"Did you know, Slugs have four noses?" Lip questioned casually strolling up behind me.

My face contorted, brows knitting together as I pursed my lips with a slight head tilt.  Philip known more by Lip due to the fact he could never stop talking was my older brother. We were supposed to be just over a year apart but instead, only eleven and half months separated us. 
Growing up everyone always joked we were twins that got separated in the womb. 

"Or that birds don't urinate, or that the welsh word for jellyfish is Psygod wibli wo-"  Lips ranting was suddenly mumbled into incoherent nonsense.

looking over my shoulder I stiffened the giggle that escaped my lips, standing a step or so behind me was Lip, behind him stood or oldest and best of friends Shae Buller. Shaes arm lifted up over Lips shoulder his hand covering lips mouth while the other stretched across his chest clamping onto of it. 

"Do you have an off button?" Shae teased a smirk planting on his barely stubbled face, his golden brown locks perfectly shaped.


 

" I wish" I teased giggling at them.

 I watched as Lip tried to talking to Shaes hand before reaching his own up to pull them away. As soon as Lip managed to pry Shaes fingers off his face the two began to shove each other, Roughhousing as they followed me down the hallway. I shook my head, we were graduating in seven months and they were still acting like freshmen. 

Stopping at my locker the two boys continued to shove each other into the lockers as the goofed around. Organizing my bag I could feel eyes on me, watching me from afar.  In slow careful movements, I looked over my shoulder my dark locks somewhat hiding my face.

Down the hall, slowly lowering his camera, was Atlas Gray one of Moose Rivers claimed mysterious bad boys.  No one knew much about him, he was quiet, kept to himself and always had his camera. His parents owned half the town and he had an older brother  Atticus who was in university half way across the world. 

The way Atlas lurked in the darkest corners, watching people from afar, half the time a cigarette pressed between his full lips.  Watching carefully like a predator stalking his prey.  That was what made him different, why students and teachers alike feared him. It was also the reason I was bewitched with him, like a moth to a flame. 


"Stalker alert"  Lip sang out oblivious to how loud his voice actually was.

I could feel Shae wrap a protective arm around my shoulders as I looked away, caught in the act of staring as I was lost in my own thoughts.  My brown eyes flicked back up returning back to  Atlas,  he watched for a moment longer, pulling the smoking cigarette from his lip. He flicked it to the ground, stomping it into the hallway tile as he turned his back walking away. 

"Don't call him that Lip, Its rude" I informed my brother bringing my attention back on my locker.

"And he's a creep" Lip added, I just rolled my eyes at him.


Closing my locker I turned in Shae's arm making my way down the hall to physics class.  I just wanted to hurry up and finish the rest of the school day and prepare for the fall dance.  It was the second dance of the school season and unlike the welcome back dance, strictly for  Jr's and Seniors. The freshman and Sophomores weren't allowed to attend unless asked by a senior or Jr.   It was always one of the best dances of the year. 

 I  flattened the pleated skirt of my black mid-thigh length lace embroidered dress as I stepped out of the car. A cold breeze wrapped around me causing goose bumps to form on my soft delicate flesh. I shivered slightly closing the door behind me.

Lip came stumbling around the back of the car, pulling on the loose fitting tux he refused to let mom hem for him. despite being rather tall, his lanky stature made Philip look like he was a small child dressing up in his father's clothes.


"You should have let mom hem that for you" I stated as we made our way towards the gym.

"I'm fine" He stated pushing up his sleeved.


"You're going to trip and fall on your face. and I'm going to laugh at you" I informed shaking my head at him.


"Second that" Shaes voice pipped up from behind as he stepped beside me.

 I gave Shae a side glance his outfit was an upscale version of my brothers, his blazer fit nicely and was buttoned up, unlike Lips.   Like Lip, he wore a simple white button up under that, but to class it up he added a simple black bow tie.  It was a simple addition but made the look much more put together.

"You know it's very un-gentlemanly to upstage a woman " Lip jabbed at  Shae.


"Does your dad know you stole his wedding tux?"  Shae  ribbed a smirk pulling on his lips 

A smile formed on my lips as I gently shook my head,  the boys still taunting each other fell a few steps behind me as I walked into the gym. Music filled the suddenly warm air, I maneuvered my way towards the refreshments dodging all the fellow students. 

Retrieving a drink I turned to look at the room filled with overdressed students.  I was always surprised how enchanting the gym ended up being for dances. Between the dark lighting and shiny decorations, it looked like an entirely different place. Somewhere made of memories and happiness, not despair, torture, and sweat. 

Scanning the room I examined my fellow students, most boys somewhat dress up with a blazer and nice pants, some girls wearing more appropriate dresses then others,  Then I saw him.  Like always bruting in the corner alone in the darkness, Atlas.  I was mesmerized by him although his outfit almost identical to Shae's except his blazer undone, somehow sent an electric shock of attraction down my spine. 

 I couldn't pull my eyes away from him, even when he turned his head and caught me staring. I couldn't pull away I was in a trance. That was until Shae voice ripped through my head shattering my inner thoughts.

"Oh look, Stalker Alert" I could hear the annoyance dripping from his voice.


"Don't call him that. " I snapped, my voice angrier then I had attended.


"whoa, who peed in your punch"  Lip joked trying to lighten the subject.


"I'm sorry, just give the guy a break, will you?. I mean It has to suck have more than half the school constantly talking shit about you.   so why make it worse" I  apologized to him.


"don't worry about, now lets dance" Shae replied 


There was no chance to argue with him,  Shae had linked his arm with one of mine while Lip got the other side. The two boys practically carried me onto the dance floor,  my body easily gave way to the music. My mind and eyes, however, found them wandering across the gym towards a corner of darkness.

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