The party going on downstairs is lame in comparison to what we have going on up here. It's awesome. There's more booze, more games, and more people. The rooms are all occupied and I think I have a pretty good idea of what is going on in there. I stay clear of them.

"Damn," Jordan mumbles.

"I know, right? Damn." I agree.

"There's Andrew," Jordan points at the annoying muscular boy near the balcony.

"Yeah, about that," I begin. "The guy I'm talking to is not Andrew."

Jordan laughs.

"How long have you known?" She questions.

"A while." I smile sheepishly.

"And how do you know?" She asks.

"He confessed. He was lying," I say.

"This is messed up. I don't know how you're even trusting him. There's literally one in a million chance of you knowing him." She shakes her head.

"I really don't care," I answer. "It's not like I have anything to lose or hide."

"You do." She gives me a pointed look. I scowl, catching her drift.

"Oh, shut up," I snap at her. "I don't like him anymore. It's in the past."

"I never said you did." She shrugs.

"You implied it." I glare.

"Why don't you just talk it out?" She sighs.

"There is nothing to talk about," I said firmly.

"But there is, Ellie. He tried and you shut him down." She says. "Multiple times."

"I don't fucking care," I snarl.

"Stop lying to yourself." She reproaches. "You're still in love with him."

"Love?" I scoff. "That's a little too far-fetched."

"Eleanor," she deadpans. "I know you miss him."

"No," I say stubbornly. "I miss what we had. I cared too much and he didn't care enough. So I made a decision and stopped caring as well. It's over. Just drop it."

"I will not." She glares at me. "He still cares and everyone knows it. And I know you, Ellie. I know your pride. It's keeping you from having something beautiful."

"Beautiful? You are way too drunk."

"And you're too delusional."

"I am not. Look, he made his choice."

"Everyone makes mistakes." 

"Well, he made a huge one."

"I see it in your eyes that you want to forgive him."

"Then you see wrong."

"I give up!" She throws her hands up in the air in exasperation.

"Right, for a few hours. Jolly, I'm saved." I mutter sarcastically.

"You and I both know the truth. It's just a matter of time before you accept it," she responds.

"There he is!" Molly cries shrilly, pointing at some lanky Senior I recognize as Craig. "Come on guys, game time!"

"Game?" I echo questioningly.

"Yeah! It's spin the bottle." She gushes.

"Sure." Jordan shrugs.

"I'll pass," I say with a smile, aware of all the other participants.

"Nuh-uh," she shakes her head. "You are playing. Everyone is."

"But-"

"Nope!" She digs her nails in my hands to keep me from moving away. "We are all playing!!"

I groan internally as I follow her. We join the distorted circle they were sitting in. Lucky for me, Adrian sits two places away from me so I don't have to bear watching him right in front of me. 

"Rules are simple. We start with simple Truth, move onto Dare, and then to seven minutes in heaven," Molly announces, and everyone cheers.

Who knew that high school Seniors were such middle schoolers?

"Okay, I'll start!" She giggles and hence the game begins. The bottle lands on me twice in the truth rounds.

"Who's your celebrity crush?"

"That's easy, Blake. Shawn Mendes."

"Who is your favorite person on the planet?" Mindy asks shyly.

"Roman," I admit, surprising myself.

The dare rounds go easy on me as well. I get dared to make out with Darren from the Basketball team and lemme tell you, he's one heck of a kisser. I still keep it short on the account that he is drunk. Other than that I have to take a shot of tequila and then let my hair open.

Jordan is dared to eat a chicken breast. She hates chicken and everyone knows that. She does not enjoy that, but the rest of them do. Andrew is stuck acting like an old man for the rest of the night. Adrian is dared to remove a piece of clothing every time someone says 'hot' as long as the game lasts. Surprisingly, so far he has only lost his jacket.

They start seven minutes in hell when everyone is loose with all the booze. I've not drunk much because I have to drive Jordan and myself back home. I don't want a repeat of Halloween. But a few in the group can barely sit straight.

Molly starts us off again. She spins the bottle and earns herself some steamy time with Garry. Andrew and Hailey go next. Liana and Brody. Mia and Lily. Martha and Elijah. 

My stomach starts to churn when it's Adrian's turn. He spins the bottle slowly, staring at it in concentration. I tear my gaze from him and watch the bottle. My heart starts beating faster and my hands start to sweat. The bottle loses its momentum and lands on me. 

I momentarily stop breathing.

I hear someone whistle. I desperately look at Jordan for support but she gives me a smirk. I narrow my eyes at her.

"I think I'll head home," I announce, standing up.

"No." Jordan catches my hand with a glare.

"That was hot," Molly mutters as she and Garry walk out of their room. "Here's my number."

Adrian takes his shirt off and my eyes widen.

"What are you doing?!" I demand as a few laugh.

"She said the word." He shrugs with a smirk. I curse under my breath.

"I'm not doing this with you, Walsh."

"Don't be a spoilsport, Eleanor!" Mia groans.

"Just do it!"

"Rules are rules!"

What the fuck?

I stay rooted in place, not wanting to move. I make a split-second decision and make a run for it.

"Oh no, babe, you don't." Strong arms wrap around my middle and pull me back.

"Let me go, Adrian," I hiss, trying to control my breathing.

"Sure. In a minute."

He throws me over his shoulder much to my surprise and the delight of the onlookers. They can't stop hooting and hollering. I flush and wish I were dead.

He drops me down unceremoniously on the vacant bed in the room and locks the door. I feel the panic rise in my chest even as he sits down on the floor next to the door unthreateningly. He says the four words I have been dreading and avoiding for almost two years.

"We need to talk."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *