The music boomed loudly as everyone danced, some of them knocking against each other and spilling their drinks on themselves. Evelyn had told me that Carlson and Mariah had gone over to have dinner at my mother's for the night until the party was over. They were trusting Evelyn to throw a party that won't get out of hand and end with either someone sleeping in the backyard or priceless china being broken due to a potential fight breaking out. I know Evelyn when it comes to throwing parties since she's told me about every single one she's either went to or threw and they end up with something bad happening.

There were times when she's thrown a party and there have been people who have passed out in her backyard naked. That was a disturbing story to hear. I hope that doesn't happen tonight. I don't need to see that image and have it imprinted in my head. I'll probably have nightmares or something. There were even times where she's found people doing it in her room. She went a little too extreme and burnt the sheets and the pillowcase for extra measures. She sent me a picture after as proof since I thought she was joking. Though the worse one was when guests would drunkenly go through her mother's old belongings. That was what sent her over the edge and made her blow up with rage. 

Evelyn hasn't seen her mother ever since they spilt back when she was fourteen because every time she's tried to call her, it goes to voicemail. She can't visit her since her mother moved and hasn't given her the address. After that, Evelyn tried to forget her, pushing any memories whether they were good or bad aside. She kept the pictures of them together and the necklace from her but she never wears it because she just wants to forget about her mother. She finds it painful but she doesn't want anyone destroying anything of hers. That's why she lashed out and gave them a broken a nose before chasing them out the house, scaring them to death by her spitfire.

Her father still doesn't know about the time she threw a party when he was overseas in Singapore on a business trip. That was the party that she told me Daniel blackmailed with. She had gotten way too drunk and allowed someone to tattoo a doughnut on her upper thigh her favourite food. That was a stupid idea but not as stupid as what she did after. She broke into a liquor store for a dare that she and someone else were doing and ended up getting arrested. In her drunken state, she called Lukas, since they were hooking up at the time. He bailed her out but the next day, she found out he told her 'worst enemy'. 

I don't approve of Daniel blackmailing Evelyn with that information but Evelyn shouldn't keep using it as an excuse to hate him since it was over a month or two ago. I tried to get Daniel to apologize to Evelyn, hoping that if he did then she would probably feel better about him but he refused to apologize for something she deserved and because he knows she would gloat in victory at getting him to apologize to her. I dropped it after that. As much as I hate to admit it, he was right and there was no use in trying to get him to do something he doesn't want to.

I sighed as I pushed past everyone. I could see from my peripheral vision that Evelyn had joined a group of guys in beer pong in the dining room. I have no idea where Keith was but I guess he left her alone for the time being or she left him to be with the other guys, I don't know. On my way to the backyard, some random guy tried to give me a cup of I don't know what inside but I politely declined the offer. The drink was fizzing way more than it should, it was unnatural and suspicious. I think I'd rather not take the risk and get one myself if I want or need it, which I don't at the moment. Once I was outside, I tilted my head up towards the sky and took a deep breath. 

I don't mind being surrounded by people. I'd consider myself a social person but there are still times where I just can't handle being in a crowded room that made me feel so small in a huge area. Especially though when I'm left alone to fend for myself against everyone. I met some new faces but there were still some I didn't know and some that made me feel uncomfortable with the way they would talk to me. I got hit on a couple of times but I walked away, rejecting their very direct 'suggestions'.

There's a reason I never dated besides the few I went on that were set up by Evelyn. She would guilt trip me into going on the date. I was never interested in the guys that went to my school. Most of the time, they made it clear they only wanted one thing, which was just to get into my pants. I didn't trust anyone to be in a relationship with since I don't do one night stands. The dates that were set up had been rude to me even though I gave them a chance to prove themselves to be good. Some of them I, unfortunately, didn't see us working out even if they weren't bad.

I didn't let that falter my hopes at finding someone but it meant I didn't go looking for love. I just looked after my mother as best as I could whenever she was home and tried to protect her. My mother did the same for me as best as she could, always making sure I was out of harm's way. Maddie would be there to help and comfort me whenever my father would come home drunk, frustrated from losing a gambling match. 

I jumped when I felt the vibration of my phone in my hand. I had changed my outfit into Ruby's dress that she brought for me to change into since she thought it would be better than the way too low cut dress Evelyn would have given me, which would have made me uncomfortable. I was now wearing a navy blue floral dress mini dress with a pleated belt. I got to keep my shoes on instead of wearing heels luckily. 

"Hello?" I answered.

"Happy birthday Harm!" a familiar shout of excitement blared through my phone speaker. I laughed, missing her hyper attitude.

"Thank you, Maddie" I smiled.

"Long time no talk huh? What have you been up to since you've moved?" Maddie asked.

"Sorry about that, I guess there's been a lot on my mind but I can tell you that it's been great here" I replied, sitting on the grass.

"Is it because of a guy?" Maddie asked, her voice going high pitched. She was probably grinning on the other side of the line. I rolled my eyes with a smile.

"Maybe..." I trailed off. I winced when I heard Maddie squeal. That was to be expected.

"Omg, my baby is finally growing up!" she shouted. I laughed. "Ok now tell me his name first then go into detail about everything."

I told her everything about Daniel, from our first meeting until recently. I also mentioned the new people I've met and the events that have happened while I was here though that worried her. I managed to reassure her that I was fine because I was. I probably wasn't in the morning considering the early wake-up call, the talk with Evelyn and remembering that Daniel was pretty much ignoring me. I was better at the moment. As long as I don't breakdown then I see it as a good sign. Our conversation ended when Evelyn called me from inside to meet some more new people. 

I ran inside after hanging up and followed Evelyn towards a loud group. It's starting to get overwhelming with the amount of people I'm being introduced to and I haven't even met half of them. I thought it was going to be a small birthday party but I guess I was wrong though I still had fun while talking to some guests. At one point I joined in with a couple of the people sitting in the living room to watch them play never have I ever. I was sitting in between Ruby and Evelyn since Kylee was sitting on Axel's lap, watching as Evelyn held the bottle to see who goes first.

"Wanna join birthday girl?" one of the guys, I think his name was Miles, asked with a smirk. I went to reply but before I could, Evelyn cut me off.

"She's not going to join" she stated.

"Why not?" I asked with a raised brow. On the contrary, I actually wanted to join in. That and I didn't want someone answering for me so it kind of just made me want to do the opposite. It couldn't be bad, I've played it before, it's fun not dangerous. It's more fun than me watching them play. Who cares if you have to take a shot but I'm guessing that's what's worrying her. 

Evelyn furrowed her eyebrows and frowned. "What do you mean why not? You don't drink."

"I don't but there's a first for everything" I lied. She doesn't know that I used to and neither will she ever, not until she can handle anything I tell her without disapproval like she is now. The judgement sometimes hurts or just annoys me.

"No, it's not like you and you shouldn't do this" Evelyn argued.

"No one is peer pressuring me to, it's my decision and I want to," I shrugged. I was trying to reason with her though I shouldn't have to. Evelyn glared at me.

"Did Daniel influence you to start doing this?" She questioned. My eyes widened before I glared at her. Of course she had to bring him up as if he's the reason for me agreeing to a stupid little game of never have I ever.

"What?! No! Why are you bringing him into this when he has nothing to do with me wanting to play a stupid game?" I exclaimed with agitation. 

"You want to join a drinking game! Something you've never done before! I mean he must have had an influence on you to start changing for the worse!" she snapped.

"Oh my god Evelyn, not everything you disapprove of is caused by him and I hate that you think that I've changed for the worse just because I want to play never have I ever, do you really think that highly of me for wanting to try something new?" I fumed. I ignored the chorus of 'oh's' from everyone now watching our confrontation.

"No, you know what I mean, you shouldn't change, it's not you and if you drink you may end up changing into I don't know, a bitch or a whore later on once you start to change your morals" she tried to explain herself but just ended up insulting me. At this point, I was holding myself back from lashing out at her. This is the first time I wanted to actually scream, shout, even slap her because she's accusing me and Daniel with judgement and has insulted me in the process of that. She has no right to say any of this to me when I haven't done anything.  

"Gee thanks, I'm glad you think that I would change my morals completely just because I'd have like one or two shots," I said sarcastically as I rolled my eyes. 

"Ugh! Harmony why are you being a bitch!?" Evelyn fumed. There was another chorus of 'ohs' as I narrowed my eyes with disdain.

"You know what? I think I'm done here, fuck you and your judgement Evelyn" I snapped. 

Before she could utter another word, I got up from the couch. People parted towards the side to let me walk out of the house. I slammed the door behind me when I heard Evelyn shout out my name in anger as if a parent calling down their child when they're in trouble. I took a deep breath. I did not want to let this affect me. I walked down the sidewalk with my hands in my pocket and looking down since I needed some fresh air to cool down my temper. I hate that I argued with Evelyn over something so stupid but I guess something in me just snapped, especially after she mentioned Daniel being the reason for my choice of action. I didn't think the idea of me drinking a couple of sips would be so horrible and make me seem like I'm, I don't know, a monster of some sort.

I don't think I've changed that much really, maybe in my choice of actions. I'm trying out new things and enjoying it. Daniel has made me realize that it's fun to do a lot of things I've never tried before. Probably a bad example to use but there's back when Daniel snuck us into the closed arcade and we played for hours. I've not told anyone about that except Ruby and Kylee and I'm never going to tell anyone about it. Though when I told Kylee, she surprisingly congratulated me on doing something fun and exciting before letting me know she's done it before with Axel.

I didn't notice how far I walked until I stopped. I looking up at the neon lights of 'The Nova Lounge', the place where Daniel's friend, Thomas, plays at. I walked inside and immediately heard the music of Thomas's band, The Valor, playing on stage accompanied by the loud screams and cheers of their fans with the lights flashing everywhere. I immediately felt relaxed and smiled at the energetic atmosphere. I walked over to a table and sat down to watch the band. They were amazing at what they do and I hope that one day someone will discover that because more people deserve to hear them play.

"What are you doing here?" I jumped when I heard the familiar voice I missed so much come from behind me. I turned to look over my shoulder at Daniel who was narrowing his eyes with suspicion at me with a glass of what I'm guessing is bourbon or something else that I'm unsure of.

"Well hello to you," I said sarcastically. Daniel rolled his eyes before taking a seat in front of me.

"I thought you would be at your surprise party still, having fun," he said with a monotone. He took a sip of his drink while I sighed and fiddled with my fingers.

"I left because I fought with Evelyn" I mumbled. He frowned and leaned forward.

"Wait what? Why?" he asked.

"I wanted to play never have I ever with everyone else but she scolded me like always and then she brought you up for my choice to play the stupid game and drink a little bit of alcohol. That's what made me snap at her, I left after I ended our argument and I guess I ended up walking here because I knew it would relax me" I explained. Daniel nodded and leaned back in his chair.

"Uh I see, Evelyn was being her usual bitchy self but only this time she let it show in front of you instead of hiding it," he said. I furrowed my eyebrows and tilted my head.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked.

"It means she's a crazy bitch but she tries to cover it up around you and sometimes around your other friends" he answered. I'd beg to differ on that one. She has plenty of times shown that side of hers to us. She's just never lashed out at me like that until tonight. It came as a shock at first but I should have known she would have reacted that way though she has no right to control me.

I sighed and rubbed my temple. "You know what? I don't want to talk about Evelyn right now, I'm too upset with her, she ruined my birthday with her assumptions and aggression," I said. 

"How about we get out of here and I'll go show you something?" Daniel suggested. I looked up at him.

"That depends, what is it?" I asked with a half-smile on my lips. 

"Well you'll have to come with me to find out birthday girl" he smirked. I breathed out a small laugh.

"Alright, you win, take me to whatever it is you wanted to show me, lead the way."

Daniel put his empty glass down before standing up and sticking his hand out to me. I slipped my hand into his and followed him out. Before exiting, I notice Thomas wink at us. I didn't know why but I ignored it. There was nothing going on between us, unfortunately. I was worried about getting into his pick up truck since I didn't know how much he drinks he had but he reassured that it was the one and that he was still very much aware. I embraced the wind coming from my open window and smiled at the bustling street. I contemplating on if I should ask him the question that's been on my mind since he started ignoring me on Tuesday.

"Hey, why have you been ignoring me?" I wondered. Daniel shook his head.

"You'll see why in a second" he grinned. I nodded and turned my head to rest it on my arms that were resting on the bottom of the window.

"What about why you weren't at the surprise party?" I asked, glancing at him.

"I'm sure you can guess the reason for that one" he grumbled.

"Of course, Evelyn," I mumbled as I rolled my eyes. He nodded.

"Yup, she kept pestering me to not show up and that I should leave the house because I'd just ruin the party by taunting you or whatever the fuck she said, I tuned her out after a certain point, the rest is history" Daniel explained. I giggled. 

Of course he would tune her out. Evelyn does tend to talk a lot when she's scolding someone or ordering them around. I have done the same thing a few times when she scolds me about Daniel and how he is the 'bane of her existence' as she likes to describe him. I'm pretty sure she's being overdramatic but I don't tell her that because It'll just upset her. That and I'm worried she'll go blaming Daniel for turning against her or something. He doesn't need any more harassment from her. He gets enough of that whenever he's actually at their house. 

There's no way she'll forgive Daniel, apparently not until he gives her a bunch of gifts and apologises sincerely while grovelling on his knees. She was expecting way too much from him. I'm pretty sure she only said that because she knew it was something that Daniel would never do. I would like to tell her about my crush on him but she'd go crazy at the mere mention of his name. It's sad that she won't even try to pretend to get along with him for me or for her own father and stepmother. She openly shows her disdain for him. She's too stubborn.

When Daniel parked in front of an alleyway that was between a diner and a book shop, I became confused. I had no idea what he could possibly show me here unless it's one the surrounding restaurants and shops but I doubt that's it. I looked around with furrowed eyebrows and a frown as Daniel opened the door for me with a smile that showed off his pearly white teeth. I grabbed his outstretched hand and stepped out. Before I could take another step forward, Daniel gently pulled me back, shaking his head. I tilted my head but he just smirked and winked at me before motioning for me to turn around. I did and he suddenly covered my eyes.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Just go with it" Daniel whispered in my ear making me shiver but I tried to hide it. I didn't know he was that close.

Daniel led me forward before stopping in front of somewhere. He spun me around to face him before uncovering my eyes. I had to blink a couple of times so my eyes could adjust to my surroundings and the little light coming in from the street lamps. Daniel laughed and I lightly slapped his arm. He grinned and motioned behind me with his head. I turned around but instantly took a step back into his chest with a gasp. It was a mural he had spray-painted in the alleyway we were in. What shocked me was the fact that the mural was of me. 

I think my heart just skipped a beat