''What are we doing here?'' I groaned, dragging my feet right behind my two insane friends.

''Shush!'' Tara snapped at me, glancing over her shoulder briefly. Rolling my eyes at her back, I looked up at the huge mall entrance in front of me. So help me God...

''You need a distraction'' Sasha began, slowing her pace to walk with me. ''He's not worth your time, babe. You deserve so much better!'' She pursed her lips at the thought, clearly holding something else in.

''I thought y'all were friends?'' I raise an eyebrow at her.

''Yeah....and as his friend, I can boldly say he's an absolute waste of space after what he pulled last night'' She furrowed her eyebrows at the memory.

He just left.

One day he takes my first kiss, the next day he ditches me after seeing me have a severe panic attack. Well, I guess that's Austin Black, ladies and gents.

''That really was a dick move'' Tara sighed, slowing down as well. She looked down at me, frowning.''I really thought he was changing the more he spent time with you...''

''So did I'' Sasha frowned too.

''We weren't even a thing. You guys are acting like I'm going through a break-up or something. Can we just get on with whatever you guys planned for this evening?'' I groaned, dragging a hand through my hair.

''He was your first kiss, Tina'' Tara's eyes grew sad as she spoke.

''That's just fucked up y'all...'' Sasha shook her head, looking even sadder than Tara.

I stopped in my tracks, taking them by surprise.''Can we drop it?'' I asked a little too harshly, surprising myself.''I don't want to think about him right now. Especially since he probably hasn't thought about me at all. I just...'' I took a deep breath, looking down at my fiddling hands.''I just want to get my mind off him'' I admitted.

Did I have feelings for Austin?

Who am I kidding?

I asked the guy to be my first kiss. I obviously have feelings for the guy.

''Okay, now we're definitely going to a club'' Sasha nodded as if the only thing that registered in her mind was my last sentence.

''I second that'' Tara fist-bumped Sasha with a huge grin on her tanned face.

''It was more than enough when I had just Tara and her constant need to get me drunk...now I have two Taras. Except the new one has anger issues to top it all off'' I8 muttered grumpily under my breath.

''Say it louder, babe. I'll let you know what I think about it'' Sasha whispered in my ear with a threateningly low tone, before bursting into laughter once she set eyes on my terrified face. ''I'm kidding! You should've seen your face!''

I rolled my eyes, speeding up to walk ahead of them.

***

''Show us!''

''Show us!''

The girls chanted outside my bathroom.

I looked at myself in the mirror, frowning. I didn't think the dress would be this tight...

That heavy lunch I had earlier was definitely showing, making me want to escape the dress the sooner the better. ''I don't think it's for me!'' I called to them, staring at the ceiling in exasperation. Why oh why did I let them chose my outfit for tonight?

''Don't be stupid!'' Sasha groaned.

I opened the door, meeting their curious gazes straight away. They both sat on my bed, already dressed in their beautiful dresses. Tara wore a stunning red strapless dress that stopped mid-thigh, with matching red strappy heels on her feet. She had put on a dramatic makeup look and her hair was pin-straight and slicked back perfectly.

''Wow,'' Sasha stared at me in awe. Speaking of Sasha- she decided to wear all black. She had a body-hugging, satin, black, mini dress with black gladiator heels all the way up to her thighs. Her eyes were beautiful with the most perfect eyeliner-job I had ever seen. To top it all off, her jet black hair was cascading down her back in soft waves.

''I think I should say that to you guys'' I stared at them, mouth ajar.

''Babe, have you seen yourself? You look like the most angelic, yet the sexiest girl I've ever seen!'' Sasha gushed, twirling me around as Tara clapped in excitement.

I blushed, taking another look in the mirror.

She's just being nice...

''White looks amazing on you'' Tara commented before downing a shot of whatever alcoholic beverage they found in the house.''I can't wait to see-''

''Shut up, blabbermouth!'' Sasha cut her off with a roll of her eyes. Tara slapped her hand over her mouth, muttering something incoherent.

What are they hiding from me?

''Anyways...'' I raised an eyebrow, sensing something fishy about their behavior.''Where are we going?'' I waved it off.

''Oh, Babe'' Sasha intertwined her hand with mine.''To a place where dreams come true!''

I highly doubt my dreams would come true in a club, but okay...

''It's what dreams are made of!'' Tara cheered.

''Two party-heads is way too many party-heads for me'' I muttered, earning a slap on my butt.

''Let me go pee and we can leave'' Sasha pushed me out of the bathroom, leaving me with Tara as she did her business.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, my attention solely focused on my visible stomach. It seems no matter how long you've been in recovery...the thoughts never completely leave.

I was wearing a white, square neck, body-hugging dress. My cleavage was practically spilling out and my hips and butt looked way bigger than I realized they were. I had silver stiletto heels on my feet, which made me wince every step I took. My hair was curled to perfection, stopping just above my butt. My hair was probably the only thing I liked in this whole look.

''Well? Quit staring at your fine self! Let's goooooo'' Sasha grabbed my arm and pulled me along with them.

This better be worth it...

***

After my second drink, I started to finally relax.

''Sooo many hotties here tonight'' Tara scanned the dancefloor as she sipped on her drink.

''And they're all for Tina'' Sasha frowned, earning herself a slap from Caleb.

''Hey! I am very much a hottie!'' Caleb protested, puffing his chest. I laughed at him, just as Seb appeared in front of us with drinks for everyone.

I took one of the many drinks, examining it. ''What's this one?'' I asked, sniffing it.

''It's called sex on the beach, but you wouldn't know what that is'' Caleb joked slyly, trying to hide his amusement at my shocked expression.

''Stop bullying Tina!'' Sasha shoved Caleb lightly, chuckling at his goofiness.

''That was actually very rude!'' I pouted. ''It's not my fault I'm a frickin' virgin and all of you are frickin' sex gods or something...''

The four of them burst into laughter and I rolled my eyes.

''I feel like a damn child!'' I huffed.

''Just drink!'' Tara shook her head, laughing.

''We all know you switch personalities when you're drunk'' Sasha nodded, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

My cheeks grew red but I sipped on the drink anyway. What am I doing here? This is illegal. We're all minors in a frickin' club! What if we get caught? ''Relax'' Tara handed me her drink. That was when I realized I had downed my entire drink.

''How do you know we won't get caught?'' I bit my lip, scanning the crowds around us.

''Because...our good friend owns this club'' Seb winked, hinting at something I wasn't quite catching onto.

''Who is....?'' I felt stupid.

''Just a guy they know'' Sasha waved it off, a hint of discomfort in her tone.

Well, okay then.

''Y'all are shady as fuck'' Tara scoffed.

''Tell me about it...'' I agreed.

''Forget about it'' Sasha hurried to speak before the guys could beat her to it. ''Let's just have a good time, okay?''

''Your wish is my command, your Highness'' Tara bowed before making her way to the dancefloor with a swing of her hips.

I looked up at Seb, who stared after her like a lovestruck puppy.

''I suggest you follow her'' I chuckled at him. ''She's like a magnet for trouble''

He gulped and nodded before following her into the crowd of dancing drunk people.

I propped myself up onto the barstool, sighing deeply. These drinks aren't hitting me at all...

''Will you be okay here by yourself if we go dance?'' Sasha asked, struggling to be heard over the loud music.

I gave her a quick nod and they headed to the dancefloor.

''What's a pretty thing like you doing in a place like this?''

I turned on my seat, meeting two droopy eyes staring at me. He appeared to be in his twenties, maybe even older. I had never seen him before and I didn't feel like meeting him either. His breath reeked of hard liquor and cigarettes.''Just having fun'' I replied, making sure to lean further from him.

''Wanna have some fun together?'' He smirked, holding up a glass to me. It was filled to the brim and smelled strong, awakening my tipsy senses.

''No thank you'' I shook my head, smiling politely.

''Oh come on! Try it'' He shoved it into my hands, almost spilling it. I held in a breath of relief that he didn't actually spill it. I'm wearing white, after all...

''No, thanks. I don't really feel like drinking it'' I tried to be polite.

''Why are you so uptight, girly? Relax!'' He laughed, staring at my cleavage.

I suddenly felt hyperaware of the situation, my skin crawling from the way his eyes scanned my frame.''I think I'll go find my friends-''

''No, no'' He cut me off, grabbing my arm roughly to stop me from leaving. ''Stay for a bit'' He winked, pulling me back down onto the seat.

I tried to pull my arm out but that only made him tighten his grip. His nails dug into my arm and I hissed.''Can you please let go?'' I tried, my voice quivering.

''Is there a problem here?'' The bartender asked us, glancing from my arm to my face.

''No, not at all!'' The man smiled brightly at the bartender, still gripping my arm.''Just a misunderstanding with my lady here''

The bartender furrowed his eyebrows, not buying it.''Where did you get this drink, sir?'' He asked, eyeing the glass in his hand.

''I just bought it, what do you mean?'' The man laughed it off.

''I'll be right back'' The bartender excused himself with a stern look on his face. I watched him leave the bartending area and head off to the VIP zone on the far end of the club.

A man in a tailored suit, followed by two men who looked like bodyguards, got up from the expensive couch with a cigar in his mouth. The three men and the bartender came right up to us.

''Is there a problem here?'' The man in the expensive suit cocked an eyebrow at my arm.

''No, everything is fine. We were just leaving'' The filthy man pulled me along with him, digging his nails into my arm. I tried out in pain, trying my best to stand my ground as he pulled me.''Come on, you dumb bitch'' He muttered, stopping to grab my other arm too.#

''Ah, ah, ah!'' The rich man called from behind us.''You can't just come to my club, try to roofie an innocent young girl, and leave so easily''

My eyes widened. This man is the one Seb and Caleb said they know really well?

''What? I wasn't trying to do that shit! This is my girl'' The filthy man insisted.

''Is that so?'' The rich man asked me directly, staring me down with his intense gaze.

I shook my head, wincing as the grip on my arm became unbearable.

''In that case, you are a dead man'' The rich, club-owner dude smirked. His bodyguards grabbed the filthy drunk man with ease and I was immediately released from his grip.

I sighed in relief, rubbing my arm to soothe the pain.

''A girl like you shouldn't be alone here'' The rich man spoke, eyeing me from head to toe as he smoked his cigar.''How did you get in?'' He raised an eyebrow.

''I umm...my friends,'' I chuckled awkwardly, flicking my hair over my shoulder.''They said they know the owner...and I'm guessing that's you''

''Huh...'' He thought about it for a second.''Who are these friends?'' He asked, genuinely interested in my answer.

''Caleb Gray and Sebastian Price'' I answered.

''Ah! My little rascals'' He chuckled, a genuine smile on his face.''And Austin Black, I suppose?'' He asked with a knowing look.

''No'' I shook my head, immediately losing my cheerfulness.

''Oh, I see'' He pursed his lips, hiding a smirk.''He does have an...interesting reputation with women, I guess''

I stayed silent, looking off to the dancefloor as I silently searched for at least one familiar face. Where the hell were they when I need them most?

He sighed, before walking right up to my face. ''Don't mess with Austin's performance, darling. Otherwise, you'll have to deal with me'' He whispered into my ear, the smell of his cigar and strong cologne invading my senses.''And tell Seb and Caleb to see me'' He stood back, once again wearing a neutral expression.

I nodded quickly as he retreated.

What the hell was that?!

Austin's performance? What does that mean?

Where did they take the drunk man?

''Hey, did you just talk to Jared?'' Caleb's voice pulled me back to reality.

''Umm...I don't know his name, but I know he owns this club'' I cringed. I didn't even introduce myself to him...where the hell are my manners?

''Yeah, that's Jared'' He nodded, looking at the VIP zone.

''He said he needs to see you and Seb'' I remembered.

''Oh...'' Seb appeared next to us, followed by Tara and Sasha. ''We'll be back in a sec'' He muttered and walked off to the VIP zone with Caleb trailing close behind him.

I stood with the girls, watching them talk to Jared. They seemed uptight as Jared gestured for them to sit. I tried my best to read by the lips but failed. ''Ugh..'' I groaned.

''You don't need to know'' Sasha noticed my frustration.

''Why?'' Tara and I asked in unison.

''Because...'' Sasha sighed, running a hand down her face.''You just don't''

That's one hell of an explanation...

Not.