I gasped as the door shot open, clinging to Josh. "There y'all are!" Iya's harsh voice called. "Y'all take too long!" A hand wrapped around my upper arm. Why does she always grab me? I took hold of Josh's sleeve as Iya pulled me into the gym.

I had never heard music so loud and fast. I closed my eyes to the blinding light, gripping Josh's sleeve tighter. "Iya," he scolded.

"What?" she said, but released my arm seconds later. My eyes fluttered open as I felt his arm wrap around my waist.

Anthony suddenly appeared next to Iya, wrapping his arm around her waist. "C'mon, babe," he said, nodding to the dance floor where all the other students were grinding against one another, "let's go dance."

Iya glanced nervously at Josh, and then at the people dancing. "Uhh…" she began before the song changed, the music slowing into something slower. Her face brightened. "Alright!" She took his hand and dragged him to the edge of the crowd.

"Whadda ya say?" Josh said suddenly, dropping his arm to take my hand.

"What?" I whispered, turning my head towards him. "Dance? Me? No way."

He smirked. "I was hopin' you'd say that…" his eyes flashed devilishly. "I know this song really well…In fact, I could sing it for ya…"

"No!" I squealed, covering his mouth with my hand. "I'll dance, just don't scream, please."

He laughed. "Good," He said, pulling me towards the horde of students. "I'm glad ya see it my way."

I shot him a glare, but he was already mouthing the words to the song. I get carried away, by the look, by the light in your eyes before I even realize the ride I'm on, baby, I'm long gone. He took my hands, placing one on his shoulder and taking the other in his own hand. He then wrapped his other arm around my waist and began swaying side to side. I get carried away. Nothin' matters but bein' with you. Like a feather flyin' high up in the sky on a windy day, I get carried away.

I leaned in close to him. "Do you have to know every country song there is?"

He gave me a look. "Of course. It's my job as a cowboy!" he joked.

"You are not a cowboy, Josh." I breathed, closing my eyes and shaking my head.

"Sure I am!"

I patted his shoulder softly. "Alright, Joshua."

"Are you mockin' me?" he growled, pulling me tighter against him.

I choked back a gasp. I could feel his rhythmic heart beat pound through his shirt. I smiled innocently, blinking up at him. "Me? No, never."

He pushed me away, keeping a tight hold on my hand, so that I spun once before he pulled me back to him. I laughed breathlessly as he continued to spin us around, pretending to know how to do the waltz. His brilliant blue eyes sparkled with laughter and his smile shined brighter than the lights around us.

The moment was perfect.

And then the song ended.

And for a second, we were still dancing. That was, before something caught my ankle. I gasped sharply, feeling the already sprained injury giving out. Arms wrapped around my waist, keeping me from falling. "Destiny," Josh growled, glaring over my shoulder, and setting me up back on my feet.

"What an ugly dress," her shrill voice said behind me, "but it suits you." I cringed, closing my eyes.

"You wanna talk about an ugly dress, Destiny," Josh spat, "go look in a mirror."

I opened my eyes to see him still glaring over my shoulder viciously. If only looks could kill. I glanced back to look at Destiny, and covered my mouth to hold in a scoff. Destiny's lips were pressed into a thin line, her makeup caked eyes were staring harshly in my direction. Her dress was blue, like the color of a small pond on a perfect day. Two pieces of fabric ran vertically down her chest, coming to meet at a silver hoop. It continued to trail down, splitting down her leg. All in all, a lot of skin was shown.

Jake frowned behind my sister, the corner of his mouth picking up as he saw me studying him. I blushed, adverting my eyes downward. He wore a simple black suit with a blue bowtie matching the color of Destiny's. "Eyes off," Josh snarled, tugging on my waist to half-stand in front of me.

Jake chuckled darkly, his smirk widening. However, he didn't get the chance to speak. "Is there something wrong here?" Mr. Louis asked, staring defiantly at the two boys.

Josh's chin rose a little higher in the air, his nostrils flaring out in a warning. Still, he continued to stare down Jake, daring him to do something. Jake laughed once, a short, shadowy laugh. "No, sir," he said, taking Destiny's waist and stepping back. "He's got no chance anyways."

Josh grumbled something under his breath, taking a step forward, but I held him back. "I already beat your…" he paused briefly, "once."

Jake glanced over his shoulder. "Beginner's luck," he replied before disappearing into the hallway.

"Yea right," Josh scoffed. "I could do it again in a second."

Mr. Louis rolled his eyes, straightened his tie, and walked off back to the circle of other teachers. Suddenly, my stomach growled loudly, making my cheeks red with embarrassment. Josh brought his fist up to his mouth and then turned to look at me. "Hungry, are we?" he asked sarcastically.

Red painted my cheeks even more. "Um…" I breathed softly. "I haven't really had anything to eat today…"

His hand dropped along with his jaw. His beautiful eyes widened in shock. "Please tell me yer exaggeratin'."

Don't think about eating anything, you fat, ugly bitch. I flinched again involuntarily. Sighing, I whispered, "No."

He grabbed my wrist gingerly, beginning to drag me towards the side of the room. "You're eating somethin'," he demanded.

Maybe this dieting thing would be a good thing. Maybe I had gained a few pounds. I wrenched my hand out of his, blushing deeply. "Um… I'll be right back, okay? Imma go ta the restroom." I pointed sheepishly, smiling innocently.

He gave me a small smile. "Alright," he replied, turning and making his way through the crowd.

I turned on my heel, letting out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. Starving myself may be extreme, but I wasn't really looking for another beating more than what I already deserved. If he found out I'd eaten just a crumb, I'd be lying in a pool of my own blood.

After I'd finished, I walked out of the bathroom that was hidden at the end of a tiny hallway. A tall, slim figure stood in the dark, blocking the way back to the gym. I gasped, jolting back a couple steps, and placed a hand over my heart. "You Josh's girl?" The voice was deep, familiar, but I couldn't place my finger on it.

I backed up to where I was pressed up against the bathroom door. I pushed it open slightly, the thin line of light streaming over the boy's face. He was about six foot tall, his shoulders were small along with the rest of his body, but he still had an air of dominance around him. His stringy black hair hung, brushing his forehead just above his eyebrows. His eyes struck me so much that my heart leapt in my chest. They were a dark, luminescent blue, shining when the light reflected off of them.

"You Josh's girl?" he repeated again, taking a step forward, his arms crossing over his chest. He rolled his eyes when I didn't answer, scoffing. "Of course, yer the girl who don't talk."

He dropped his arms suddenly, briskly walking up to me. He put his hands on either side of my head, staring down at me, but not putting any weight on the door. "Look, I know you think that Josh is all special, and wonderful, and all the good stuff, but he isn't. He's just usin' you. You really think that someone can be in love at seventeen?" he scoffed, shaking his head.

My heart beat erratically, and I was almost sure he could hear it. Of course. Of course he was using me. "You probably don't believe me, do ya?" A small smile played on his lips. "Well, ya should. You see, the first one of us that finds her gets control. That's all he wants. Is control of the p—family. And with you, he has that. That's the whole reason he's playing all lovey dovey and crap. Power. Control.

"He doesn't love you." He shook his head in disbelief.

"Adam," a voice behind him growled. Josh took him by the collar, pinning him against the opposite wall. "What do you think yer doin'?"

Adam scoffed, brushing himself off. "Just tellin' yer girlfriend here what yer real intentions are."

Josh lashed out, grabbing handfuls of Adam's suit, pushing him up against the wall again. "Oh really?" he growled. "Ya think ya know what I want?"

A deep rumbling came from somewhere in Adam's chest. "That's all ya ever talk about!" he said loudly. "Someday Imma be—"

"I suggest you get out of here," Josh said, cutting him off before letting go of his jacket.

Adam shook his head to let his hair fall back into place. "Whatever," his eyes caught mine briefly. "Think 'bout what I said." He shot a glare at Josh before stomping down the hallway.

Josh turned to me, fear written over his face. "What did he tell you?" he asked, taking my hand and pulling me into a hug.

A small gasp escaped my lips as I wrapped my arms around his neck. He was right. In every aspect, he was right. Maybe not for what I had thought, but Josh was using me. To get control of the… family? Although it didn't make complete sense, I knew it was true. Adam was just saving me the time and the heartbreak. But there was no way I could lose Josh. Not after what he's done for me. Not after he's helped me changed. I shook my head softly. "Nothing," I lied. "Nothing I believed, anyway."

I pulled away, smiling weakly at him. I had never been a good liar. Still, he smiled in relief. "Good," he said, taking my chin in his hand to lean down to press our lips together softly.

I stepped back, blushing. "But, um, I think I'm gonna go home, though." I pointed over my shoulder.

Josh's face fell, but he nodded. "Alright, I guess I did promise. Do you have to go home?" he asked, scowling.

I sighed, nodding as we walked slowly to the door. "Yea, it's 'bout time I get home. My father's gonna be pretty ticked already, so I better not keep him waitin'."

"At least let me talk ta him," Josh pleaded, his eyes wide as he begged.

I shook my head vigorously. "No!" I all but screamed. "You do that and neither of us'll live ta see another day."

Josh scoffed, rolling his eyes. "I can't believe you don't have any faith in me." The doors shut silently behind us as the cold wrapped its icy fingers around me. Josh shrugged off his jacket, draping it over my shoulders.

"And I can't believe you don't believe me," I said, turning to begin the long walk back to my house.

"Hey!" he said, grabbing my wrist. "Yer gonna walk? Can't I drive ya?"

I frowned, the memory of the last time I'd let that happen running through my mind. "No, I'll walk."

"Aw, c'mon, Danny," He began.

"No, I'm good," I said, continuing. "I'll just steal your jacket and go."

Josh laughed, shaking his head. "That's cool," he said, rolling his eyes.

I laughed, spinning around to walk straight ahead. I took the back way, walking along the backsides of the buildings. I tightened his jacket on my shoulders, shivering slightly. As I passed an alley, suggestive sounds floated out. I scowled, closed my eyes, and kept walking.

Footsteps sounded behind me, the snow crunching underneath. I scoffed, rolling my eyes. Josh, I thought, still trying to convince me to let him drive me. An arm suddenly slipped around my shoulder, pulling me closer to the person's chest. "Hey, babe," the smell of old alcohol drifted from his breath.

I gasped, ducking under Jake's under. He stumbled slightly, throwing up his arms to steady himself. How do you get drunk in the matter of ten minutes? Only Jake. "Go away," I squeaked, pulling Josh's jacket tighter around me still. Oh real nice, Danny¸ I thought sarcastically to myself. Way to sound intimidating there, bud.

His eyes widened and he smiled idiotically. "She speaks!" He yelled, stepping towards me.

I took a couple steps back. "L—leave me-me a-alone." I stuttered.

He staggered forward, his eyes glazing over. "C'mon, babe," he slurred. "Just play along." He reached out to touch me, but a yell escaped my lips. I turned and ran without a second thought. If I was lucky, Josh hadn't left yet, and even if he had, I could go back into the dance. Anything, anywhere but with Jake. I could hear his slow, sloppy footsteps behind me as he ran after me.

Bright headlights interrupted my vision as I came in view of the parking lot. The SUV's lights switched off and Josh stepped out of the driver's seat, a blank, confused look spreading across his face. I ran into him, throwing my arms around his waist. "Jake—" I panted, gasping for breath. The cold cut through my throat, stinging as I breathed. "He—he tri—tired to—hurt—" I stopped, burying my face in his chest.

"Therrreee you arrre." His words slurred together as I heard his come up behind us loudly.

"Dude, you're drunk," Josh stated obviously. "How'd you get drunk in less than ten minutes?"

"Itssss called drinking," Jake scoffed. "'ssss fun!"

Josh sighed, but pulled me closer to him. "Just go home, man. Lay down, get some sleep, throw up while you're at it."

"Buuuuuut…" he began.

"Just… just go."

"Alrrriiigghht."

Josh laughed. "I think I like 'em better drunk…"

I scoffed, lifting my head to gaze up at him. "Maybe," I agreed. "Can you take me home now?"

He looked at me, his eyes studying me intently. "Home-home or home?"

I sighed, laying my cheek on his chest so that I could hear the steady beat of his heart. "Just home."

His lips pressed softly on my head. "Alright, sounds good to me."

I reached up to wrap my arms around his neck, standing on my tip toes to look up at him. "Kiss me," I demanded, my arms tightening around him.

"If you insist…" He sighed, leaning down to press our lips together. I chuckled, tightening my arms to press him closer to me. His lips parted mine, exploring my mouth without a second thought.

I think I'm falling in love with you. The words formed on my lips as he pulled away to breath. I held my tongue, biting my lip as I stepped away from him. He's just using you. Adam's words echoed in my head. I couldn't fall in love with him if he was just going to throw me away after he was done. Just save myself the heartbreak, but I wasn't strong enough to let him go before I had to.

He took my face in his hands. "I thought I told you to stop that," he said, stepping up to me.

I gripped his hands on my cheeks, still continuing to bite my lip. "Oh, and why is that?"

"Because," he leaned down. "It makes me want to kiss you."

"Then why would I stop?" I breathed before our mouths met once again, briefly. I backed away, a sneeze tickling my nose. I opened the door to the car before sneezing into my elbow, a short cough following it.

"You alright?" Josh asked as he settled in the driver's seat.

A cough escaped again and I shook my head. "Yea," I said, buckling myself in. "I guess that's what happens when you get thrown into a lake."

Josh laughed curtly, throwing his head back. "It was yer fault! You threw my cookie inta the lake!"

"It was dis—" I began before Josh shot me a glare, "Heavenly." I said instead, nodding at him.

"Uh huh," he said, speeding out of the parking lot.

"If I get sick, it's your fault."

He gave me an innocent smile. "And I'll be a good boyfriend and take care a you."

"You better," I snapped, sticking my tongue out at him.

The rest of the ride was filled with constant playful bickering, like always. At one point, he took my hand and leaned over to kiss me at a stop sign. I yawned, curling up in the seat, with his hand still in mine and closed my eyes. "I'm tired," I whined when we stopped. "Carry me."

"So demanding," Josh murmured as he got out of the car. I unbuckled myself but didn't move. The door opened seconds later and I felt his hands slipping under me. Soon, I was curled up against his chest with my head on his shoulder. He closed the car door and began up the steps.

"You're home already?" Gail's voice called from somewhere in the house.

"Yea," Josh said back. "Adam gave Danny a hard time, so we decided to just come home."

There was a pause. "Adam?" She asked. "Is she spendin' the night again?"

"Probably," He replied.

"My Adam?"

Josh sighed, walking up the stairs. "Yes, Mama!" He called loudly.

He set me down on the bed, kissing my forehead. "Do you need me to dress you, too?"

My eyes shot open, staring up at him in horror. "That's a negative," I said quickly, hopping up to dig through his dresser. He laughed, coming up behind me and pulling out two pair of sweatpants and ratty t-shirts. He handed one to me, nodding towards the bathroom. I changed quickly, hanging my dress up on the shower curtain, and came out to see Josh digging through his closet. "Josh," I said.

He barely glanced my way as he pulled down a spare blanket. "Yea—" His sentence was cut short by the pile of sheets the fell on his head. He huffed angrily, shoving them off of himself. His cheeks were flushed red—in anger or embarrassment, I wasn't sure.

"You don't have to sleep on the floor tonight," I whispered, "if you don't want to."

His eyebrows came together in confusion. "Then where would I—oh." His eyes brightened. "Alright."

"But no funny business, you got it?" I growled, pointing at him with a look.

He saluted me, the smile never leaving his face. "Yes, ma'am!"

I rolled my eyes, but climbed underneath the covers. "You goin' ta bed so early?" Josh asked, the bed dipping under his weight.

I nodded meekly. "Mhm," I hummed. "I'm tired."

"It's only eight o'clock," He protested.

I groaned. "Maybe if you shut up I could catch some shut-eye."

I felt his arm wrap around my waist. "Maybe I'll just keep talkin' just ta annoy ya."

"I will kill you," I threatened.

He laughed, but said nothing more.