ALL RIGHTS TO THIS BOOK ARE RESERVED TO ME. MEANING YOU CAN NOT COPY IT AND TAKE CREDIT. YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO POST MY STORY ANYWHERE AND CLAIM IT AS YOURS. ALL CREDIT GOES TO ME. Thank you.

Hello!! Thank you for picking this book to read! I really hope you enjoy it!

I didn't think I'd have to add this, but I guess some people might not know; the name Reid is pronounced REED or READ. Like "I'm reading a book." Reid.

To my rereaders, welcome back :) but PLEASE NOT SPOILERS thank you <3

- Xoxo bert
**

"Hey, who's that guy?" I nudge my best friend with my elbow then nod towards the boy leaning against the wall across the crowded room from me. I've caught him looking at me twice already.

For someone who has had at least four different girls come up and try flirting with him, he sure doesn't seem interested. In fact, he seems almost disgusted by their desperate attempts to catch his attention.

Preston acknowledges who I'm talking about, drawing his eyebrows together and pursing his lips like he's trying to think of who the mystery boy might be. My best friend shrugs then takes a sip from his red solo cup. "Never seen him before. He probably goes to Westwood. Everyone from Westwood tries to get into an Austberg party." Preston tells me matter-of-factly. "Though I'm not complaining. For some reason, the girls from Westwood High School are way hotter than girls from our school."

"Yeah," I agree though I'm not really paying much attention. Why can't I stop watching this guy?

"Speaking of Westwood girls..." Preston smirks then follows a tall blonde, with a perfect hourglass body, into the kitchen.

I wouldn't say I'm popular. Preston Anders is popular. Preston's basically the only reason we win most of our football games. That, his outgoing demeanor, and his model good looks are why he's popular. Me being his best friend is the only reason a lot of people know me. In all realness, I probably wouldn't be friends with Preston had I met him freshman year of high school. But ever since he moved in right next door to me, second grade, we've been best friends.

I honestly think I'd be lost without him.

I sigh, breaking away from my previous thoughts as I examine the room. Sweaty, horny teenagers grinding on each other and getting shit-faced. I hate high school parties. The only reason I go is for my best friend. He practically begged me to come with him.

And yet Preston leaves me for some drunk bimbo.

I study the guy from before who, for some reason, has hooked my attention once again. The guy is wearing a short-sleeved, button-up shirt that is tugged loosely into his tight black skinny jeans. The skinny jeans have ripped holes at the knees and are cropped at the ankles. All held together with a black belt. The shirt was stripped which I would normally barf at, but with the three top buttons undone, exposing his chest and the silver chains around his neck, one would say he looks extremely attractive in that striped shirt.

Not me, I wouldn't say that, but someone.

I can see why the girls are throwing themselves at him. He's tall with a body that shouts: I WORK OUT! He's not majorly buff by any means, but his arms have the perfect amount of muscle to them. He has a sharp jawline and a flawless, tan face that accommodates the rest of his body. His hair is brown and slightly curly. It's pretty hot actually. His hair is styled with the right amount of messiness to it that gives off an I don't care attitude but also an I wanna look good attitude.

Damn... he's hot.

What am I thinking? Boys aren't hot! Girls are hot. Gosh, what's in this drink? I cringe and look down at my alcoholic beverage. When I glance back up, the attractive boy is gone. I frown then head into the living room. I slump down onto the couch, squeezing my small body in between two girls.

The girls I'm sitting in the middle of, are both from my grade. Jessica Wheeler and Marisa Jenkins. They're both pretty cool, I guess.

"Hey, you!" Jessica exclaims. I turn and follow her gaze. It's the boy from before! "What's your name?" She asks the attractive curly-haired boy.

"Grayson," he answers nonchalantly.

A lazy smile creeps on my face. Grayson. I like that.

"Wanna play?" Jessica asks him in a flirtatious way while she twirls her hair around her finger. I almost gag; could she be more obvious?

Grayson looks at me then back at her and shrugs. "Sure. What are we playing?"

Jessica smiles like she just won the lottery. "Never Have I Ever," she chirps.

"You should join too, Reid," Marisa says to me and I'm surprised she knows my name. Sure, they both have a class with me, but I'm someone who likes to stick by myself in class considering none of my friends have the same classes as me.

"Uh, yeah. Sure. Whatever." I say with a shrug.

Me, Jess, Marisa, Grayson, and a few others gather around in a circle with our drinks and begin the game. Jess going first considering she was the one who suggested the game. "Just in case someone doesn't know how to play, I'll explain. I'll— or whoever's turn it is— will say something they've never done starting with 'never have I ever.' Then whoever has done that drinks. Simple. I'll start. Never have I ever smoked weed."

Marisa, Grayson, a guy (named Taylor?), some redhead girl, and a misunderstood looking guy in a black hoodie, take a drink.

It was Grayson's turn. He thought for a moment before looking at me while saying, "Never have I ever hooked up with someone I just met at a party." Why am I blushing from that? I don't know. But I also don't know why Grayson looked at me while he said that. But then Grason looks at Marisa and winks at her, so maybe I imagined it.

Redhead, Jessica, Marisa, and Taylor drink. No wonder our school is known for Chlamydia.

"Never have I ever had sex in a car," Redhead says.

What, is everyone sex-crazed? Jesus.

All except me (and of course Redhead) drink. Damn, my life is pathetic.

The game carries on and I, not surprisingly, don't get many opportunities to drink due to my sexual experiences, or lack thereof. We come to a full circle, and I'm the last one who goes. "Umm..." Shit, I should've thought about what I was going to say before it was my turn. "Never have I everrrr..." I drag out as I thought of my answer. "kissed a boy," I don't know why that slipped out of my mouth, but it did and I was looking right at Grayson while it happened.

Redhead, Marisa, and Jessica take a drink... Along with Grayson.

My eyebrows shoot up in surprise but don't say anything. The rest of the group also keeps their comments to their selves, but share a questioning glance with each other.

Although Marisa grins at Jess. She looks almost... excited that he's kissed a boy...? Weird. Grayson is unfazed by all the looks. He doesn't even deny it, or come up with an excuse as to why he'd kiss a boy?

"Shots?" Redhead suggests switching subjects.

All, but the misunderstood kid, nod with a few saying 'yeah,' and we make our way to the kitchen, but my mind was reeling.

Grayson has kissed a boy before. How many? Was it just one and done? Was it unwillingly? Did he like it? Is he gay? Bisexual? Pansexual? Does he top or bottom?

My thought is interrupted when Marisa lines up six shot glasses and pours Tequila in them. She holds her glass high in the air. "Fight till we win!" She shouts, loud enough for everyone to hear.

Everyone and I mean everyone, hold up their cup or glass and yell in unison, "Never give in!"

We all drink our alcoholic beverage, us six tilting our heads back and downing our shots.  I cringe at the bitter taste and feel the liquid burning its way down my throat.

At every school event or house party like this, it's a ritual to shout 'Never give in' after someone yells 'fight till we win!' The phrase is a part of our Austberg pride anthem. As silly as it is, I love having this ritual. Even if you're a nobody, a burnout, a misfit, or whoever, having this tradition makes you feel like you are a part of something. Like you belong.

Marisa offers us all another shot and I'm about to decline until Grayson winks at me and downs his drink.

Feeling a sudden need to prove to Grayson that I know how to have a good time, I go along and take the second shot of tequila. The burning sensation like before leaks down my throat, "eh," I unattractively stick my tongue out in disgust.

I look up and catch Grayson chuckling and shaking his head. Was that towards me? I blush.

I'm definitely a lightweight, so it doesn't take long before the alcohol sets in and I am feeling pretty good.

When I see Grayson walk off on his own, I follow him.

It's hard to keep up with him with the intoxicated state I'm in along with the other sweaty teenagers bumping into me. When I finally get upstairs, I lose him and frown.

I turn around in defeat and was gonna go back downstairs until I am grabbed and pulled into a bedroom.

I gasp when Grayson pins me against the wall after locking the bedroom door shut. "I knew you'd follow me," he says in a deep, sexy voice. Oh, God, I feel tingly all over. "You were staring at me all night."

"Me staring at you? Pretty sure it's the other way around." I say but can't help but smile. Then I hiccup from all the alcohol I've consumed and begin giggling like a little kid.

Grayson smiles and I swear I've never seen anything more perfect. "You're cute," he says.

"Mmmm and you're," I check him out head to toe. "Delicious," I tell him seductively. Then do something I would never do sober. I grab a fistful of his shirt and crash his lips to mine.

**

Get To Know The Characters:

Reid Henderson: Age- 17//Senior//DOB-February 17//Aquarius//Strengths: Kind-hearted, Independent//Weaknesses: Overthinking, anxiety

Grayson Clarke: Age- 18//Senior//DOB- August 7//Leo//Strengths: Passionate, charismatic//Weaknesses: Arrogant, stubborn
*upper right picture is what Grayson wore at party*

Preston  Anders: Age- 18//Senior//DOB- Nov 23//Sagittarius//Strengths: Optimistic, honest//Weaknesses: Speaks before thinking, impulsive

Jessica Wheeler: Age- 17//Senior//DOB- January 30// Aquarius//Strengths: Intellegent, Open-minded//Weaknesses: tempermental, Overthinking

Marisa Jenkins: Age- 17// Senior//DOB-June 12//Gemini//Strengths: creative, affectionate//Weaknesses: indecisive, nervous wreck

Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this chapter, help me out with a comment and/or vote!

-bert