Sorry if this chapter is a little dramatic :)

The sun had set completely by now, and we were just having a fun night of drinking and playing dumb games inside the house. We played twister, monopoly, a few drinking games, and even gave each other crazy dares. I only had like one drink though, since I didn't want to get drunk and do something stupid in the middle of nowhere. It was close to midnight now, and we had moved on from drunken twister, to randomly giving each other dares.

"Okay, Alex it's your turn now."

I groaned. "Fine. Give me a dare."

"I dare you... to kiss Shawn."

Everyone oohed like little kids, while Tyler smirked like a great king for coming up with this dumb dare. I narrowed my eyes and shook my head. "Nuh uh. No way, give me something else."

"Come on! Don't be a spoilt sport!" Veronica whined; her words covered with a drunken slur. I glanced at Shawn, whose face was expressionless, and was just quietly drinking a soda on the couch.

"Nope. Not doing it."

"We've all done the dares given to us, you have to do it too! It's just a game." Megan spoke, taking another sip of her drink.

That's when Shawn decided to suddenly speak up. "What's wrong Peirce? Too chicken to do a dare? Are you just going to run off?"

I gaped at him, startled by the sudden anger and intensity in his voice. His expression hadn't changed, but he certainly clutching his soda a lot harder than one would normally do. "Excuse me?"

"Yeah, you heard me. You don't have the guts."

"I'm sorry, what's wrong with you? How much have you had to drink?"

"Nothing. I just got sick of you fucking ignoring me."

Everyone had gone dead silent, wondering what sort of exchange was going on in front of them. I stood up abruptly, trying not to show any annoyance on my face. "Well, I'm done playing guys. I'm... going to go by the lake."

They complained but didn't stop me as I walked outside to the lake. I picked up some pebbles and skimmed it across the water. There was a cool night breeze which blew my hair away from my face, feeling the wind on my skin. It was peaceful, standing by the rippling water in the darkness.

I honestly could not take any more of Shawn's nonsense. I was just trying to have a fun trip with my friends, but somehow ended up with a volatile and frustrated Shawn. He was playing with my head, making my emotions a mix of loose papers. It was the most infuriating thing ever. I can't believe I ever thought I might have... feelings for him. He might be good looking, but that's where the attraction ends. It was just stupid hormones, that's all. Yeah.

Not to mention, I was worried about Nick. We wouldn't be leaving till tomorrow morning, and it was driving me crazy not knowing how he was doing. He sounded really frightened on the phone, like he was scared of something. I don't know why, but I felt like he was stressed about something besides our parents. It was driving me a little nuts.

I heard crunching footsteps behind me. I didn't turn around, but I knew it was him. "Alex, I'm so sorry. I just snapped. Can't we just try to get along? I didn't mean to do that, I swear."

"Shut up. You can't play mind games with me. Just get out of here. I'm trying to enjoy some peace and quiet by the lake."

"No. I can't go anywhere. I... don't want to."

Now I was getting really pissed off. What is this guy's problem? How did my senior year turn out like this? I didn't want him to leave either. But that was irrelevant.

"Oh my god, just go away Shawn. If you were really sorry, you would."

"No."

I didn't say anything after that, still trying to ignore him and hoping he would take the hint on his own. But he was more stubborn than that. He put his hand on my shoulder and twisted me around to face him.

"Why won't you tell me anything then? It would solve so much."

"You don't understand Hunter. Just get the fuck away from me."

Something clicked in eyes, and they were suddenly blazed with fury. The concerned and apologetic face of his was gone, replaced by something way more intense.

"I've almost always stood by you Alex, whether it is that you don't realize it, or that you simply don't care, it doesn't matter. I'm sick of being in the dark. Why are you so resistive to everything I do? I'm sorry, if me kissing you was the wrong move. Who hurt you so damn badly, that you have faith in nothing?!"

For a second, I was stunned. What is it this guy's time of the month or something? The shock soon turned to rage and it was my turn to yell at him. "You don't get it! Everything I touch turns to dust. You don't want to get involved in my life Shawn; you're only going to get burned. So, stop asking annoying intrusive questions and go away!"

He still stood there with his fists clenched. Realizing it was hopeless, I stormed off, but before I could get very far, he grabbed my hand. Frustrated, I turned around, but my face was accidentally way too close to his. My breath hitched in my throat. "Why can't you just leave me alone?!" I yelled in exasperation. Something seemed to pass across his face. He leaned in close and whispered-

"You know why."

Then he smashed his lips against mine.

I froze. I couldn't move from shock. I could feel Shawn's lips moving, but I didn't respond. My hands hung limply by my side, while his hands wrapped themselves around my neck. I felt like I should push him away, but I couldn't. Mostly because some weird part of me didn't want to, and that freaking scared me.

He finally pulled away and gave up when I still hadn't initiated anything. His cheeks were bright red, a contrast compared to how pale it was before from the cold. He panted softly, staring at me with wide eyes and messy hair, his hands still at the back of neck. Why the hell did he look so hot?

At that moment, I don't know what sort of psycho demon possessed me. Some freaking spirit from beyond must have entered my brain, because next thing I know, I'm grabbing his shirt and pulling him roughly towards me again, my lips connecting with his.

His hands slid down to my waist gently, and he was clearly trying to contain his excitement. Everything about the kiss was hot and desperate, a longing need that couldn't be fulfilled. It was one passionate, sweaty mess, and what's worse is that I was enjoying it. Our arms wrapped around each other, standing on the pebbles by the side of the lake, with no one else around.

I don't know for how long we kissed until we pulled away from each other, breathless and panting for air. I'm pretty sure my expression was identical to his- shocked and flushed. I felt extremely hot all of a sudden, despite the freezing air blowing past my face.

For a moment we just stood there looking into each other's eyes, my heart still beating at a million miles an hour. For once, I could actually read his emotions, which were a rollercoaster of things I could barely understand myself. He was... vulnerable. Even if it was just for a minute, he had let his guard down. God, he also looked really good. How did he manage to practically role out of bed and still look a freaking model?

Finally snapping out of it, I cleared my throat and stepped away from him. He seemed to suddenly wake up too, his expression changing from vulnerable to confused in two seconds.

"Okay, that never happened Shawn, you hear me?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice level, but failing. He didn't reply, but something flashed across his eyes for a second, too quick for me to see.

Without giving it an ounce of thought, I turned around and walked away as fast as I could without breaking into a run. Oh my god, please tell me that did not just happen.

Did I just willingly make out with Shawn Hunter? What kind of nightmare had I gotten myself into?

*******************************

"Hey, can I stay here tonight?"

"Really? Why?"

"Just- please."

Megan stepped back to let me into the room and I smiled gratefully, setting up a bed for myself on the floor. Ezra walked out of the bathroom, confused when he saw me in front of him. "What's going on?"

"Sorry. I just can't stay in my room tonight."

Megan and Ezra exchanged glances, but they didn't question me any further and I was thankful for that. Luckily, they weren't doing anything that would scar me for life when I knocked on the door. The two of them went to sleep on the bed and I lay down on the floor, closing my eyes and trying to get the thought of Shawn Hunter out of my mind.

When we were supposed to leave the next day, I avoided Shawn like the plague. The moment he went downstairs, I ran up to the room to pack up my stuff and got the hell out of there before he could come back. When we walked out to the cars, I quickly put my bag in the trunk and ran inside the car, slamming the door behind me before anyone else could blink.

I didn't let myself fall asleep, because I didn't want a repeat of what happened when we drove up. Megan and Ezra were blasting songs on the radio and singing along happily, comfortably laughing with each other. I simply pulled out my phone, binge watching until we reached home.

I thanked Veronica for everything and waved goodbye, turning back to face my house as they drove away. I fumbled with the keys and unlocked the door, and I was met by the smell of burning cookies.

"Mom? Dad?"

I walked into the kitchen to see my mom just taking the cookies out of the oven, cursing at the now burnt food. Her face lit up when she saw me, smiling and giving me a hug. "Hey honey. Sorry, I wanted to make you cookies for when you got home, but I messed up a bit."

"It's fine mom. Thanks. Where's dad?"

Her face fell a little when she said that, but she quickly corrected herself. "He's staying with your uncle for the weekend."

"Oh."

I helped her clean up the burnt mess and trudged upstairs, knocking on the door to Nick's room. He didn't answer so I opened the door and saw him with his back to me sitting at his desk, wearing a headset and playing a game online. I slowly walked up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder, and he yelped, jumping out of his seat.

I laughed as he took off his headset, pausing the game and glaring at me. "You scared me."

"I knocked. You didn't hear."

He rolled his eyes. "Whatever."

"So, are you okay? You sounded pretty weird when you called me on the phone."

"I'm not sure." He sighed, plopping down on his bed. "I mean, when I called you, it was complete chaos in the house, but now it's calmed down a bit."

"What happened?"

"Like usual, mom and dad got into a fight. It was something bigger this time, because for some reason grandma and grandpa showed up. Next thing I know, everyone's yelling and dad leaves, and I can hear mom crying, while grandma and grandpa tried to console her. Then uncle Rick came over and explained that dad was with him, and he was sure he could get him to come around. I couldn't hear much else after that, but it was scary as hell."

I sat in stunned silence, trying to figure out what could have possibly happened. "Wow. Must have really been something if so many people got involved."

"Yeah."

"Well, I'm sorry I wasn't there. Hopefully it'll all die down soon."

I went back to my room, dumping my bag on the floor and taking a speedy shower. Damn, this was really the extreme now. With everything happening with Shawn, and basketball and my parents, it was all getting a little hard to follow.

I shook my head, trying to get rid of all the overwhelming thoughts. I've got to concentrate on the semis now. If a scout from Stanford's there and I don't play well, I can kiss my college life goodbye.