I was putting on mascara in front of Evelyn's makeup vanity while tuning out her rapid talk of excitedly gushing about her romantic weekend away with Keith. At this point, she was just repeating herself. I was thrilled that she found someone that she can have a relationship with rather than just a one night stand. I was itching to tell her about my trip to the lake house since we'd just come back yesterday after spending five days up there. 

At night, I spent my time in Daniel's room since Ivy and I agreed that Ace would sleep in our room and I'd sleep in his. I, unfortunately, couldn't tell Evelyn a single thing because I know what she'd say about Daniel, Lukas, Ace and Ivy who is her 'sworn enemy'. Ivy did admit at one point that she judged me when we first met mainly because I'm friends with Evelyn. She thought I'd be like her and start negatively targeting Daniel so she disliked me at first. She apologised but I instantly forgave her because I understood why.

I noticed from the reflection in the mirror, Daniel walk by Evelyn's room but stop for a second when our eyes locked. He winked with a grin making my cheeks heat up. I gave him a smile through the reflection before he walked away into his room. Tonight, since it was Friday and there were only two more days of our winter break left, we were going to be spending it at a party that was hosted by Ace's brother, Damian again. I'm just relieved this time Evelyn invited me and didn't say anything. It was unusual since I didn't expect her to invite me but she did and I'm glad. 

Kylee and Ruby were also going but they'd denied Evelyn's offer to get ready at her house. They said they were still tired after just arriving last night. Ruby slept over at Kylee's house last night and was going to tonight as well. I was going to sleep over at Evelyn's since she wanted to spend today with me after not hanging out for almost the whole of December. Plus, my mother was going on a date with Silas tonight. I offered to stay at home with my grandmother but she had practically pushed me out the door when she heard about the party, saying to go 'have fun' and 'be a teenager'. 

Daniel was going to be at the party, along with his friends, even Thomas, Storm, Atticus and Felix were going to go tonight. I was contemplating on telling Evelyn at the party the truth about me and Daniel. I didn't want to keep it a secret anymore and I can't make Daniel wait for me to be able to tell her. I mean, if she really cared about me, she'd set her anger aside and support my decision to be with him. I'll have to talk to Daniel before I tell her. If I don't do it tonight, I'll talk to her tomorrow morning. I just hope it all goes well and that I don't regret admitting the truth. 

After I was done forcefully getting ready, I stared at myself in the mirror with discomfort at my appearance. I hugged my stomach that was exposed due to the 'top' Eveyln made me wear from her closet. I felt so exposed because the top felt more like a bra, even with the lace sleeves. I wanted to change but Evelyn denied my plead to change into the dress I had instead, dragging me out of her room, downstairs, passed her parents watching TV while cuddling on the couch together to exit the house. 

We walked all the way to Damian and Ace's house. When we got to the top of the street, I could hear the loud thumping of the music boom loudly throughout the neighbourhood. We had to push past people to get to Kylee and Ruby due to the overcrowding. Ruby squealed when she saw us while Kylee rolled her eyes but grinned. I greeted the two by hugging them. Kylee offered me a sip of her drink, to which I accepted. I was going to need some to get through tonight while wearing this. Already I could feel people staring at me. I don't care if it was good or bad, I didn't want the attention.

"Are you comfortable in that?" Ruby whispered to me, frowning at my attire. I shook my head in response. "I got my overnight bag in Kylee's car out front in case so if you need to change, I can give you something of mine" Ruby offered. I smiled with relief and appreciation. I'm glad I got Ruby to come to my rescue. I just need to be able to sneak away to change once Evelyn isn't looking or she disappears with Keith somewhere hopefully.

"Thank you," I said. 

She smiled before her eyes landed on Thomas, who'd entered with the others, including Daniel. She squealed before running over to throw her arms around him and press her lips against his. Ruby and Thomas had gotten closer and after their first date, they made it official, they were now dating. Ruby told us during the camping trip that Thomas had asked her during their second date after Christmas to be his girlfriend. We were happy for her because now she's just as chipper as she was before. 

"What's a gorgeous thing like you doing alone over here?" I was brought back to reality when I noticed that someone was addressing me. 

I turned my head to the guy with the dark brown slicked back hair that looked like it had way too much hair gel in it. I cringed at the pickup line. I was starting to feel uncomfortable as alarms were going off in my head when the guy started inching his way close to me while standing in front of me now. He gave me a suggestive look but my expression must have been showing some discomfort or that I was uninterested in his advances towards me. If he noticed, he ignored it. 

He reached his hand out to touch my face. I was going to push him away at that moment but then someone caught his wrist and twisted it behind his back, making him slouch forward and groan. My eyes widened when I saw Daniel who had a menacing look in his eyes. The guy's face contorted into one of pain, flinching at the pressure Daniel was putting on his arm. I may not like the guy trying to put his hands on me when I didn't approve of it but he didn't deserve to be beaten up. Daniel will start a fight with him if I don't step in.

"Daniel! You need to calm down! Please!" I pleaded. He turned a deaf ear to me. He let the guy go but spun him around before shoving him against the wall with one hand on his neck, putting pressure. I panicked, running over to place my hands on his shoulders and tug him away. I huffed in annoyance when he didn't budge. I then stood in front of him and cupped his cheek, making him focus his attention on me now instead of the guy. "Daniel, I need you to calm down, please, I think he got the message" I tried to reason with him softly. 

It took a minute until his eyes softened and he sighed before releasing his hold on the guy. He scurried off, looking terrified, he almost knocked into a few people on his way. That'll probably traumatise him. I'm sure he won't be going anywhere near me or Daniel again. Daniel gave me a once over, finally noticing what I was wearing as his eyes narrowed. He then backed me into a corner, trapping me in between his arms and blocking me from the rest of the crowd. He leaned forward making my heart skip a beat. I bit my bottom lip in anticipation. 

"You are driving me crazy wearing that outfit" he whispered, his lips brushing against mine. My eyes fluttered closed. "I want to hide you away from all the stares." 

My lips quirked up in a small smile. I cupped his cheek and leaned up to kiss him. Unfortunately, the kiss didn't last long because we were interrupted by someone faking a cough to get our attention. Daniel pulled away with a groan in annoyance. I peeked over his shoulder to see who interrupted us but my eyes widened at the sight of Fletcher standing there. He had a red cup, probably filled with some kind of alcohol and he had a scowl on his face. Daniel pushed himself off the wall to turn around but instantly narrowed his eyes at Fletcher. 

"What the fuck do you want?" Daniel growled. 

"None of your fucking business" Fletcher snapped in response before turning his gaze towards me. I had my arms crossed over my stomach to hide the exposed skin from his vision with a frown as if that would help. I avoided eye contact. "Can I talk to you? In private? Perhaps we can go for a drive to get away from all the noise just for five minutes? I'll bring you back" he asked, looking at Daniel then at me again. Daniel clenched his fist and took a step forward but I intercepted. I put my hand on his shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"I can handle this on my own Daniel" I mumbled softly to him. He turned towards me with a worried frown.

"Are you sure? You don't owe him anything" Daniel said. I nodded mutely. "I can come with you? Or you can stay here where we can all see you?" he fretted. I let out a small breath of laughter before leaning up to kiss his cheek. 

"I'll be fine, I won't be long, I promise" I whispered, attempting to reassure him. He sighed but stepped aside nonetheless. He shot Fletcher a glare before we could leave.

"If you don't bring her back in five minutes or less or I hear that you did anything to her, you'll be dead within seconds Ken" Daniel sneered. Fletcher rolled his eyes but nodded. 

"Have you been drinking?" I questioned. I didn't want to get into a car with someone and risk my life after they've been drinking. I've done stupid things but not that stupid and I'm not about to just for a chat. Fletcher shook his head. 

"I promise I haven't been drinking, scouts honour" he joked. 

I didn't laugh, I just followed behind Fletcher with Daniel watching closely behind. I got into his car with a feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach. I know that the conversation wasn't going to take long so we'd only be in the car for a couple of minutes before going back. I had to keep telling myself that to calm my nerves. I'd be back with Daniel and the others in a couple of minutes. I know Fletcher wouldn't do anything extreme, I think he got the hint that I wasn't interested, especially after ignoring him for so long and he kind of stopped contacting me.

"Relax, I just want to talk calmly" Fletcher assured. He looked slightly hurt by the fact that I was scared to be in a car with him so late at night. 

"Ok," I nodded. I took a deep breath, pushing my worries aside to the back of my head. I was overthinking to the point I was scaring myself when I shouldn't. I had to keep telling myself that I would be fine to ease my anxiety.

"Why did you ignore me?" Fletcher asked, getting straight to the point. 

"I didn't ignore you" I denied. 

"You did, I tried to get in contact with you after we went out to the movies but you never answered, I even tried to wave at you at the pep rally at your school but you just looked away, did I do something wrong? I mean why are you dating Daniel Martinez, did he threaten you or something?" he asked various amounts of questions, it was hard to keep track and answer them all. 

The last one irritated me. It's like almost everyone had this mindset that Daniel was a bad person, incapable of being in a relationship and the only way he can keep one is by threatening or hurting them. It's ridiculous. I know Evelyn must have told him copious amounts of bad things about Daniel knowing her and her disdain towards him. No one knew him properly but those closest to him. I was lucky to be one of those people to know the real him, the one no one took a chance to get to know. Everyone just runs away, thinking that he's some monster or something when he's not. He's sweet and caring, especially to his friends. 

"Firstly, ok fine, I'll admit I was avoiding you because after you kept trying to pursue me I just wanted a break and I thought you'd get the hint that I wasn't interested in you in anything else other than a friend and secondly no, Daniel isn't threatening me, I'm dating him on my own accord because I love him" I declared. 

It felt weird to confess out loud rather than in my head. It was the first time I admitted it but it would have been better if I had said it to Daniel himself in person rather than towards Fletcher. I knew in some way that I loved him ever since the beginning when we first met but tried to ignore it, thinking that nothing would happen between us or that I would get over it. Now all I wanted to do is go back to him and tell him myself but I have to wait.

"You can't fucking be in love with the prick" Fletcher spat. His hands clenched on the steering wheel. He was getting vexed by the conversation but so was I. I was getting tired of people trying to tell me how I should feel. I know how I feel, I'm in charge of my own emotions, no one should tell me otherwise, acting as if I'm insane or clueless like I'm some sort of little girl in their eyes who needs protection. I'm sick of it at this point and I've had enough. 

"Yes, I can because I know how I feel deep down about him, you don't! You don't know me, you just want to get in my pants! Am I right?" I snapped. Fletcher gave me a sideways glance, looking nervous. I raised a brow, crossing my arms while waiting for an answer but I knew I was right. I had my suspicions but I didn't want to voice them out loud, I didn't want to judge without proof. However, this just proved that I was right, unfortunately. "By all means, please, prove me wrong" I challenged. 

"Listen, Daniel isn't good for you-" he started but I cut him off. It was the usual line Evelyn starts off with when she tried to get me to stay from him. It's become repetitive at this point. It's all bullshit.

"And you are?!" I fumed.

"Yes, I am!" he argued. I scoffed. As if, he just admitted to only pursuing me just to get into my pants. That's not better, that's worse, way worse in my books. At least Daniel treats me right. He may have messed up at the start but he's made up for his mistakes, he's proved to be better. 

"Take me back now" I demanded. I couldn't stand to be around him for another second.

Fletcher opened his mouth to protest further but I just narrowed my eyes at him, shutting him up instantly. He huffed, turning back to the road to continue driving. We had passed down a dark street where houses lied on the left and the woods lied on the right. Fletcher had to make a U-turn to get back to the party so we had to go further up until he could. Silence filled the car and I couldn't be more thankful for it because I had enough of talking. I stared out the window, watching the trees go by as the radio played on low volume. Soon small raindrops started to fall, sprinkling. I listened to the sound as it hit the roof of the car. 

Fletcher turned to look at me once more, going to speak but I noticed that he had swerved passed the broken lines of the road, to a set of blinding headlights heading the opposite direction. My eyes widened in alert. "Fletcher, watch out!" I yelled. Fletcher turned back to the road just in time to see the car driving towards us. His eyes also widened and he immediately swerved off the road. I screamed when he drove into the forest. He kept pressing the breaks but it wouldn't budge due to the way it landed on the dirt patch. My breathing picked up when I began to hyperventilate. I saw a tree in our line of sight. 

Fuck, I'm going to die, I don't want to die

"I can't stop the car! Fuck!" Fletcher cursed, stomping on the breaks repeatedly. 

I closed my eyes, ready to embrace impact. The car collided with the tree, making us lurch forward but lucky we had our seatbelts though unlucky that Fletcher didn't have airbags that depleted at all. It caused me to hit my head against the dashboard. Black spots started to appear in my vision as I'd laid flat on the dashboard, the windshield completely shattered. Some glass had scratched and pierced my skin. I felt pain all over my body and my head was throbbing. I saw Fletcher stumble out of the wrecked car and dash away, leaving me helpless.

I wanted to scream at him for being a coward and running but I couldn't. I couldn't even move a single limb, my whole body just felt numb at this moment as I felt myself starting to lose consciousness. I was scared and alone, without anyway of knowing if someone was going to find me in time. I could only pray that Daniel would come find me after noticing my absence for so long. Minutes felt like hours lying here, waiting for help. My eyes were drooping close just as I started to smell smoke coming from the hood of the car. I heard my name echo as it was called out from afar, it felt so far. It gave me the small bit of hope that I needed. All the feeling of relief, dread and pain didn't last long because the next thing I knew, I blacked out.