After dinner, Belly had gone for a night swim while the boys got ready for the bonfire that happens every first night of the summer. Usually it was the girls and the moms staying home watching movies, eating popcorn and making brownies while the boys went to the bonfire. Belly wanted to go to the party though and now she was trying to convince Aurelia to go with her.

"Come on, Aurie. Please." Belly pouts, giving her puppy dog eyes. "Don't make me go alone."

"Belly, you know I'm not a party person." Aurelia sighs, sitting on her bed by Belly. "Or a beach bonfire person."

"Please, Aurie. I don't wanna be alone. It'll be fun! We'll have fun, I promise." Belly pleaded, tugging on her hand.

"Alright, alright. Fine." Aurelia gave in with a sigh, making Belly squeal.

"Thank you! Okay, great, now we gotta pick out your outfit. Let me call Taylor, she can help." Belly offered, pulling out her phone. Belly was already dressed in a tight pink dress she explained that Taylor left in her bag for her. Her hair was curled and she was wearing a bit more makeup than she normally would.

"No, wait, I'm fine-" Aurelia began to say but Belly was already calling Taylor.

"Hey, Bells! This is the second time you called me tonight, did you leave for the party yet?" Taylor asked worriedly, her face on screen since Belly had FaceTime her.

"No, I convinced Aurie to go with me so now we need help picking out her outfit." Belly explained.

"Wait, the one time you convince our girl to go to a party and I'm not there? That's a travesty." Taylor huffed.

"Sorry, Tay." Aurelia apologizes. "I honestly would appreciate your help picking out my outfit."

"No problem, girl! Let me see what you've got in your closet." Taylor replied with a grin.

Aurelia and Belly went over to her closet and Aurelia opened it. Belly turned her phone around so Taylor could see. Taylor's eyes scanned the closet and she tapped her chin in thought.

"Okay, wait," Her eyes lit up as she thought of an idea. "Try that pink lace crop top and the white skirt. Put that with a floral cardigan and some gold sandals. I bet you would look hot in that."

"Okay, sounds good. I'll try it on." Aurelia replied, grabbing the mentioned outfit.

She quickly changed and then she walked back into the bedroom, showing her friends. She never wore this outfit because she didn't really like how short the skirt was or how tight the crop top was. It looked great though, and Taylor was excited.

"Oh, that's perfect! You look great, Aurie!" Taylor Taylor gushed, smiling wide.

"Yeah, I like it a lot." Belly chimes in with a smile. "Though the top does look a little tight." She noticed.

"That's why I never wear it." Aurelia mumbled, glancing down at herself with a sigh. She shifted uncomfortably, adjusting the shirt. She never liked wearing tight or revealing clothes because of how she felt about her body. She had always been self conscious and didn't feel confident enough to show off her skin. She was a lot more confident than she used to be but it still took a lot for her to feel comfortable in her own skin. She's still working on that.

"But you look great. Don't change." Taylor orders, frowning a little. "You look so hot right now." She reassures her friend. "Trust me, you're gonna kill it tonight. You're gonna have all the boys falling over you."

"Well, I'm not sure if I want that but okay." Aurelia murmurs with a small shrug. "Thanks for the help, Tay."

"No problem, Aurie! Have fun, okay? Call me tomorrow morning and let me know how the party went." Taylor says with a grin. "I gotta get going, but have fun, guys!"

"We will. Bye, Tay." Belly and Aurelia reply in unison before the call ended.

Aurelia finished getting ready, doing her makeup and hair before putting her phone, keys, and wallet in her small bag.

"Let's go!" Belly grinned, linking her arm with Aurelia's as they headed down the stairs. Aurelia hoped she wouldn't regret this decision.

****

Aurelia drove them to where the bonfire was at the beach and parked her car. She and Belly then walked to the bonfire where a lot of teenagers were at, talking, drinking and dancing to the music.

"Yo, gas station girl." A boy calls out to Belly with a smile and walked over to her. Aurelia raises her eyebrows, glancing at Belly with confusion and Belly shot her a look that read 'I'll tell you later'. "Hey, where are you coming from?"

"Uh, a-another party." Belly chuckled nervously with a small smile. Aurelia furrowed her eyebrows and looked at her with confusion. Belly then sent her a look that read 'go along with it'.

Aurelia nods subtly, catching onto Belly's cue to play along. "Yeah, just another party. You know how it is." She added, offering a friendly smile to the boy.

The boy chuckles, seemingly satisfied with their response. "Cool, cool. One of you want the rest of my beer?" He offered, holding out the beer can he held.

Aurelia was about to reply, but Belly beat her to it. "No, no, no, thanks. We're good." Belly reassured him.

"Got it." The boy murmurs as he nods, his gaze returning to Aurelia. "Who's your friend, gas station girl?" He questioned. Aurelia shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, pulling her cardigan closer to her body to cover herself up more. She didn't like the way this boy was looking at her. He was not so subtly checking her out and she didn't like the look in his eyes.

"Who's your friend, gas station girl?" The boy asked curiously, his gaze not leaving Aurelia's. He seemed persistent, and Aurelia felt increasingly uncomfortable under his scrutiny. She glanced at Belly, silently pleading for some assistance in deflecting his attention.

Belly notices Aurelia's discomfort and quickly steps in. "Oh, this is my friend, Aurelia. She's not really into the whole party scene, but I managed to drag her out tonight." Belly explained with a forced laugh, trying to steer the conversation away from Aurelia's discomfort. The boy didn't seem to take the hint, though, and continued staring at Aurelia. "Isn't that right, Aurie?" Belly nudged her friend's shoulder, prompting her to respond.

"Yeah, I'm not really into parties," Aurelia confirms, nodding along with Belly's explanation. She offers the boy a weak smile, hoping that would be enough to deter him from any further questions. "I'm more of a stay-at-home kind of girl."

The boy raises an eyebrow, seemingly intrigued by this revelation. "Is that so?" He asks, his tone laced with a hint of surprise. Aurelia nods once more, fidgeting with the hem of her cardigan as she avoids making eye contact with the boy. She's never been one to enjoy the spotlight, and his intense stare is making her feel uneasy. "Well, then maybe I should get your number, and we can stay at home together sometime." The boy suggested, a smug grin spreading across his lips while he stepped into her personal space. Aurelia blinked, caught off guard by his boldness.

Aurelia shifts uncomfortably as the boy continues to stare at her. His gaze is piercing, and she feels a shiver run down her spine as he invades her space. "Um, no thanks," She replies, taking a step back. "I'm not really interested." She stood closer to Belly, linking her arm with hers. She didn't like the way the boy was making her feel and wanted nothing more than to get away from him.

"Come on, don't be like that." The boy presses, not letting up. He steps closer to her, placing a hand on her waist. "You're a beautiful girl, I'm sure you've had your fair share of admirers." His tone is teasing, but there's an underlying note of lust that makes Aurelia's stomach turn. "It would be a surprise if you don't have a boyfriend, even." He leans in, his voice dropping to a low whisper. "Tell me, do you have a boyfriend?" He questioned, his eyes raking over her body in a way that makes her skin crawl.

"I- uh, no, I don't." Aurelia stammers, trying to keep her composure despite her growing unease. "But I'm not looking for one, either. Sorry, but I'm just not interested." She repeats, firmly pushing his hand off her waist. She steps away from him, moving closer to Belly. Belly gives her a concerned look, and Aurelia gives her a weak smile, reassuring her that she's okay. "Thanks, though." She adds, trying to be polite despite the situation.

The boy chuckles, clearly unfazed by Aurelia's rejection. "Maybe I could change your mind," He offers, reaching out to grab her wrist. "Just give me a chance." He pulls her towards him, wrapping an arm around her waist. "I promise, I can show you a good time." He smirks, his other hand trailing down her side. "Just you and me, we can have a good time together." His grip on her waist tightened, his fingers digging into her skin. Aurelia flinched, trying to pull away from him. As this happened, Belly's gaze scanned the crowd nervously for one of the boys to call them over to help diffuse the situation and make the boy leave.

Aurelia was growing increasingly uncomfortable, and the boy didn't seem to be letting up. His grip on her was tight, and his hands were roaming her body in a way that made her feel violated. She wanted nothing more than to get away from him, but his hold on her was strong. "Get off of me," She hisses, her tone laced with venom. "I said I'm not interested."

Belly is relieved when she spotted her brother walking nearby and she calls out to him. "Steven!"

Steven pauses with walking, taken aback when he saw his sister and Aurelia at the party and then again at noticing what they were wearing. His jaw tightens and his eyes narrow, but when he saw Aurelia looking uncomfortable with the boy by them, he didn't know why but he didn't like it. "What are you doing here? And I-I'm sorry, what are you wearing?" Steven stammered, his gaze lingering on the girls, surprised by what they had on. They didn't usually wear outfits like that.

Aurelia glances over her shoulder, meeting Steven's eyes. There's a glint of desperation in her gaze, and she silently pleads for him to come to her aid. Belly nudges her brother's arm, nodding towards the boy who still had a tight grip on Aurelia's wrist. "Help her," She mutters, her tone serious. "That creep's giving her a hard time."

Steven's expression darkens as he finally notices the boy, who was standing a little too close to Aurelia. He clenched his jaw, feeling a surge of anger rush through him. The thought of anyone hurting Aurelia made his blood boil, and the sight of this guy harassing her was enough to push him over the edge. His hate for her had dissipated in that moment, replaced by a fierce protectiveness that he couldn't ignore. Without a second thought, he blocked the boy's view from Aurelia, standing between them.

"Hey, buddy, I think the lady said she's not interested," Steven says, his voice firm as he places a hand on the boy's shoulder, forcefully pulling him away from Aurelia. The boy stumbles back, caught off guard by Steven's sudden intervention. He shoots Steven a glare, clearly displeased by his interference. "You heard her, she's not interested."

"Mind your own business, man," The boy retorted, his tone defensive as he squares his shoulders, ready to defend himself. Steven's gaze narrows, his fists clenching at his sides as he takes a step towards the boy, his eyes blazing with fury.

"This is my business when you're making my sister and her friend uncomfortable," Steven tells him. "You can't just harass girls like that, it's not cool." He glares at the boy, his fists clenching at his sides. "If she says no, she means no. Leave her alone. Plus the other one is my sister, she's fifteen." Steven threatened him, his eyes narrowing. Aurelia was glad Steven came over, she had started to panic and get overwhelmed by the boy's behavior and advances. She doesn't like Steven, but at this moment she's relieved he was there to help her.

"I-I'm almost sixteen." Belly stammered out sheepishly. She didn't know why she felt the need to clarify that, but she did.

"My bad." The boy said apologetically, his eyes widening slightly. But then he recomposed himself and he glances at Aurelia curiously. "What about you though? How old are you?"

"Eighteen." Aurelia mumbled, avoiding eye contact with him.

"And not interested, man." Steven warns him. "You heard her before. Now back off before things get ugly."

"Whatever, fine." The boy huffed, rolling his eyes as he walked away from the trio.

Aurelia felt a wave of relief wash over her as the boy left, and she took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. She was grateful for Steven's intervention, but she still couldn't shake the feeling of uneasiness. "Are you okay?" Steven asked, turning his attention to Aurelia. His voice was soft, and his expression was filled with concern. Aurelia was startled by the gaze. He never looked at her like that before with such kindness and care. He looked worried, his eyebrows knitted together and his eyes scanning her face with worry. She was surprised by the sudden change in his demeanor, but she appreciated his concern nonetheless.

"Yeah, I'm okay," Aurelia replies, forcing a small smile. "Thanks to you." She glances at Steven, feeling a sense of gratitude towards him for coming to her rescue. Despite their differences, she couldn't deny that she was touched by his act of kindness. "I appreciate it." She added, her tone genuine.

"Of course, bambi. I wasn't gonna let some creep mess with you and Belly." Steven explained, glancing at his sister. Belly nodded, thankful for his help as well. The boy wouldn't listen to her and Aurelia so they were relieved when he intervened. Steven looked back at Aurelia and he wasn't sure why he felt relieved to know that she was okay. They were enemies, they didn't like each other. But just because they didn't like each other didn't mean he wouldn't let someone harass her. He wasn't a monster. He wouldn't let some creep mess with a girl.

"Guys, come on." Steven sighed, grabbing his sister's arm and began dragging her away from the party. Belly started to protest, not wanting to leave.

"Steven, just let her go. Can we not come to a party and hang out like you guys?" Aurelia said defensively. Her question went on deaf ears as the siblings bickering. Belly kept trying to get Steven to let go of her arm and somehow she ended up on the sand after Steven pushed her.

"Jerk." Aurelia muttered, flicking the back of his head and Steven sent her a glare.

"What are you two doing here anyway? I thought you hated parties." Steven asked, ignoring Aurelia's insult.

"I do. But Belly convinced me to go and have some fun." Aurelia answered, looking down at her feet.

"And you thought it was a good idea for her to go to this party?" Steven questioned, narrowing his eyes at her.

"Yes, because she'd be with me and I would keep an eye on her. And you guys need to stop treating her like a kid. She's fifteen, Steven, not five." Aurelia reminds him, her voice tinged with frustration. "She can make her own choices, and if she wants to come to a party, then she should be allowed to."

Steven sighed, running a hand through his hair as he glanced between Aurelia and Belly. He could see the determination in Aurelia's eyes, and he knew that arguing with her would only lead to more tension between them. Plus, he couldn't deny that she had a point about Belly being old enough to make her own decisions. Before he could speak though his and Aurelia's attention is brought over to Belly, who had fallen in the sand after Steven had pushed her.

Belly had fallen on the sand in front of where Conrad sat on the sand with a girl, who he had been kissing. "Belly?" He asks, looking confused. Then he notices Aurelia. "Aurie?" He pauses, taking a double take after seeing what his little sister was wearing. "What the heck are you wearing?" He demanded.

Aurelia grimaces, feeling self-conscious under Conrad's scrutiny. She pulls her cardigan tighter around herself, suddenly feeling exposed and vulnerable under his gaze. "It's...Uh, just something I threw together," She mumbles, avoiding making eye contact with him. "Belly wanted me to come to the party with her, so I...I decided to give it a try." She explains, her voice trailing off as she nervously tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Plus Taylor picked this outfit for me." She murmured.

Conrad raises an eyebrow, his expression filled with disbelief. "You actually wore what Taylor picked out for you? Seriously?" He asked incredulously. Aurelia nodded, shifting uncomfortably as she fidgeted with the hem of her cardigan. She didn't usually go along with what outfits Taylor picked out for her because she was always too shy and nervous to try them on, but she knew she needed to try getting out of her comfort zone and try new things, so she decided to go along with Taylor's suggestion.

Some laughter had filled the air and comments were made of Belly's fall. Aurelia felt bad for her friend, but she also couldn't help but be annoyed by how much attention they were drawing to themselves. She felt everyone's eyes on her and her friend and it made her feel embarrassed. She hated being the center of attention, and she could only imagine how much worse it was for Belly. She quickly went over to help Belly up, earning a grateful look from Belly.

"Thanks, Aurie." Belly whispered, brushing the sand off her dress.

"No problem, Bells." Aurelia mumbled, trying her best to ignore the stares. She felt her cheeks heat up with embarrassment, and she did her best to avoid eye contact with everyone. She was never a fan of being the center of attention, and having everyone stare at her was making her feel incredibly uncomfortable. She just wanted to disappear, but she knew that wasn't possible. She sighed, wishing she had just stayed home and not agreed to come to the party.

"I thought you hated the Red Soxs." Belly suddenly said, causing Aurelia to look at her with confusion. She then followed Belly's line of sight and noticed the baseball cap the girl by Conrad wore.

Conrad looks a bit surprised and a little awkward by this sudden confrontation. The girl turns to Belly with narrowed eyes. "Who are you?"

"Who are you?" Belly repeated.

"Nicole. Conrad and I went to the Deb Ball last summer." Nicole explained.

"It was after you guys left to take Steven to look at collages." Conrad added.

"I thought you said that deb balls are bulls**t and all debs are sheep." Belly voiced.

"I didn't..." Conrad starts, his eyes widening a bit. He was taken aback by Belly's hostility. He didn't understand why she was acting this way. But he was also nervous because he did say that and he was caught. He knew he messed up and so he tried to play it off as if he wasn't bothered. "You're such a brat." He mumbled, shaking his head.

"Well, you're an a**hole." Belly shot back. She glared at him, her eyes blazing with fury. Aurelia was surprised by Belly's sudden outburst. She'd never seen her friend like this before, and she couldn't help but feel a bit concerned. She glanced between the two, unsure of how to intervene. She felt awkward and uncomfortable, but she didn't want to leave her friend's side.

"Belly. Aurelia!" Jeremiah's cheerful voice is heard as he walks over to them. "You came! Great, we can all hang out, you guys."

Aurelia was relieved her younger brother came at the right time. He was good at easing tense situations, his cheery and friendly personality usually put people at ease. "Hey, Jere. Yeah, we're here." She murmured, sending her younger brother a small smile.

Jeremiah's grin widens when he spots the two girls. "I'm so glad you guys came! Come on, we can all hang out by the bonfire." He suggested, wrapping an arm around Aurelia's shoulders.

"I'm going to take them home." Steven chimed in.

"What?" Jeremiah asked with confusion.

"Yeah, we're leaving. Are you kidding me?" Steven inquired.

"Are you kidding me?" Aurelia repeats, glaring at Steven. "Why can't we be here? We have every right to be here."

"You can be here, but not Belly." Steven replied, glaring back at her.

"Okay, Steven, chill out. Come on. Go-Go hang out with Shayla or something." Jeremiah suggested. Aurelia furrowed her eyebrows at the name. She didn't know Steven was hanging out with a girl or was he dating? And if he was why did she care? She shouldn't care, but for some reason, she did.

"Who's Shayla?" Aurelia asks. "You're imaginary girlfriend?" She teased.

"No, I am." A voice speaks up and Aurelia notices a dark-haired girl had walked over to them. Aurelia felt a bit self-conscious at the sight of the other girl. The girl was gorgeous and she felt a bit inferior to her. "Hi, I'm Shayla. I don't think we met." Shayla smiled friendly at Aurelia, offering her hand to Aurelia. And she was nice too? Great. Aurelia was already feeling self-conscious around the girl.

"Aurelia." Aurelia replies, shaking her hand. She offers a smile, trying her best to mask her insecurities. "Nice to meet you."

"You too. Come on, Steven, let's go." Shayla grabbed Steven's hand, convincing him to go with her.

"Fine." Steven mutters. He leans over to his sister. "But just stay right here and don't talk to anybody."

"Okay, alright, chill." Jeremiah chimed in.

Out of anger, Belly turns to her brother, who was walking away with Shayla and gave him the middle finger with both hands. "F**k you!" Aurelia raised her eyebrows with surprise.

"Wow! Listen, for one, I'm really happy you're here." Jeremiah tells Belly with a soft smile. Aurelia clears her throat and he chuckles. "Of course I'm happy you're here too, sis. I'm glad you finally decided to come to a party for once." Jeremiah threw his arms around her, pulling her in for a hug and Aurelia returned the hug with a laugh. She hugged him tighter, feeling the butterflies in her stomach. She always loved his hugs.

"Jeremiah!"

When a girl called out for Jeremiah, he pulls away from Aurelia. "Okay, I will be right back." He said, turning to walk towards the girl.

"Some party, huh?" Aurelia hummed, glancing at Belly with a sigh as she wrapped her arm around Belly.

"Yeah." Belly mumbled, wrapping her arm back around Aurelia and they went to go find a place to sit.

****

Aurelia had left Belly to go mingle after a boy came over to talk to Belly. She realized it was Cameron from school and after glancing back at them, she smiled at seeing them getting along. Aurelia went and got herself a drink, sitting on the sand a bit away from the fire, watching everyone have a good time. She pulled the skirt down more, not liking how much her legs were exposed. And she wished she brought a jacket. She didn't really like the lace crop top either. She felt...Exposed. But both Taylor and Belly said she looked good, so she must've looked good, right?

"Aurie?" Aurelia is snapped out of her thoughts when she heard a familiar voice. She turned her head to see a handsome boy standing in front of her. "I-I didn't expect to see you here. You look...Stunning."

She furrows her eyebrows, not quite remembering who he is. The boy looked handsome though. He had messy brown hair, dark brown eyes, tan skin, a muscular build and freckles. His lips were curved up into a soft smile and Aurelia noticed his dimples. She didn't know why her heart fluttered at the smile he sent her.

"Sorry, um, do I know you? I mean, you clearly know me." She chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of her neck.

"It's me, Aurie." The boy laughs, sitting next to her on the sand. "Harvey. Harvey Windlow."

Aurelia's eyes widen. "Harvey? What are you doing here?" She grinned. She had met Harvey when they were little and his family used to go to the beach house every year. They became friends and played together often. They lost contact when she got older, but they did still send messages to each other on their Instagram or Snapchat every now and then. But they had stopped messaging each other since last summer.

"I'm staying at a beach house with my cousins. What about you? You and your family staying here too?" He asked, sipping his beer. 

"Yep. And with the Conklins, just like always." Aurelia answered as she smiled at him. Harvey returned the smile and they continued catching up and reminiscing.

Aurelia couldn't stop laughing at Harvey's jokes, which she was starting to recognize again. She missed this, being around him. She liked how easy it was with him. She liked his jokes, even the bad ones. She liked his smile, the way his eyes lit up when he laughed, and the sound of his laugh. And she liked the way he made her feel, like she was special, and that he was interested in what she had to say. It was nice. It was comfortable. She could relax and be herself around him. And she could tell he was enjoying their time together too which made her feel even better.

"Hey, how about we make plans to go to that pizza place we always went to?" Harvey suggested, looking at her with a hopeful yet nervous expression on his face.

A smile tugs on Aurelia's face at remembering the restaurant. It was a small, cozy place by the beach that served the best pizza they had ever tasted. It held so many memories for them, from late-night cravings to celebrating small victories.

"That sounds amazing, Harvey," Aurelia replies, her smile widening. "I'd love to go there again."

Harvey's face lit up with excitement. "Great! How about tomorrow evening? We can catch up some more and reminisce about the old times."

"Tomorrow sounds perfect," Aurelia agrees enthusiastically. "I can't wait!"

As they continued chatting and enjoying each other's company, Aurelia felt a warmth spreading inside her. Reconnecting with Harvey felt like finding a missing piece of herself. She couldn't help but feel grateful for this unexpected reunion at the beach party. Suddenly, she felt a cold breeze blowing through the air and she shivered slightly, her skin erupting into goosebumps. She pulled her cardigan closer around her body, trying to stay warm.

"Are you cold?" Harvey asks, his eyebrows furrowing in concern. "Do you want my jacket?"

"No, no, it's okay," Aurelia reassures him, giving him a small smile. "I'm fine, really."

"Are you sure?" Harvey asks again, his voice laced with worry. "Because you can borrow my jacket if you need it. I don't mind."

"Thanks, Harvey," Aurelia says, feeling touched by his offer as her heart fluttered. "But I'm okay, I promise. Besides, I'm enjoying spending time with you and I don't want to ruin the moment by being a nuisance."

"You're not a nuisance, Aurie," Harvey says softly, his gaze intense as he looks into her eyes. "Here, wear it. I don't mind. Besides you need it." He pulled his denim jacket off and wrapped it around her. Aurelia couldn't help but notice how warm and comforting it was, like being wrapped in a big, fluffy blanket.

"Thank you, Harvey," Aurelia murmurs, smiling at him appreciatively as she pulls the jacket tighter around her. "You're too kind."

They spent the rest of the night talking and laughing, sharing stories about their childhoods and teenage years, and just enjoying each other's company. They sat close to the fire and Aurelia noticed how his eyes sparkled in the glow of the flames, how his face seemed more animated and expressive. He made her feel safe and secure, like nothing could hurt her as long as he was there.

As the hours passed and the night grew colder, Aurelia and Harvey found themselves huddling together for warmth. Their bodies pressed against each other as they shared body heat. Aurelia felt her cheeks burning and she couldn't help but admire Harvey's strong arms around her. She was also aware of the subtle scent of his cologne, and how good it smelled. She felt her heart beating rapidly in her chest and she prayed that Harvey wouldn't hear it.

But a commotion by the fire pit caught their attention. Aurelia sighs after seeing her drunk older brother arguing with a boy who was trying to take his beer. "I should go handle my brother." She murmurs, reluctantly pulling away from Harvey and getting up. She pauses, realizing she still had his jacket on. "Oh, wait. Here's your jacket back."

"Keep it," Harvey insists, his lips curving into a soft smile. "It looks better on you anyways."

Aurelia blushes, not knowing what to say. She nods, murmuring another thanks and heads towards her drunk older brother. "Conrad!" She hisses, grabbing his arm and dragging him away from the argument. "What the h** are you doing?!"

"That a**hole was trying to steal my beer!" Conrad slurred, glaring at the boy he was arguing with.

"Yeah, well, maybe he should've," Aurelia mutters under her breath, rolling her eyes. "Come on, let's get you home."

"No, leave me alone!" Conrad glares at her and tries pulling away from her after she grabbed his arm. "You're so annoying. I mean, you're literally a f**king buzzkill. And a b*tch. Why do you always ruin everything?!"

Aurelia felt her heart break as her brother's words sunk in. She knew he was just drunk, and that he didn't mean what he was saying. But it still hurt to hear him say such cruel things. And there was a saying that was drunk words were sober thoughts, and she couldn't help but think maybe there was some truth to it. Maybe Conrad did think those things about her. But she knew she needed to get him home and make sure he was safe, so she tried her best to ignore the pain and keep going.

"Come on, Conrad, let's go," Aurelia says firmly, tugging on his arm again. "You're gonna regret this in the morning."

"I'm not going anywhere with you," Conrad sneers, yanking his arm away from her and stumbling backwards. "You're not the boss of me!" He pushed her, causing her to fall.

She lands on the sand with a wince and a grimace. Her cheek landed on one of the pieces of wood by the fire pit and she feels a sting as her skin is scratched by the rough surface. On top of that her head was pounding from hitting the ground and she felt dizzy and nauseous. She groaned in pain, closing her eyes as she tried to focus on breathing. Everything was spinning around her and she felt like she was going to pass out.

"Aurie? Oh my God, Aurie." Harvey rushes over to her and kneels beside her, his hands hovering over her unsurely. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Aurelia mumbles, slowly pushing herself up onto her elbows as she takes a deep breath. "Just... Dizzy." Her head hurt worse at the small movement and she couldn't help the groan of pain that escaped her lips.

"Come on, let's get you out of here," Harvey says softly, wrapping his arm around her waist and helping her stand up, his eyes full of concern and worry. "You should head to the hospital. You might have a concussion."

"No, no, I'm fine," Aurelia says quickly, shaking her head as she stumbles a little. Harvey holds her steady, his touch gentle and warm. "I don't need to go to the hospital. I'm fine, really."

"Are you sure?" Harvey asks worriedly, his gaze searching hers. "I think you should get it checked out. Just to be safe."

"Yeah, I'm sure, just take me to my car, please," Aurelia murmurs, clutching onto Harvey as she tries to ignore the throbbing pain in her head. "I'll be fine, really."

"Alright, if you're sure," Harvey said hesitantly, leading her towards her car after she told him where it was.

Aurelia glances over her shoulder to see Conrad had sober up a bit to realize what he did. Regret and guilt are written all over his face after he locked eyes with her. But Aurelia was too angry at him to care and she just wanted to get home and rest.

"Wait, Aurie, I'm sorry." Conrad rushes over, reaching a hand out to her. Aurelia shoved his hand away and leaned more into Harvey. She was done. She didn't want to hear him out. Not after what he did.

"Don't." Aurelia snaps, her voice shaky. "Just don't." She turned and headed for her car with Harvey's help, not wanting to deal with her brother at the moment.

Conrad stopped in his tracks, his heart dropping. He knew he screwed up and he should've apologized instead of snapping at her. He just hoped Aurelia would forgive him. Because he couldn't bear the thought of losing his sister. But then the boy kept trying to take his beer and his anger returned as he resumed being drunk and arguing with the boy.

When they finally reached her car, Aurelia dug her keys out of her pocket, unlocking the door and opening the passenger side. She gets into the driver's seat and starts the car. She let out a sigh of relief as she got in her car. Harvey stood by her, looking at her with concern.

"Are you sure you're okay to drive?" He asks, his eyes full of worry. "I can take you home, if you want."

"No, it's fine," Aurelia insists, giving him a small smile. "I'll be okay, really." Her heart fluttered when she looked at him and she realized how handsome he was. She mentally slapped herself. Now was not the time to be thinking about that.

"Okay, if you're sure," Harvey sighs. "Just text me when you get home, okay? Just so I know you're safe."

"I will, I promise," Aurelia murmurs, giving him another soft smile. "Thanks, Harvey. For everything."

"Of course," Harvey replies, returning her smile. "Take care, Aurie."

"You too," Aurelia says quietly. Then she realized Belly was still at the party and she was leaving her behind. She felt guilty, but she was too upset and in too much pain to care. Besides, Belly was talking to a cute boy, and she was pretty sure she would be fine without her. "Can you tell Belly that I went home?"

"Sure," Harvey agrees, nodding. "I'll let her know."

"Thanks," Aurelia murmured, smiling gratefully at him. Harvey nodded, smiling softly in response. He hesitated before he leaned in and kissed her cheek. Aurelia blushed as her heart skipped a beat.

"Take care, Aurie."

With one final smile, Harvey turned and walked away. Aurelia watched him go, her heart racing as she replayed the kiss on her cheek over and over in her mind. She didn't know why it affected her so much. It was just a kiss on the cheek, after all. But it made her feel giddy and happy.

Aurelia sighed, leaning her head back against the seat. She shook her head and closed the door, putting the car in gear and heading home. As she drove, her thoughts kept wandering to Harvey and the kiss on the cheek. She knew it was silly, but it felt like a sign. Like maybe there was something between them. Something more than just friendship.

She pulled into her driveway and shut the engine off. She sat there for a few moments, staring at her house. She was trying to wrap her head around what happened tonight and she was exhausted. But a part of her couldn't stop thinking about Harvey and the kiss on the cheek. It made her smile, despite the pain.

Aurelia sighed and got out of the car, making her way towards the house. The lights were off so she tried her best to be quiet. She made it to the bottom of the stairs when she heard a voice call out to her.

"Aurelia? What are you doing up?" It was Laurel. She grimaced and turned to face her, seeing Laurel walking out of the living room with furrowed eyebrows. Laurel and her mom didn't know she and Belly snuck out to the bonfire.

"Hey, Laurel," Aurelia whispers, giving her a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."

"It's okay," Laurel says, walking over to her. She gasps after seeing the bleeding cut on her cheek. "Aurelia, your cheek. What happened? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Aurelia reassures her, waving off her concerns. "I just...Fell, that's all." She sighs. "I'm sorry for sneaking out. Belly wanted me to to to the bonfire with her and I didn't want her to go alone. So, we snuck out. I'm so sorry, please don't tell my mom."

"I won't," Laurel assures her, reaching out to brush a strand of hair behind her ear. "But you should tell her eventually, you know. She'll understand. You're old enough to go to bonfires, but Belly..." She sighs. "She shouldn't have dragged you into this."

"No, no, it's fine," Aurelia murmurs, shrugging her shoulders. "It's no big deal, really. I didn't mind going with her. Like I said, I didn't want her to go alone. Even though I didn't really wanna go, I didn't want her going alone."

"You're a great friend, Aurie. Thank you. I appreciate you watching out for her. But promise me you will just tell us if you want to go to a party. You're eighteen, and your mom won't be upset. We just worry about you and Belly, that's all."

"Okay, I promise." Aurelia murmurs, giving her a soft smile. Laurel returns her smile, her gaze filled with affection and concern. "Just...Please don't be harsh on Belly when she comes home. Neither of us have been drinking if that makes you feel better. But she just wanted to have some fun and go to the bonfire like the boys do."

Laurel hesitates before she nods. "Okay, I'll try to keep it to a minimum. I can't promise anything. But I'll try." She reaches out and touches her cheek, her thumb gently brushing against the cut, causing Aurelia to wince slightly, but she still leaned into her comforting touch. "This looks pretty bad, do you want my help to patch it up?"

"I'll be fine, but could you get me some Tylenol? My head is killing me after that fall." Aurelia admitted, rubbing the back of her neck.

"Of course." Laurel says, her gaze worried. "How did you fall, anyway?"

"My drunk older brother pushed me because I tried getting him home and he was being a stubborn a*s. He's such a jerk sometimes." She sighs and gave Laurel an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that. Please don't tell my mom. He's just...I don't know. It's complicated."

Laurel is surprised that even after what Conrad did to her she didn't want their mom to be upset with him. She found it sweet that Aurelia was always protecting her older brother, even after what he did. But she was worried about her and was hoping Aurelia would come to her if she needed anything. "I won't, but he needs to be held accountable for what he did, Aurelia. And you should tell your mom what happened, she has a right to know. I'm not going to tell her, but please tell her. Don't keep it from her."

"I'll try," Aurelia says, sighing. "I'm gonna head to bed, but thank you, Laurel. For being there for me."

"Always," Laurel murmurs, leaning down and kissing her forehead. "I'm glad you're okay, and I'm proud of you for being honest. I'll bring up the Tylenol soon, alright? Get some rest, sweetheart."

"Thank you." Aurelia whispered, giving her a small smile.

Laurel nods, returning her smile. Then she turned and headed towards the kitchen, while Aurelia headed up the stairs, trying to be as quiet as possible. She figured her mom was asleep and she didn't want to wake her. She tiptoed into her room and closed the door, letting out a sigh of relief.

The exhaustion hit her as soon as the door closed, and she was grateful she was home and could rest. She was also grateful that Laurel was so understanding and kind. She had always been there for her, and Aurelia was grateful to have her. She went to her closet and changed into pjs. After that, she took out her phone and texted Harvey to let him know she was home. Then she went to her bathroom to take her makeup off and brush her teeth. As she did this, Laurel came up with a water bottle and Tylenol for her.

"Here, this should help with the headache," Laurel murmurs, setting the water bottle and medicine on the counter. "How are you feeling?"

"I've been better," Aurelia admits, taking the pills and downing them with a swig of water. "But I'll be okay. Thank you, for everything. Really, I mean it."

"It's no problem, Aurie. I'll always be here for you," Laurel says, placing a hand on her shoulder and squeezing it gently. "If you need anything, just let me know. Okay?"

"Thank you." Aurelia murmurs, giving her a small smile. "I appreciate it. I love you."

"I love you, too," Laurel whispers, leaning in and kissing her forehead. "Get some rest, okay? You need it."

"Okay, I will. Good night, Laurel."

"Good night, Aurie. Sweet dreams." Laurel murmured. With that, she turned and left the bathroom, closing the door slightly.

Aurelia resumes with her nightly routine. When she was done, she pulled out the first aid kit to tend to her cut. It hadn't stopped bleeding and it was still throbbing with pain. She knew she had to stop the bleeding first, so she grabbed a piece of cotton and held it against the cut. She winced as she applied pressure to it.

When this happened, she faintly heard voices from down stairs and figured the others were finally home. She stayed quiet as she listened to the footsteps walk up the stairs. She recognized Conrad's heavy footsteps and heard his door close. She hoped he would get some rest. She hated seeing him like that, drunk and angry.

"Hey, bambi."

She's startled by the sudden voice and jumps, turning around and seeing the last person she thought would be here. Steven leans against the door frame of the bathroom and she wore she saw concern on his face.

"Steven." She gasps, clutching the cotton to her cheek. "W-What are you doing here?"

"I came to check on you. I heard about what happened with Con." He replies, stepping into the bathroom. His gaze is filled with concern as he takes in the sight of her. "Are you okay?"

Aurelia blinks, surprised by his concern. They were enemies, weren't they? Why would he care if she was okay or not? She swallows, nodding as she avoided his gaze. "I'm fine."

"Let me see," Steven murmurs, reaching out and tilting her chin up, his eyes searching hers. Aurelia feels her cheeks flush at the sudden closeness. Steven's eyes widened at the cut. It was a nasty looking cut and it looked deep. He frowns, shaking his head. "That looks pretty bad, bambi. We should get you to the hospital."

"What? No, I'm fine." Aurelia says quickly, pulling away from his touch. "It's just a cut, Steven, it'll heal. Besides, I hate hospitals." She shuddered, her gaze turning fearful.

"You might have a concussion, bambi. And the cut needs to be stitched up. Come on, we're going to the hospital." He reaches out, gently taking her hand. "Let's go."

"No." Aurelia whines, digging her heels into the carpet. "I don't want to go, Steven, please. I hate hospitals. Please don't make me go." She was on the verge of tears now.

Steven pauses, his gaze softening. He could see the fear and panic in her eyes, and he knew she didn't want to go. He was taken aback by how afraid she was, and he wondered what happened.

"Alright, alright," He says quietly, squeezing her hand. "We won't go, bambi. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. We'll stay here, okay? I won't make you go anywhere."

"Thank you," Aurelia breathes out, relaxing a bit. "I'm sorry for freaking out. It's just...I really hate hospitals."

"I get it, bambi. I won't make you go anywhere if you don't want to. I promise." Steven murmurs, running his thumb over her knuckles. "But let me take care of the cut, okay? It's starting to bleed again."

She then realized he was right. She felt a trickle of blood run down her cheek. She sighs and nods. "Okay."

Steven nods, his gaze filled with concern. Then he let go of her hand and grabbed a washcloth, wetting it and wringing it out. He reached up and gently pressed the cloth to her cut, making sure not to apply too much pressure. Aurelia grimaced and tried not to flinch away from the stinging pain.

"Sorry," Steven murmurs, his gaze soft. "I know it hurts, but we have to stop the bleeding." His grip moves to her jaw, tightening gently. "Now hold still, bambi."

"I'm trying." Aurelia whimpers, her eyes squeezed shut. She could feel tears burning behind her eyelids, but she didn't want to cry in front of Steven. "It hurts."

"I know," Steven whispers, his gaze sympathetic. "Just a little longer, bambi. We have to stop the bleeding."

"Why are you helping me?" Aurelia blurts out. She opened her eyes, her gaze filled with confusion.

"Because you're important to the others." Steven replies, his gaze serious. "And because you're important to me. You're part of our family, whether you like it or not. I'm not going to leave you in pain when I can help. So just sit tight, and let me take care of you."

Aurelia is taken aback by his response, her heart skipping a beat. She stares at him, her cheeks flushing. He was being so kind to her, and she wasn't used to it. But it made her heart race.

Steven is staring at her, his gaze intense. There's something unreadable in his expression, and it makes her breath hitch. Then he's moving closer, his hand moving from her jaw to the back of her head. She lets out a gasp as he pulls her into his chest, his other arm wrapping around her waist.

"S-Steven?" Aurelia stammers, her heart racing. "What are you-"

"Shh," Steven murmurs, his voice low. He's holding her against him, his body warm and strong. "Just relax, bambi."

"But, I-"

"Shhh," Steven repeats, his voice soft. His hand is on the back of her neck, massaging the muscles. Aurelia relaxes a little, her heart fluttering. Then his fingers move up into her hair, massaging her scalp. "Just relax, bambi. Just let me take care of you."

She closes her eyes, unable to resist his touch. She's never been this close to him before, and it's making her heart race. She can feel his warmth and the strength of his arms. He's holding her tightly, and it makes her feel safe.

Steven is staring at her, his expression gentle. There's a hint of amusement in his gaze, and he seems pleased with himself. He moves his hand to the base of her neck, his fingers rubbing the knots there. Aurelia melted, her head dropping to his chest, her breathing heavy.

"Better?" Steven asks, his voice soft.

"Y-Yes." Aurelia manages, her voice a whisper. She can feel his chuckle against her ear, and it makes her shiver. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, bambi," Steven murmurs, his gaze gentle. "Let me keep cleaning the cut, okay? I want to make sure it doesn't get infected."

"Okay." Aurelia mumbled and pulled back, looking at him. Her cheeks were flushed, and she felt her heart racing.

"Can you sit on the counter for me? Would be easier for me to clean the cut." Steven asked.

"O-Oh, sure." Aurelia stuttered, her cheeks heating up even more. She moved to the counter, sitting on it. He stood between her legs, causing her heart to race even more.

He resumed cleaning the cut, being gentle with her. Aurelia was quiet, avoiding his gaze. After he finished getting rid of the blood, he went to grab the next supply he would need from the first aid kit. He got a piece of cotton, putting disinfectant on it.

"This will sting a little, bambi. But you can squeeze my arm if you need to." He offered.

"O-Okay." Aurelia murmured, her heart fluttering at his kind gesture.

Steven gently held her chin as he began to clean the cut. She winced at the stinging pain and tightened her grip on his arm. She could feel his gaze on her, but she refused to meet his eyes. She was too embarrassed.

After he finished disinfecting the cut, he put a bandage over it. He let go of her chin, his hand lingering for a moment before he moved it to her knee, rubbing it gently. "There. All done." Steven said softly.

"Thank you." Aurelia let out a breath of relief, looking up at him. "For helping me."

"Of course," Steven murmurs, his hand squeezing her knee. "Just because I don't like you doesn't mean I want you to be hurt." He admitted, surprising her.

Her eyes widen, and her heart is racing. She's surprised by his words, but she knows he's telling the truth. She can tell he's not lying. She's stunned, and her mouth opens and closes. She doesn't know what to say, so she remains silent. She's too embarrassed to say anything.

"I'll leave you alone now. Good night, bambi." Steven murmured, his hand leaving her knee as he stepped back. She didn't know why she automatically missed his touch, but she did.

"G-Good night." She managed to get out, watching him turn and leave. He closed the door, leaving her alone in her bathroom.

She sat there for a few minutes, her heart racing. What just happened? Steven was acting so different than usual, and it was making her confused. And her heart was racing. She didn't understand it. She hopped off the counter, heading to her room. She climbed into bed, sighing softly. Her thoughts were still racing, and her heart was pounding. She didn't understand what she was feeling, and it was confusing. She wanted to talk to someone about it, but she didn't know who. She sighed, rolling onto her side. Maybe things would be clearer in the morning.

A/N oof this was a long chapter but i loved writing it tbh