"Call me friend but keep me closer."

Warning: Sexual assault attempt.

EVERYONE HAD DISPERSED TO TALK TO EACH OTHER, I knew the girls talked about different stuff, but my only focus at the moment was what almost happened with, Steven. He looked so beautiful talking to Jeremiah and Ethan, I was even wishing I could be one of them to just see their point of view.

I took off my dress that was already drenched in water, leaving it aside on the concrete flooring beside the pool. Underneath the dress I was wearing a swimsuit already, I knew Jeremiah, wanted to do a pool party today so I took that opportunity.

Taylor: "Conrad, is going to lose his mind when he sees you in this bikini." -she spoke in between laughter, making me cringe.

Hearing them literally talking about my brother in front of me, was torture. Except I actually wanted Belly and Conrad, to get together at some point in life. Now, I honestly think she deserves way better than him.

Belly: "No, I doubt it. I honestly think he couldn't care less." -she replied, glancing my way completely embarrassed.

Taylor: "Come on, Belly."

Belly: "No, seriously. He didn't even get me a birthday present this year." -she mentioned, looking over to the distance covered in sadness.

Taylor, glanced over to me completely shocked, almost searching for the truth in me. I nodded to assure her it was true, making her sigh.

Taylor: "What?"

Belly: "Yeah, he claimed he forgot."

Taylor: "Ugh, what a little bitch."

Belly: "Yeah." -she agreed, scratching her head nervously.

Nova: "He's been acting weird lately, I don't know what's up with him. We're also not on speaking terms currently."

The two girls looked over to me with widened eyes, staring back at each other baffled.

Belly: "Wait, what? How...how did y'all got to that point?"

Nova: "He said something that really hurt my feelings, I don't want to get into details about it."

Taylor: "That's okay, just take your time."

Nova: "Yeah, I'm not letting that ruin my day right now though." -I replied, looking over to the boys, who laughed out loud.

The girls, did the same only to laugh by just seeing Ethan's cringed out expression. He loved Jeremiah, but did not wanted to hear anything they were talking about currently.

Taylor: "We know you're gossiping about us over there." -she stated, receiving a glare from, Steven.

Steven: "Yeah, you wish."

The dirty blonde girl, gasped out loud then. This making Belly and I, look over to her fully scared. She smiled brightly, receiving frowned eyebrows from me.

Taylor: "Let's play chicken." -she announced, staring at us with widened eyes covered in hopefulness.

Belly: "No, not chicken."

Taylor: "Yes."

Nova: "Oh God, I'm not playing." -I mentioned, swimming over to the pool's edge.

Belly: "I was like twelve the last time we played."

Nova: "Yeah, and I almost died because of Steven, throwing himself back with me to harshly." -I argued, seeing how Steven, rolled his eyes while lifting his shoulders.

Taylor: "Oh, come on, it'll be hilarious."

She walked to the middle of the pool, smiling over to Jeremiah and Steven, trying to convince them to play. Ethan, sat right beside me, placing his arm around my shoulders while watching everyone's movements.

Jeremiah: "Hey, I'm down. Come on, Steven." -he chuckled, splashing some water over to Steven, who seemed not fully convinced.

He moved his head side to side, finally smiling our way while wiping the water away from his face.

Steven: "Fine."

Taylor: "Dibs on, Jeremy." -she stated, walking over to the boy, who smiled brightly.

Belly opened her mouth widely, turning to look at Steven, completely annoyed.

Belly: "Oh, great, that means I'm stuck with, Steven."

Steven: "Yeah, that isn't fair. Are you kidding me? Taylor's so much lighter." -he argued, making everyone go quiet for a split second.

Belly: "Oh, I'm sorry I'm so massive."

Steven: "Wh-"

Belly: "I wouldn't want to break your delicate little shoulders." -she interrupted, approaching the boy, annoyed.

Steven: "No, you're just taller than her that is  all. That'-"

Belly splashed some water to the boy's face accompanied by, me and Ethan.

Steven: "Oh, come on." -he grunted while trying to wipe the water away, later on looking over to us in between laughter.

Taylor: "You're such a complainer. Let's just switch."

Steven: "Fine, fine." -he agreed, walking towards, the girl.

Nova: "Hey, me and Ethan, are gonna be the referees. No cheating, alright? There's gonna be penalties if there is cheating."

Ethan: "Yeah, stay on guard ladies and gentlemen." -he finished, making me laugh as the others nodded while pretending to focus.

Jeremiah: "Let's take them down, Bell."

Steven: "You guys ready?" -he asked, while Taylor, giggled looking like a whole devil.

Jeremiah: "You're going down."

They all spoked amongst each other sounding like chickens, eventually adjusting themselves in play mode basically. The girls laughed as soon as they were rise up, clapping excitedly.

Steven: "Go!"

Taylor: "Ugh, Steven. Why are your shoulders so slippery?" -she complained, actually sliding slightly from the boy's shoulders.

I held in my laugh, watching how Steven, scoffed completely annoyed.

Steven: "Uh, maybe it's all that oil you slathered on your legs." -he argued, taking deep breaths due to all the water entering his mouth.

Taylor: "Uh, maybe if you had some hair on your chest, I wouldn't be sliding all over the place."

Belly laughed out loud while hearing the boy, scoff once again. She then placed her hands up, right in front of, Taylor.

Steven: "Okay. Let's just go, let's just go."

They all agreed as they laughed, finally beginning to play for a couple of seconds. The girls pushed each other around for a bit, chuckling constantly. Ethan and I watched everything closely, laughing over how stupid they looked.

Ethan: "Hey, aren't you slightly jealous?"

Nova: "What?" -I asked, looking over to him completely confused.

He moved closer to my ear, side eyeing the game as he approached.

Ethan: "Like, Taylor and Steven, have been flirting this whole time if you ask me."

Nova: "I don't know, Taylor, is usually flirty without trying to." -I replied, suddenly getting startled by the sound of water splashing.

We both looked over to the pool, seeing how Taylor and Steven, had actually fallen inside.

Belly: "Yeah! Whoo!"

Jeremiah: "Yeah! Give me some." -he cheered, high-fiving the girl, covered in excitement.

I looked over to my left seeing Nicole and Conrad, approaching the pool. My smile faded away completely as I made eye contact with them. I glanced over to Ethan, noticing how he was already observing the pair as well.

Nicole: "Hey, guys!"

We all went quiet, everyone looking over to the girl, who walked even closer with a bright smile.

Belly: "Hey, Nicole."

Nicole: "Hi. Happy birthday, Belly." -she smiled, taking a look at everyone around the pool.

I stared at Conrad, with grinned eyes, since he was already looking over to me. He then switched to glance at Belly, avoiding me at all cost which made him look completely stupid.

Nicole: "Are you guys playing...chicken?"

Belly: "Um, yeah. It was, it was Taylor's idea."

We all stared at Taylor, who had a very serious expression on her face. She then quickly smiled as she noticed everyone staring.

Taylor: "Hey, I'm Taylor."

Nicole: "Hi." -she waved, chuckling once again but I knew she did that over how awkward the ambiance felt.

Belly: "She's my best friend from home."

Taylor: "Just visiting for the weekend." -she mentioned, smiling falsely to, the girl.

Nicole: "Oh...that's cute."

Belly: "Yeah."

Everyone stayed quiet once again, looking around the space in complete discomfort. I received a glare from Conrad, making me scoff out loud.

Belly: "You guys want to play a real game?"

Steven: "Yes."

Taylor: "Yeah." -she agreed, looking back at Steven, who smiled at, the girl.

My eyes darted towards Ethan, who also did the same once we noticed what had happened. He mouthed an "I told you so" making me sigh while looking around the area.

A couple of minutes later we were all pared up into teams, boys against girls obviously. Somehow Belly, convinced me to play volleyball with them, which honestly didn't sound bad. But the only thing was the way I felt with Conrad and Steven, being there. It was bugging me a lot, since they were just reminding me of what happened.

We all played volleyball while Conrad and Nicole, watched. The game was thankfully being saved most of the time by Belly, she was pretty good at the game. But then the boys started to catch up because of, Ethan.

I constantly saw all the flirting Steven and Taylor, were doing. They had never been that talkative before, but now...they were. I kept getting stared at by Ethan, almost receiving warnings from him.

Taylor: "You're slipping, Steven."

Steven: "Yeah? Yeah?"

Taylor: "Yeah." -she chuckled, making me sigh while wiping the water away from my eyes.

Steven: "Okay. No, no, now it's on."

The girl, laughed even more, glancing at me while she blushed allowing me to realize what was going on. She also liked him, and I never knew. Honestly maybe she deserved him more, they live on the same state. They can see each other almost every single day, while I need to wait for summer or a holiday to come by, just to see him.

I didn't realize the game had started again, and that's when I accidentally lost the opportunity to score a point for us. The girls grunted, looking over to me confused.

Nova: "I'm sorry." -I mumbled, passing the ball to Belly, who only smiled reassuringly to me.

Jeremiah: "Nova, are you feeling okay?"

Nova: "Yeah, I'm fine. I think it's just that the chlorine's giving me a bit of an allergy." -I lied, seeing his frowned eyebrows.

Conrad, also did the same since they knew I never get allergies with chlorine or any chemicals that are used at home.

Belly: "Do you want to stop playing? We can if you want."

Nova: "No, no, no...let's keep playing." -I smiled, holding back my tears.

They nodded, once again starting the game, I tried to distract myself while playing. Just pretending like nothing happened but I kept thinking about it, that was just the only thought in my head at the moment.

The girls continued to score points, cheering excitedly over us realizing we were about to win.

A couple of minutes had passed by, my arms already felt sore since I rarely play volleyball. My favorite sport has always been gymnastics, but I was never signed into a team because Mom, feared I might've gotten injured.

It was my turn to start the game, but Taylor, swim over to me suddenly.

Taylor: "Can I do it this time?" -she asked, grabbing the yellow ball that rested on my hands.

I nodded in agreement, fully passing the ball to her while feeling a little weirded out. I waited for the girl, to do the movement, but she instead stopped to look over to, Steven.

Taylor: "I don't think you're ready."

Steven: "Come on." -he smiled, later on glancing over to me.

I stayed looking at him for a couple of seconds, glancing over to Belly, to avoid him from seeing my saddened expression. I knew that wouldn't work out since he knows me already, he knows when I'm sad, angry, happy...he knows everything.

She threw the ball eventually, suddenly hitting Nicole, who gasped out loud once she was hit. I covered my mouth as soon as I saw what had happened, hearing how Ethan and Taylor, tried to hold in their laughter quickly.

Taylor: "Oh, my God."

Steven: "Are you okay?" -he asked, pointing over to Nicole, filled with concern.

Taylor: "I'm so sorry, I didn't-"

Belly: "Taylor." -she interjected, soon after hearing how the girl, laughed.

She glared at Taylor, annoyed. Receiving the same glare from the blonde one, who stopped her arms from swinging throughout the water.

Taylor: "It was an accident."

Belly: "I'm so sorry. Are you okay?"

We all glanced over to Conrad and Nicole seeing how the boy, death stared Belly and Taylor, completely.

Nicole: "Yeah, no, I'm-I'm-I'm totally fine." -she stuttered, rubbing her head gently.

Nova: "There's some ice in the fridge, you should go get some."

Nicole: "Thanks...y-you guys keep playing."

Conrad: "Let me see it. Let's go inside. I'll get you some ice." -he whispered, glancing over to me soon after.

Nicole: "Conrad, it's okay."

They both stood up, only for me to smile reassuringly at Nicole, who also did the same.

Belly: "I'm so, so sorry again, Nicole. Feel better, okay?"

Nicole: "Yeah." -she mumbled, walking off alongside, Conrad.

We all glanced at each other awkwardly, looking over to Taylor, who rolled her eyes annoyed.

Taylor: "Come on, Belly. Conrad can take care of Nicole, let's go inside and look at ourselves in the mirror some more."

My eyes darted towards Conrad, noticing how his shoulders tensed up by hearing that. Him and Belly, stared at each other for a couple of seconds, suddenly looking over to me then.

Conrad: "Yeah, have fun with that." -he spoke, walking off soon after.

We all stayed silent, looking at each other weirded out by what had happened. I began to head out of the pool, taking a hold of my dress that was slightly dried out already.

Ethan: "Wow, where are you going?" -he asked, watching how I pressed onto the dress to try and get all of the water out.

Nova: "I'm going inside, I don't feel good."

Steven: "Everything okay?" -the boy questioned this time, swimming over to me.

Nova: "Yeah...I'm fine."

I replied looking over to him seriously, he stared at me with confusion running through his face. Only heading out of the pool as well, pulling onto my arm to take me inside.

Steven: "Guys, I'll be right back." -he commented, pulling onto my hand slightly harsh making me wince.

As we arrived inside of the beach house, he pulled me all the way to the stairs. I stopped my tracks, pulling my arm away from his grip.

Nova: "What the hell is wrong with you?" -I snapped, trying to whisper as best as I could.

Steven: "What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you, Nova?"

I sighed, placing my hand against my forehead covered in frustration. He placed his hand on my shoulder gently, moving my hand aside.

Steven: "What's wrong? I know you...I know you were lying."

Nova: "It's just...it's just how you act so normal after what almost happened."

Steven: "What do you mean?" -he asked, frowning his eyebrows baffled by my comment.

Nova: "Now you're the one acting crazy."

Steven: "I don't know what you're talking about, Nova."

Nova: "You...that's what's happening. You just...you keep giving me this hin-"

Conrad: "What's going on?" -he interrupted, making the both of us glance upstairs.

He held onto the staircase's railing, looking at us with nothing but confusion. I rolled my eyes while heading up the stairs, hearing how Steven, tried to call me once again.

Conrad: "Nova, wait."

Nova: "Not now, Conrad." -I spoke, walking faster to my room.

I entered the bedroom quickly, locking the door behind me to approach my bathroom instantly. I looked at myself in the small mirror, already getting red over how much tears I had been holding back.

Why does this has to happen to me? Why are dreams so hard to make them come true?
________________________________

I spend the rest of the day on my room until night arrived. Belly, Taylor and Ethan, decided to barge into my room, trying to convince me to come have dinner with them downstairs.

They all searched for clothing and makeup, ready to get me dressed up which I wasn't feeling up to at all. But I still did it for Belly, since it was her birthday and she was so excited.

Taylor: "Dude, your hair has gotten so much longer since the last time I saw you."

Nova: "Yeah, it has." -I spoked drily, watching how Belly, took a sit right in front of me to apply mascara on my lashes.

Belly: "I remember when you had the Dora the explorer haircut."

Ethan, tried his best to hold a laugh from coming out of him but couldn't. I glared at him annoyed, making him quickly shut up and continue to put some glitter beside my eyelid.

Belly: "I think it looked cute on you though, some don't pull off that haircut."

Nova: "Thanks." -I smiled, applying lipstick on.

The sound of the door being knocked made me turn around as well as the others, seeing Mom, standing right between the gap of the almost closed door. She smiled filled with happiness, clapping her hands excitedly.

Susannah: "Seeing you all together makes me so happy, I'm glad Taylor and Ethan, are getting to know each other."

Taylor: "Yeah, he's not so bad." -she joked, making Ethan, laugh.

Susannah: "You all look beautiful, the flowers look great on you girls. Nova, are you wearing yours?"

Nova: "I'm thinking of wearing them for the fourth, is that okay?" -I asked, rubbing my shoulders nervously.

Susannah: "Of course, if y'all are done...come downstairs."

Belly: "Is the food already done?" -she questioned, standing up from my carpeted floor.

Susannah: "Yup, and it's looking amazing...so, hurry up before it's done."

We all laughed as we watched Mom, running downstairs. Looking at each other to go follow her rapidly, only smelling all of the delicious food as we got closer to the dining area.

As we arrived downstairs we stumbled across Cam who smiled as soon as he met eyes with, Belly. The girl embraced him into a hug, pulling him off to kiss his cheek quickly. I met eyes with Steven who was already sat on the table right beside Jeremiah, they both laughed out loud.

Susannah: "Everyone take a sit, foods gonna get cold if we don't eat quicker."

We did what she told, watching how the moms served all the food for everyone carefully. Ethan, took a sit right beside me, as I sat beside Taylor who continued to drool for Steven, which he hadn't even noticed her yet.

I noticed how Jeremiah was staring at Belly and Cam, almost looking a little bit jealous. I smiled by the sight, whistling at him. He glared at me knowing what I meant by the whistle, eating a piece of his shrimp soon after.

Cam: "This is delicious."

Belly: "Yeah."

Susannah: "Of course it is." -she bragged, making me laugh as soon as I saw her winking at the both of them.

Jeremiah: "So, Cam. You mind if I call you, Cam Cameron?"

Cam: "Mm-hmm. Yeah, man. Feel free, that's funny." -he replied, eating more of his food.

Jeremiah: "Cool."

Nova: "Can we all call you that?" -I asked excitedly, receiving a nod from him as he chuckled.

Susannah: "I'm glad you're here, Cameron. I know your mom, Denise, from the club. I have heard a lot about you." -she mentioned, smiling over to, the boy.

Cam: "Thank you so much for having me, Susannah. My mom says hi."

I grabbed more juice that sat on the table, slightly touching Steven's hand that reached for the juice as well. He smiled at me nervously, passing me the jar completely.

Laurel: "Cam, have you ever had miyeok-guk before? It's a Korean birthday tradition." -she explained, passing the food to Cam, who gratefully accepted it.

Cam: "No. Looks so good. Thank you."

Laurel: "Belly, told me you're vegetarian, so I didn't put any meat in it."

Cam: "Thank you, Laurel. Oh, jeez." -he spoke completely shyly, beginning to eat from the food that was given to him.

I looked over to Jeremiah observing how he still continued to look at, Cam. The way he stared at him kinda made me nervous for the boy, I could've sworn he was mentally getting slapped by, Jeremiah. But I knew that he wouldn't do anything stupid, specially on Belly's birthday.

Jeremiah: "Why don't you eat meat, Cam Cameron?"

Nova: "Oh, my God. -I murmured, covering my face out of pure embarrassment.

Taylor, chuckled beside me, also covering her face to avoid everyone from seeing her laughter.

Cam: "Uh, the meat industry is, like, the number one contributor to global warming."

Jeremiah: "Mm." -he mumbled, having another bite from the shrimp.

Cam: "And I just, I like animals."

Taylor: "Just don't come for my leather jacket." -she joked, hearing how everyone laughed over he comment.

Steven: "I'm pretty sure you mean pleather."

Jeremiah: "Ooh." -he joked, receiving the middle finger from, Taylor.

Everyone laughed once again, still eating from their foods.

Jeremiah: "You know, uh, actually, Belly, eats meat. So, you let her kiss you with those lips?"

Belly: "Guys."

Nova: "Jere, stop it." -I whispered, rolling my eyes in the process.

They all laughed as soon as they heard our complains, staring over to Belly, who glared at them.

Belly: "Stop."

Cam: "No, I don't judge people for eating meat. It's just, like, a personal choice. I don't care." -he explained, smiling over to Belly, reassuringly.

Jeremiah: "So you don't mind if, uh, like, her lips touch a dead animal, and then those dead animal lips touch your lips, right?"

Nova: "Jeremiah, what the hell?"

Jeremiah: "Ow!" -he grunted over Belly, kicking his leg, staring at her with widened eyes.

Cam, chuckled over what happened, moving his head side to side as in "no."

Cam: "I don't mind at all. Um, in fact."

He then approached the brunette girl, placing a quick kiss on her lips. Everyone stared at them in complete shock, hearing how Jeremiah and Steven, gasped.

I covered my mouth to prevent them from hearing my laugh, suddenly getting glared by Mom, who actually noticed my smile.

Susannah: "Aw." -she mumbled, seeing how everyone else stayed in complete silence.

Steven and Jeremiah, both pretended to retch. I only stared at them purely disgusted, rolling my eyes to reassure Belly, that she shouldn't feel embarrassed.

Laurel: "All right. All right, all right. Belly's allowed to kiss." -she stated, looking over to Cam, later on.

Laurel: "But that's it."

She then laughed out loud while Cam, chuckled slightly embarrassed. Everyone else just cringed out still, looking over to the brunette one, who avoided eye contact at all cost.

Belly: "Mom, please. No. You're so not funny. No more wine for you, okay?"

Steven: "I'm sorry. I just don't understand why anybody would want to kiss somebody who once fully shat in the bathtub."

Belly: "I was like two years old." -she argued, pointing her finger at the boy, completely annoyed.

Steven: "Two? More like six."

Jeremiah said the same as the boy, later on beginning to laugh over them thinking alike.

Belly: "Shut up, Steven."

Laurel: "Steven." -she firmly said, glaring at the boy, to try and stop him from continuing speaking.

Susannah: "Aw, I remember that. God, that feels like a lifetime ago."

Nova: "Yeah, I remember that Belly, also had a really bad stomachache." -I added, receiving a "thank you" from, the brunette one.

Taylor: "I remember when I visited last summer, and you and you dared him to pee in the fireplace, and you stunk up the entire house for days."

Nova: "Oh my, God. Yes! You guys were so disgusting." -I cringed out, receiving a glare from Jeremiah, who then laughed completely embarrassed.

Taylor: "Do you remember that?" -she asked, smiling over to Steven, in a devilish way.

Everyone laughed except for Steven, who looked around annoyed. He drank from his apple juice, glancing over to me filled with embarrassment.

Susannah: "I blamed the neighbor's cat."

Steven: "We were drunk. We were drunk." -he repeated, searching for Jeremiah's approval.

Belly: "On like half a White Claw."

We all laughed even more, noticing how Steven, rolled his eyes irritated by everyone. He glared over to Jeremiah, seeing how the boy, laughed as well.

Jeremiah: "She got you there."

All of us continued to eat, suddenly going silent. The only voices you could hear were Belly and Taylor's, they both laughed hysterically while whispering something.

Belly: "You know, um, I'm thinking maybe we should go to Nicole's party."

Taylor: "Yes! Oh, my God. I love you. I'm so excited."

Ethan: "I can drive y'all there, I'm going too." -he requested, searching for approval from the girls.

Belly: "Oh, no, that's okay. Cam's driving us, but you can come with too."

He nodded turning to look at me, he raised his eyebrows up waiting for my response. Taylor, grinned her eyes my way, poking my cheek with her finger.

Taylor: "You're totally coming with us as well, you look too hot today."

Jeremiah: "What do you mean? My sister always looks hot, not just today." -he spoke, smiling at me reassuringly after he noticed my uncomfortable face.

I smiled back at him, hearing Taylor's laughter soon after.

Taylor: "Sorry wrong vocabulary. But yeah, she always looks beautiful." -she grinned, giving me a side hug.

I stared over to Mom, who smiled at the both of us brightly. I tried finding any sadness in her face cause part of me didn't wanted to go to the party. If I noticed any discomfort on her, I would just use that as an excuse to stay. Unfortunately, there was no sign of sadness or anger, leaving me defeated.

Belly: "So, you're coming, right?"

Nova: "Yeah, whatever, I'll go." -I replied, observing how Belly and Taylor cheered alongside, Ethan.
________________________________

As we all finished getting ready eventually, we were only doing some touch ups on our makeup. Ethan and Cam, waited for us downstairs patiently, instantly flashing us a smile when they saw us coming down the stairs again.

We headed quickly to the car, driving around the neighborhood to arrive at Nicole's place. Thankfully her house is a couple of blocks away from ours, she had a much bigger home than us though. And the house was filled with people already.

Exiting out of the car, Taylor and Belly interlaced arms while walking towards the home. As for me and Ethan, we both have this thing that we act like a couple on parties so no guys gets close to me. I held onto his hand, interlacing our fingers gracefully, walking towards the house later on too.

The insides of the house were completely crowded, we kept stumbling across different people. The not so stranger being Jeremiah, who flirted with a bunch of guys and girls near him. My eyes searched for Ethan's, who were already fixated on me.

Ethan: "It's fine, I knew this would happen." -he whispered, receiving a hug from me instantly.

Nova: "I'm sorry, Ethan."

Ethan: "It's okay! Don't let guys ruin your summer, remember?"-he reassured, smiling over to me.

I nodded watching how he walked off to search for drinks, as the rest of us still stood right in front of the door. A random dude slid downstairs with the steps railing, stopping right in front of us as he cheered loudly.

Nova: "There's, Nicole." -I declared, pointing towards the hallway the girl, was actually already coming out of.

She instantly noticed us, smiling splendidly by our sight.

Nicole: "Belly, you came!"

Belly: "Hey, Nicole. You look so pretty." -she greeted, hugging the curly head tightly.

Nicole: "Oh, me? Look at you. Oh, my goodness are those real flowers?"

Belly: "Yes." -she smiled, showing the flower crown off proudly.

I smiled at Nicole, once she noticed my presence. She then waved my way and later on to Taylor, who gave her probably one of the fakest smiles ever.

My eyes darted throughout the house, noticing a bunch of cakes in one specific room right beside us. The brunette girl continued to speak to Nicole, eventually beginning to get pulled into the room I had just seen.

Belly: "You want to come?" -she asked, looking at all of us for answer.

I replied with a "no" watching how she then looked at Cam, who grinned awkwardly.

Cam: "You have fun over there." -he replied, staying right where he was standing.

Belly: "Okay, okay."

I looked at Taylor who stared at Belly, annoyed. Only for her to start walking off towards the room where Jeremiah, was in.

Taylor: "I'm gonna go find a drink." -she mentioned, leaving me alone with Cam, right beside me.

I crossed my arms awkwardly, looking around the house to find something to do. Ethan had taken a sit right beside Jeremiah, they both chatted in between laughter. I noticed a door a couple of steps away from me, this one leading to the backyard of the home.

Nova: "Do you want to find some beer with me? There's only punch over there."

Cam: "Uh, I don't drink. But, I can come with if you want?" -he replied, pointing over to the door I was heading to.

Nova: "Sure, come on."

We both walked outside, searching around the even more crowded area. Everyone either drank, make-out, dance or fought. I spotted the beer table not too far away from us, so I grabbed the boy's wrist to guide him with me.

Cam: "I sort of hate parties." -he mentioned, making me laugh by his comment.

Nova: "Yeah, don't worry, me too."

Cam: "They get me stressed out."

Nova: "Yup." -I agreed, drinking from the cold beer that once rested inside of the cooler right beside the table.

Nova: "How's things going with, Belly?"

He smiled by my question shyly, glancing towards the distance with flushed cheeks. I laughed by his face, hitting him slightly with my elbow.

Cam: "They're going great I guess, she's a nice girl. I think I really, really, really like her."

Nova: "That's nice to hear, she always mentions you at home. Mostly to my Mom, though."

Cam: "That's flattering, what other stuff does she say?"

Nova: "She says she would like to swim on your hair, weird? Yes...but that's cute still."

He laughed by my comment, holding his stomach tightly.

Nova: "Oh, has she invited you to the Deb ball?" -I questioned excitedly, grabbing his shoulder suddenly.

Cam: "Uhh...not yet."

My smiled faded, making me slowly move my hand away from his shoulder gently.

Cam: "She'll do it soon, hopefully."

Nova: "Yeah, don't worry...she will."

We glanced around the area in complete silence, only hearing a muffled song playing on the distance.

Cam: "Oh, I'll be right back. I'm gonna go say hi to some people." -he spoke, receiving a nod of agreement from me.

I watched him approach a group of people nearby, instantly laughing once a guy, noticed him coming towards the group. I felt so sad for Cam, since I could tell he felt slightly disappointed by the Deb ball situation. I wondered why hadn't Belly, asked him out yet? She looked so happy to be with Cam, but at the same time...she didn't.

Her conversations with Taylor have all been about Conrad, most of the time. I'm not the only person at home that's known for having a crush on someone. You see, Belly has always liked Conrad, too. It was always a conversation we had as well, she knows about my crush on Steven I knew about hers with, Conrad.

Thankfully she never was against the idea of me dating her brother, she did find it disgusting but didn't oppose. Same as me, now things have changed and we barely talk about that topic. The only time we do it's when we're with Taylor, cause that girl is somehow obsessed with that topic.

I only wondered now, could she still be crushing on Conrad just like I've been crushing on, Steven? Maybe...who knows?

I continued to drink from my beer, trying to push away the thoughts rooming through my head. Suddenly getting startled by a hand touching my waist. I turned around abruptly, snatching the hand off rapidly. My eyes darted slightly up, meeting with Tate's dark brown eyes. I rolled my eyes by his sight, suddenly getting pulled into a near hallway around the house.

Nova: "Let go of me!"

Tate: "Mery...Nova, please let me explain what happened today."

Nova: "No! I don't need you to explain shit. Why can't you just drop it? A break up it's a break up."

Tate: "Look, why can't you stop being such a baby about this and listen to me?!"

Nova: "Because I already know you'll build some lie like you always have, or what, do you think I'm stupid?" -I argued, placing my beer on top of a table right beside us.

Tate: "You're mine, Nova. That's no doubt, you'll find yourself crawling back to me in no time."

I scoffed by his comment, suddenly slapping his cheek harshly. He stayed looking at me for a few minutes, while rubbing his face, making me sigh and began to walk away. I was only then pulled back, making me push him off shortly after feeling his hands on my back. I looked at him with widened eyes, hitting his chest all of a sudden.

Nova: "Don't fucking touch me!" -I snapped, hitting him again.

He grabbed my wrist tightly, pulling me onto the wall a few feet behind me. The impact was really harsh, I could barely feel my back after. I grunted in complete pain, while he only chuckled slightly by his doing.

Tate: "You're not so tuff now, are you?" -he whispered, beginning to kiss my neck and rub his hands all over my behind uncontrollably.

I started to grunt and push aside as best as I could, but I was in so much pain at the moment I couldn't hit him hard enough. His hands entered through the black skirt I was wearing, this ones searching desperately for my private area.

Nova: "Tate, please stop." -I winced, slapping his back weakly.

He stayed quiet continuing to kiss my neck abruptly, beginning to pull onto my underwear.  I began to cry out loud, trying my best to find a way to shout for help but I couldn't. I felt so scared and weak all at once, that speaking or shouting wouldn't work at that moment.

I suddenly almost fell to the ground over the boy, getting impacted by someone else. He looked like a football player being tackled to the ground, almost reminding me of Conrad when he used to play the sport at home with, Jeremiah.

Cam: "Shit! Nova, are you okay?" -he asked, gently placing his hand on my shoulder but I only shifted away from him.

I glared down at the floor, seeing how the boy, grunted in complete pain while he rested on the ground.

Cam: "We have to find Jeremiah or Conrad, they'll know what to do with this assh-"

Nova: "No! please, please don't tell my brothers about this. They'll...they'll kill him." -I pleaded, beginning to cry as I walked away from, Tate and Cam.

The curly head followed along quickly, stopping his tracks right in front of me.

Cam: "You need to sue him...he tried to-"

Nova: "I know what he tried to do Cam, don't worry...I'm fine."

He sighed as I brushed passed him, entering the home quickly once we arrived right beside the entrance.

I walked around the house, only in search for the only person who can change my mind of this party being the shittiest...Belly Conklin. Because no matter what, when we were kids, she was always idiotically there for me even when I was sad over some stupid thing.

Nova: "Hey, have you seen Belly, anywhere?" -I asked, gaining Jeremiah's attention with a tap of a shoulder.

He was kissing someone who I couldn't see from my point of view, until he turned around to look at me. I met eyes with Ethan, who was a blushing mess at the moment. My eyes widened completely, quickly walking away to avoid making the moment more awkward than it already was.

I continued to walk around the house, looking around all of the rooms in search for, the brunette one. And since I couldn't find her, I arrived downstairs where I could hear Cam and Jeremiah, singing.

Cam, seemed to be pretending like nothing happened, which I was actually thankful for. He stared at me with a saddened expression but quickly got distracted over Jeremiah, placing his arm around his shoulders.

I observed the whole room, suddenly then on the distance I saw Belly, leaving the space. She looked like she was searching for something or someone, so I followed her to search for comfort as soon as possible. She headed upstairs, but unfortunately couldn't hear me screaming her name over the loud music playing.

I bumped into some random dude who instantly pushed me off, only for me to lose the girl, from my sight. I pushed pass the boy, who I just had bumped into continuing to look for Belly, again.

A couple of steps away from me...I saw her. She was coming out a room while chuckling, this over some random couple getting interrupted mid "you know what."

She noticed me instantly, walking towards me with a grin that only quickly faded away once she noticed my teary eyes. She embraced me into a hug, rubbing my back softly.

Belly: "Oh my, God...Nova, what's wrong?" -she asked, pulling me away to take a look at my face.

She brushed my hair over how messy it probably was, maybe over all the struggling I did with, Tate. I adjusted my skirt that was currently lifted up, making her frown her eyebrows.

Nova: "Can we go already? I'm so sorry, it's just something happened." -I asked, hearing how my voice broke in between sentence.

Belly: "Yeah, yeah, of course...let's find Taylor, before leaving though."

I nodded, following the girl, soon after. She continued peeking through different rooms upstairs, bumping into different people who glared over to us annoyed. Eventually we reached a room that for some odd reason felt like the one Taylor, might be inside of.

We entered the room slowly, noticing Taylor's flower crown resting on the bed. I stared at the crown for a couple of seconds completely baffled, suddenly getting startled by Belly, gasping right beside me.

Belly: "Oh my, God." -she exclaimed, making me look over to where she was staring.

My eyes instantly got teary at the sight. Just by seeing the boy I loved since little, kissing one of my best friends.

The both of them turned around quickly, their eyes instantly going wide once they noticed it was us. Steven pushed Taylor's hands away from him, adjusting himself to look over to us.

Taylor: "Belly?" -she mumbled, pushing Steven, away as well.

Nova: "Are you...kidding me?"

Steven: "Nova, wha-what are you doing here?"

Nova: "That doesn't even matter, I-I gotta go." -I broke, opening the room's door wide open.

I then ran off the room, hearing my name being called by the trio. Rapid footsteps followed closely behind me, only for me to run out even more faster. I opened the door of the house's entrance once I reached downstairs, slamming it shut before whoever was behind could reach me.

My vision had gotten so blurry, I could barely tell who stood in front me when I suddenly bumped into someone's chest.

Conrad: "Nova? Are you okay?" -he asked instantly after hearing my loud sobbing.

He tried to reach for my arms, but I quickly pushed him towards a table he was drinking off. Thankfully, no one was around at the moment, so I wouldn't need to feel embarrassed over what I did.

The door opened right behind me, making me turn around to see Steven's blurry shadow. This one who quickly stepped right beside me.

Steven: "Nova, what's wrong? Conrad, what the hell happened to you?"

Nova: "Don't touch me! Why do all men think they can touch women so easily?!" -I snapped, pointing my finger to Conrad, who rubbed his back over the impact.

Conrad: "You're my sister, what are you even saying?!"

Nova: "Fuck off!" -I shouted, running down the small steps that lead to the home's sidewalk.

My tracks were suddenly stopped by a hand grabbing my wrist, I only slapped it off while turning around immediately.

Steven: "Nova, calm dow-"

Nova: "You don't touch me either! What the hell is wrong with you?! First, you play with Shayla's heart, then with mine and now with Taylor's?"

I shouted, once again walking further away from the pair. They both followed along, only observing me completely horrified by the way I was acting.

I felt like I was overreacting, but I couldn't handle it. Mom, has always told me that overreacting sometimes does good, it gets your true feelings out...even if you don't want them to be out.

Conrad: "What does she mean? What did you do, Steven?"

Steven: "I-I don't know what she's talking about." -he stuttered as soon as Conrad, placed his hands on Steven's collar.

Nova: "You're such an asshole!"

Steven: "Well you're such a baby." -he ranted, getting pushed by Conrad, suddenly.

The both of them glared at each other completely angry, almost holding the grudge to punch one another. I rolled my eyes, walking off faster.

Conrad: "Nova, wait!"

Nova: "Leave me alone, Conrad!" -I snapped, disappearing from their sight as soon as I walked through the sidewalk of the neighborhood we were in.

I kinda wished one of them had followed me and try stopping me from doing what I was doing, but that never happened. None of them came looking for me, instead, they just stayed in the party probably pretending like nothing happened...maybe cause they like to still believe we're just dumb teenagers.

End of chapter.

Sofia's notes:
I'M SOBBING?! like, I have never cried this much while writing my own book. This chapter stabbed my heart multiple times, it was just pure pain fr. And I'm sorry, but it might get worse.

I'm not even writing that I hope you enjoyed this chapter cause I know y'all just suffered literally.

See you soon, loves 🩵😭

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