I was doing the logical thing to do when you're having a slight crisis.

Running my ass off on the treadmill. I couldn't turn my mind off from last night. When I was dancing with Chase, it felt like fireworks were erupting in my chest. The confidence when he grabbed my waist, the way his voice sounded in my ear, the way he sang. A shiver went through my body as I reluctantly turned down the speed to zero and climbed off. I grabbed a towel from the shelf and walked back into my living room, wiping the sweat off me as I went.

"Have a nice run?" Bella asked from her position on my couch, a damp towel over her eyes.

"Yes, and you two could have joined me if you weren't hungover as shit." I scolded her. Isla and Bella had gotten absolutely drunk last night. I finally had to drag them to the car at 3 am.

"I can't say no to free booze." Bella replied, waving me off.

"Yeah, you couldn't say no to sucking Asher's face off either." I said, plopping down on the couch, waking Isla up from her second nap of the day.

"Bitch." Isla muttered, shoving me gently.

"Anyways, Bella. I'm waiting." She hadn't even mentioned Asher yet, and I was starting to think she regretted the whole night.

"Keep on waiting, then." She said lowly as she pressed her face into the throw pillow.

"I know that voice! You like him." Isla shot up with newfound energy, trying to pull Bella's head away from the pillow.

"Okay, okay. Fine. He was a good kisser, and he wasn't boring. Okay, he was actually really funny." Bella eyes glazed over as she looked lost in thought. "And how hot was he when he played the guitar?"

"Totally." Isla agreed, glancing up at me with a smile.

"So... are you going to hang out with him again, or what?" I asked, trying not to let on about my knowledge of Asher's feelings for her.

"I don't know. He didn't ask for my number." Bella pouted.

"I'm sure he will." I assured her, patting her arm gently. My phone began vibrating, I picked it up and saw it was Brock calling.

"Hey, Brock." I greeted him, wondering why he was calling me.

"Indie, hey. How are you?" Brock asked, his voice sounded nervous.

"I'm doing okay. How are you?"

"I'm good. I was just calling to ask if you were coming to my party tonight?"

I remembered Brock bringing it up a couple times during English this week, but it totally slipped my mind. "Oh, um..."

"You forgot?" He cut me off, his voice disappointed.

"Uh- no, no. It's just Bella and Isla are nursing serious hangovers today so I'm not sure if they'll want to go out again."

"Please, Indie. It's my birthday." He pleaded.

Damn, guilt trip. "Okay, okay. I don't know how long we'll stay though. Wait, Evan isn't going to be there right?" If Evan was going, I wouldn't be.

"No, he's not invited. Don't worry. The address is 1287 Orchard Crescent." His voice perked up, and I could practically hear the smile on his face.

"Wait, that's like 4 doors down from me." I had no idea Brock was my neighbour.

"I know."

"How did I not know that?" I asked him.

"Because you've never come to any of my parties before."

"Well, I guess we'll change that tonight. I'll see you later Brock." I hung up the phone, and looked at Isla and Bella.

"I don't want to go to a party tonight. I feel like shit." Isla whined at me.

"Too fucking bad. We're going, and it's my turn to get wasted while you babysit me." I glared at her.

"Wait- who's going to drive us home?" Bella jumped up. I rolled my eyes at her.

"Not me. Who knew Brock is basically my neighbour? We can walk there. Or better yet, I'll drive you home and you can get your car, and you can drive me around for once." I cocked my head and smiled at her, causing her to groan. You would think I was Bella and Isla's personal driver at this point.

"Come, on. We'll grab McDonald's on the way there to cure the hangover."

***

"So..." Bella started as she sat on my vanity chair, doing her makeup in the mirror.

"Spit it out." I looked at her curiously.

"You and Chase looked comfy on the dance floor last night..." Bella said causally, not taking her eyes off the mirror.

Isla snorted from inside my closet. "Comfy? Even I got turned on just from watching. When he put his hand on your throat... damn. What did he say anyways?"

"What? Who said he said anything?" I played dumb, feeling my face flush.

"You looked like a lot like you do now, flustered as fuck." Bella was watching me in the mirror behind her.

"It's none of your business." I muttered, sorting through the clothes on my bed.

"Tell us." Isla insisted, walking out of my closet in a white minidress.

"No." I don't even think I can repeat it without giving myself away.

"Indie, since when do we keep secrets?" Bella said, turning around in the chair and staring at me.

"You didn't tell us about the time you snuck out of my house and left with Brady Collins our freshman year until we dragged it out of you two weeks later." I reminded her.

"Yes, and I'm dragging it out of you now." Bella said smoothly.

"Tell us or we're not going with you tonight." Isla added, smirking.

"Jesus. Fine. He said dontstartsomethingyoucantfinish Indie." I rushed out, keeping my eyes on my hands.

"He said what?" Bella walked over to me.

"He said, 'don't start something you can't finish, Indie." I said finally, after she stared me down for minute.

"I knew it! He likes you." Isla jumped up and down.

"No, he doesn't." I muttered, frowning.

"How do you know?" Isla asked.

"I know because he, Asher, and Lauren all took turns telling me about some girl he's had a crush on since forever." I sighed.

"So? I had a crush on Jeff Patton forever. Nothing ever happened." Bella said.

"Yeah,  Jeff Patton is also six years older than us, you freak." I laughed at her. She had been obsessed with Jeff for years, the day he patted her hair and called her 'squirt' she cried for hours.

"So?" Bella muttered, returning back to the vanity and finishing her makeup.

"Wait, Indie," Isla said from beside me. I looked up to her and she was intently studying my face. "Do you like him?"

"What? No." I wasn't sure if I was lying.

"You dirty little minx, you do." Isla grabbed my shoulders. "Since when?"

"I do not like him." I shimmied out of her grip. "It was just the whole singer confidence thing last night that had me flustered."

"Okay so what about the night at the hotel? You were clinging to him for dear life." Bella added.

"I was scared." I cringed.

"Yeah, sure. What's the problem with liking him?"Isla asked gently.

I sat down in my bed and ran my fingers down the knit white throw blanket and sighed. "I don't like him, but even if I did. I don't think I'm his type."

"Indie Adams, you are everyone's type." Isla told me. "You're beautiful, smart, kind, generous. What's not to like?"

"I don't know." Sometimes it felt like Chase was judging me.

I sighed and went to go pick an outfit, as my hair and makeup was already done. I settled on a light wash pair of jeans, and a long sleeve black crop top that had an open back.

"How's this?" I said as I emerged from the closet, giving the girls a small turn.

"You look hot. Too bad Chase won't see it." Bella teased.

***

By the time we arrived at Brock's house, the party was in full swing. His enormous house was filled with people, some of who I recognized, most of them greeted us as we walked into the house. I didn't hesitate before finding my way to the kitchen, Bella and Isla flanking my sides. I quickly mixed myself a drink, vodka soda, as always. Bella eyed the liquor bottles with a disgusted look, no doubt still feeling the effects of her hangover. Isla surprised me, and poured herself a drink as well.

"What? The best way to to cure a hangover is to drink more." She said matter of factly when I gave her an inquiring look.

"Come on." I said as I eyed an empty couch in the corner of a huge formal living room, far enough away from the make shift dance area that there weren't many people around it. We sat down on the couch, smiling and greeting people politely as they walked by us.

"What do you think Brock's parents do?" Bella wondered out loud as she eyed the expensive furniture. 

"I have no idea. I've never asked." I replied honestly. This was one of the nicer houses in the neighbourhood, so whatever they did, they must be loaded.

"Maybe they're famous." Isla mused, her eyes lighting up.

"Please, we would know. Brock would tell Indie anything he could to impress her." Bella said.

My mouth formed a small frown. "Hey, he's not like that. He's pretty nice, actually. Funny, too."

"Since when do you actually talk to Brock?" Isla asked, shocked.

"Since I can't sit with Evan in English anymore, and the only open seat was next to Brock." I explained.

My phone dinged with a text message.

Brock
Are you here yet?

I quickly typed back yes.

Brock
Thank god. I thought you ditched me, again. Come downstairs, the door is just off the kitchen.

"Brock wants us to come downstairs." I said as I looked at the girls. "Come on."

It only took us a minute to find the door he mentioned, after accidentally finding a power room and a walk in pantry. We walked down the stairs and into a large finished basement, similar to my own. There was a bar, a gigantic TV, a pool table, and a couple of couches and chairs.

"Indie!" I was swept into a hug as soon as I walked in. The person briefly lifted me into the air before they set me down. Once they backed up a couple steps, I realized it was Brock.

"Happy Birthday, Brock." I smiled at him. "I didn't have time to get you a present, sorry."

"Shut up, Indie. You don't need to get me anything. Come on, we were just about to play a game." He said as he grabbed my hand, pulling me towards the couch, where there was about fifteen people gathered.

"What are we, Brock? Chopped liver?" Bella said from behind me.

"Right? Couldn't even manage a 'hey, Bella, hey, Isla. Thanks for coming to my party.' I'll remember this, Brock." Isla teased.

"Hi, Isla. Hi, Bella. Thank you for coming to my party." Brock joked back, giving them a smile as we had made our way to the group. I glanced around the circle of people and realized it was the majority of the lacrosse team and some cheerleaders.

"What are they doing here?" Asked a blonde girl who was sitting on the lap of a guy I think was named Jasper. She looked up and down and Isla, Bella and I with a sneer on her face and her arms crossed.

"Hello to you too." I said as politely as I could manage, shooting Isla a confused look.

"We're here because Brock invited us, Lindsay." Bella said with a sweet smile on her face, but her eyes were shooting daggers.

"Whatever." Lindsay muttered as she rolled her eyes.

I was about to sit on the floor, as all the seats on the couch were taken when Brock snapped his fingers and ordered three of the guys to stand up.

"Oh, no... we can sit on the floor. Don't worry about it." I muttered, embarrassed.

"I want you to sit beside me." Brock smiled up at me before sitting down on the couch. Isla shrugged and took a seat, Bella following suit. I sat beside Brock, who quickly draped his arm on the back of the couch behind me.

"What are we playing?" I asked suspiciously, hoping it wasn't going to be anything stupid or deadly, like some of the drinking games played at parties are.

"Truth or dare." One of the boys on the floor answered.

"Any guidelines?" Bella asked, grinning. This was one of her favourite party games, she was a genius at coming up with dares.

"You can refuse to answer a truth, but you have to take a shot. You can't refuse a dare. Nothing overly sexual." I nodded as he explained, thankful for that last statement.

"I'll go first." Lindsay said quickly. "Birthday Boy, truth or dare?" She winked at Brock.

"Let's go truth." He said confidently.

"Who's the last person you slept with?" She raised her eyebrow.

"Uh- Brittany." Brock said quickly, as a brown haired girl across the room blushed profusely and several of the guys whistled.

"Okay, okay. It was a while ago. Indie, truth or dare."  Brock turned towards me.

"Truth." I picked the safe choice, sue me.

"Do you like anyone right now?" Brock asked quickly, like he already prepared the question.

Shit. It was my turn to blush now, as Bella and Isla giggled beside me, no doubt remembering our earlier conversation about Chase. "Um. Maybe?" I said hesitantly.

"No maybes." One of the girls called out. I glanced at Brock to see if she was telling the truth, which he confirmed with a nod, nudging me with his elbows.

"Honestly I'm not sure yet. I'm still feeling it out." I said, praying that was sufficient enough. I was relieved when the game moved on.

The game continued, and I was now past tipsy, as the group had thrown me multiple questions that I didn't want to answer, resulting in me downing five shots of vodka. I was leaning on Isla, giggling as I watched one of the guys complete his dare by Bella, which was to switch clothes with Lindsay for the rest of the night.

"Indie." The guy who was now wearing Lindsay's clothes said.

I giggled. "What?" I asked dumbly.

"Truth or dare."

"I don't think I can handle any more shots, so dare."

"I dare you to sit on Brock's lap for an hour." He said smugly, causing laughter.

"A whole hour?" I whined out, "what if I have to pee?"

"Then he has to carry you."

"I have no objections." Brock said from beside me.

"Of course you don't." Giggled Isla, who was also drunk.

"Finnnnne." I dragged the word out, as I picked up my drink and climbed into Brock's lap, who instantly grabbed my waist and pulled me into him. The game died down after that, and the crowd broke up into small groups around the basement. Bella strode over to the sound system in the wall and plugged her phone in.

"Put on Good Life!" I yelled at her, sitting up suddenly and causing myself to lose my balance. Brock just chuckled and tightened his grip to steady me.

"What the fuck is with you and that song?" Bella muttered, as she put it on.

"It's a good song." I pouted, I always insisted on playing it when I was drinking. Bella and Isla started to dance to it, and I bounced my body as much I could with them, blurting out the lyrics. We were halfway through the song when suddenly all I could concentrate on was Brock's thumb, which was marking circles on my bare back.

"Brock, you're distracting me." I turned to him to find him already staring at me.

"Good. You're distracting me." He said lowly, his back was slumped against the couch. "Come here." He gestured for me to come closer.

"Why?" I tried eyed him suspiciously, but ended up in giggles again.

"Just come here, I want to tell you something." He said, laughing. I leaned closer, and he laughed before pulling me in, so my ear was close to his mouth.

"I'm really happy you came tonight, Indie." He whispered into my ear, his hand flat on my back.

"Why, because I'm sitting on your lap?" I laughed at myself like I was hilarious.

Brock chuckled. "No, I'm just happy to be around you." He pushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "Are you going to tell me who you 'maybe' like?"

"Hmm. I think not." I smiled at him.

"You know who I like?" He asked, inching closer to me.

"You like me." I tapped his nose with my finger.

Brock laughed. "Yeah, I do." He pulled out his cellphone, pulling me down so my head was on his chest. "Let's take a selfie." I stuck my tongue out as he took the picture, and then started laughing at the face I made as he snapped another one.

"Alright, time to go." Bella pulled me to my feet suddenly. I threw my arms around her and kissed her cheek.

Ten minutes later and Bella had pulled up to my house. "You gonna be alright on your own? I'm going to take Isla to my house, so her parents don't freak." Bella gestured to Isla who was slumped over in the back seat.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll be fine." I slurred as I unbuckled my seatbelt, and opened the door, shutting it behind me. I was about to walk to my door when Bella spoke through the now opened passenger window.

"Please go right to bed." She ordered, before she sped out of my driveway.

I tried to, I really did, but the alcohol gave me another idea. I pulled my phone out and called someone instead.