The girl wasn't with him anymore, but he was still in the process of zipping the fly of his jeans as he zoned in on me and crossed the floor. I waited

hadn't just ripped my fucking heart from my chest and danced on it. "Sorry about that." He reached to touch my arm, but I wheeled around

onal. All of this was. I was just sorry I ever though

exchange from the top of the stairwell. My e

ever try to talk to, look at, or bully me again, I will spend the

p in surrender, caught off guard

k, and fear of these three men burst from my surface, a hot and blinding r

in the room, I knew he could

d Jake at the top of the stairs. Jake was no longer smirking. He saw that Matt no longer had the upper hand. I

Not at this moment.

k, and his body pressed against mine as I leaned in, brushing my lips against his ear. He smelled intoxicating. I hated him for it. "Keep my name out

stomach. His smile was sinister as he stepped towards me, threatening, and that dangerous fucking smile was the last thing I saw before I reeled my arm back and slammed it into his nose

that as an