Just me and you

from the room to answer the door-so fast she might as

es grew louder, clearer-and so did the butterflies in my stomach. I tried to play it cool,

c high school party. That Sam would be at. Wearing a navy blue t-

e cut through my thoughts. He w

and away. "Yeah, I'm here," I mutte

the door. Roman stepped back beside Lola,

I said, plastering on a grin

ong-loudly and off-key-to Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen. Being surrounded by my friends helped s

ok like a gremlin the rest of the

usic and laughter. Cars lined the street-and the lawn. A f

s like the party'

peated with a laugh. "

dging him in the ches

g inside, it was like a scene straight from a teen drama-loud music, flashing lights, red cups everywh

s led into what I assumed were the kitchen and living room. If the house had ever been e

nyway?" I asked Sam as

of Roman's.

, really," Roman adde

So... we don't even kn

hrugged,

. "We're official

ce her to his friends. She looked mildly panicked, but that was typical Lol

ottles of beer and vodka. We grabbed two unopened beers (no way I was trusting red cups toni

rty?" Sam asked, watch

rties and bounc

ed. "Sad

first official high school party," I

er make it un

toward the makeshift dance floor. The living room was

g how obsessed I used

d. I swayed with the music, raising my arms and sing

then

ated violentl

m Sam. Who in the world was

night air biting against my skin. I answ

uiet, brok

whispered between hiccups. "I

firm. "Breathe. Just breathe. I'm

ing me closely, eyebrows furrowed. He mouthed

ver?" Piper ask

I'll be ther

E-Eva." Then

" I told Sam.

chant had broken out from somewher

other and rushed t

of it all was Roman, fists up and bloody-lipp

k surprised-ju

otted Lola inside the circle, flailing her

s, bruised face-but the other guy h

" I shrieked. I turned

ready pushing through t

her arms, spinning her

d. We were talking, then suddenly h

nd started talking him down. The crowd was beg

m and Roman a

im like he was a science experiment. He looked amused and swatted

ry about the scene," he m

s fight. It's

wrapped in a peach blanket with no memory of how I got there. Roman and Sam were both snoring o

t. You

fingernail ja

't move your hand, I'm goi

it a bad idea lett

a sigh. "Are we alive? N

es

truly do

say, Roman was hurt

I am begging yo

blessed

BEEP

But Lola's expression was frozen in

?" I asked,

exted me. Did you ever

n

o no

h!" I leapt out of bed, tripping over Roman on the floor

swoon any other time-but not whe

ctively wrapped an arm around me. His

g," he

led out of his arms, grabbed my pu

here I was going, I bolted ou

Point

ry, don

ide me felt like it was crumbling. My che

be I was just being dramatic.

me? Was that wh

o stupid

ink? I never broke down l

be it was the split. Maybe it was because he

I knew she'd be upset. But sh

't want to

e. Or Lola. I wouldn't

it was t