For Him.

Once we got into my room, Anna immediately left my side to go search the closet. She returned a few seconds later with a short white dress that clearly did not fit either of us.

"This?" she held up the fabric, twirling it around in her hand. I shook my head quickly and a frown covered her face.

"My parents would know it wasn't a dinner party if you left wearing that." I snorted and she huffed before trudging back into the closet. This time she returned with a floral white dress and I nodded, giving her permission. She disappeared into my bathroom to get ready and in the meantime I went to get something to wear. After thoroughly searching my closet, I decided on a lace black dress, not to tight but not where it hangs loose on my skin. I go for a pair of heels but decide against it and went for a pair of simple, black flats.

By the time I finished sliding on the dress, Anna had already returned with her hair perfectly curled and fresh makeup on her face. Man, she works fast. Once she saw my outfit she smiled then crinkled her nose at my shoes.

"You're wearing those?" she nodded down at my shoes with her arms crossed.

"Yes," I retorted. "You convinced me to go out with you the night before school started, I can wear what I want." I huffed and brushed past her to go into the bathroom. The room smelled strongly of hairspray and nail polish so I turned on the vents as I walked in. I grabbed the makeup that Anna got out and put a little eye shadow on my eyes, not too dark but noticeable. I tried to curl my hair but I ended up putting it into a simple bun and loosening it up a bit.

"You look great!" Anna cheered when I emerged from the bathroom. I laughed and twirled around in a circle, making my dress spread out around me.

"What time does the party start?" I asked, looking outside. It was already starting to get dark and I had no doubt that this party would last all night. She shrugged her shoulders and sat back on my bed, smoothing out the wrinkles in her dress as she did.

"Luke just told me to come whenever I please." She said nonchalantly and I rolled my eyes. Leave it to Anna to not know what time it starts.

"Let's just go now." I said and reached for my purse on the dresser, making sure to put a book in there in case I got bored. Anna reluctantly got out of bed and we headed downstairs.

"You two look so cute!" Mom gushed when she saw us as we dropped onto the first floor. She scurried into the kitchen and rushed back out with a camera in her hands.

"We'll be late if we don't leave now." I said quickly, noticing her getting ready to take a picture. Her face fell but she nodded and stepped forward to give each of us a hug. Once she released us, Anna practically pulled me out to her car and we were gone.

"Where does he live?" I asked once we got onto the main highway. I think I've been to Luke's house before but that could have been at a birthday party years ago.

"In Oak Ridge." she said and we both laughed. Even though my father owned a few resorts, nothing could compare to the Hemming's family who basically founded this town.

"Are you two dating now?" I asked her and her head snapped to me so quickly that I was afraid her neck would break.

"God, no. We broke up over the summer." She informed me and turned onto a gravel road. Lights were strung along the trees lining the road, lighting up the various cars parked beside each other. We rounded the corner and a massive house with multi colored lights everywhere lit up the inside of the car. Anna found an empty space near the front and swung in there rather dangerously.

"Holy crap." I said once we stepped out of the car. The house looked even bigger outside of the car and I was suddenly nervous to go inside.

"Come on," Anna hooked her arm around mine and drug me forward. Music was pounding loudly outside, I could only imagine how loud it was inside. We walked up the marble steps and into the house. The door almost hit a couple who was making out in the corner, each sending us evil glares as they scurried off to go find another place. Anna pulled me forward and into the kitchen where it seemed like there were the least amount of people. A boy, Michael, I think, greeted the two of us and handed Anna a cup.

"Want one?" She asked as she saw me staring at the drink in her hands. I shook my head and her and the boy laughed.

"You're Jess, right?" Michael asked. I nodded and broke loose from Anna to lean on the counter.

"Cool, you may not remember me but we threw mud pies at a teacher's car when we were little." He laughed and my eyes instantly widened. Who knew that this pale boy with purple and black hair could be my childhood best friend.

"I remember that!" I laughed and so did he. I didn't mind when he handed me a cup, either. I took a sip before realizing that it was a coke, not alcohol. We chatted about how our summers were before a tall boy with blond hair and nice legs strolled up to us.

"Dammit." Anna whispered in my ear and took a step back. I realized that it was Luke by the look on Anna's face and turned around to face her.

"We can leave if you want." I said and she shook her head.

"No. I knew I was going to see him, just not so soon." she looked around me and plastered a fake smile on her face. Two other boys had joined us, which seemed to loosen Anna's mood. She made conversation with them as Luke talked to me.

"How are you liking my party?" He asked, looking around. The room was even more crowded, if that was possible, and smelled like sweat and alcohol. I knew most of the people but none of them came over to speak or even glanced in my direction.

"It's great." I smiled and he laughed. I sipped slowly on my coke and watched as the group made jokes with each other. After about five minutes of my silence, Luke offered to show me around and I was left with a hurtful look by Anna.

"I heard you went to Spain over the summer." He broke the silence as we toured the second floor. Every spare room was filled with couples and every time I passed by one, I couldn't help but get an image of what they were doing.

"My dad opened a new resort there and he made a vacation out of it." I told him, remembering the hot sun and lounging by the pool or the beach every day. Spain was nice but this was my home.

"Cool." He nodded and led me back downstairs. Instead of going back into the kitchen, we took a right and headed outside onto the patio. There weren't that many people out here and I wished that I had found this place earlier.

"I'm going to introduce you to some of my friends." He announced and strolled over to a group of people who were huddled around a bon fire. Each of them gave me a look as we approached, some I recognized, some were completely new. I put a sweet smile on my face and stood silently beside Luke as he introduce me.

A boy with dark curly hair and piercing green eyes stood up when Luke was finished and strolled over to me. I instinctively took a step back and almost tripped over a loose cobblestone.

"What are you doing out on the night before school starts?" He laughed and my face warmed as the words left his mouth. When a complete stranger notices that I'm not normally at party, it's a sign that I shouldn't be here.

"I was forced here, actually." I countered and he introduced himself as Harry. From what I've heard from Anna talking about him, he's supposed to be a jerk, but he's surprisingly nice.

"This party always blows so you shouldn't get your hopes up." He smiled.

"Hey!" Luke exclaimed and threw his hands up in the air. Harry smiled and so did I. I almost forgot about where I was for a split second before my eyes settled on the clock on my phone.

"I need to go." I said suddenly and shoved my phone into my purse. They all looked at me but I didn't have time to explain. I rushed back inside the house and hurried into the kitchen where Anna was wrapped around some random guy.

"We need to go. It's almost midnight." I said and her bloodshot eyes widened.

"Shit," she cursed and unraveled herself from the boy. Without another word, she took my hand and ran out of the door.

"My parent's are going to kill me!" I yelled at her over the hood of the car. We both climbed in quickly and she tore out of his yard, no doubt leaving skid marks on the perfect grass.

In what seemed like forever, we parked outside of my house and hurried up to the door.

"The alarm is probably on." I said and took my phone out. Luckily I was made by my parents to install a lock system on my phone in case I ever got locked out of the house. I disabled the alarm on my phone and opened the door without making too much noise. All the lights were off except for the kitchen light on the stove that stays on. I locked the door back before rushing upstairs into my room with Anna on my heels.

"You can stay here." I said, quietly shutting the door behind me. We both stripped down from our dresses and slipped on old t-shirts and cotton shorts. I climbed into bed while Anna settled down onto the day bed under the window, our usual routine. As soon as my head hit he pillow, I was out like a light.

Notes