Cal drives me home tonight, and when the car stops in front of my house, I'm still feeling flustered because of what we did at the beach.

I don't think that I'll be able to sleep tonight. All I will be able to think of are his touch, his voice... I can't even finish my sentence.

However, now that I look at my house, my heart feels heavy. I wish I wouldn't have to deal with my parents. The atmosphere in the car suddenly tenses, and Cal turns silent too.

I turn to look at him, who has his eyes on the road ahead, his hands on the steering wheel.

"Cal."

He looks surprised when I call him, as though he was deep in thought and I just snapped him back. He looks tense, while sadness is evident in his eyes. My heart sinks, because even though I know that inviting him to come into my house would be ideal for a couple who has bonded with each other's family, this case doesn't happen to Cal. So instead of doing that, I lean over, touch his arm, and give him a soft kiss on the lips.

Cal kisses me back, cupping my cheek. This kiss is different. This kiss is slow, sweet, and nothing lustful like what we did back then inside this very same car.

When we pull away, I give him a small smile. "I'll see you again."

Cal sighs and returns my smile. I step out of the car and watch as he starts driving again. I sigh, walk toward the door, and enter my house.

Just as I close the door, a voice startles me.

"Where have you been?" Dad's question almost makes me jump.

Slowly, I turn around, placing my palm over my heart, feeling it beating fast. Usually, I'm not this affected when I hear people yell, but when it's Dad doing it at me, my heart feels like dropping to a deep pit.

Before I can utter any word, Dad asks, "You were with Cal, weren't you?" His face hardens.

The words stick in my throat. There's no use in lying, because he would definitely figure it out from my expression. I'm so easy to read.

"We just went to the beach," I say.

Well, we did something more, but telling Dad about that will only dig my own grave. And Cal's.

No, thank you. I still want my boyfriend to keep breathing and all his body parts intact.

Dad stares at me in disbelief. Hearing nothing, I walk past him.

"Don't play with fire, Mia," he warns. There's so much venom in his voice that it sends chills through my body.

I ball my fist on my side and glare at him. He knows about what he said, and it frustrates me because I know it too. I know that I might be indeed playing with fire. Cal is everything I should avoid.

The moment I laid my eyes on him, I knew the danger I was putting myself into.

Cal has ignited something in me. Something different. I'm not as innocent as my parents think anymore.

"Why are you still with him?" Dad speaks again. His voice is menacing but also holds concern. "You know what kind of guy he is."

My chest heaves up. "What?" I challenge him. "What kind of guy is he, Dad?" My voice is already shaking, and I don't like it. I've never raised my tone to Dad, that the moment I finally do it, it comes out so weak and pathetic.

I've argued with Mom before, but not with Dad. He has always made me cower under his glare. Yet, deep down inside, I know how much he cares about me.

Watching him become silent, I wonder if he's actually worried about hurting my feelings if he tells me the truth about Cal.

"You don't even know him, Dad," I hiss, then rush upstairs to my room.

"Mia!" Dad calls, but I ignore him.

Once I reach my room, I shut the door behind me and slump against it. I hug my knees on the floor, shutting my eyes.

All the worries and fear attack me again. I can't help but think about what Dad said.

You know what kind of guy he is, Mia.

My heart is trying to deny everything. I choose to brush off the possibility that Cal is indeed that kind of guy. The guy who will leave me in the end.

It's all too good to be true. Too fast. Too soon. Too perfect.

Everything about Cal speaks danger, and I don't want to think about it. I don't want to think that he is just another player. That I'm his perfect prey.

Calm down, heart.

Calm down.

A few days have passed since my last argument with Dad, and now that I've finished my day at school, I'm heading to the band studio at Wily Dragon bar.

Cal had said that they would have a band practice today, and when I asked him if I could see him there, he didn't object.

I sigh, push through the door of the bar, and head upstairs. I know that Cal doesn't like me being here, especially when I have to encounter his bandmates. He only lets me come here because he's here. He will never let me be here alone.

Once I reach the second floor, I'm met with the dim-lit corridor again, one that always feels spooky and makes the hair on the back of my neck stand.

The fact that they have all the shut windows tinted dark doesn't make the place any brighter during the day. Why the hell didn't they open at least one of the windows? It would help circulate the fresh air so that this place wouldn't feel so suffocating.

I turn around the corner, then stop in my track. There before me is the sight of the short-haired girl I've seen before, making out with someone. I can only see the guy's back while the girl circles her arms around his neck, kissing him passionately.

Fear engulfs me, and I suddenly feel nauseous, because this scene is too familiar.

Tall guy. Black hair. Broad shoulders. Tattooed arms.

It all feels so familiar, and dread fills me.

Cal?

I've lost track of how long time has passed since the last time I saw him making out with this girl in the exact same place. My heart beats like a drum in my chest, and my legs start to wobble.

No, it can't be.

The girl pulls away as she notices me watching them, and that's when he turns around to see me.

Zavier. The lead guitarist.

A huge relief washes over me. It's like I've just been woken up from a nightmare. The fact that their appearance is similar didn't help.

"Blondie's here." The girl scoffs, putting her hands on her hips as she eyes me with pure irritation. She then tilts her head toward a room at the end of the corridor. "Cal is in the studio, if you're wondering."

I give her a slight nod and swallow, resuming my steps again. She leans into Zavier's chest and starts biting his neck. While she's not looking, Zavier stares at me with a look that makes me shudder. His eyes darken, but then a mischievous smirk touches his lips when he winks at me.

I quickly look away, feeling my body shiver due to sudden coldness.