My mouth was bone-dry, my palms sweaty as I walked up to the front door, admiring the exterior of the house, while also taking a steadying breath. Before my knuckle even brushed the door, it swung open, revealing Caleb. He looked great in jeans and a black T-shirt.

"Hey! You made it!" He said, smiling. "You look great. Come on in."

Without me even realising it, my hands had clenched into fists. I took steady, even breaths as he led me into the living room, where the couch and chairs had been removed to create a makeshift dance floor. Black-and-white paper tiles covered the floor, a great replica of an actual dance floor.

"Make yourself at home," he said. He gave me a gentle squeeze on the shoulder, then leaned in to whisper. "If this gets to be too much for you, don't hesitate to go upstairs and take a breath. Use any of the rooms." His voice was calming, with a hint of understanding.

A grateful smile appeared on my face as I nodded. The front door opened then, loud voices filling the space. Loud music blared from speakers placed somewhere in the room and I flinched slightly. A hand appeared on my shoulder and I whirled around, eyes wide, heart pounding. Tara was in front of me, looking amazing in a dark green dress shirt and flared jeans.

Her eyes scanned my face before she even opened her mouth. I smiled, relaxing. She saw Caleb and her entire face brightened.

I drifted off to the side as they started talking. After a while, I discreetly slipped away to the guest room upstairs. It was only after I'd shut the door that my phone buzzed. An unknown number appeared on the screen. 'Come back, Bella. You're missing all the fun. I've got a surprise for you.'

Confusion and apprehension swirled around inside of me. Who could be texting me when all my friends were here? I took a breath as I left the guest room, walking back downstairs. That's when I heard it: an ear-shattering scream, then a crash. A heartbeat later, I was running for the living room, skidding to a stop at the scene laid bare before me: Dan, eyes completely void of any warmth or consciousness, brandishing a knife.

The crowd had formed a large circle around him, leaving the center of the room bare. I cleared my throat and opened my mouth to speak. "Dan? Can you hear me? It's Bella." He trained his gaze on me, the emptiness in his face sending chills down my spine.

Dan walked closer to me, still brandishing the knife. I was barely breathing.

I squeezed my eyes shut, wishing he'd just make the killing blow and get it over with. Wishing he wouldn't let it drag out for Tara to see. I bit back a sob as the knife tip pressed against my throat, drawing a thin line of blood. He snarled, his breath hot in my face, then disappeared.

A shuddering sob escaped me, my entire body trembling. Caleb and Tara appeared at my side, the former putting a steady hand on my back as the latter pulled up a chair. The room was empty now, the crowd that had been there only moments ago scattering as soon as Dan had left.

I couldn't catch my breath, couldn't focus on anything. All I could see was the empty look in Dan's eyes. Tara spoke up, her voice distorted and far-away. "I'm calling your dad." My legs, too weak to hold me up, collapsed into the chair. Caleb bent down, his hand rubbing soothing circles on my back.

"Who was that guy?" He asked, glancing from me to Tara, then back to me. Every time I tried to take a breath, it felt like I was being choked. Dizziness hit me in waves, my eyelids fluttering as I struggled to stay conscious.

The next thing I knew, I was back home in my bed. Dad was beside my bed, dozing in a chair. Silent tears rolled down my face as I struggled to keep the sobs at bay. I finally succumbed to my body's need for sleep sometime around midnight.

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