I decided to skip the traditional party wear, opting for a long-sleeved burgundy dress and black stockings. On my feet, I donned a pair of black ankle boots. Walking over to the mirror, I took a final glance at my appearance. For long these were the types of clothes I would wear. After my sudden change, I didn't see the point of trying anymore. I wanted to blend into the background.

My blond hair was spun into loose curls freely falling around my face. The dark brown eye-shadow was lightly applied to my lids and the black mascara made my blue eyes look bigger. I wasn't really one for dressing up but it was my birthday party after all. 

Mom actually agreed to this after the curfew was lifted and my school work was back on track. Although I knew the danger hadn't passed completely the rest of the town seemed to think so. 

I grabbed my black leather jacket and pushed my arms through the sleeves and pulled it over my shoulder before I made my way down the stairs. 

Outside Noah was already waiting for me and I jumped in next to him. His eyes scanned over me making me squirm in my seat. A blush crept across my cheeks and I was thankful for the shroud of darkness in the cab.  

He shook his head twice, "Let's get this over with."

I don't know why that disappointed me. It looked like he was about to say something more. Or maybe I just wanted him to say more. Getting close to Noah was a mistake, I knew that but my head and my heart were not agreeing on this matter. My head said it's better this way but my heart wanted to know. 

Stupid heart. 

The drive to Leah's house was quiet. Noah kept his eyes on the road most of the time. Every now and then he would steal a glance in my direction. I kept my head forward and pretended not to care, something I was frighteningly good at. 

When we finally made it to Leah's house the driveway was full of different cars. As Noah parked the car I heard muffled dance music coming from the colossal structure. It seemed even more imposing in the dark and I felt my stomach drop.

I jumped out of the truck and walked up to the entrance. Before I even made it to the porch Noah grabbed my hand pulling me to a stop. The soft light illuminated his features making his eyes seem brighter. For a moment, all I could do was stare until I realized that he was still holding my hand.

I felt a blush creep onto my cheeks. My heart started beating fast and my mouth ran dry. I could tell myself a million times that Noah meant nothing to me but I couldn't deny my body's reaction to him. Noah turned me into some giggling and blushing teenager and I detested it. 

"I tried saying this earlier but I couldn't really find the words," he said, searching my eyes, "So I'm just going to say it, you look beautiful tonight, Sydney"

My breath hitched and I found it hard to swallow. Noah pulled a white gift box from his pocket and handed it to me. My hands shook as I took the box from him and I had to remind myself to breathe. 

Tentatively I lifted the lid. Inside was a simple infinity sign attached to a delicate silver necklace. I gasped audibly and looked up to see Noah smiling at me. A light blush adorned both his cheeks. I didn't know whether it was from the cold or the intimate moment we were sharing but I didn't care.

All I cared about, was the incredibly sweet boy standing in front of me making my heart do weird things. All my rationality evaporated into thin air.

Noah picked the silver necklace and held it up for me to see. Light danced along the line and a glint caught on the infinity symbol every time the chain moved. It was a simple design but I swear, it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.  

I turned around and scooped up my hair. Noah's arms came around my neck, his fingers lightly brushing my skin, making me shiver in delight. I held my breath until he fastened the clasp leaving the necklace dangling around my neck. He was so close to my back that I could feel his heat even through the layers of clothes.

"Noah it's beautiful, thank you." I finally said.

"This is how long I will be there for you."

His words took me by surprise and when I turned around he didn't take a step back. He was so close that it would only take a slight lean from either one of us to make contact. For a minute time stood still. I was frozen at the moment, unable to take a step back. I looked into his eyes and all I saw was the swirling blue storm that sucked me in. 

He was going to kiss me, and I was going to let him.

The front door slammed shut making Noah and me jump apart. The spell broke and I crashed back down into reality. Peter was standing on the porch with his arms crossed over his chest.

"You guys finally made it. Are we doing this or what?"

His gaze swept between Noah and me, both of us blushing furiously. Noah had his hands balled into fists at his side, his jaw clenched.

"Did I interrupt something?" Peter asked.

I was still not sure what just happened so I walked up to Peter, "No, your right lets get this over with."

I didn't dare look back at Noah. He walked next to me as we made our way inside. 

The furniture in the living room was pushed against the wall providing space for a dance floor. To the left, a table was set out with plastic cups and a punch bowl. Music pumped from two giant speakers at either side of the room and people were loitering on the staircase. 

Leah spotted me and ran over to us, "You're here! I almost thought you weren't going to make it!"

She pulled me into a hug and swiftly dragged me along to where the Mia was waiting. I looked back to see Noah and Peter disperse into the crowd. There were so many people here that I didn't know but most of them were from school. 

"Happy birthday, Syd," Mia said, giving me a quick hug.

I smiled but didn't dare talk in case it came out as a shout. The music was so loud that it felt like the bass felt like it was pulsing in my veins. 

Shawna was busy dancing in the living room with some guys from our school. When she saw me her lips curled into a sneer and I just rolled my eyes.  After everything I have been through, I found it hard to be scared of Shawna. I could be the better person and apologize but that wasn't really in my nature. I gave her a smirk that I have seen on Peter's face when he taunts Noah.

Mia grabbed my hand and started pulling me to the dance floor, "Come on! We're going to dance until our feet fall off."

We joined Shawna on the dance floor and although she didn't look happy about it, I'm glad she didn't say anything. Soon I felt myself moving to the frantic rhythm of the music and I even found myself having fun. Leah had also joined our little dancing duo and I laughed at the ridiculous moves that she and Mia had me doing. 

After almost three different songs, that sounded exactly the same, I was exhausted and realized that Mia was right, my feet felt like they were about to abandon me. I excused myself from the girls hoping to get something to drink and walked to the kitchen. I found Peter perched on the black granite kitchen counter with a drink in hand. He was the only one there and I was relieved at the quiet but I could still hear the bass pounding outside the door. 

"Shouldn't you be looking around?" he asked.

"If I disappear my friends are bound to come looking for me, you, on the other hand, don't have that problem."

"Its a pretty big house," he said taking a sip out of the red solo cup, "So what's up between you and Noah?"

My eyes went wide and my mouth hung open. How much had Peter seen?

"Nothing, why?"

"Oh, come on. You know he likes you, right? Always acting like the overprotective boyfriend." Peter said smirking.

"Noah and I are just friends and even if we were more its nobody else's business."

I turned and walked out of the kitchen, rounding the corner, I ran smack into Noah. If bad luck was a person, I would be it. 

"Hey," he said smiling down at me, "I saw Leah upstairs acting pretty weird."

I couldn't stop the blush on my cheeks any more than my racing heart. He just had to go and make things awkward between us. Or maybe that me, who knows.

"Define acting weird because everything happening now is weird," I said.

"She was yelling at some people who were making out in her mother's office, then she chased them out and locked the door."

"What were you doing upstairs anyway?" Peter asked taking me by surprise.

Noah clenched his jaw, "What we were supposed to be doing here in the first place."

"Oh, like what you two were doing outside?" Peter countered.

"Okay, we don't have time for egotistical male bullshit, now focus," I said to Peter and turned back to Noah, "What were you saying?"

Noah tried to suppress a smile, "She put a key into her pocket."

"So then we need to get the key," Peter said.

"Oh, that's going to be easy, why don't we just ask her nicely for it?" Noah snapped at Peter.

"We don't have to ask, we just have to get her drunk enough to take it without her knowing."

"Really Peter? That's your brilliant plan, do you even know Leah?"

"What do we have to lose? If it doesn't work we try something else, but we need that key."

I looked to Noah, who had been quiet the whole time.

"What do you think?" I asked.

"Absolutely not."

I sighed in relief, thank goodness for Noah being the rational one. Back in the living room, Leah was dancing with Shawna and Mia. I made my way over to them only to see that Mia was already unsteady on her feet. I had no idea what Leah had put into the punch but it was strong.

Peter sauntered up to our group as if he owned the place. It didn't take him long to notice Shawna either. I had to stop myself from making a gagging motion and losing my lunch.

"What type of party is this where the birthday girl doesn't even do one shot?" he screamed over the pumping music.

Mia actually giggled in her drunken state and Shawna just rolled her eyes.

"Who are you?" Shawna asked.

Peter didn't miss a beat, "Noah's cousin from out of town, he invited me."

Shawna smirked and put her hands on her hip before raising a challenging eyebrow. I was not going to keep my insides, inside if they kept this up. Shawna as blatantly flirting with Peter. 

Wait, why does that even bother me? 

Leah pulled my arm, "Sounds like a good idea though."

I clenched my jaw, "No it sounds like a horrible idea."

Was he that stupid? Let's get the zombie in the room drunk, that has disaster written all over it.

"Oh come on Syd, I'll even take them with you," Leah said.

Peter's grin grew wider and he moved to one of the tables, he grabbed a few bottles along with shot glasses. He placed several in a row on the table and started filling them up. No way was this actually happening! I'm sure one of Peter's brain cells was clapping hands at the other one trying. 

I made eye contact with Noah's wide stare and he shook his head. There was no point in trying to stop this now. 

Standing next to Leah in front of the table Noah came up next to me and whispered in my ear, "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"I'm sure this is a terrible idea, but we're already here. Just look after me okay and if I start acting strange get me away from everyone."

"Always."

I swallowed the lump in my throat as Peter began counting down from ten. Leah gave me a wry smile and by the time Peter reached one a crowd had joined him. Leah and I started tossing back shots, they burned down my throat and I had to pinch my nose to keep them from coming up.

We reached the last shot glass and Leah let out a loud whoop as the crowd started to cheer. Leah had to grip the table to keep her balance and when she looked at me she giggled. She actually freaking giggled! 

I waited with bated breath for the buzz to set in but nothing happened, aside from the disgusting taste and the fire in my throat, I felt perfectly fine. 

"Are you feeling okay? Because I'm going to kill Peter if anything happens to you." Noah asked.

I took Noah's hand and his shoulders relaxed in a nanosecond. It was hard to believe but I actually felt normal, I should have been drunk, even slightly buzzed but nothing. 

Suddenly the music cut out earning collective groans from the teenage crowd. A man stepped forward, a murderous look in his eyes. His face was etched with wrinkles and his dark hair was graying. He had a scar on his face running from his eyebrow to the side of his face. 

"Leah, what the hell is the meaning of this?" his grave voice spoke out over the quiet room.

I instantly recognized his voice. He was there with Miranda the night I was attacked. He buried me alive. The room started to spin and I gripped Noah's hand for support. His eyes scanned the crowd and I instinctively covered my face.  

Leah hobbled forward slurring her words as she spoke, "It's a party, what does it look like Simon?"

"Everyone out now!" he boomed and kids everywhere started to scatter.

I knew we still needed the key but I wanted to run and put as much distance as possible between me and Simon. 

"This party is over," he said pointing to Leah, "and you are in a lot of trouble."

"Yeah, well maybe now my mom will know that I exist," Leah spat back almost toppling over, I grabbed her hand to steady her. 

She leaned her weight on me and I took it easy. Realization sunk in. This party wasn't for me, she wanted to get her mom's attention and I was used as an excuse.

The man finally noticed me, "Who are you and why are you still here?"

"I'm, nobody I just want to help Leah get to bed,"

He studied my face scrunching his grey brows together and I found myself praying that he didn't recognize me. My heart started beating faster as he continued to stare. 

"Fine go and get out immediately," he said.

Peter and Noah stepped forward but the man held out his arms," She goes alone, you two can wait for her here."

I was still holding Leah as my heartbeat frantically in my chest. Nodding my head to the boys I started carrying Leah up the stairs to her bedroom. She was dragging her feet along struggling to put one foot in front of the other. I felt bad for her but then I remembered how Leah had used my birthday as an excuse and I shoved the feeling back down.

I kicked her door open with my foot while dragging Leah to her bed, once close enough, I pulled back the covers and she all but toppled into bed. 

"I wish she could have come and see what she's doing to me," Leah mumbled softly.

I swallowed my sympathy because she used me and on my birthday none the less. Then again, I have done far worse, Leah wasn't the only one with ulterior motives.

I removed her shoes and socks, pulling the covers back over her. Leah had already fallen asleep. The steady rise and fall of her chest and the soft snoring meant I was in the clear. I pulled the covers back with shaking hands, praying that I picked the right pocket. Sticking my fingers into the pocket of her jeans, I felt the cool metal brush against my fingertips.

Gripping the key I pulled it out just as Leah rolled onto her side. I held my breath for ten seconds, not daring to make a move. After I was sure she was still sleeping, I put the key into the pocket of my jacket and quietly left the room.

Downstairs Peter and Noah were still waiting for me and I breathed a sigh of relief. I couldn't wait to talk to Noah. I needed to tell him about Simon. That he was there that night.