(Rilee played by Quintessa Swindell; The Love Club by Lorde) at one point, the italics are kids in the hall.

FIFTEEN: when nothing is the same.

"What are you doing here?" My voice was calm but inside I was praying that my parents hadn't been anywhere in sight when I'd seen Jade and her skateboard at Paul's door later that night.

It was around seven and let's just say my emotions were as dried out as the tear stains on my face.

"Well after coming home and hearing Dad yelling at Loraine because she kicked you out, I proceeded to curse her out and tracked Paul down on Instagram. Do you know how fucking popular he is?" She laughed at that, my mind still processing how the hell she'd found his address, "I was trying to figure out where I'd seen him before. His YouTube is like goals as fuck."

I blinked, remembering that Paul was a big Youtuber as well as his friends and that I was just Jules, "Uh yeah..."

"Oh, tell the redhead to turn off her map because it shows exactly where she lives."

And that was when I realized that Jade was just awkwardly rocking on the heels of her converse and whistling as she peered inside the apartment. My hand was still on the doorknob and inside I was debating whether or not to shut the door.

Jade was really embarrassing when she wanted to be and if she found out about me living with three hot guys, she'd never let me live it down.

"So are you gonna invite me past the threshold?"

Shit.

"Since when do I actually have to invite you in?" I asked, rolling my eyes as I knew I wouldn't get out of letting her in.

She whistled, clasping her hands behind her back before smiling, ponytail swishing back and forth. My sister narrowed her eye-lined eyes at me, "I'm trying to be nice because this is your future husband's place not yours."

"Fine..." I sighed, throwing my head back, "Would you like to-"

My sister shoved me out the way, stepping in a smelling the scent of freshly popped popcorn. Placing her bag by the door, she took in her surroundings such as the guys in a heated game of Call of Duty and Rilee making dinner in the kitchen, "Don't mind if I do."

"So tell me what happened..." I asked, my eyes catching on to a handprint that reddened her left cheek. She hadn't even tried to cover it with her hair, knowing good and well that I'd see it eventually.

She sighed; Brandon's yelling at Pete that his ass was grass was pushed behind me as I paid close attention to what my sister was saying, "Well, I had enough of the Jesus Freak so I proceeded to yell at her about the fact that she's paraphrasing a book written so long ago and being a bitch to her own son... And then she slapped me."

My eyes were wide as Jade shrugged. She was acting as if it were nothing but the haziness in her jaded eyes had said differently, "But it's okay because Dad kicked her out and, like, tossed her wedding ring."

"Jade, she fucking hit you?"

"It was barely a tap, I'm used to it," she said, trying to stop me from saying more. She hadn't wanted to talk about it, "If anything, Dad overreacted."

"Jules, who's at the-" Paul had spoken as he peaked his head around the kitchen entrance, spoon in his hand from when we were baking a cake in the kitchen. And then he saw Jade, smiling that genuine, warm smile at her. I heard his footsteps approaching but my attention stayed on her, "oh, hey."

She was silently pleading me not to say anything as her eyes locked on mine, Paul coming to stand beside me, "Hey."

But the curly haired angel had sensed a difference from her normal mood, his eyes catching onto her hands that I hang noticed were trembling at her sides, "Jade, you're shaking."

"I'm fine, just a little tired."

I was tired too.

: : :

"Whoa, they're really fags."

"Whoa and look, you're really a dick." Benji spat from behind us as Andy squeezed my hand. It had took a lot for Paul to persuade me to get up from the couch and even then, he had to cheer me up with a couple stolen kisses and a lot of words of encouragement. My eyes were puffy and my hair was a wreck but him being the sweet guy he was, he'd stolen a shirt from Brandon and forced me into the bathroom where I made myself look better than I felt.

It had taken a lot for Andy to convince me to go to class, Ben being all for skipping. And it had taken a lot to keep my head up as I walked down the hall.

"I don't believe Andy's gay. Julian, yeah but Andy's too boy-ish."

The aforementioned guy must've noticed the clench in my jaw because I heard his whisper into my ear, "It'll get better, Jules."

It won't. It fucking won't and I don't know if I can accept that.

"I bet Andy tops cause that other fag would shove anything up his ass."

I needed Paul. Fuck, I really needed him and that was almost as sad as the fact that I was letting my friends protect me.

"Did you hear they're pressing charges against Calum?"

I didn't know but knowing my dad, he was probably pressing charges and to be honest, I didn't give a fuck. I just wanted it to stop.

"Wasn't he just telling Calum he loved him like a day ago?"

I wanted it to stop. I wanted it to stop, "He's queer, Bailey. Their entire family puts out-"

My head snapped to the sound of someone hitting the floor, Caspar hovering above a random boy who's eyes were wide with fear. I saw his fists balled as he crouched down to the other guy's level, "I can and I will kick your ass so I suggest you stop."

The near heart attack was nothing compared to the way Caspar was gripping onto the boy's face, "Do I make myself clear?"

The guy nodded frantically, Caspar shoving his friend 'Bailey' into a locker as he stood back up.

"Fucking stoner."

He pretended he hadn't heard but Ben hadn't got the memo as he leaned a little closer to Caspar, "You really smoke and shit?"

"I only smoke Mary Jane but I swear I saw that little bitch buying pills behind the bleachers a couple days ago. Makes me look like a saint."

It was silent until Jade spoke up from beside Benji, hoping her ex wouldn't just ignore her again, "Thanks, Cas."

"I only did that cause I knew that dickbag wouldn't. We're nothing, Jade."

I wasn't sure how I was supposed to respond, maybe I was supposed to stand up for her, maybe that was what having her back was. Caspar didn't give me the chance, he was slipping past her and Jade offered me a small smile.

"Jay..."

"It's okay."

: : :

Sometime around eight that night, Brandon had rolled a keg into the apartment with no telling where he'd gotten it. And apparently while Paul and I were making out in his room, he'd used my phone to invite Benji, Caspar, Andy, and Will over. Andy couldn't make it because of family things but Pete and Jade were still here and beers were piled high in the fridge as well as the liquor that they had in their cabinets.

He said I was going to be done with sulking and if I didn't have a good time that night, he'd be kicking my ass.

"Here's a friend," I remember Brandon saying as he handed me a condom, "and here's a tip: Paul has a collarbone fetish which is really fucking weird."

My eyes were wide as I made my way away from Brandon who'd winked at me. I'd brought Paul some popcorn from the kitchen and a cup of water.

We all sat in a circle on the floor now that the twins had moved the couch out the way, pushing it against a wall.

Paul and I were thigh to thigh as he sipped from his cup. He only seemed to ever drink water or coffee which was pretty fucking weird but I didn't question it as I leaned back on my hands, Paul's free hand on my thigh.

This hadn't gone unnoticed to Will who winked at me with a giggle.

And after everyone was settled, Brandon's arm thrown around Rilee, she'd spoken, "Truth or Dare bitches."

The more mature twin flicked her lip as Landon shoved her arm slightly, downing his cup of whatever, "You're such a kid."

"You didn't let me finish, Lanny," she wined, sticking her tongue out, as Brandon rolled his eyes with a slight chuckle. After they'd drank so much, you'd expect them to be tired but I was proven wrong when Rilee had brought up the game.

"Alright, dirty truth or dare."

Benji whooped, rubbing his hands together quickly before biting his lip, "Now we're talking."

"Rules are: you spin the bottle, the person it lands on picks truth or dare. If you refuse then you strip a piece of clothing. Socks don't count, you pussies."

We were all say awkwardly, some faces Crimson from the vulgarity of he ginger. Rilee swished around the bottle that she'd jacked from Brandon, drinking the last couple sips before placing it on the hardwood floor. It spun before landing on Landon, "Lanny, truth or dare?"

He seemed to think for a second, grabbing a pillow before putting it in his lap, putting his bowl of hot cheese on top. He was chewing on some beef jerky when he answered, "Truth."

"If you had to pick three people in the room right now to marry, fuck, or kill, who would they be?"

He shrugged, "Well, I'd fuck me-"

"You can't fuck yourself."

"Fine," rolling his eyes, he scanned the room chewing on his jerky, "I'd fuck Rilee because she's my queen, I'd marry Freckles because then we'd fuck every night -seriously, who doesn't want to fuck him?-"

Brandon sighed, seemingly done with his brother and his claiming of different sexualities, "Landon, you're straight, okay?"

"You're not my dad."

Paul rolled his eyes, "But you're not gay!"

Rilee barked out a laugh at that, snatching the jerky out of the younger boy's hand and smirking, "I've seen you try and date a guy, the fuck? You almost vomited."

The glare that Landon sent her way could've killed as he held up his hand, plucking her forehead, "Excuse my language but seriously, suck my ass."

"That's not even a thing anymore-"

"Whatever... Getting back the the game, I'd kill Benny."

Benji's eyes widened at that, his face a mixture of confusion as his voice went up three octaves, "Why me, bro?"

"I know you the least."

"True, true."

Landon rolled his eyes, spinning the bottle, it unfortunately landing closest to me, "Truth or Dare?"

Knowing him, his dares were probably wild so I shrugged whilst going with the safest option, eyes lingering on him suspiciously, "Truth."

"Wildest sex story."

Blushing, I slid my shirt over my body, tossing it behind me, carelessly. I could feel Paul's eyes on the side of my face and I nearly burned from the intensity, my ears no doubt redder than Rudolph's nose, "I'd rather not discuss that in front of my sister."

I for one wasn't looking foreword to informing the group of my inexperience.

As my freckled and speckled hand hovered over the bottle, I saw Rilee wink at me, no doubt knowing that I was more virgin than a non-alcoholic beverage. Keeping my head down, I spun the bottle, it landing on the unsuspecting ginger, "Truth or dare?"

She bit her tongue, "Hm, truth..."

"What's the blue soap?"

Smiling, she laughed as Brandon let out a knowing chuckle and Landon his his smile with a piece of beef jerky. Ad then she answered, "Luuuuuube."

"What?"

"Yeah, I got it for Paul's birthday a little while back because you know, he's gayer than gay. I call it lucky lube because he got laid that night..." She held up her hand for a high five, Brandon smacking it before reluctantly pulling his hand away, I'd found myself noticing more of his unrequited love,  "Nic was a douche but I've heard his dick is huge-"

Paul's beautiful brown eyes went wide, "Ri!"

"Ugh fine," she rolled her eyes, raising on of her hands up in surrender as she spun the Heineken bottle, it landing on the younger curly mop, "Truth or dare?"

Now, who in their right mind would think of Pete as daring, I didn't know. But Pete must've seen the way Brandon rolled his eyes because he bit his lower lip, mumbling out a "Dare."

"Oooo," Landon sat up straight at that, "Pete's getting daring."

To be honest, we were all pretty proud of him, "Kiss the best looking person here, of course, I don't count because I'm a gift from God."

"And please, no one over eighteen because we're trying to keep it legal," Lanny had noted which would've made sense... If he weren't under the legal drinking age and sipping from his brother's flask.

And Pete's eyes flickered over the group before he furrowed his brows and scanned the group. Jade had winked at him, causing me to almost projectile vomit.

Landon's 'come hither' motion was pretty convincing but that didn't stop the freshman from leaning in and kissing an unsuspecting Will right on the lips.

And to say Ben looked uncomfortable was an understatement, "Well, hi there, Curly. You know, you could at least take me on a date first."

"I-I..."

I watched as she giggled at him, flicking her dark hair over her shoulder as she looked at the faint blush on his cheeks. I might've been slightly annoyed that he found her hotter than me.

Only slightly.

Willa smiled, biting her pink lips, "You're cute."

And from the slight smile on Caspar's face, I knew they were only friends.

"Get some, Will!" Rilee had yelled out, smirk on her face as she whooped, Brandon looking at her fondly and inconspicuously. The smile he was trying to hide was directed at his brother when he turned quickly to avoid getting caught.

Benji lightly kicked the redhead's shin, popping open a beer that Landon had passed him, "That's my sister, dude, gross."

"Okay, dog. Your sister's hot, deal with it."

Caspar threw back his head, drawing attention to him for the first time that night. I hadn't had anything to talk about him with and he wouldn't talk to Jade so Benji and Will were nursing him in conversation for a few hours. To hear him talking without rig spoken to first was quite a shock to us all, "Alright, truth or dare before this turns into an orgy."

And Pete spun the bottle at that, trying to avoid getting reprimanded by the sketchier guy. Will leant back on her hands and glanced at the curly haired freshy who was watching the green bottle. The smirk on her face was evident and trust me, it wasn't an orgy but someone was bound to hookup that night.

A/N:

What's up my little sexual beings?

So an update on my life... I'm getting a job soon so WHOOP WHOOP I FEEL LIKE AN ADULT!

but anyways, the classic cliché truth or dare scene because what else would this group do while hanging out with a group of people they don't know?

No #Paulian action as tbh this is just a filler... Drama starts next chapter so beware.

Updated: Saturday, July 25.