By the time Annie had finished her explanation, I wasn't quite sure what to say.

Finally, my mind began to string together words. "So, let me get this straight. You did all this because of Aimee?"

Annie cleared her throat. "Well, she didn't ask us for this-"

"But it's because of her you did this, right?"

After a brief moment, Annie hung her head. "Yes."

The beast in me roared, thrashing around and screaming at me to let it out. Yet I held it in, covering up its existence with a brief nod as I turned away from her. "I see. Thank you for letting me know. I'll be sure to think of some way to get back at her."

Annie looked up at me with wide eyes. "Now hold on a minute, Aimee just asked us to convince you to come."

"Ah-ha!" I whirled, glaring at her. "I knew she didn't ask you to force me!"

"What-" The surprised look on her face faded off. Crossing her arms, she huffed. "Fine, maybe she didn't ask me to force you to come, but I had to! I knew there was no way you'd listen to reason. Besides, why on earth would you throw a party and not attend it?"

"That is none of your business!"

"Seeing as I'm your guardian, it is my business."

My fists clenched. "I can't wait till I turn eighteen!"

Annie narrowed her eyes at me. "Oh? Well, feel free to pee yourself as you think about the fact you'll be an adult in two months. Until then, you're under my care!"

Silence took hold of the car at the end of her statement. Max watched us without saying a word while Tony faced the road. I had no doubt Tony was listening in on our heated battle, though.

I broke the silence. "If I knew that you and Aimee would buddy up so much, I would never have left you two alone together at The Eatery!"

Annie scoffed. "That's rich, considering you gave her my number."

"Please, in which universe do you think I'll ever dream of giving Aimee your number?"

"Well, I didn't give it to her!"

I paused. Annie didn't give her the number? Then how on earth did she see it? She's never met Max before, so that option is not open. Did she somehow get it from my phone? But that's impossible, my phone is password-protected, and I've never given it to her before. Well, except the time she wanted my-

I groaned. "I was the one who gave Aimee the number."

Surprise flashed in Annie's eyes. "Wait, seriously?"

Max looked as puzzled as Annie did.

Why on earth did I let someone use my phone unsupervised?

I grumbled, "Well, not intentionally, of course. She wanted my number, so I gave her my phone. I should have known to trust her was a mistake!"

Annie smirked. "Well, at least now we know that you also have some share of blame in your current situation."

I shot her a scorching look. "Oh no, you are not shifting the blame over to me!"

"Shifting the blame? Never! I'm trying to say that we all make mistakes sometimes-"

"So, you admit that you made a mistake?"

"No, I don't!"

"Really? So you don't even regret drugging me?"

"Well..." Her eyes slid away from mine as her voice faltered.

Good, just a matter of time before she falls into my trap.

A few moments later, she mumbled, "Well... maybe I do feel bad about the methods I had to use."

"Well, if that's the case-" I glanced at the drivers' seat. "Tony, you know what to do. Take us home."

I sneaked a little peek at Annie, who looked as meek as a kitten as she reflected on her actions.

"Angelo?" Tony called.

"What is it?"

"We're here."

I frowned. "Home so soon?"

I peered out of the car window, then my eyes widened. We were in front of a large rectangular building, illuminated by multi-colored floodlights all around it.

I let out a strangled gasp. Tony!

I turned, staring daggers into his grinning face.

Before I could speak, he said, "I know you told me to turn back around, but we were already about a minute away from-'

"Don't! If I cared about the amount of fuel we'd waste if we had to go back, do you think I'd have guilt-tripped Annie in the first place?"

Annie's eyes widened. "You snake!"

I rolled my eyes at her. "Stop acting like you wouldn't have done the same if you were in my position!"

"I can't believe I was feeling bad for you! Good thing Tony didn't turn back."

I gritted my teeth. Fucking Tony, I was so close!

Still, the fact I'd used up the ace under my sleeve didn't mean I was willing to go down without a fight.

I forced the signs of displeasure off my face, replacing them with a blank look. "I may not be able to go home right now, but don't think I'll leave this car willingly."

Once again, Annie smirked. "I never expected you to. It was always my intention to force you out of the car."

I scoffed. "Sorry, but you're not strong enough for that."

She crossed her arms. "Why, because I'm a woman?"

"I'll be stupid to make that judgment solely based on that. I said that because let's face it-" My eyes wandered over her slim frame, "-I've known you for years. It's safe to say that the only battles you'll ever win are modeling ones."

"First- well, thank you."

 "You're welcome. It's amazing what plastic surgery and tons of cosmetics can do to the ugliest of us!"

"Huh. I guess there's hope for you after all."

A chill ran through my body. I slid away from the window my back had been facing, colliding with Annie and whirling in the process.

Aimee grinned at me from the other side of the open window.

. . .

For what felt like an eternity, my eyes stayed fixated on hers.

The corner of her lips twitched. "Romeo, I know I look stunning tonight, but that doesn't entitle you to stare for more than five seconds."

My mind snapped back into my body.

I ran my eyes over her, appraising the blue pair of ripped jeans she wore along with a white tank top. Pushing myself off Annie, I said, "'Stunning' is right. Tell me, which garbage dump did you salvage your outfit-"

Annie clapped her hand over my mouth as she attempted to laugh off my comment. "Angelo, don't be rude. Aimee looks amazing!"

The frown that had been growing on Aimee's face reverted into a smile as she looked at Annie. "Oh my gosh, thank you so much!"

"No need to thank me. The truth is its own reward! I love your hair!"

I broke free of Annie's grip. "Me too, it's amazing how you don't know how to tie a proper bun!"

One of Aimee's hands ran over one of the strands sticking out of her bun. She flipped me off with the other, then said to Annie, "By the way, thank you so much for bringing him. I know it must have been hard on you."

I glared at Annie. "Oh, believe me, it wasn't."

Annie winked at Aimee. "I have my methods."

Aimee laughed. "I'm sure you do! Well, we better not keep y'all waiting." Opening the car door, she reached towards me. "Come on, Romeo."

I moved out of her reach. "There's no way I'm getting out of this car!"

Annie laughed. "What a silly thought, of course, you are!"

I rose an eyebrow at her. "After what I told you before, you still think you'll be able to force me out?"

Her eyes narrowed. "Hmm, let me think. I do have a black belt in karate and have been taking boxing classes for years, so yeah, pretty sure I can. But, I just got my nails done today, and I don't feel like having to get them re-done so soon. So- " She paused in her sentence, facing the front of the car. "-Max, do you care to finish my statement?"

For the second time that night, a chill ran through me as I faced Max.

He sighed. "Ann, do I have to?"

I shook my head. "Max, you do not."

Annie exclaimed, "What? Of course, he does!"

I focused my gaze on Max, pleading with him silently.

Max looked between Annie and me before he sighed. "Angelo, I'm sorry, but I agree with Annie and Aimee. It's weird not to attend a party you throw. So, Tony and I are going to ensure you leave this car, one way or another."

Tony cracked his knuckled.

Annie smirked at me. "So, what's it going to be? Are you getting down willingly, or would you prefer to be helped out?"

Lord, what did I do to deserve getting myself in this mess?

After about a minute of complete silence, Annie nodded at Max. "I think he'll prefer-"

"Like hell I will!"

With about as much speed as a turtle, I came out of the car.

Annie's teeth clicked against each other as she waited for me to leave.

Once my feet touched the pavement, a pair of hands pressed against my back, pushing me out of the car.

Annie hissed, "Quickly, drive!"

My cheeks burned as I spun. "Ann-"

She shouted, "Sorry, can't hear you! By the way, I forgot to bring your phone along, so we'd be back to pick you in about thirty minutes. That is if you want to leave then. Have fun!"

"Piss off!"

Aimee gasped. "Oh my gosh, are you always this rude?"

Turning around, I glared at her. "If you have to deal with this kind of madness on a regular, you would be as well!"

Silence fell.

I growled, "Well?"

"Well, what?"

"Aren't you going to lead me in?"

"You mean you're not planning to spend thirty minutes out here?"

I gave a humorless laugh. "So I'd freeze my ass off?"

A cold blast of air blew ruffled her hair.

I shivered. "How are you wearing a tank top in this weather?"

She chuckled. "What a stupid question! Do you think all this hotness would fall prey to this weather?" She ran her hands down her body.

I narrowed my eyes. "Just because you think I asked a stupid question doesn't mean you should give me a stupid answer in return."

Her expression turned feral. "Dickhead!"

I sighed. "Look, are we going in, or should I start practicing hitchhiking?"

She glared at me for a few more seconds, then huffed. "At least you want to come in-"

"Whoa there, let's not go too far with the assumption-"

"Just follow me!"

We walked up the pathway lit by multi-colored lights at the side, which led up to the building. I could vaguely make out my reflection on the club's tinted glass exterior. I didn't look happy.

Aimee and I arrived at the glass doors, where two bouncers stood.

One asked, "Name?"

Is he kidding me?

"Your boss," I replied.

He rose the clipboard he carried a bit, then rose an eyebrow at me. "Are you trying to be smart with me, kid?"

I scoffed, "Were you planning to check-"

"He's with me!" Aimee said, grabbing onto my arm. "Come on, Romeo!"

Without waiting for a reply, she tugged me past them, sliding open the glass door with her free hand.

Warm air blasted into my face as soon as I entered, a welcome relief from the chilly weather. It was followed by the scent of sweaty bodies and alcohol, though. I wrinkled my nose.

Golden light lit up the room, contrasting the darkness I'd been expecting. People flooded the place, doing activities ranging from grinding on each other, playing drinking games, lounging in the large steaming pool e.t.c. There were even a bunch of people playing table tennis at the side of the enormous room.

Beside me, I heard Aimee chuckle. "Have you ever been to a party before?"

"I've been to parties."

"Seriously?"

I frowned. "Of course, but I don't go to the ones thrown by members of our-"

From the DJ's stand, Hans pointed at me. "Hey, everyone, look who turned up!"

Cheers broke out across the room.

"Angelo!"

"Smith!"

"Oh my gosh!"

"What's up, man?"

Fixing an indifferent look on my face, I said to Aimee, "You're to blame for this."

She smirked. "You're welcome."