"Mom, please stop hovering. I'm begging here." I turned around to find Mom standing by my door frame.

"I'm just happy you're going out. That you got invited to a party, it's been months since...." She shrugged. "You know." She smiled weakly.

"Yes, and it's not a big deal." I flipped through the shirts in my closet. I've done this about twice now, and I couldn't seem to decide.

"Hmm. Will she be there?" Mom asked, stepping into my room.

Why did Moms have such a good memory? "Who? They'll be a lot of shes. You'll have to be more specific."

Getting frustrated with myself, I closed my eyes, skimming my fingers against my clothes before blindly picking something. I opened them and slipped the shirt off the hanger.

It was a burgundy short-sleeve henley. This would do. I threw it over my head.

I found Mom sitting on the edge of my bed with a stoic expression. "She's going to be there, won't she?"

"A lot of people got invited, so maybe," I said nonchalantly. "But as I said, I'm not going for her. I'm going for Suho. He's never been to a party like this." That wasn't exactly far from the truth.

"Yes, your new friend that has replaced all the others."

I nodded. "Yup. All you need is one friend." I thought about my guys from the Hockey team and how we would typically hang out on Friday nights. "A group of friends is overrated," I said to make myself feel better.

I would have spent my last year of high school without friends, but Suho weaved his way into my life. Luckily he was cool and laidback. Plus, I think he may or may not feel indebted to me for saving his butt the other day. I didn't tell mom that part though, she would freak.

Mom sighed, combing her hair back with her fingers. "Cam, if things didn't happen the way it did, you could have stayed friends with her at the very least. I'm sorry that can't happen now. Things have gotten complicated, but they won't always be like this." She's been staying positive, and it has rubbed off on me a bit. Just not where Summer was concerned.

Since I thanked her for lunch and almost gave her a ride home, I kept replaying the look her mother gave me when she saw us standing on the sidewalk, sharing an umbrella. She might as well have put me ten feet under right then and there.

Summer probably got a lecture about how she should stay away from me, and I think she had listened.

I had planned to treat her like I did before, with little chats, minimal eye contact for the past few days. I had to push her away somehow. I hated to say it worked, but she hasn't tried to speak to me, and she was going to this thing with Jason.

Jason, the rebound, because there was no way Summer would give him a chance otherwise.

I took a deep breath. "Doesn't matter now," I muttered after what felt like minutes. I didn't bother to hide my disappointment. Mom would see right through me.

Mom was silent for a few seconds before she replied, "Okay, well, I hope you have fun anyway, and I would like you home by 12, please."

I nodded. "No problem." I wasn't planning to stick around that long.

I picked up Suho from the other side of town then drove to Abbi's house. Suho was all dressed up in a polo shirt and Khakis. I had snorted, holding back my laughter when I saw him. Of course, he's been super self-conscious since then, and I've had to tell him not to worry about it repeatedly. Odds are people wouldn't even notice him because he wasn't a part of the popular crowd.

We pulled up at the party an hour late. Abbi just so happened to be by the door yelling at someone to go out and buy pizza. She was wearing some puffy little dress that reminded me of that thing you take a shower with? A loofa? Or something!

"Hey, Cameron. It's nice to see you." She smiled. Then she wasted no time capturing my wrist and pulling me inside.

I went along with it. Suho powerwalked behind us, looking around.

I've been to one of her parties before, so I knew it would be in her soundproof basement. The ultimate party set up.

"Everyone is already here. You're late, but it's fine." Abbi pulled the doors open and made an entrance with me.

All eyes were on us. Great. I was barely welcomed back at school, and it looked like here might not be so awesome for me either. The dance party had commenced, and there was a mass of people gyrating to the music.

I glanced over my shoulder at Suho, who had a look of discomfort written all over his face. Scratch that the poor kid was terrified. His eyes widened as he took a look around.

I lifted a brow and gave him a thumbs up.

He gave me a sharp nod, indicating that he was okay.

"I want to dance." Abbi tugged on my arm.

I didn't. I shook my head. "Not in the mood."

"Come on-"A loud crash took hold of her attention, and she rushed off to investigate it.

Suho walked up next to me. "Is it always like this?" he shouted in my ear.

"Yup." I held my hands out to the crowd. "Behold the party of the year," I said with sarcasm dripping from my voice.

I tapped his shoulder and pointed to the refreshments table. "Let's grab a drink." And make an escape before Abbi gets back.

A dark head of curly hair caught my eyes from the middle of the dance floor.

Summer. She was in this beautiful red floral dress that hugged her curves and fell mid-thigh, showcasing her long smooth legs. The only flaw in the dress was that the straps were too loose, like they weren't tired enough, and they kept falling down her shoulder. If she were with me tonight, I'd adjust them every time they fell out of place. But she was with him, and he was not gentlemen enough to consider those things.

If memory served me right, Summer loved to dance. We had planned to go dancing over the break, but I went out of town. My way of running away from all the problems I created and not willing to face the people I had senselessly hurt.

So not only was Summer holding back by doing the simple two-step during a pumping techno song, her dance partner was embarrassing himself. I was enjoying that part, though.

Suho handed me a can of iced tea. "You wanted to come here and do the same stalkerish thing that you do at school."

I cast him alongside glance. "I don't know what you mean."

He mumbled something in Korean, and I frowned. He probably called me a liar or commented on my questionable life choices.

I surveyed the room, forcing myself to take my eyes off of Summer. To the far right were the hockey guys, my teammates, and old friends. To the left were some more familiar faces like Kendra and Rosie, who were without a doubt gossiping about Jason and Summer.

The song changed, and the lights flickered for a second before settling on a new color.

"Cool," Suho said with amusement.

My eyes circled the room again, just as a distraction, but they always found their way back to Summer and Jason.

Was I a glutton for punishment or what? Who would torture themselves like this?

I snickered.

Then again, maybe I was right to keep an eye on them because I saw Jason wrap his arms around her. The brief panic passed through her eyes, but then she quickly masked with a halfhearted smile, pushing his hands off of her. I couldn't read her lips, but when his hands were on her again, I saw red.

I grabbed Suho. He stumbled forward, then shuffled his feet to keep up. "Suho, this is Rosie and Kendra." The girls stared up at me with wide eyes and shock.

"Nice to meet you?" Suho didn't understand what I was trying to do here.

"I need a favor. Can I leave him with you two for a minute?" I asked as if I was dropping off my child to be watched.

Rosie was the first to respond, while Kendra stared at me with bewilderment. Her jaw was still hanging.

"Okay!" Rosie replied sweetly. I knew I could count on them.

Next, I stalked over to the dance floor. I heard Summer politely tell Jason off and him looking like he couldn't take a hint. These past few months have been hard on him, but that's no reason to treat a girl like this. Especially not my girl.

Yeah, I said that. I have no right to, and I would never verbally lay claim, but in my heart, it was all Summer.

And this idiot doesn't deserve her.

I kept my temper in check, but I knew I was still emitting furious vibes his way.

Jason met my gaze and stilled. Yeah, asshole, touch her again, I dare you.

Summer turned slowly, "Cam?" I didn't hear my name, but I knew it had left her lips.

Summer was a tough girl, she could handle herself, but that doesn't mean I still couldn't swoop in and attempt to save the day.

I captured her hand. "Let's go." I whisked her away, through the crowd, beyond the double doors, and out to the backyard.

Summer hasn't uttered a single word to me or put up a fight, demanding why I was hot and cold with her. I took us as far as the lit-up gazebo.

Releasing her hand, I took a seat on one of the benches inside. Summer followed me.

The silence between us would be comforting if there weren't a million things left unsaid.

"So Cam, fancy meeting you here."

I cracked a smile.

"Is there a reason you kidnapped me?" Summer didn't beat around the bush. I felt the heat of her gaze on the side of my face.

I looked to the sky then to the ground. Was lying even an option right now?

"I don't know," I muttered. "You looked like you needed a hero."

"And you thought that should be you?" she asked with a smile breaking out on her beautiful face.

"Ehh..."

"You could just admit that you were jealous. I'd like the answer too." She gave me a light shove. I swayed with it.

I chuckled, "You want me to lie to you?"

Her lips formed an adorable pout then she angled her body away from mine. She was no longer giving me her undivided attention. "Fine. Don't admit it. I don't care," she said with an eye roll.

We both knew that wasn't true.

"So you and Jason, what was that about?"

"It's funny how you want to ask personal questions but don't want to answer them?" she snapped, kicking her one leg up and down.

"I'll answer one if you answer mine." I bargained, hoping she'd take the bait. I knew I'd regret it in a few minutes when it was my turn.

Summer shrugged, causing one strap to slide down her shoulder. She quickly adjusted it. "Dating experience," she said confidently.

"Dating experience?" I parroted.

She hummed a yes.

"I call BS."

She threw her head back and let out a groan. "He asked me out, so I said yes. There!"

"So anyone could have asked you out, and you would have agreed."

Her mouth tightened. She took her time with her next response. "Yup, why not?" She challenged.

"I guess life is about kissing frogs until you uncover a prince."

"I thought I found a prince a few months back," she ground out the words.

The corner of my lips tipped up. "Oh yeah, what happened to him?"

Summer shot me a look. "Oh, you know, he turned out to be something worse than an average frog. He was a stubborn inconsiderate jerk. His moods gave me whiplash, and his actions were so dang confusing to decipher sometimes. Most importantly, let's not forget how he kis-"

I interrupted. "Are you done?"

Summer blinked up at me innocently. "What? I thought you liked it when people talked about you. It means you're relevant and important. Am I right?" she grinned evilly. She was throwing my words back in my face.

I leaned into her. There was a sharp intake of breath, and her eyes briefly flickered down to my lips before they locked with mine.

"I think it's my turn to ask you something." Her voice had lowered to a whisper. I watched her swallow nervously.

"Unless you want to back out now. It would be so like you to cower away from the real talk. I mean, all you do is..." she rambled on and on.

I would gladly give her a shut-up kiss, but this wasn't the time. I knew what message that would send, and I couldn't do that to her.

My hands cupped her face. "What are you doing, Cam?" Summer said softly.

"I don't know," I murmured. I wanted to touch her, feel some part of her skin under my fingertips. It was driving me crazy having her so close and not being able to do anything about it.

Summer pulled away from me. "I should go." She removed my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm before letting it fall to my lap.

This time she was one walking away from me, and it sucked to watch her go.

I took my sweet time before getting up and finding my way back to the party.

Back inside, I looked for Suho, who was right where I had left him. He and the girls were hitting it off. I could tell by how Rosie's cheeks were stained red from all her laughter.

"Hey," I called out to them. "Thanks for keeping him company."

"Yeah, he's cool people. We invited him to ditch you at lunch to come to sit with us girls."

Kenny said, throwing her arm around his shoulder.

"He's too loyal." I waited for him to agree.

Suho chuckled nervously. Way to leave me hanging, bro.

We said our goodbyes and then headed out.

"Could I ask you something?" Suho waited until we drove off.

"Shoot."

"Everybody treats you like an outcast, but I heard it wasn't always like that." He was fidgeting in his seat. "I guess I wanna know why people talk behind your back. I mean, the girls don't do that. They looked surprised to see you talk to them. At first, I thought it was because you'd never spoken to them before, but it was the opposite. It sounded like you used to be friends, especially since they're Summer's besties."

I nodded. "Yeah, we used to be cool." I let out a deep breath. "Things have changed. I've made mistakes, and a lot of people considered it unforgivable. I want to tell you more, but I can't right now." I didn't want to think of all the reasons I had to push Summer away when I could've had her with me tonight.

"You've distanced yourself away from Summer and the girls to protect them. You might not know this, but they're team, Cam. So whatever you did, your image hasn't changed in their minds. I think that should count for something."

That brought a slight grin to my face. I didn't know Kenny and Rosie were on my side. Summer had outright told me as much.

I nodded again. "Summer is the most important person to me. I don't need her in any possible crossfires."

"She looks like the type to play with fire."

I burst out with laughter. "Yeah, she's my fiery girl for sure."

And that would never change.