ABOUT AN HOUR later, I managed to avoid any trace of alcohol, despite Bela trying to peer pressure me. I stood my ground, and said no. That was half an hour ago.

Now I'm six shots in, and currently playing beer pong. James and Neki are on a team, me and Bela on the other, and we're currently ruining them. It's our final cup, while they have 3 left. Maybe we're at an advantage since Neki is the only one drinking, which is making him a little too drunk to throw straight. James just sucks at throwing.

"Do you wanna do the honours?" Bela holds out a hand, grinning.

I take the ball from her with a smile. I let out a quick breath before I aim, counting down to one, and throwing it.

It goes straight into the final cup.

I jump into Bela's arms, throwing an arm up as the nearby watchers cheer. Neki downs the drink since James isn't drinking, and James shakes his head, clapping for us. As I bow, the imbalance making my blood rush to my head. I feel sick.

"I'll be back." I say into Bela's ear, pushing back the feeling in my throat.

I stumble through the crowd, making my way to the stairs and hauling myself up. The first three doors I push open are all full of people making out, some doing even more. I apologise as I close each one, finally making it to a door at the end with a toilet. I push it open, falling to my knees and instantly throwing up.

The feeling of being sick is one of the worst feelings ever. I spill my guts into the toilet, feeling like I'm gonna pass out. I'm not even sure when, but I feel my hair being pulled back and held behind me. As I finish, I sit back and wipe my mouth.

I open my eyes, instantly wishing I hadn't. Parker is sat on the edge of the bath tub, his arms resting on his legs as he looks down at me.

"Ugh, this is so unattractive." I groan, lolling my head back.

"How you feeling?" he studies my face.

"Embarrassed." I say truthfully.

He shakes his head, smiling.

"I'm taking you home Kinsley." he stands up, towering over me as he reaches down for me to grab his hands.

I take them, pulling myself up trying to gain balance. His grip lingers for a little while, before he drops my hands.

"Haven't you been drinking?" I frown.

He scrunches up his face. "No. I can't drink cause of training."

The confidence I've gained from the alcohol takes over me, and I rid all the consequentialist thoughts from my head.

Leaning forward, I take his face in my hands. He tenses briefly, before warming to my touch.

"I like your face." I say as I study it.

Parker smiles. "You're plastered."

I frown, shaking my head no.

"I'm taking you home." he takes my hand, leading me out of the bathroom.

"Are you hitting on me Ashford?" I smile, trying not to trip over my feet as we walk down the stairs.

"Stop talking Kinsley." he hums.

"I can't leave Bela." I tug at his hand lightly.

"James will take her home." he says.

As I scan the crowd quickly, I spot her amongst the crowd. She's dancing, her head leant back, her arms strewn over her head, and latched behind Neki's. His face is buried in her neck, his hands on her waist as their hips sway to the music.

"I'm not leaving her Parker." I repeat.

He huffs as he pulls me in front of him, pushing me out the front door. As I turn around to protest again, he turns his phone around, showing me a text conversation.

Me: Yo, i'm taking Elena home. You got neki and her friend?

James: You're good bro. I'll take em. Drive safe.

Me: You too man.

I narrow my eyes. "When did you send that?"

"After I saw you stumble up the stairs."

"What if I didn't want to go home." I walk backwards, raising my eyebrows at him.

"Stop being so difficult Kinsley." he sighs.

"I'm not being di-"

As I take another step back, I trip, almost falling over. Parker reaches forward, catching my wrist and pulling me towards him with ease. I gasp, falling into his chest, my heart beating a little.

"Be careful." he breathes, and it sends a chill down my spine.

I look up at him. I see a twist of emotions on his face before he drops my wrist.

"I told you not to look at me like that." he mumbles walking past me.

I roll my eyes, following him. "You make no sense Ashford."

He pulls the passenger door open and I climb into his uncomfortably low car, laying back on the seat. A few moments later, he joins me, starting the car and pulling away from the curb.

I loll my head to the side, watching him. One hand on the wheel, leant back. His other hand resting on his knee. His face is completely neutral, not a single emotion there for me to read. I hate that I can't read him.

Turning back, I direct my focus out the window. The street moves fast as Parker drives, making me feel dizzy, so I close my eyes.

The next time I open them, I'm no longer in the car. I open my eyes fully, taking in my surroundings. Then I notice my arms are draped around someone's neck. I look up, to see Parker, and my heart starts racing. He's carrying me. My bare thighs begin to burn as I become aware of his hand gripping them, suddenly feeling self conscious. I close my eyes again as the tiredness slaps me in the face.

He reaches my bedroom, leaning down and pushing the door open with ease. He walks over, gently laying me down on my bed. I open my eyes again, smiling at him. He sits beside me, sighing as he realises I'm watching him.

"I hope you're too drunk to remember this Kinsley." he says as he undoes my laces, slipping my shoes off my feet.

"It would seem that you like me a lot more than you let on, Parker." I smile, closing my eyes again.

He slides my legs beneath the duvet, tucking me in.

"Thanks Dad." I mumble, rolling over in to my pillow.

"Goodnight Elena."

I'm not sure what time it is, but I know it's been a few hours since I was last awake. I roll over pushing the duvet from me. My back is wet from sweat. I realise I'm still in the top and skirt I wore to the party and notice I have no idea how I got home. I sit up, feeling the headache I'm gonna have in the morning creeping on. I knew I should've held my own and stayed away from the alcohol.

With my eyes still closed, I get up, feeling the dresser for my wash bag. I grab a vest and some bed shorts so I can change out of these clothes too. A shower would be nice but I have no idea if it's an appropriate time, so waiting until the morning would probably be easiest.

I pull the door open quietly and realise that one of the bedroom lights are on, which to my knowledge is Mrs Ashford and her husbands room. There are voices coming from inside, but not loud enough to make out what they're saying. I quickly go into the landing bathroom, closing the door behind me. After washing my face and pulling my hair back into a ponytail, I change into my bed clothes, instantly feeling better.

Once I leave the bathroom, I realise the voices have gotten louder, the loudest you can get when trying to be quiet. I frown, but it's far from my business.

As I walk past, I look down the stairs, noticing the front door is ajar, letting a slither of moonlight in. I'm not sure if it was left open by accident, or if someone has broken in. I'm assuming it's the former since the security is top tier at this house, the latter would be near to impossible.

I discard my clothes and wash bag in the doorway of my room, before walking down the steps quietly.

I'm about to reach forward and pull the door shut, when I see someone sat on the doorstep.

Parker.

He's sat, his elbows resting on his legs and his hands latched behind his head, looking down. I take a few steps forward and he looks up as soon as he notices me.

"Hey." I say, my voice a little hoarse from the party.

"Hey." he replies, resuming his original position.

Even though the marble outside is freezing, I step out on to it, taking a seat beside him. The concrete quickly warms up beneath my thighs.

"What are you doing out here?" I pull my knees up to my chest, hugging them.

"Go back to bed Kinsley." he speaks without looking up.

I frown. "Parker."

He looks up at me again. This time the moonlight accentuates the sullen look on his face. I can't help but reach out and touch his arm.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

He inhales deeply, before letting out a breath. He sits back now, leaning on both arms as he looks up at the sky.

"My dad is having an affair on my mom."

My heart drops. I don't know what to say.

"He has been for over a year. With his secretary." he looks over at me, a hint of humour in his voice. "She was over for dinner a couple months ago. They both acted as if everything was normal."

My heart wrenches as his face turns from humorous to hurt.

"My mom found out about a month ago. I'm not sure why he's still around. I think they're doing it for Jack."

We sit in silence for a couple beats.

"Wow." I breathe.

"Yeah." he presses his lips together as he nods.

"Have you spoken to your mom about it?" I turn to face him, resting my head on my knees.

Parker shakes his head. "They don't know I know."

"Oh." I frown. "How do you know?"

He laughs a little. "It's not like they keep their arguments quiet. They just make sure to save them until Jack's sleeping."

The voices from inside the bedroom finally make sense.

"I'm sorry." I say.

Parker looks at me for a moment, before turning again.

"Don't be. He's a shit dad anyway. The sooner Mom leaves him the better."

"Yeah, my dad is pretty crappy too." I say.

We sit in comfortable silence. I don't have anything I could say to make him feel better, and I don't think he'd wanna hear it to be honest.

Instead, I unfold my legs from my chest, moving over so our arms are touching. I look up at him.

"Listen, I know we're not... friends or anything, but... I'm here. If you need anyone to talk to." I say.

Parker turns his head to look at me. I'm not sure if it's the moon light, but I'm sure I see something flicker in his eyes. He glances down at my mouth and I instantly feel my heart begin to pound in my chest.

He leans down slowly but steady like he's testing my boundaries, so close that I can smell the mint on his breath. I know I should move, but I'm frozen. I can't feel anything.

He moves closer towards me, and ever so slightly, I feel his lips brush against mine, sending a static wave of electricity throughout my entire body. That feeling alone is enough to drag me back into reality, and I pull away instinctively.

"Sorry. I..." I whisper.

Parker presses his lips together, nodding. He begins to get to his feet.

"Wait, Parker-" I call.

"Don't sweat it. Goodnight Kinsley." he says, before disappearing behind the door.

I groan, pushing my face into my hands as I'm left, sitting alone on the porch