I zoned out for the majority of the car journey; my mind was too fixated on the anxiety that was currently gnawing away at my chest. My knee bounces up and down as I chew on my fingernails, disgusting habit, I know.

Lucas' eyes catch me in the rear-view mirror, 'Didn't take you as a nail-biter, princess.'

I narrow my eyes, 'Shouldn't you be focusing on the road?'

'I'm trying but your big head keeps blocking up the window.'

I gasp loudly, 'I don't have a big head, how dare you?!'

'It's pretty big, princess.'

I narrow my eyes further, 'You are such a dick!'

I was expecting some smartass reply but it never comes because he's too busy trying to parallel park on what I presume is Toby's street. I snort as he tries for the fourth time but fails miserably, he whips his head around and send me a glare. After another few minutes of him trying, we finally manage to park.

I clap my hands sarcastically, 'Well done, I'm so proud of you.'

He scoffs, 'Shut up.'

Scarlett watches us with amusement before she climbs out of the car, I follow behind her. I hesitantly grab onto her wrist, she looks up at me with shock, but she quickly tries to mask it, I mostly think for my benefit.

'C-Can we stick together?'

'Yes of course, we can!'

I watch as Lucas' strides pasts us and walks into the party, his entire aura asserted confidence and dominance, it was almost admirable in a way, the way he carried himself as if he didn't have any fucks in the world.

My body tenses as we walk inside, loud music was blasting through the speakers. Numerous people where darted around the kitchen and living room, Toby was right, he really didn't invite anyone from school here. I didn't recognise anyone. I couldn't tell if that was comforting or scary.

'Do you drink?'

I turn my head towards Scarlett, 'N-No, not anymore.'

I wasn't sure if I would ever be ready to touch a drop of alcohol again, and that was completely okay with me.

'Do you mind if I drink?'

I blink slightly at her reaction, if I would have told my old friends, I wasn't drinking they would have turned their noses up at me and pressured me into it. And here, Scarlett was making sure, I was comfortable with her drinking. She didn't even try to pry and ask why I don't.

'Y-Yeah of course, I want you to have fun.'

We walk into the kitchen standing side by side with one another, I watch in amusement at the amount of wine she pours into her cup. I look around the kitchen island before grabbing a can of sprite.

'Scar! Autumn!' Sammy calls out as he races into the kitchen, I notice the way his smile widens as his eyes connect with Scarlett's.

'Sam!' She cries out before flinging her arms around his neck, 'You look so handsome!'

The brown-haired boy's ears turn pink, 'T-Thanks! You look pretty! And so do you, Autumn! Both of you do.'

I nearly laugh at how flustered he was, I couldn't tell if it was due to the alcohol.

Once they pull away from their hug, Sammy quizzically eyes up Scarlett, he frowns slightly before he recovers it.

'Your hair? It's blonde.'

She nods before taking a large sip of her drink, 'Yeah, fancied a change.'

A loud snort from behind, startles me, 'You mean Rick fancied a change.'

Scarlett narrows her eyes at her brother, 'Luke! Shut up, he suggested it and I thought it was a good idea. That is all.'

'Well, I suggested that you break up with him after the whole frat party situation, but you didn't listen.'

'T-That was just a misunderstanding.'

Sammy's eyes dart between the siblings, 'I think, I'm missing some context here.'

'It's nothing, Sam.' Scarlett says softly as she places a hand on his shoulder, 'I promise.'

I turn to look at Lucas who has a can of diet coke in his hand, 'It surprises me, that the schools drug dealer isn't drinking.'

He rolls his eyes, 'I'm driving both your ass's home, I'm not going to drink.'

I falter slightly, 'Y-You're driving me home as well?'

'Well...I don't like the idea of a teenage girl walking home late at night.'

I raise an eyebrow, 'There is always uber?'

'Could be just as dangerous.'

A small laugh escapes my lips, 'Right, I'm sure they could be.'

He looks down at the drink in my actually functioning hand, it was his turn for his face to have amusement dancing around it, 'Do you need help opening that?'

I narrow my eyes, 'No, I can do it!'

'Go on then, show me.'

'I will!'

'I'm sure you will.'

I bit my lip as I try and figure out how I can actually do this, I try and open it with the corner of the counter, but it kept sliding. Frustration builds inside of me when I can hear Lucas' obnoxious laughter in my ear.

Come on, Autumn. You need to prove this prick wrong.

I lift the can up to my mouth; I attempt to try and pry it open with my teeth before it's gently taken away from me. I look up at the dark-haired boy with furrowed brows.

'You're going to break, your fucking teeth. Just let me do it.'

'Fine.'

I scoff at how easily he is able to open it, I snatch it from his hands, 'Show off.'

He laughs at my reaction, 'I'm actually surprised, that you aren't drinking. I've seen you at house-parties before, you get pretty wild.'

I stiffen before recovering, 'I just don't like it anymore.'

Lucas shrugs, 'Fair enough, it isn't for everyone.'

My body goes into complete panic mode when an arm snakes it's way around my back and then moves further down towards my bum, I freeze completely, my breathing starts to become un-even, tears prickle the corner of my eyes and I feel trembles ripple through me.

My eyes widen when I feel his body being shoved away from mine, Lucas has the drunken boy's t-shirt in his fists.

'What the fuck are you doing?'

The boy's eyes widen, 'I-I was just trying to make a move.'

'By fucking grabbing a girl's ass without her permission?!'

The amount of harshness his voice held was frightening but for some reason it didn't scare me. It didn't scare me in the slightest actually.

'I-I'm sorry!' He squeaks out, 'I-I didn't know she was your girlfriend!'

'Why the fuck are you apologising at me? You need to fucking say sorry to her!'

The boy looks at me with wide eyes, 'I-I'm sorry.'

I shake my head with a tight smile, my breathing still slightly erratic, 'I-I-It's f-fine.'

'Just piss off.' Lucas hisses before he lets go of the guy's t-shirt, who quickly races out of the room.

I turn to look at the dark-haired boy with a small smile, 'Thank you.'

He shakes his head, 'Don't thank me for stupid shit, you okay?'

I nod slowly, 'Y-Yeah.'

Scarlett comes over to me, a frown settling in her features, 'I can't believe, he just thought he could grab you! Do you want to go home?'

I stare at both of them in disbelief, none of them mentioned my reaction, they didn't want to make it into a big deal, and I genuinely believe that it was for my sake. They both just wanted to make sure that I was okay. Fuck, we had only just got here, and Scarlett was willing to go home with me.

Double fuck, Lucas Wilson actually helped me.

I did want to go home, I wanted to lock myself into my room and cry until I passed out from exhaustion. But if Scarlett was willing to cut her night early for me, then I was willing to stay longer for her. Even though every fibre in my body was screaming at me to do the opposite.

'N-No, it's fine honestly.'

'Are you sure?'

'Positive.'

'Well, we can leave whenever you need too, right Luke?'

Lucas nods, 'Yeah, no point staying if you're not going to have a good time.'

'To be honest, I'm more scared at Lucas is actually acting like a human towards me.'

He narrows his eyes, but this time they didn't hold any hatred or frustration, it felt more playful, 'Don't get used to it.'

I hold my hands up, 'Don't worry, I won't.'

'Can I wrap my arm around you? I want to give you a hug but only if you are comfortable?' Scarlett asks softly.

I shake my head, 'N-No, sorry. Not at the minuet, it's just that guy-'

She cuts me off, 'Autie, you don't need to explain anything to me.'

'By the way, I was totally going to kick that guy's ass before Lucas did.' Sammy pipes up, I look at him in amusement as I try and imagine him getting into a fight.

Scarlett snorts, 'No you weren't, I've literally beat you in an arm-wrestle.'

'I was tired that day!'

'Then what's your excuse all the other times?'

'You are just freakishly strong!'

I laugh at their encounter, that slightly warm feeling creeping its way back into my chest again. I couldn't tell if I wanted it to leave or stay.

A:N

Do you things are progressing at the right pace? Is it going too fast or too slow?

Do we like Lucas? What about Sammy?

Do you think that Autumn fits in with the rest of the group?

Is there anything that you want to see more of?