We arrive at the party fashionably late times two. It's in full swing by the time we get there and I can already pick out those who are drowning in alcohol. Their movements are erratic, a glazed over look in their eyes. Not to mention alcohol stains their breath and person.

I pull on the edges of my dark blue shorts, wishing they were a tad longer. It's chilly out tonight, but I seem to be the only one noticing the cold. Goosebumps rise up on my exposed arms and legs and I look over to Kaley in awe at how she seems to be immune in her one and only little black dress.

"Come on, they've probably already started!" She said as she latches onto my wrist, dragging me along a path visible to only her eyes. I follow along like the good little puppet I am.

We pass cars and trucks parked in the grass. Small groups are gathered sitting on the bed of the trucks and chatting with one another. Others are socializing with their friends. It's no surprise that I find the drunks hanging out by the keg. Then, there are the couples, dancing away by the huge bonfire some people managed to get going.

Kaley pulls me past the bonfire to a small group sitting in a circle a few feet away. Some people are sitting on a log, mostly the girls, and I frown when I notice there's only one more spot available on it.

"There, sit there," Kaley said as she shoos me to sit beside someone I absolutely have no want to sit beside. Before I can say anything she plops down on the log and begins socializing with the others, abandoning me.

Why did I come here? Why'd I have to agree to this?

I groan inwardly in annoyance with my best friend as I take my seat beside our schools infamous Noah. He's been known to play around with a lot of girls and he's even tried to get to me a few times.

Thank the lord I'm not as dimwitted as my bestie.

I sneak a peek at Noah only to clash with his light brown eyes. A playboys grin plants itself onto his face and damn if it doesn't look good on him. It's no wonder so many girls swoon for the guy. Even a few guys at our school do as well.

"Hey, Claudette." He said pushing his grey beanie up an inch. I narrow my eyes at the use of my full name. Despite hating the sound of it, I note that coming from his mouth there's a mesmerizing quality to it.

"Hey, Noah. What're doing here? Did the girls suddenly grow brains and stop falling for your mischievous ways?"

He chuckles and I wrap my arms around my knees, pulling them to my chest. I hate the way he seems to be able to get under my skin. Goosebumps rise over my flesh as his eyes travel up and down my form making me more self-conscious than I had been moments ago. Despite this, the only thing I find myself able to think is that I want to hear that chuckle again.

Maybe I am as dimwitted as the others if I'm this affected by him.

"Nah, they're still falling. Some of them pretty hard, too." 

Before anymore can be said a guy from our group speaks up, silencing our conversation. I recognize him as Trevor, one of the head honchos of our school. We run in the same social circle, though the people we choose to hang with are different. I've never cared too much for Trevor since he's not someone I'd choose to hang out with if given the option. He's more geared towards pranks and screwing around while I'm more focused and realistic in my thinking.

Of course, he shouldn't be underestimated just because he screws around. He's in the running for Valedictorian for a reason, after all.

The thought makes me bitter and I jump when I feel something being placed on my shoulders. Looking over and I find Noah giving me his jacket.

"You looked cold." It's all he said before giving his attention to the guy speaking. I can barely concentrate as I pull the jacket tighter around me for warmth. His scent of oil and leather wrap around me and I can just picture all of the countless hours he puts away in his father's garage. It's a well-known fact around our school that Noah works for his family, helping them out when he can. It's one of the reasons he skips so much and why so many girls fall for the playboy, to begin with.

The bad boy's got a responsible side.

My cheeks warm at the images and I give my head a quick shake to clear them away. I side glance at Noah and that damn smile tips the corners of his mouth up. He knows full well what I'm thinking and my cheeks burn hotter.

"So, does everyone get the gist of it?"

My head snaps around to look at Trevor. At his question, the people in our group give out mumbled 'Yeahs' and a few of them nod.

Wait, no! I don't get the gist of it. What are we even playing?!

I question rather loudly in my head. In reality, I slump down and hunch my shoulders, hoping that I won't have to get picked for god knows what. I've never been good at handling attention at parties. Give me school and I'll run the place like it's my kingdom and I'm the queen, but these things are in a whole other ballpark. I look towards Kaley for some help, but she's back into a conversation with one of the other girls.

Some best friend.

My inner voice is sour as I narrow my eyes at her before letting them flicker over to Noah who's also in conversation. I don't care enough to feel guilty about interrupting his so I lean over close enough to grab his attention.

"Hey, what're we playing?"

Noah jumps from my voice, not expecting me to approach him first. He ends his conversation with the other guys and turns to face me, though neither of us had expected the close proximity when he turned.

Since I'd been leaning towards him, to begin with when I spoke we now only have a sliver of space between us. I can feel his body heat mingling with that of my own and I gulp as my heart speeds up. I'm close enough that I can count his every eyelash if I want to. I can even see the small swirls of green in his light brown eyes. He gets a wolfish grin as he reaches up and places a hand on my cheek, fanning the flames of embarrassment within me. His thumb feathers over my heated skin as he says,

"If you want to kiss me you should just say so. I'd be happy to oblige."

My eyes widen and I yank my head back, practically giving myself whiplash in the process.

"I-I-I don't want to-to kiss you." I stutter, scrunching my nose at the mere thought of it. Noah just laughs at my reaction, his arms wrapping around his stomach.

"That's what I like about you, Claudette, your reactions are so fresh from the norm. It's great."

The blush that no doubt already stains my skin spreads down my neck and I look away from him as I start playing with a lock of hair, trying to distract myself. It doesn't work well while I'm under his strong gaze.

"Just call me Claud. I hate when people use my full name." My voice is smaller than earlier. When I glance back at Noah a moment later he's got a thoughtful look on his face.

"Alright, Claud it is."

I smile and Noah raises a curious brow no doubt surprised that it's a genuine one rather than snarky. He returns it with one of his own almost stopping my heart with his drop-dead looks.

How have I been immune for this long?

"Just so you know, we're playing truth or dare." He winks and then turns his attention to Trevor. I follow suit.

"First up, April."

A girl stands from the log she'd been sitting on. Blonde hair cascades down her back and her short, red dress doesn't go unnoticed by anyone, especially the guys. I fight the temptation to wack Noah's arm to get him to stop staring. My stomach turns at the look in his eyes and I hug my knees tighter to my chest as I bite down on my bottom lip.

"Dare." She said, tossing some blonde strands over her shoulder. A few of the guys voice their approval.

"We've got a brave one here. Take off your bra."

The guys holler their approval and the girls just roll their eyes, some of them groaning. April is one of the ones to roll her eyes, though the sly smile upturning her mouth tells me she's finding this amusing. She reaches around to her back and within seconds she's got her bra unhooked and is pulling it out for everyone to see the black lace. April looks around the group, meeting every guy's eyes showing no type of embarrassment or shame at what she's just done.

Unable to help myself, my gaze flickers over to Noah only to clash with his eyes. My cheeks begin to burn as if I were the one in April's position and I have to look away. I know I've been caught looking, it's clear by the self-satisfied smile I catch on Noah's face.

"If you don't want me to look at other girls just say so, babe. I'd be happy to have you as the only one in my line of sight."

I shudder at how close his voice is and how his breath seems to dance across my warmed skin. The urge to look over at Noah is strong but I fight it with everything I have and keep my gaze on April. Beside me, Noah just chuckles and it knots my stomach in a way that has me wishing he'd chuckle some more.

April does a little bow before taking her place back on the log. Trevor moves onto the next person not giving anyone a chance to speak. The game goes on for a good hour and, much to my utter relief, I have yet to get picked. Honestly, I'm not sure what I'd do if I were. The dares have only escalated to new heights since April went and the truth option isn't much better.

"We're going to wrap this up with one more victim," Trevor said, stretching his arms over his head. My taught muscles relax.

It's finally over, which means I can go home and to bed. Thank God.

"Claudette!"

I jump when my name's called and I can feel my eyes widen.

"Well, shit," I muttered and look over when Noah nudges me.

"It'll be fine. Don't worry." His reassurance comforts me and I look back at the guy.

"Dare." I said and it gets a whole bunch of 'oohs' and 'ahhhs' as if I'd just pulled off some fantastic magic trick. A demonic smile highlights Trevor's features and I know this is going to be bad.

"Claudette, I dare you to..." He trails off, letting the suspense of everyone in the group rise to new heights. I swallow a lump that's formed in my throat as it becomes harder to breathe.

"To what?"

"Kiss the person beside you."

Before I can say anything Kaley jumps to my rescue much to my relief.

"What are we? Twelve? Give her an actual dare, Trevor!"

He looks at her pointedly, not happy at having been challenged. Annoyance flickers in his eyes as he bites out,

"That is a dare. Back off, Kaley."

I look between the two, a silent war waging in both their eyes. One doesn't challenge Trevor without having a death wish, though the same can be said about Kaley. I shudder and look over at my dare. He's got his wolffish grin back and the lump I'd just swallowed is back. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end and nauseating butterflies move in my stomach.

Kiss Noah?

My eyes roam south of his until they land on his lips. The lips that I'm positive every girl at our school dreams about. The lips that I'm sure just about every girl at our school has kissed.

I can't.

"Hey, it'll be fine and over with before you know it," Noah said, pulling my gaze back to his. I shoot a look towards Kaley and she looks as worried as I feel. She knows how much I don't like Noah.

I've gotta do something. I really don't want to kiss him.

My eyes scour around me, looking for some type of escape and I find it in the chick sitting beside me. I quickly turn, latch onto her shirt, and plant my lips square on hers. In the background, I hear a crap ton of hoots and hollers, but I really don't care. All that matters is that I managed to not kiss Noah. That path can only lead to heartbreak. I pull back from the poor girl I'd just forced into my dare. She doesn't seem to care too much.

"There, happy?" I bite out and Trevor gets that demonic smile back, this one sending chills down my spine.

"Supremely."

"Good. Kaley, we're going!" I said, this time not messing around. She yelps like a pup at my cold tone and stands from her perch on the log. I leave the party never once looking back at Noah, but feeling his eyes on me the whole time.