The cool spring air blew Dani's hair around her face lightly causing the smell of her strawberry shampoo to fill the air around her as she walked towards school. All around her students were chatting with one another, parking their cars, or sitting on the hoods with textbooks in their laps as they crammed for a quiz. It was mid-spring in sunny Los Angeles, California and the last year before Dani went off to Harvard University. She smiled to herself as she side stepped Aron Erlichman, her childhood bully, and a group of his friends that were about to run into her.
One of them, Jorel Decker, stuck his foot out and hooked her ankle causing her to fall forward onto a larger male that was trailing behind the group.

George quickly reached his arms out to catch the falling girl in front of him. She was shorter than him, had an athletic build, and wavy brown hair. Usually he went for the blondes like Heidi Shepard, but this girl was different to him. She seemed... Real. Like as if she could hold her own if it ever came down to it, and even her boobs seemed to be real and not filled with that gel shit. He shook his head and grasped her arms a little bit more firmly to make sure that he didn't accidentally drop her.

Dani scrunched up her nose and her brow furrowed when she felt his hands grasp tighter around her. Granted he had caught her and kept her from landing on her face, but she was still disgusted at the fact that Jorel had the audacity to try and make her fall.
"Hey you okay?" The male asked gruffly and steadied her before bending down to gather her books and papers.
"Yes I'm fine, now please leave." She said irritated and yanked her things away from him.
He held his hands up in defense and backed away, "I was just trying to hel-"
"Well I don't need your help!" Dani snapped at him then turned on her heel to leave. She hadn't meant to sound so rude to him but the fact that he hung out with Aron Erlichman was enough to make her a little agitated.

"What was that all about?" He asked quizzically to his friends as he watched her walk towards the Senior building.
Jorel patted George on his shoulder and sighed, "That my friend was Dani Rose, senior class president, captain of the cheerleading team, and varsity choir leader." Jorel paused to take in George's expression, he could tell that George was interested in her. "Also Aron's neighbor and daughter of L.A.P.D's chief."

George's face fell slightly when Jorel informed him that she was the chief's daughter. There was no way in hell that he would be able to get to know her now. Damn it! Why does she have to be the daughter of the chief of police? If she was Dylan's sister it'd be slightly easier, still difficult but easier than the chief of police's daughter. Fuck man.
"Better luck next time man." Jorel said then took off towards his old truck.
"Maybe." George said to himself then followed behind Jorel and Aron.

Aron watched George carefully out the corner of his eye as Jorel drove them out to Dylan's place. He could tell along with Jorel that George was starting to develop a little "crush" on Dani and Aron would not have that. One, she was the daughter of a police officer, and two Dani Rose was by definition a goodie two shoes and sometimes a snitch. She just had that "I'm better than you" feel to her that Aron completely hated. Ever since they were kids she always thought that she was better than him just because her parents have a shit ton of money and he's practically dirt poor. It still surprised him that he has as much stuff as he does right now. Perks of having a few good friends huh?

"So you gonna risk it?" Jorel asked George as they pulled into Dylan's driveway. Aron turned his head to face Jorel. Clearly he had missed an entire conversation. He glanced from one friend to the other in hopes that one would fill him in on what he missed. But neither would say anything. "Are either of you shit heads gonna tell me what the hell I just missed?!" He yelled out.
George sighed and ran his hand through his hair, "Jorel just wants to know if I'm going to try and get with Dani Rose."
Aron scoffed and shoved Jorel out of the truck. He honestly felt bad for George. No guy at that school had ever been able to get her to go on a date, or even go to homecoming or prom, let alone hook up with her after a football game. Him and the rest of the guys at school could honestly say that Dani Rose may hang out with a bunch of sluts, but she sure as hell ain't a slut. The damn girl probably hasn't even been kissed. A low chuckle escaped his throat. "Hey if you wants to try and break her go ahead but I'm tellin you now that you're not gonna get too far."
George just shrugged his shoulders and followed Aron inside.

"Yo Dylan!" Aron tossed his hat on the floor and plopped down on the couch. George and Jorel took a seat on an opposite couch, both kept looking around nervously. Aron wondered what had gotten into them within the last five minutes because they had been just fine when they had pulled up. Now they acted like as if Dylan was gonna jump out with a knife and slit their throats. He rolled his eyes and waved it off as the said Mexican walked into the living room. He had on his old high schools football jersey and a pair of jeans, his hair was wet and he reeked of weed.
"Dude you fucking smell of marijuana." Aron said in disgust and moved over on the couch so Dylan could sit.

Dylan nodded his head slowly and smiled, "Dude this chick that goes to your school hooked me up with the best fucking weed I've ever had.." His voice trailed off as he fell back into the couch still high as a kite. He glanced over at Aron who was looking back at him with a disapproving look.
"Oh come on Aron you can't deny that you haven't rolled one or two before."

Aron just sighed and shook his head at his friend. "Yeah okay maybe once or twice but at least I stopped the last time we got arrested for selling it." He said roughly. One of these days Dylan had to wake up and realize that by him doing this he was hurting not only his mom, but his sister, and a few of the guys as well. Aron and the guys knew that you couldn't die from weed, but it still had its effects that could make you do some stupid shit, plus it was illegal to have and sell. Cops around here loved to bust kids like Dylan for this shit and if he got caught with it one more time his mom wouldn't be able to bail him out like the last time.

This sobered Dylan up a little bit as the memory of being slammed on the ground and forced into handcuffs in front of his mom came floating back to the front of his semi foggy mind. To him that was the worst day of his life. He hated to see his mom in pain because of some stupid shit that he had done. When his mom had bailed him out he had promised her that he wouldn't get caught with it anymore and so far he hasn't been caught once. But now that Aron reminded him of getting arrested Dylan felt that he should just stop smoking weed for his mom's sake. Dylan didn't want to make his mom even more disappointed in him than she already was. He sighed and dug out the last of his stash from his jeans pocket and tossed it over to Aron.
"Sell it, give it back to the chick, I don't care. I just don't want my mom to be anymore disappointed with me." He said softly, Aron nodded his head and got up to get rid of his weed.

"Damn Funny, you're serious about this aren't you?" Jorel asked as he watched Aron leave. He couldn't believe that Aron, of all people, got Dylan to give up his weed. Even when he had been arrested he didn't give up his stash to the cops or his mom that easily. Dylan must really want to try and have a new start, he thought then smiled back at Dylan who just nodded his head.
"So what's up with this party? Everyone is talking about it like as if you didn't throw one last week."
Dylan shrugged, "I don't know just felt like throwing myself a welcome party I guess."
George let out a chuckle and sighed, "Relax Funny all you're doing is coming back to public school, not going off to war."
"I know." Dylan said smugly. He got up and turned on his computer. Jorel and George soon joined him, soon followed by Aron who couldn't keep this evil grin off his face. This worried George slightly. It was never a good thing when Aron got that look on his face.
"What's with the look Aron?" He asked hesitantly.
Aron just grinned even wider and pointed at the computer screen, "That." He stated simply then left to go call a few people.
George felt his heart drop to the pit of his stomach. Damn it! Not this again! He groaned and ran his hands over his face. Now he understood why Dylan wanted so bad to go to his school and not the one out here in Inglewood. He glanced over at Jorel to see how he was feeling about the newfound situation that they have just found themselves in; Jorel's face was paled of all color as he stared at the screen.
Jorel stared at the screen for what seemed like an eternity. He couldn't believe that Dylan had even let himself go through with this, what happened to not wanting his mom to be disappointed in him? Well so much for wanting a new start. He glanced back at George and he shared the same expression that Jorel did.
"This isn't going to end well." He said turning to face the computer again.
"It'll be fine." Aron said firmly from the doorway. "Everything just had to go to plan."
George scoffed and headed for the door, "Yeah. Like last time?"

By the time that fourth lunch had rolled around Dani had finally organized her class papers, notes, and choir sheets into their proper folders and binders just the way that her mom liked. Honestly it was a complete pain the butt to have to keep her things organized the way that her mom wanted them to be, and to have to do the activities that her mom wanted her to do. It was like as if her mom was unknowingly re-living her "glory days" through Dani. Frankly Dani just wanted to let her grades slip just a little bit and go to those crazy parties over in Inglewood that everyone had been talking about. Apparently this guy named Dylan Alvarez throws all these great parties after the football games. Never once had she ever been to his party, or even to Inglewood. Her mom always tries to tell her that all these criminals and gang members live over there and kill girls like Dani on a daily basis. Of course she never believed her moms stupid stories but she was terrified enough of her mother to not disobey. She did just wanted one night to experience what the rest of her friends do, but then again she was too chicken to even try and sneak out or lie to her parents.
"Ugh." She groaned and dropped her head in her hands.
"What's wrong Dani?" Jessica asked sweetly and plopped down on the bench next to her best friend. She could tell that she was having another one of those internal battles again.
Dani sighed and rubbed her temples. As much as she wanted to tell Jess what was bothering her, she couldn't. Jessica was a great friend but she always tried to get Dani to break curfew or even tell a little white lie. She loved Jess to pieces but she did hate that little flaw.
Jessica leaned over into Dani's shoulder and poked her in between her ribs just to annoy her enough so that she would tell her what's on her mind. It had always worked ever since they were kids in elementary school. Eventually Dani gave in and told her everything that had been bothering her for the past few weeks. It all ranged from the way that she felt about her mom reliving her glory days, a Spanish quiz, and even wanting to go to Dylan's party.

Jess's lips curled up into an evil grin as a whole plan formed in her mind. "You know," she said casually. "Dylan is throwing a party tonight. You know as a way to welcome himself to our school."
"Wait he's transferring here?" Dani asked in shock. The whole time she thought that he went to one of the alternative schools for when you can't attend a public school. Huh, weird.
"Yup and he wants the whole cheer squad there to welcome him, especially the captain." Jessica gave Dani a wink and shoved her shoulder playfully.
Dani smiled and pushed Jess off of her, "I don't know Jess. You know I can't lie to my parents."
"What are you mother freaking Theresa? Come on!" Jess whined dragging out the last word. "All you gotta do is say that you're spending the night at my house after the game and then we'll go to the party."
Dani weighed the consequences for a while in her head, Jess watched intently waiting for Dani to cave.
She sighed and threw her hands up in exasperation, "Fine!"
Jess squealed loudly and pulled Dani in for a bear hug. "Ah!! Thank you so much! You will not regret this, I promise!"
Dani knew better than to trust Jessica when she says 'you won't regret this' but then again she wanted to have fun for once so why not?

A couple hours before Dylan's party was supposed to start George pulled Jorel out into the backyard. He knew that Jorel wasn't comfortable with what Aron was up to so he had to at least talk to Jorel about it. "You as freaked out as I am?"
Jorel nodded his head once, "I can't get involved with this, it's bad enough that my parents have been threatening to send me to some boarding school." He paused to grab a couple patio chairs. "This'll definitely seal the deal if we get caught."
Both boys sat in silence not sure what to say about the whole situation. Jorel was right, not only would he get sent away but George would probably get in even more trouble than he had been in a few months ago for the drug bust. Sometimes he truly hated Aron and all the trouble that he would get Jorel and him into. And of course now he's gotten Dylan involved, soon he'll drag Jordon into this mess. It's inly a matter of time before all four of us land our asses back behind bars. And this time there will be no chance of bail.
"George?" Jorel asked quietly.
George brought his head up so that he could look at his friend, "Yeah?"
"Her name was on that list."
George's brow knitted together in confusion. Who's name could've been on that list that had Jorel worried?
"Who Jay?"
Jorel took a shaky breath before meeting George's gaze, tears pricked his eyes. "Vanessa, Vanessa James. You know the girl that I've kinda been crushing on for the past four years?"
"Jay you know that we can't get involved with whatever it is tha-"
"What if it was Conner? Or even your own parents?!" Jorel cried out. He couldn't believe that George was actually going to sit there and tell him that he shouldn't get involved. Vanessa was always a sweet girl, and for a lack of better terms, the love of his life! Sure he'd never actually spoke to her before but something just made him feel like she was the one for him. He had to get involved with this so that he could protect her at all costs.
George didn't even have to think about it for more than a second. Like always Jorel was right, if it was his brother or even his parents he'd do whatever he could to protect them. Even if it meant being totally reckless and helping Aron with another one of his plans.
"Alright, fine. We'll help him just this last time but after this I'm done." He pushed himself up from the chair. "And so are you Jay. Now come on its almost six o'clock and we've still gotta call a few people."

At six o'clock Dani waited nervously in her living room for Jess and her boyfriend Mathew to come pick her up. Her dad had already left for work a few hours ago so it was just her and her mom at the house, and honestly that scared Dani shitless. Her mom never hit her before but make no mistake, her mom could strike fear into the heart of the most toughest Marine Corps Officer. She sighed heavily and gathered her pom-poms and duffle bag from the hall closet.
"Daniella I expect you to be home at noon tomorrow alright? You've got an early yoga and body combat workout." Her mom stood in the kitchen doorway with her arms crossed over her chest. Dani nodded her head then headed out the door to wait outside.
Right as she shut the door Mathew pulled into the driveway with Jess hanging out the passenger window. Dani rolled her eyes and threw her things into the back of the truck.

"So you girls gonna end up drunk and making out with each other?" Matt asked Dani as she fastened the seatbelt. She flipped him off then smacked the back of his head.
"How can you date him Jess? He's such a pig!" Dani scolded Jess, Jess just rolled her eyes and kissed Matt on his cheek while grabbing hard on his hardening erection. This made Matt blush a bright red and swerve slightly into the other lane. From the backseat Dani made a high pitched squeal. "Can you contain your raging hormones for the duration of the drive Jessica?! I care not to die tonight because you have the pig a boner!"
Jess smirked and laughed saying, "Wow mother Theresa actually knows what a boner is."
"Shut your cakehole idjit." Dani retorted playfully.
It was Jess's turn to flip Dani off, but she sat back in her own seat and kept her hands off of Matt until they got to Dylan's.

When Matt parked the car half the football team was already there along with some of the JV and Varsity Cheer squad. Dani knew that she shouldn't be at the party the second she stepped out of Matt's truck, mainly because she was quickly met with the overwhelming smell of alcohol and, what she assumed, marijuana. Around her all of her once nice friends were rapidly turning into rough and violent people. She knew that a look of horror replaced her earlier happy-go-lucky expression. Maybe I should just stay here by the truck and wait for them to be done with this.

George was making his rounds of checking to make sure that none of the cars were parked in front of the neighbors driveways when he saw a familiar figure standing by a lone truck. It was clear that the girl was Dani Rose. He smiled to himself, huh and here Aron thought that she was a goodie two shoes.
Quietly he made his way up to her so that he wouldn't scare her away. He reached his hand out to touch her shoulder but she quickly spun around and caught his hand then flipped him around so that he was pressed up against the truck. When his body hit he felt the air being rushed out of his lungs.
"D-damn all I w-wanted to d-do was say hi." He managed to cough out. Her hands quickly released their hold on him.
"Holy fucking shit I am so sorry! I-I didn't know who you were and-"
George chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck, "It's cool I guess I shouldn't have tried to be quiet. I'll make sure to make some noise next time."
Dani gave him a weak smile, "Yeah probably, hey you're that guy from this morning. You kept me from falling."
"Yeah that was me, I'm George by the way." He held his hand out to her, she took his hand. "I'm Daniella Rose, but you can call me Dani." She said with a shy smile spread across her face.
"You uhm...wanna head inside? It's getting kinda cold out here." He said hooking his thumb over his shoulder towards the house. "Yeah sure...just uh don't abandon me? I've never been to one of these before." Her cheeks flushed red at her little request. He liked how she seemed so innocent and shy around him. All the other times that he's seen her at school she was always so loud and happy. It was different for him, being around her and seeing a side that he's never seen before.
"I promise I won't abandon you Dani." He told her truthfully and offered her his hand again which she gladly took.

He led her in past the living room and to the kitchen where he knew that there would be less people and noise. It was obvious that she was more than just nervous, she was freaked out. He thought that maybe she had a bit of social anxiety when being in a new setting, but after about a half hour of them just talking he could see her visibly relax.
"So what brings you all the way out here to Dylan's?" He asked casually.
Dani let her shoulders rise and fall gently, "One of my friends dragged me out her with her boyfriend Matt."
"Matt Busek?"
"Yeah he lives a few blocks away from me, we kinda grew up together and hung out  until high school," she paused for a moment to take a sip from her cup. "He kind of just disappeared for a while. It wasn't until sophomore year that I figured out that he dropped out before the school year had even started."
"But now he dates your best friend?"
Dani let out a heavy sigh, "Yeah pretty much. I mean he's an okay guy but he creeps me out a little."
"How does he creep you out? Matt's a cool guy." He said around a chuckle. George had hung out with Matt a few times over the last summer and each time he was pretty chill and laid back.
"He just comes across kinda perverted when he hangs around with me and Jess." A small shiver ran down her back, George could tell that she was starting to get a bit uncomfortable with the direction that the conversation was going.
"Alright, enough of that." He said quickly trying to distract her. "Have you ever had a beer before?" He reached across the countertop and pulled out a Budweiser.
"I haven't ever had any type of alcohol before if you want me to be honest." She told him nervously. A tight knot formed deep in her stomach as she stared down at the can of beer in George's hand. She wondered repeatedly if he was going to pressure her into drinking tonight.  Overall he seemed like a nice guy, but then again you never really know. 
He smiled down at her and say the can down in front of him. "Look Dani, I'm not gonna force you to drink if you don't want to okay? It was just a question."
"Thank you George." She returned his smile.

"Damn. Look who decided to show up." Aron said smugly as he entered the kitchen. He saw that George was standing pretty close to Dani with a couple cans of beer by them. Dani averted her gaze from him and kept her eyes on the ground. He smirked and pushed himself off the doorframe.
"So you finally got her to drink huh?" His eyes flicked between Dani and George, neither one of them would look at him.
"Get out of here Aron, we were having a good time before you showed up." George said through clenched teeth.
"Oh I get it, the cans are just for show." He scoffed loudly and flicked a half empty can at her causing it to spill on her shirt. She didn't even move when it hit her. "What was it that Jess calls you..? Oh right, Mother Theresa."
It was like a distant switch had been flipped on in the back of Dani's mind. Anger and frustration overtook her and she quickly grabbed the can from George and chugged half of it. When she sat it down her head spun and the feeling of having to throw up raged within her, but she forced it down.
Both George and Aron stared at her with looks of impression and surprise. 
"Maybe she's not so much like Mother Theresa after all." Aron said and made his way to the backyard.

George stared back at her completely surprised that she had just chugged half of his beer. What surprised him even more was the fact that she hadn't thrown up yet. "Are you okay Dani?"
She nodded her head slowly, "Yeah I'm f-fi-fine."
He shook his head at her and scooped her up into his arms.
"Whoa!" She cried when her feet lifted out from under her. "Where are you taki-" her words were cut off by a wave of nausea.
"To the bathroom cause it's obvious that you need to puke soon."
"O-oh okay." She said quietly. Her head rolled back onto his shoulder and her arms wrapped lightly around his neck.
He sighed heavily and carefully made his way through the house. When he reached the back hallway he saw Jorel taking Vanessa to Dylan's bedroom. To anyone else it would've looked like he was going to hook up with her, but George knew better than that. He knew that Jorel was just trying to figure out if she was worth protecting. Before George made it through the bathroom door Jorel and him made eye contact with each each other. Both of them exchanged knowing glances.
This was going to be a long night, he thought and sat Dani down by the toilet. He shut the door and sat down beside her. No way was he leaving her side now, she needed help when morning comes.