Red solo cups and bottles occupied every available surface. An uneasy feeling swept over me the second we walked into the abandoned house. The wallpaper was peeling, and the ceiling looked a little sunken in. The windows were shut up with plywood. We had driven an hour to get to this old decaying house in the middle of nowhere on the other side of town.

I currently claimed a spot on the couch that looked and smelled like it was found in a dumpster. I resisted the urge to cover my ears. Everything smelled too strong, and was too loud. I watched Ashley dance with her new friend, Madison, in the middle of what was once a living room. She tried several times to get me to dance with them, but I had no desire to. The room was poorly lit, but what I could see didn't look enticing. There was a lot of grinding and B.O.

My heart started beating faster, and my palms got sweaty. The lack of personal space along with everything else made me want to run out of here. This was a mistake.

I stood up and pulled down my dress. I wanted to go get Ashley but someone bumped into me. Room temperature beer spilled down the front of my dress. I scrunched up my nose at the smell and looked up to scold whatever drunk asshole just ran into me. I opened my mouth but then I was met with warm brown eyes that crinkled at the edges when he smiled. The guy looked to be around my age. He had tan skin, and dark brown hair cut close to his scalp. He was at least a full head taller than me. I realized that while I had been studying him, he had been apologizing.

"-once again, totally my fault. I'm so sorry," He shouted over the noise of trap music and people talking. His voice was deeper than I expected it to be.

"I-It's okay. I'll just go find something to wipe off the beer. I wanted to get out of this room anyways," I yelled so he could hear me. I turned towards what had been designated as the kitchen, but stopped when I felt a hand on my arm. I gave him a pointed look, and he let go. If only this man knew that I had a dagger tucked inside each boot.

"Let me come with you!" He shouted. I nodded in return.

We made our way through the throng of people. There was a point where we had to physically push our way into the kitchen. The kitchen was stocked full of lukewarm booze and teenagers making out.

I walked over to the faucet but only some brown sludge came out when I turned it on. "Of course," I said sarcastically.

"Do you wanna go somewhere less humid, and crowded?" He asked.

"I guess," I replied. Normally I wouldn't follow strangers places, but I really wanted to get out of there. He reached for my hand, and after a slight hesitation I took it. He pulled me through the rest of the kitchen, and then we were on the back patio. As soon as the door closed behind us I breathed a sigh of relief. It was infinitely better out here. The cool air felt amazing on my moist skin. There were a few couples scattered among the yard, but the noise level had decreased tremendously.

We sat down on the bottom steps under the flickering porch light. I didn't know how they managed to get any electricity out here.

"Here," My companion said while taking off his shirt. He had at least an eight-pack. I couldn't keep my mouth from falling open in shock. Is he training for the effing Olympics? Why the hell is this guy so shredded.

"Thanks," I responded. I gingerly took his dark green shirt from him and wiped at the beer on my chest. Out of the corner of my eye I saw him watching my every move. I held out the shirt to him but he didn't take it.

"You can keep it," He said while shrugging.

"No, please take it back. I can't go home with a strangers shirt on top of smelling like booze," I joked, and he smiled in response.

"I don't believe I've seen you before. What brought you to the hole?" He asked.

"Is that what they call this dump?" I asked, and this time he laughed. "I'm starting at Mirion West on Monday. I just moved here, and my foster sister wanted to get out of the house. So, now here we are. She seems to be having a much better time than me."

"I figured I would remember a face as pretty as yours," He winked and I blushed. I wasn't used to being hit on or flirting. I didn't even know how to respond.

"Are you having a better time now? Now that you've found such a handsome devil to entertain you?" He asked with a smirk.

"I would probably be having an even better time if you hadn't poured your drink on me," I retorted. His smile grew wider, and there was something familiar about it.

The door behind us opened and we both turned to see a very intoxicated guy that couldn't have been over 16 walk through the doorway.

"Hey, Ace. Ha-have you sheen a girl named Annablelle anyswhere? Her fwriend is blooking fwor her," He directed his slurred message towards the guy next to me.

"Did you say Annabelle?" I asked while getting up. The drunk teen stumbled, pushed me out of the way, and then threw up into the bushes next to where we were sitting. I stumbled backwards and barely caught myself. Unfortunately I must have moved too much because I heard a rip. The seam of the dress along my side had ripped open. I gasped and then covered it with my hands.

The man I had been sitting with stared at me in amusement. "I knew an Annabelle once, and she was a little clumsy. You remind me of her," He said jokingly while getting up.

"This has been great, truly, but I have to go now. It sounds like Ashley is looking for me." I said, but as soon as I took a step I felt the seam come apart even more. I froze and looked back to see my mystery guy watching me still with a smile on his face.

"Take the shirt," He held out his wet shirt once again. I took it from him and put it on. It was still damp and reeked of beer, but on the plus side it went down to my thighs.

"Thank you...Ace?" I started but realized I didn't know if that was his name.

"That's just a dumb nickname. I'm Gavin," He said while reaching out his hand, and my heart stopped. I knew there was something familiar about him.

"Gavy?" I asked with tears forming in my eyes. Recognition dawned on his face.

"Anna B?" He asked. He grabbed me into a fierce hug and I sobbed into his bare chest. I never got to say goodbye to my childhood best friend. I never thought I would see him again either. Memories flooded of all the years we spent together. The summers spent exploring outside, and the winters playing video games at my house. I couldn't believe that Gavin, my Gavin was right here. I hadn't let myself hope that I'd see him when I found out that we were coming here.

"God, I missed you," He murmured into my hair, and his arms got even tighter around me. I squeezed him back with all the strength I could muster. We didn't even notice the back door open once more or when someone walked outside.

"What the fuck is going on?" Xaviers deep voice rung out from the top of the porch steps and my stomach plummeted.