ither of us speaking a word or expressing our feelings, pret

rgreens, with sharp points of its Tudor roof poking out above the peaks of the green. At least that was what it always looked like in the day, when the evergreens weren't looking like giant, spooky shadow clouds obstructing the

tall iron estates of the Courtney's estate was wide open and a cluster of four festive silver helium balloons floated over the gate, secured to them with

and made out while leaning on cars bonnet while other just discussed in groups — not everyone was in swim suits. I expected to see most people in their swim suits but I and everyone knew the Courtney's pool, which was way at the

g the bloodstain on the window of my side of the car, looking

circular drive wrapped around a grand fountain in front of the house and immediately Shelly found a spot, I hopped out of the car after announcing that I was going to find our oth

," I to

eel too tight her knuckles began to show white. I waited by the door for her to

ot your fault. Not mine either. It just happened. For whatever reason that man had gunn

the chair, lashes blinking rapidly. "Thank you. You know

e —

lt I enjoyed viewing the house when it was less crowded than over crowded. At both sides of the front door where fluffy granium grew in huge ceramic flower pots — boys smoking and puffing tobacco like chimneys looked in my dire

ap song pounded and reverberated through the whole house and it took all the resistance in me not to start grooving to the music. But never th

I di

h from sweaty teens who hadn't learned the use of deodorants. Even though I wished I could turn o

y absolute best to avoid bumping into someone — or couples making out. I had a feeling the only place I could find my remaining friends — that had called me endlessly — was either the

he dim disco bulbs providing light, I squinted to find my friends close to the Islands. A particular Asian brunette, a chubby black and a very skinny half-caste. I spotted Quinn DeMilo first. Her deep

tally tore my lip

before finally landing her eyes on me. Moments after, I was eng

re the o

sic. Her hands were interwoven into mine as we forced ourselves between the bodies on

ide-stepping a staggering guy that went betwee

t, sticking to her flesh like a second skin. She was barefooted, her fingertips pinkish and wet. Quinn had a heart-shaped face with very wide-set crystal blue eyes. She was mixed blood, with her father being Australian and her mother from South Africa. Her blue eyes — courtesy of her father — looked

ich was one of the reasons I never could me

ched in disagreement as she looked me

Everything about Quinn DeMilo was a little girlish and romantic. Right from the hair twirling thing she did with her brown curls everytime she got distracted to the nibbling on her lower lip w

ehind me, looking reluctant. "I was. . .uhm, about

uspiciousl

t of the music. "You should get changed!" She hollered, two fingers poin

, seemingly amused by the beauty of the half-caste girl. I turned and continued across the room to get to the stairs leading up to Shelly's

he stairs leading to the house's second floor. Shelly's princess-like room was on the right at the top of the stairs. On the door was a big gothic-looking Do not come in!. And underneath it, faded

elly and Sixteen-year-old Gothic–wannabe Shelly even though she was nothing close to that. I could vividly remember the two occasions in which she'd put up the two signs and the reasons leading to them in which those events had produced a completely diffe

en she was ten. What led her into accepting adulthood was her

to me, body reeking of excessive, toxic tobacco. I looked up, brows puckered. Lo and behold; Andrew Penna stood in front of me, towering me with his incredible height and intimidating me wi

said, smilin

plied, ste

s. I didn't know where to focus on, his broad shoulders, his pecs, his defined abdominal muscles; I was desperate to know what was beneath his trails of six packs, his entire skin was glistening with beads of water and his deep brown hair was damp and sticking to his f

could change and take my bath in her room," Andr

nally squealed out,

ton fabric of my shirt. Heart pounding and core tingling, I continued to watch him as he stylishly staggered toward the steps, head bobbing and shoulder muscles flexing. I almost thought of it as a coi