"Good luck," I said wrapping my arms around Austin and kissing him lightly.

"Will you two get a room," Charlie groaned walking past us. We were around the corner from the locker room so this was the last time I would see him before the game. Austin rolled his eyes and flipped Charlie off before pulling me in for another kiss. I laughed against Austin's lips as Charlie made pukeing sounds behind us.

"Seriously though don't worry about it you'll be great," I said pulling Austin into a hug.

"And remember what I said at the last game,"

I raised my eyebrows in confusion. "What?"

"Front row cheering me on," he chuckled before giving me a kiss on the head and walking into the changing room.

I made my way to the basketball court where the game would be held and sat on the front row upon Austin's request.

"Violet right?" Someone asked me. I turned to my right to see a really pretty girl. She had long black hair that fell just above her waist and bright blue eyes. Quite frankly she was stunning but it was clear she was shy by the way she avoided eye contact and balanced her weight from one foot to the other.

"Yeah?"

"I'm Harper, George is my boyfriend," she mumbled quietly. George was one of the players on our basketball team but I don't think I've ever spoken to him.

"Oh yeah he's on the team right?"

She nodded. "Yeah and at the last game I saw you were sitting by yourself and wondered if you'd like some company," she mumbled nervously.

"That would be great!" I smiled, budging up so she could sit besides me. "I hate sitting by my self,"

"Me too, that's why I normally try and sit at the back out of the way,"

"Yeah that was my original plan but Austin being the ass he is, wouldn't let me,"

She laughed at this. "Well maybe we could sit by each other for future games,"

"I'd like that, better than awkwardly cheering on my own,"

By the time home team had come out I had gotten to know Harper a little more. She was the oldest of 3 siblings, loved art and had been dating George for little over a year.

"How did you guys meet?" I asked.

"I was working at a clothes store and he came in to get some jeans, he was so so cute and I could barley look him in the eye. I nearly fainted when he asked me for my number," she giggled.

"So you don't go to our school," I asked, immediately hoping she'd say no. Imagine how much of a bitch I would look like if it turned out she had been in my physics class for 3 years.

"No, I go to an art school,"

A deafening roar from our school interrupted the conversation when our team ran out onto the court. Austin, as always, led the team. I gave him the biggest smile I could muster when he looked in my direction, hoping it would make him feel a little more relaxed. He gave me a small smile and a nod.

To say the game was tense would be an understatement. Harper spent the majority of the game chewing on her nails and at times I was balling my fists so hard I left nail marks in my palm.

It was like every time our team took a shot, someone on their team would knock it away. Austin groaned loudly after his 3rd attempt to shoot failed.

The other team quickly realised that Austin was one of the best players on our team. As a result of this he was closely guarded by what can only be described as a human bear. Every time the ball was passed to Austin human bear boy was practically on top of him trying to get the ball. I could tell how frustrated this was making Austin. Honestly it was pissing me off too.

Charlie dribbled the ball down the court until it was near the net. At the last minute instead of shooting, Charlie threw the ball to Austin, confusing the other team. Just as Austin was about the take the shot, human bear boy plowed into him from the side, sending Austin sideward and making him miss the shot.

"WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT!" I screamed causing at least half of the room to stare at me including Austin and human bear boy. I practically had steam coming from my ears as I glared at the bear that had purposely pushed Austin over. He just smirked at me. ASSHOLE!!

Austin was soon back on his feet and the game continued. Is nobody going to do anything about that?! Hello ref?? Coach?? Anyone??

About 10 minutes later Austin was shoulder barged again.

"Do that again, I fucking dare you!" Austin growled. They were standing close to me so I could just about make out what they were saying.

This just made human bear boy smile. "Or what? You going to get your little girlfriend to yell at me again?" He asked getting closer to Austin and puffing out his chest.

"Austin!" Our coach screamed, obviously sensing a conflict. Austin didn't even react to his name being shouted.

"What did you just say?" He asked through gritted teeth.

"You heard me,"

"Austin walk away, he wants you to get kicked out of the game," Charlie said pulling Austin's arm.

Austin and Charlie turned to walk away and bear boy must have not liked that Austin didn't take the bait. "Pussy," he mumbled.

Before Austin could even turn around Liam had tight hold of one arm and Charlie had the other as they pulled Austin away. The game had become a stand still as the drama unfolded.

The buzzer for half time almost immediately after the game started back up.

"I'm going to see if Austin is okay," I told Harper before practically sprinting out of the hall. When I found Austin he was talking to the coach. I snuck behind a wall so they couldn't see me.

"What the hell were you thinking Austin?" He asked.

"You saw him! He kept pushing me!"

"He's trying to get to you and it's working! If you hit him then you get kicked out of the game and then what?"

Austin didn't say anything as he stared at the ground.

"Take 5 minutes to cool down," coach said walking away.

"Hey," I said making my presence known after the coach was out of sight.

"Hey,"

"How are you?

"Pissed off,"

"You might not be able to hit him but nothing's stopping me from giving him a right hook," I grumbled.

That made Austin laugh. He pulled me towards him so he could throw his arm around me.

"He's just pissing me off so much,"

"What are you gonna do about it?" I asked.

Austin smirked. "Win,"

***

That was exactly what Austin did. He put all of his anger into the game and when the final buzzer rang, our team was 6 points ahead. Our side of the crowd started to scream in celebration. Harper and I held each other as we jumped up and down excitedly. Charlie had jumped on top of Austin's back and Austin ran around the court doing a victory lap. The whole ride back to school was filled cheering and congratulations. During this time, Austin kept relatively quiet. The same went for the drive to Austin's house. He rested his head against the window and closed his eyes, I just assumed he was exhausted.

I pulled up outside his house. Approximately 2 seconds after I had closed his front door, Austin had pushed me against it and was attacking my lips with his own. I was shocked at first but soon returned his eagerness. My hands got tangled in his hair as he grabbed my hips and picked me up, making me wrap my legs around his waist. Which was a very intimate position considering I was wearing a skirt but my brain didn't even process this as my tongue fought against Austin's.

Still kissing me, he walked to his dining room and placed me on top of the table. His lips moved away from my own and began to trail down my neck making my eyes roll back in pleasure. My hands found their way to his chest and slowly trailed down his abs. When his lips made their way back to mine, I grabbed his waist and pulled him impossibly closer.

Eventually my lungs started to burn from the lack of air and I had to pull away.

"I've wanted to do that since you stood up in the middle of the basketball game and screamed 'what the fuck was that' when I was pushed," Austin chuckled, peppering my face with little kisses.

I giggled. "But what was he doing?! The asshole! Honestly I was close to storming onto the basketball court and drop kicking him,"

"God Violet I-" he began but was interrupted by his phone ringing.

"Hello? Oh hey Charlie.... Yeah the party is in 2 hours.... See you then," he ended the call and dropped his phone on the table. "I swear to god I told him the time like 4 times,"

"So where is everyone?" I asked, referring to the empty house.

"Calum is staying at Lucas's again and mom and dad are out of town on business,"

I nodded. "You did good today,"

"Thank you, I really appreciate you being there for me,"

"Don't mention it,"

"Now come help me get ready for the party,"

For the next hour, Austin and I laid out drinks, hid any expensive ornaments in his parent's room and set up speakers for the music.

"Why is there no Hannah Montana in your playlist?" I pouted going though Austin's phone.

"Because this is a party with 18 year olds, not 8 year olds,"

I reached behind me grabbing a pillow from the sofa and aiming it at Austin's head. Of course it missed him.

"I'm really going to have to give you lesson's on aim," he chuckled.

I flipped him off as I grabbed my bag, made my way to Austin's room and sat in front of his mirror. Austin followed me a few minutes later, a beer in his hand as he sat on his bed.

"You're going to take forever getting ready aren't you?" he groaned.

"Oh hush and drink your beer," I said pulling out my makeup.

First I did my eyes a glittery look with winged eyeliner and dark lips. After doing the rest of my makeup I curled my hair with a braid down the side. Finally, I went to Austin's bathroom to change into a simple off the shoulder, black dress that clung to my body tightly and black knee high boots.

"What do you think?" I asked Austin, walking back into his room and giving a little twirl.

Austin visibly gulped and got to his feet. "You need to change,"

"Why?" I asked, my smile turning into a frown, I thought he'd like this outfit. I had picket it specifically for him.

"Because I'm not going to be able to keep my hands off you," he mumbled as his hands wrapped around my waist and slowly moved down until they were on my butt.

"Hey, anyone home? It's the life and soul of every party," Charlie called from downstairs.

"He really does have perfect timing doesn't he," Austin groaned pulling away from me.

Throughout the next 2 hours, the house became fuller and fuller until it was an impossible task to move to another room without being pushed into someone else.

It was clear the basketball team was celebrating; at least half of them were nearly wasted. Austin and Charlie easily being the most drunk. The last I saw of them, they were doing shots in the kitchen. I figured this was the first place I should look for them. After squeezing through the sweaty bodies that blocked the doorway, I finally managed to get into the kitchen. Unfortunately, Charlie and Austin were nowhere to be seen. However, I did spot a familiar face in the corner.

"Harper!" I smiled pulling her into a hug. "I didn't know you were coming,"

"Yeah I came with George but I don't know where he is,"

"Probably with my idiot of a boyfriend who is also missing," I laughed.

Just as the words escaped my mouth I heard shouting from outside. Harper and I exchanged a look before following the noise. I rolled my eyes when I found the source of the shouting. Charlie was clinging to Austin's back as Austin wobbled around the garden, both of them singing at the top of their lungs.

"We are the champions my friend!! 
And we'll keep on fighting 'til the end.
We are the champions.
We are the champions.
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions of the world!!" They both sang at the top of their lungs.

"Charlie thought it would be a good idea for Austin to give him a piggy back around the garden," George said coming over to us and pulling Harper into his side.

"Idiots," I mumbled shaking my head. I couldn't help but laugh at the two of them.

"Violet!" Charlie called when he spotted me. He scrambled off of Austin which resulted in Austin loosing his footing and both of them crumbling in a heap on the floor.

"Are you okay?" I giggled walking over to them.

"Did you see how amazing I was today?" Charlie exclaimed, making no effort to get up.

"Get your fat ass off me before you break one of my ribs," Austin chuckled while Charlie remained sprawled on top of him.

Charlie rolled off of Austin and got to his feet.

"Come on stupid," I said extending my arm for Austin to take. I hauled Austin off the ground and he immediately pulled me into his side. He looked at me with a warm smile decorating his face, he glanced back in the direction of the house and his smile faded.

"Who invited her?" he groaned.

I followed the direction he was looking until I found the source of his annoyance. Through the kitchen window I could see Kim sipping on a glass of wine. She was wearing a skintight dress that left nothing to the imagination. It was blood red with a plunging neckline and a slit up the side so high you could tell she wasn't wearing any underwear.

Okay Violet, you're going to be a mature adult about this and not let her get to you. Do not give into the temptation to rip the extensions from her scull and strangle her with them.

Austin took my hand in his and pulled me back inside the house.

"Kim," he remarked dryly.

"Austin!" she beamed. "Congratulations! I'm so proud of you!"

"What are you doing here Kim?"

Kim pouted, tapping her sharp acrylic nails on the worktop. I remember those same nails tying to claw my eyes nearly 2 months ago at Jacob's party. "It's a party Austin," she drawled out.

"A party you weren't invited to," he reminded her.

"Now now Austin, lets not be like this. We've been much more that friends for a while now," she said smiling slyly at me. "I don't see why I wouldn't be invited to your party,"

"Kim," Austin warned, his voice dangerously low.

"Oh Austin relax! Enjoy yourself, it's a party remember," she said with a wink before she walked into the living room, swaying her hips as she went.

Austin opened his mouth to say something but no words came out. Instead he shook his head and grabbed a beer from the counter.

***

"Where are you taking me?" I asked Austin as he pulled me up the stairs.

"Shhhhhhhhhhhh," he chuckled placing a finger against my lips. Austin was far past tipsy at this point. He continued to drag me along the hall until we got to Calum's room. Once we were inside he lightly pushed me onto Calum's bed. I raised my eyebrow at him, confused as to what the hell he was doing.

Austin turned away from me and opened Calum's closet, pulling out a guitar.

"What the hell are you doing? That's Calum's put it back!"

"He doesn't use it, it's a spare," he smiled. He pulled up a chair and sat down, getting the guitar ready to play. "I'm going to sing you a song,"

"A song?" I smirked.

"Yeah when I was a kid I was going to be a rockstar,"

Austin then proceeded to badly play the guitar out of tune while slurring out some song lyrics.

"Darling just kiss me slowwwwww, your heart is all I ownnnn, and in your eyes you're holding mine," he sang.

I bit my lip so hard I was close to drawing blood trying not to laugh. "What are you doing?"

"I'm serenading you, duh," he told me, his face completely serious before going back to his singing. "Dancing in the dark, with you between my arms, barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song, when I saw you in that dress looking so beautiful, I don't deserve this, darling you look perfect tonight."

I couldn't help the goofy smile that made its way onto my lips, even if he was awful. "Come on, let's go back downstairs," I said placing a light kiss on his lips. I grabbed the guitar from Austin and carefully placed it back where he found it so Calum wouldn't notice it had been moved.

When we got to the bottom of the stairs Austin bumped into Charlie.

"Charlie!" he exclaimed pulling him into a bear hug. I rolled my eyes at the two who were acting like they hadn't seen each other in 5 years when in actual fact it had been about 5 minutes.

Austin turned to me. "I love Charlie so much you know! He has been one of my best friends since I started this school,"

Charlie pressed his hand over what I'm assuming he thought was his heart but in actual act it was his collarbone.

"That was so beautiful, you're like the brother I never had," he said pulling him in for another hug.

Who knew drunk Austin would be this entertaining?

"We should make waffles!" Austin shouted, turning around and walking towards the kitchen.

"No no no," I said grabbing Austin and pulling him back. "Unless you want to burn the house to the ground I suggest not doing that,"

Austin pouted sadly at me. "But-"

"No buts, I'm not letting you set the house on fire," I laughed.

Austin shrugged, completely forgetting the idea. He pulled Charlie in the direction of several basketball team members who cheered him when he approached.

"Violet, we're going home." Someone told be from behind. I span around to see Harper and George.

"Really? So soon?" I said pulling Harper into a hug.

"Yeah my parents aren't home so," George smiled cheekily.

Harper gasped and elbowed him in the ribs making me laugh.

"Oh well in that case, have fun!" I teased wiggling my eyebrows at Harper. She turned a shade of scarlet before squeaking a goodbye and racing out of the door.

***

The party was beginning to wind down; there was only half the amount of people still here that had been here at the beginning. I was beginning to collect any empty cups from around the house.

"Come on Austin! You can't honestly say you don't miss me?" Kim seductively said from outside. My hands automatically clenched into fists as I made my way closer to the door. I peaked my head out so that I could just about see them but they couldn't see me.

Austin looked Kim dead in the eyes. "Kim I can honestly say I don't miss you, now leave,"

"You don't mean that! You're drunk!" she cried.

"Yeah I'm drunk, but I would be saying the same thing sober. I don't like you! I am dating Violet, you need to get that into your head!"

Kim took a deep breath, composing herself. "Come on Austin, we had fun you have to admit that," she said running her nails down is chest.

Austin grabbed Kim's hand and ripped her fingers away.

"Honestly no, I didn't have THAT much fun and near the end you got more than a little desperate. Now you're just embarrassing yourself. I'm going to say this one more time. I do not like you, I will never be interested in you. I am more than happy with Violet and quite frankly you need to leave me the hell alone!"

Kim let out a frustrated scream before storming back into the house. She stopped in her tracks when she saw me. I could see the fire in her eyes as she glared at me with utter hatred.

"I cant wait untill he comes to his senses and dumps your ugly ass!" she growled with nothing but venom in her voice before leaving the house, slamming the front door as she went.

"Violet I know you're there," Austin called.

"Hey," I smiled awkwardly,