WILLOW'S POV

"I can't believe I let you talk me into this." Henry complained for the umpteenth time as he drove towards the lake for the new years party Matthew had invited us to.

"You could have stayed behind you know. I don't need you being miserable all night, you'll ruin the vibe. I just want to usher in the new year with a bang."I replied.

I knew for a fact that Henry would not have allowed me to come by myself. As doubtful as I was about Matthew's turning a new leaf Henry was even more skeptical. I hated that Matthew thought I was stupid enough not to see behind the facade he was putting up. I was just playing along to see how long he thought he could pull off the whole thing off without it unraveling in his face.

"It was either this or be a third wheel to Jack's date."Henry replied.

"He and Hannah are getting pretty serious. I can't wait to meet her."I replied happy that Jack was finding happiness.

It gave me hope that it was never too late for one to find love.

"You've probably met her before. She's the nurse at school."Henry informed me.

"I've never been to the infirmary but besides that I'd like to meet her outside school, so it's less formal."I replied.

Henry just shrugged but didn't say anything else.

The lake was further away than I thought and Henry was driving because I had no idea where it was. Charlie was at Alex's again and instead of feeling bad that my brother and I were spending less time together I embraced the fact that he was growing and making friends. I was always anxious when we were apart but he kept texting me updates of how he was doing so I was assured that he was okay.

I also needed to have my own life away from him that's why whenever I wasn't working Henry and I hangout. We were getting closer and closer as the days passed by thus making my feelings for him grow stronger. It's not like I was ever going to act upon them but I found solace in the fact that we would always be friends. It didn't measure up because I kept thinking of a shirtless Henry but it would have to do. Nothing good would come of us dating.

"We're here."Henry announced cutting my thoughts short.

There were very many cars packed and loud music coming from the distance.

"We have to walk the rest of the way."Henry informed me as he got out of the car.

I got off too grateful I'd worn gloves and a jacket because it was extremely cold out. It was already past eight pm so it was very dark out but they had put fairly lights around making it easier for one to see.

"Who has a party by the lake with such weather?"Henry lamented some more as we walked towards the source of the music.

"Don't be such a party pooper. You'll warm up soon enough."I replied my teeth clattering in objection to that statement.

I had to admit that Matthew was stupid hosting a party outside in such cold weather but we were already there and couldn't turn back. I'd spent all day convincing Henry to accompany me and I didn't want to prove him right that being there was a terrible idea.

The closer we got the louder the music got. We started seeing people spread out around a raging bonfire everyone with a partycup or a beer in hand. Some people were dancing, others were making out and I could have sworn I saw a couple having sex against a tree. I'd been to a few high school parties before and they were always crazy. Looks like even Crescent's spoilt brats knew how to party too.

The lake was shimmering under the full moon and the water was not frozen but it was very still and no doubt extremely cold.

"Why couldn't we stay in, raid my parents liquor cabinet and have our own party at home where it's warmer and less crowdy?"Henry asked as we pushed past the throng of drunk high school students.

"Because we're always together. It's nice for us to mingle with other people so you don't get sick of me."I yelled over the loud music.

"I'd never get sick of you."Henry shouted back making me smile.

"That's really sweet but we need this. Now let's find some beer."I declared taking his hand and pulling him with me.

We found a cooler filled with beer since I didn't trust the punch everyone was drinking. I grabbed us two cans and handed one to Henry.

"We chug the first one to get the edge off and savor the rest."I told him popping mine open.

Henry didn't look impressed with my decision but he didn't fight me on it and did just as I asked. The beer was warm since the cooler was by the fire and it helped warm me up.

There was no sign of Matthew and as much as he had invited us, I didn't want to see him.

"Do you want to dance?"I yelled in Henry's ear.

I didn't want us to just awkwardly stand next to each other. I wanted us to have fun together.

"I don't dance."Henry declined.

"Don't worry. I'll do all the work."I assured him pulling him closer to the light and where there was some free space available.

I chugged the can in my hand before tossing it away.

"Follow my lead."I instructed Henry.

He looked unsure but he still nodded. My inhibitions were lower because of the alcohol but I was still aware of everything around me. I turned around so my back was to Henry's front and took his hands placing them on my waist. An afro beat song by Rotimi called In My Bed came on and it had the perfect beat for what I had in mind. I started by slowly rotating my waist as the tempo increased enough to get me in the groove.

"Maybe you should stop."Henry whispered huskily bending over so I could hear.

I knew I was teasing him but I wanted him to feel as frustrated as I did when he did little things like walk shirtless in front of me.

"I'm just getting started."I replied before arching my back completely.

When the beat was just right I started twerking, moving my hips to the beat. Henry groaned and I could feel him get hard as I grinded against him. I expected him to move away but he gripped my waist tighter keeping me in place as he pulled me closer. I took that as as sign that I needed to keep going so I went all out giving him the dance of his life. I noticed people around us stop dancing to look at us but I blocked them all out and concentrated on the music, the feel of Henry's hands on my body, his growing bulge against my ass, his rapid breathing and the fact that I was just as affected as he was if not more.

The song slowly came to an end and Dior by Pop Smoke picked up. It wasn't as sexy as the previous one but I made it work as Henry and I moved sensually together. He was getting the hang of it and moving his hips with mine and soon enough it was just the both of us in our own bubble. Two songs later my hips started hurting so I waited for the song to end before I turned around to face Henry.

Everyone around us clapped and hooted while Henry just looked at me his lips parted, nose flaring as he tried to control his breathing.

"Fuck, that was amazing."Henry choked out after a few minutes of us just staring at each other.

"I know."I grinned proud of myself.

I knew it was stupid doing such a thing with Henry especially when nothing could come out of it but seeing him flushed, out of breath and gaze unfocused as he tried to calm himself did things to me that I could not explain.

"Hey, Willow can I get a turn?"Someone yelled over the loud music.

"Not a chance in hell."Henry yelled back before I could reply.

He pulled me closer to him protectively and I buried my face in his chest happy to have him with me. I was seeing a side of Henry that I'd never seen before and it was a huge turn on. I was digging a deeper hole for myself but I couldn't help myself. I was definitely blaming the three beers I had downed.

"Wanna get another beer?"I asked needing a distraction.

"What I want is to get out of here."Henry declared.

"But we're having so much fun. Come one lets stay a while longer and if your still miserable in an hour we can leave."I assured him.

"Thirty minutes."Henry bargained.

"Forty five minutes final offer."I insisted.

"Fine but I still have to drive home so I'm not drinking again."Henry declared.

"More for me."I grinned as we weaved our way towards the coolers.

Someone tugged at my arm just before we could get to our destination. I tugged at my arm back but they didn't let go. I turned around to tell them off and was met with Matthew's grinning face. He was dressed in a t-shirt, blue denim jacket and ripped jeans which was very unsuitable for the cold.

"Sorry but you didn't hear me call you."Matthew apologized explaining why he took my hand.

He looked drunk so I slowly and politely tugged my arm away and backed into the safety of Henry's arms. Matthew didn't look too pleased with our close proximity but I'd never cared what he thought about me.

"Great party."I shouted over the loud music.

"Thanks, glad you could come. The fireworks display later will blow your mind."Matthew answered.

"I can't wait."I replied.

"We'll not be here for that."Henry muttered behind me but I ignored him.

I'd find a way to convince him to stay.

"Maybe you and I can kiss to usher the new year together."Matthew suggested.

I felt Henry's grip on my waist get tighter but he didn't utter a word. The kissing tradition to usher in a new year was lame but kind of cute. I hadn't thought about it but kissing Matthew was definitely not going to happen.

"I don't think that's a good idea."I declined.

"Come on I thought you and I were friends. It's just an innocent kiss nothing else."Matthew assured me.

"We're not friends and I said I'm not kissing you."I replied a little bit more forcefully hoping my words would stick.

Matthews whole demeanor changed in a split second. He had been happy and smiling one second and the next he looked pissed, his nose flaring in anger.

"What does it take to get a girl like you huh?! I even apologized and tried to be nice but you keep rejecting me at every turn. Maybe you like pathetic little dimwits like my idiot twin."Matthew spat the mask falling off and his true intentions revealed.

"Don't you dare speak about Henry like that and for your information, you haven't got what it takes to get a girl like me. You think you're so great but all you are is a pathetic mama's boy who gets high on making other people miserable."I defended getting angry.

"You will regret that."Matthew declared grabbing my arm forcefully and tugging me towards him.

I didn't budge and it was only because of the firm hold Henry had on my waist.

"Let her go."Henry gritted out in such a low and deep voice that I got goosebumps.

I'd never heard him talk like that and it excited me and scared me at the same time. I was not scared for me but for Matthew who was still holding my arm in a painful grip.

"Oh yeah, or what?"Matthew challenged.

Henry pulled me away so unexpectedly that Matthew had no option but to let me go. Henry stood between us taking a protective stance. It reminded me of the first day I caught them fighting at the school and Matthew tried to hit me.

"Oh, so you're her bodyguard now? I can easily get past you to get to her."Matthew shouted.

"I can assure you that you'll not find me so easy to beat like other times. You will not touch her or me so before this gets ugly walk away with your face still intact."Henry replied his voice trembling in anger.

We had attracted quite the audience and everyone was looking at us now. I was sure that everyone was on Matthew's side since he was the popular brother. If a fight broke out we would be outmatched.

"Let's go Henry, he isn't worth it."I pleaded tugging at his hoodie to pull him back.

"You should listen to your little slut."Matthew chuckled.

That was the last statement he said before all hell broke loose. Henry was the one who struck first throwing a punch so hard and fast at Matthew's face that everyone definitely heard his nose crack.

Matthew stumbled back but was stabilized by a few of his jock friends. He touched his nose and when he saw the blood on his fingers, he balled his hands into a fist and launched himself at Henry.

They stumbled back, knocked over a table full of beer as they tumbled around throwing fists and kicks at each other. No one was doing anything to stop them and I knew getting in the middle of it would only lead to me getting hurt.

Someone was yelling 'stop it' over as over again and I realized I was the one shouting when my throat got sore.

"Henry stop!"I yelled but they just kept fighting.

"Matthew let him go you big brute."I screamed.

Matthew had the strength from football but it was like a demon had been unleashed in Henry because he was fighting like a possessed man. When Matthew managed to get a hit in, Henry hit back even harder. People were yelling and screaming all around us but no one was trying to break them up. The music had stopped playing and all that could be heard was grunts, punches and people cheering. The fight was just getting intense and I realized that if nothing was done they would kill each other.

I pulled my phone out and realized that calling the cops would get me nowhere as they would arrive too late. Thinking fast, I realized that the only thing teenagers feared more than their parents knowing they were getting drunk in the woods was getting arrested by the police. I quickly went into YouTube and played police sirens.

"Cops!"I yelled to support my ruse.

It worked because that started a chain reaction that even I was not prepared for. Everyone started running in all directions scattering as they stumbled over their own feet and each other. Matthew's teammates dragged him from the fight and carried him away leaving Henry lying on the ground. I quickly rushed to his side and was grateful to find him still breathing just badly bruised. I waited a few more minutes to make sure that everyone had left before turning off the sound.

"Henry?"I called out tapping his cheek.

He opened his eyes and looked at me. His lip was split open and one of his eyes was already turning black. I didn't need to see his body to know that the damage was all over.

"That was clever but you should have let me kill him."Henry chocked out spitting blood.

"You are as stupid as that brother of yours. Why would you pick a fight with him?"I asked.

"He hurt you and called you a slut."Henry replied and you could tell that he was in pain because he winced with every word he spoke.

"I don't need you fighting my battles Henry and besides I've been called worse."I scolded.

"Well I'm sorry, I just couldn't stand by and let him insult you."Henry wheezed out.

It was nice that Henry tried to be a gentleman but not at the cost of him getting hurt.

"We have to get you to a hospital."I declared trying to help him up.

"I can't."He groaned holding his sides in pain.

"What do you mean you can't? You're clearly hurt and need a hospital."I reasoned.

"Nope, I just need to lay here a while then we can go home."Henry declared.

"If you don't want to go to the hospital fine but you need to ice your wounds otherwise you won't be able to get out of bed tomorrow."I informed him.

"I can't move."He replied.

"Oh and whose fault is that?"I asked looking at him wondering what to do next.

I looked around us trying to find something that could help me get him to the car without hurting him when my eyes landed on the lake. I'd had several terrible ideas over the course of the day but what I was thinking was definitely going to win over all those ideas. I just had to find a way to convince Henry to agree to it.