I woke up happily the next morning.

My life was going great so far. If you ignore the anxiety of my finals game being in four days of course, I was actually doing all right. I felt confident.

If that isn't any indication, it just had to be the one day that everything went wrong.

I had just finished my morning routine, walking downstairs for breakfast when I saw my entire family around the kitchen table. My mom and dad were standing on one side, expectantly waiting, while Nick sat there with a bored look on his face, scrolling through his phone.

My mom noticed me walk in and spoke up. "Well, now that both of you are here, your father and I have something to tell you."

Confused, I sat down next to Nick, wondering what this could possibly be about. He put his phone down as well, his curiosity piqued.

"As you know, we've been having a lot of...disagreements lately, about a lot of things." My mom started. "And frankly, it's been going on for a while now because we thought we would eventually work it out. Unfortunately... it's proven to be quite the task and neither of us honestly know what to do anymore. So, we decided that it was in both of our best interests, as well as the both of you, that...we get a divorce."

That's when my blood ran cold.

It felt like someone had scratched a record to a stop, the entire world coming to a standstill. I could almost hear the sound of glass shattering, like all the molecules in my brain had just broken up into a million pieces.

"Now, the two of you should never have to be separated from either of us, so you're more that welcome to visit your dad anytime you want when he moves out..."

My mom continued to speak but I could barely hear her. It felt like hell, with a loud ringing in my ears, blocking out any sound. It was like my limbs had suddenly gone numb, the sensation spreading through out my entire body and leaving me coherent. It had suddenly gotten very difficult to breathe. It was as if the walls were closing in, making the entire room smaller and everything else seem bigger. A storm seemed to be swarming through my head, fire erupting in my veins. I couldn't believe it.

I grabbed my bag off the chair and left without a word, ignoring my parents' protests and slamming the front door shut. I got into the car and drove off, wanting to get as far from my house and as fast to school as possible.

I always knew my parents' marriage had turned rotten, but it had stupidly never occurred to me that they actually might get divorced. I think I'd just gotten used to the usual fighting and yelling, that nothing else seemed like it could possibly change. What the fuck was wrong with me?

After speeding dangerously fast, I managed to reach school in record time, arriving fifteen minutes early. There weren't too many people around, just a couple of students. I knew it was probably a risk to go right now, but I needed my comfort place.

I snuck past a group of girls and ran up to the roof, opening the door and shutting it behind me, breathing heavily against it. It was weird to be up here during the day, but that barely registered to me right now.

I placed my hands on the wall, leaning against it to try and compose myself. I couldn't afford to look like a blubbering idiot in class today.

I nearly had a heart attack as I heard the door open behind me, whirling around to see if someone had caught me up here. I relaxed a little once I saw it was only Shawn, walking towards me with a concerned look on his face.

"Peirce, are you okay? I was about to call out to you in the hallway but you seemed tense. Then you just ran off. What's wrong?"

I quickly managed to keep a straight face. "Nothing. I just needed some air that's all. I have a test today so I'm kind of nervous." The lie slipped out of my mouth before I could stop myself.

He frowned, not fully believing me but agreeing to it. "All right. Don't worry, you'll do just fine."

"Thanks."

Then I pushed past him, walking back to class.

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

"We're throwing a party tonight."

"Let's freaking go! Do you know how long I've waited to hear those words?"

Megan started to plan excitedly, texting and calling as many people as she could. I knew I had been to too many parties this year but screw it. Even though it was a school night, she was positive everyone would come since most of the seniors desperately wanted to blow off some steam after the hectic mess of the final year of high school trying to kill you.

I could relate. I suddenly craved the feeling of alcohol in my system, just wanting the pain to fade away into nothingness. Anything to take away the feeling of my chest constricting with every breath I take.

After another two hours, people started to show up. Megan greeted all of them cheerily as the kegs arrived. It only took another thirty minutes before the party turned wild, everyone having fun as they had the good time they so needed.

I made a beeline for the drinks table, chugging down as much as I could. I mixed vodka with some Sprite, throwing down three paper cups as I finished them. It only took a few more minutes before it took over my entire system, making me tipsy and lighter on my feet.

The rest of my friends had shown up by then, surprised by the last-minute invite but glad nevertheless. I didn't speak to any of them. I simply grabbed a really expensive looking bottle of chardonnay, taking off the cap and drinking it directly from the bottle. I walked off, sitting over at the edge of the party by the staircase.

"Hey."

I turned around as Brad stood behind me with a beer in his hand, a friendly smile on his face. "You good? You're kind of blocking the way."

"Oh, sorry." I scooched a little to the side so he could walk past, as he gave me a small smile. I tried to smile back, but my facial muscles wouldn't respond to my brain. Everything had turned a little hazy.

"Alex? Jesus, I've been looking everywhere for you. Why are you sitting there?"

Shawn came into my view, looking down at me with a concerned look. He had the slight swagger of someone who had been drinking, but definitely not as much as I have. He was tipsy enough to be considered a little drunk, but not so much as to the kind that makes you stumble all across the floor.

I took another sip, tilting my head back as the bitter flavours went down my throat. I felt the bottle being taken out of my hand and I pouted. "Come on! Give it back."

"Nope. You've had enough. Let's get you upstairs."

He attempted to lift me up as I protested, stumbling up the stairs as he managed to get me into Megan's room. "Lie down, I'll get you some water." He walked over to her desk, where a jug of water had been kept.

I frowned. "I don't want to."

"Alex-"

His words were cut off as I jumped onto him, kissing him fiercely as he was nearly thrown back into the chair. I backed him up against the wall, threading my hand through his hair. I don't know what came over me, but I suddenly couldn't get enough of him. Nothing was enough.

I could feel him reciprocating, his arm snaking around my waist as he had a mental war with himself. The entire scene was creating chaos in my head, one that could never be determined.

And I liked it.

My alcohol infused system seemed to be enjoying itself too much, as I pulled off his shirt and ran my hands across his abs. I made to kiss him again, but he stopped me.

"Alex, you're not yourself. We should stop." He words said one thing, but his groan gave him away, as he clearly tried to restrain himself.

"Why? I'm having fun. I want this." I reassured him, resealing my lips onto him once again. I felt his tongue invade my mouth, both of us entangled in a battle of the wits until I finally won. I pulled off my shirt, exposing my chest wearing nothing but a bra.

I saw him swallow thickly; his expression defiant as I kissed him again. Only this time, even more passionately than before. I picked up his hand and placed it on my chest, as my other hand wrapped itself around his neck. After another minute or so, he finally pushed me away, gasping heavily as I stumbled.

His eyes widened as I nearly fell over something, running back to steady me. Only this time, I shoved him off. "What the fuck Shawn? I thought you wanted this."

"Not when you're in this state Alex. You're drunk, and you're not thinking straight. Please, just lie down for a bit." His expression was pained, his face still red and sweaty from all the kissing.

"Fuck you, Hunter. I'm done playing around with your mind games. It's all you've been doing this entire year. Screw you, I have other things in my life to deal with; I don't need your bullshit."

"Alex, please wait-"

I didn't bother listening to him as I pulled my shirt back on and stormed off, my face flushed and my heart racing. I could barely even see where I was going until I somehow managed to get out the front door. I hurried out onto the street, only to run smack bang into someone.

"Shit, I'm so sorry." I muttered looking up to see who it was. It was a completely random guy, with platinum blonde hair and a crazy scar across his left cheek, like someone had slashed him with a knife. He seemed about eighteen or nineteen years old. He was pretty fit, and he stood with the air of someone who knows how to fight. He had bruises and scars all over his knuckles, indicating that he probably punched things a lot.

"Hey, are you okay?" He asked, much nicer than I expected him to be. He offered his hand and I took it, sluggishly pulling myself to my feet. "Thanks."

"Are you drunk?" Then he looked back at Megan's house behind me with the crazy things going on inside. "Of course, you are. Okay um, why don't we go back inside and help you find your friends?"

I nodded, completely neglecting the part that he was a total stranger, letting him lead me back into the house. He held my hand, helping me navigate through the house until I managed to spot Ezra in the kitchen.

"He's my friend!" I yelled drunkenly, and the guy walked me over to him. Ezra seemed confused. "Alex? What's wrong with you? And who's this guy?"

"Oh erm..."

"Liam." He answered, letting go off my hand. "I found her stumbling around outside. Make sure she doesn't so something stupid."

"Thanks?"

"Hey Ezra! Check out this-" Tyler came running over, a big goofy grin on his face, but he stopped when he looked at the guy next to me. "Liam? What are you doing here?"

"Tyler? Hey!"

The two of them had some sort of bro hug, patting each other on the back and everything. I stared at them in confusion. "Um, you two know each other?"

"Yeah, he goes to the gym with me." Tyler explained. "Ya know... the boxing gym."

"Oh."

"But I'm so glad you're here man!" Tyler drunkenly yelled, throwing his arm over his shoulders. "Let's go find you some hot guy to hook up with, whoo hoo!"

Then the two of them stumbled off, Tyler laughing while Liam rolled his eyes. "He's gay? Good for him." Ezra spoke, taking a sip of his drink.

"Yeah... I'm gonna leave." I told him, turning around and walking out ignoring Ezra calling after me. I wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone, and I especially didn't want to talk to Shawn. If I stayed at the party, he probably would.

I managed to get home okay, taking a cab all the way there. I think everyone in the house was asleep, as I made my way up the stairs with quite a lot of stumbling. I collapsed onto my bed, letting the sweet lull of sleep take over my body.