* Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who is reading this story. I really really appreciate it and I love you guys <3 Also please vote and leave a comment.Oh and one more thing. I like to the post the song I listen to while writing the chapter so it may or not be relatable but I hope you enjoy it as much as I did listening and writing. *

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 *Every single night I lose it
I can't even hear the music without you *

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"I need your car keys," Noah begged after school. I couldn't go home because, as per my detention, I was meant to attend the Winter Formal Committee. "Please!"

"Can't you just take a ride with Connor," I sighed. We were standing in the parking lot of our school next to the Chevy that mom and dad had bought me for my straight A's last year. Dad taught me how to drive over the summer and I had even got my license. 

"His brother can't drive us home today," Noah continued leaping for the keys in my hand. "Some charity work he got after school."

"Mom and dad would kill me if they knew how irresponsible I have been Noah," I explained. It was impossible to argue with my brother, I knew in the end he was going to get his way but I still tried to put up a civilized fight. I am not sure civilized and fight even belong in the same sentence. "Besides, you can't even drive."

Noah groaned brushing back his dark hair. "First of all, mom and dad will never know. Second, I can't but Connor can."

I was so dead. "Fine," I said reluctantly and handed him the keys. "If mum and dad do find out, I'll tell them you stole the keys from me."

Noah leaped in excitement and gave me an obnoxious hug, which he only did whenever I agreed to whatever stupid shit he wanted me to cover up for him. "You're the worst sister in the world!"

I rolled my eyes and head back inside the school halls. Lana had ofcourse disappeared as soon as the school bell had rung. She had way too many plans and way too many people to hang out with. Its not like she never asked me to join, I just didn't think I would fit in that type. You know, the cool party girls and boys type. I was content with my life really but all of this weird change was really making me way more excited than I should have been. For a change, I was looking forward to what the first meeting was going to be about.

As I walked into the the Seminar Hall, which was where all our events took place the first person I spotted was Jay because he was pretty much the only familiar face, besides Jenny ofcourse. Yeah, most people called it an auditorium, but we called it the Seminar Hall for God knows what reasons. 

"Hi," Jay smiled as I took a seat next to him at the round table. I returned his smile and then looked around at rest of the kids to check if there was anyone I knew. Jenny stood at the table with another boy with broad shoulders and dark blonde hair while they were discussing something over a piece of paper. Another girl lay back back in her chair with earphones plugged in as she chewed on her gum viciously. Yes, viciously. She had dark skin and curly hair, and was pulling of that red lipstick quite flawlessly. I instantly recognized her. Juniper Kyle, she had quite the reputation for being the party girl.

Then there was Bryce Colton, with his neatly combed hair, and immaculately buttoned up shirt and his big rayban glasses. He was the smartest guy in senior year and he was the President of student body president. Everybody loved him, the teachers, students, parents. Everyone, literally. 

"Is that it?" I asked Jay but he kind of ignored me over the texts he was typing. 

"Oh you're here," Jenny smiled as she looked up from the paper she was reading along with the other guy who's name I didn't know. "Hello, everyone I am glad to have you all here. Before we begin this meeting, it would be great if you all introduced yourselves."

I cringed and leaned over to Jay, who was still texting. "What is going on?"

"Hi I'm Jason Brody, the treasurer of student body," the guy standing next to Jenny announced.

"She's vice president," Jay replied lazily still not looking at me. Ugh, how annoying. How was it fair to give her this detention when she was already a part of this?

"Juniper." She said disinterested.

"Bryce, as you may all know me as the student body president." He spoke in his squeaky ass voice.

I heard Jay scoff next to me which was a little weird to me.

"Jay Parker," he said slowly and just continued to scroll through his phone. I noticed Jenny sigh at him and then turn to me.

"A-azari Khan," I spoke softly and that was it. Literally, that was it. For the next 3 hours, we did nothing. Nobody talked to each other except Jenny and Brody discussing something i couldn't care less about. Bryce was typing stuff into his laptop.

And Jay didn't talk to me at all either. I felt dumb for feeling excited for this. This was detention all right.

After what seemed like eternity, Principal Duvell walked through the door to the Seminar Hall to tell us we could go home now. I swear, that was the happiest moment of my life, and trust me its not an understatement. Who wouldnt be after that exceptionally irritating torture with no communication for three hours straight. Normally I would be okay with that, but being the goody two shoes I am, I brought no source of entertainment with me. And I didnt have social media so what was I going to scroll through?

But wait, how the fuck was I going to get home? Guess I would just have to walk home.

"You need a ride home?" Yes ladies and gentlemen, Jay Parker came to my rescue.

"N-no its okay I can walk home," I replied feeling slightly pissed that he completely ignored me today. First Travis, now him. I did not like this feeling.

"I'm taking Jenny home too," he insisted dangling his keys. "Its no biggie."

So I agreed.

I got into the backseat of Jay's gray Jeep Wrangler while Jenny got into the passenger seat next to him. To be honest, I was glad I didn't have to go with him alone or it would be a disaster trying to explain to my parents why was Jay Parker giving me a ride home. 

There was an awkward silence when he started the car engine and backed out of the school parking lot. The jeep's inside smelled like some expensive cologne which was making me quite uncomfortable. It was definitely going to stick to me and I would smell like a guy. 

"God, just put some music on," Jenny finally broke the excruciating silence except the sound of the engine and honking. I lived only a few blocks away from school so I was glad this torturous ride would soon be over. Car ride, get your head out of the gutter! 

Solo by Clean Bandit was playing on the radio and Jenny started to jam along to it while Jay just drove on seriously. His fingers tapping the steering wheel to the rhythm. He seemed deep in thought though, and I wondered if it was because of him at the verge of losing his scholarship. 

"Hey, are you okay?" Jenny asked, looking towards him with her hand placed softly on his shoulder. "You love this song."

He nodded, "Yeah, ofcourse." Gosh, I hated the fact that I could tell he was lying and if I could then definitely Jenny could too but to my surprise she didn't push it. Maybe because I was there, third wheeling like a pro. 

His jeep came to a stop suddenly and he spoke to me looking through the rear view mirror, "We're here."

"Huh?" I had not even realized and I didn't even remember telling him where I lived. "H-how do you..? 

I started to ask him but then changed my mind. "Thanks guys." The faster I got out the better. I rushed out the jeep and trotted to the door to my house. Maybe I should have, but I didn't even turn around once to look at them. 

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My entire week passed by slow as hell and just average. Nothing was exciting, and detention was torture. I thought it was going to be fun hanging out with the student body and planning for Winter Formal but it seemed nobody was genuinely interested. And Travis? He didn't talk to me at all. 

It was Friday night and the night for Jay's party that he had invited me and Lana to. She was begging me over the phone to come with her, like she usually did at whatever social gatherings she would go to. 

"Come on, Azari," she pleaded on the other end of the phone. "You will regret not enjoying these years with me." I sighed softly, thinking how right she was but there was no way my parents were going to let me go to a party. It was shocking enough that they had let me stay back late for my secret detention, this was way out of the question.

"You know, mum and dad would never let me," I laid back down in my bed in my light blue pajamas. 

Lana groaned. "I don't care. You're getting dressed and I am coming to pick you up."

"She will not listen to you either, Lana. Mum  already thinks you're bad influence."

She scoffed. "Most parents do. But I am sneaking you out, not asking permission."

I gasped, "NO WAY!"

"WAY! Now shut up and put something sexy on. Travis will be there too."

"But I--," she disconnected the call before I could even reply. So what if Travis was going to be there too? Not like he actually wanted anything to do with me. It was frustrating to know I couldn't go out and have fun like normal people. I hated being so uptight and that is why I barely had friends. Never had I ever thought of myself that way. I had always been okay with the way things were, but now I was becoming rebellious deep inside cause I saw nothing wrong with having a little fun. 

So I did, what most teenagers would do. I got ready for the party. Yeah, how exciting and cliche right? 

I put on a pair of ripped jeans with a black tank top and a small jeans jacket to cover up my bare arms. I grimaced at my reflection thinking I seemed too overdressed. Normally, I never wore much makeup to school but then I had put some red lipstick on. Azari was going all in. 

"Where the hell are you going?" I  jumped at a familiar voice at my door. My heart sank realizing I was already busted before I even stepped out of my room.

It was Noah, wearing a perfectly ironed plaid shirt with his hair combed up and gelled neatly. 

"Nowhere! Where are you going?" I shot back realizing he was dressed up too.

He smirked. "Same place you are. To Jay Parker's party."

"How come you're invited?" I crossed my arms, frowning at him. He stepped into my room shutting the door behind him, probably so mom and dad wouldn't hear our conversation.

"Uh, it's Connor's brother's party so ofcourse I am invited," he shrugged.

What. The. Fu--, I mean Heck. How did I not know that? 

"Are you going to stand there and gawk at me or you're gonna get moving before you get us both in trouble?" Noah rolled his eyes.

"How come you get to go and I dont?" 

He chuckled, "Cause I told mom and dad I am studying over at Connor's."

"Dressed like that?!" I said angrily. 

"Dude, come on. You can drive me to Connor's and then tell them there were some friends over so you hung out for a bit," he said calmly. Noah was too good at this, and I could already feel my legs shaking with fear. I couldn't do this. If I got busted, it was the end of my life for me. My phone rang and I saw Lana's caller ID. 

"You know what? Let's go," I finally said and Noah grinned like he had already expected that of me. And maybe deep down, I had too.