Thanksgiving break came and went and we were now into the month of December. December wasn't a month I was particularly fond of for one reason. A reason that terrifies me to my bones, a reason I try to keep in. I used to love December and everything that came with it, things change or happen and your whole outlook is altered. Now, everything I loved about December is crushed by something that occured almost three years ago, it's hard to believe that it is coming up so quickly.

All of my thinking about this damn month was a distraction that came at the wrong damn time. I was in the middle of taking a History test when it hit me that it was December. Needless to say, I am pretty confident I failed the test. A test I had no reason to fail because it was an open book test, my mind has been everywhere except on the most important thing at the moment, school. I forsee another grounding in the near future for me.

Yay.

I left my History class highly upset and disappointed in myself. I usually try to not let certain thoughts pop into my head while at school. But these days it's too hard to shove those thoughts away. I arrived at my locker, putting in the combination, I threw my book and binder in there. I was slightly happy that it was now lunchtime.

"You ready for lunch?" Lacey asks coming up beside me.

I sigh.

Lacey sighs as well, "What's wrong?"

I give her a look thats says I don't want to talk about it. "Fine if you won't tell me then maybe a party this Saturday will cheer you up." She smiles.

A party would be the perfect thing to clear my mind, "Who is throwing the party?" I ask interested.

Lacey grins, she knows she has piqued my interest, "Jamie Brown. He says it is going to be amazing. You in?"

I lean against my locker, "I think a party should do just the trick." I smirk.

Lacey squeals, "Good. That party is three days away and I need you to feel better now. So how about instead of having lunch with me, you have lunch with Mr.Mysterious." She nods her head in the direction of where Nick is walking.

Here lately Nick has made several appearances in the school hallways. I have also seen him talk to a few random kids. I haven't gotten the chance to ask him about it but I am very intriged to know his reason behind this new development in Nick's life.

"Why do you think me having lunch with Nick will make me feel better?" I ask.

Lacey scoffs and rolls her green eyes, "That sentence right there is why. You practically lit up at the thought of having lunch with him. Go for it, Tay." Lacey encourages then pushes me towards Nick.

Nick stops dead in his tracks when he sees me get pushed right in front of him. "Cheerleader. What are you doing?" He asks confused.

I look around and see that everyone in the hall are staring at us. Wow, I have been in this exact same position before. This position is also something I was trying to avoid. Nick may be making himself present and known at this school now but how far was he willing to go. I bet by the end of lunch time a new rumor will be flying through the entire school. Taylor Croft and Nick Ross: A Couple?

I try my best to ignore all of the eyes suddenly on us and suck up the courage I have, "I was wondering if you and I could have lunch." I whisper. I didn't want anyone to hear our conversation.

Nick furrows his brows but a small smile soon takes over, "Sure. AV room in ten minutes?" I nod and head to the cafeteria to grab my food.

Normally when Nick and I have lunch together he is always in the AV room first, but today I beat him here. It makes me nervous that someone has gotten a hold of him, someone like Johnny. Even though he seems to have gotten the hint that I no longer want to be with him, every now and then I will catch him looking at me or giving me a wink. Plus Johnny is still unaware that it was Nick who beat him up all those months ago. If Johnny finds out then bye bye Nick.

I'm sitting here picking at my salad scrolling through Twitter and praying that Nick is okay and that it is just an extra long lunch line today. I don't think I can handle losing someone else to this type of thing. Although, there are differences between the two but also some similarities.

I hear the door knob turn and in comes Nick looking as perfect as ever. He is carrying a container that seems to have a hamburger and fries in it. I let out the breath I didn't even know I was holding. Nick comes and sits down across from me and lays his phone down along with his food.

"You are late." I mumble.

"Sorry. I had a run in with your ex." He says calmly.

My hearts stops and I drop my fork. Oh no. This is what I was trying to prevent. "Nick, I am so sorry. I shouldn't have asked you right there in the hallway in front of everyone. Lacey, she pushed me, I didn't have time object." I ramble.

"Woah, slow down. There is no need for you to ramble." Nick chuckles lightly.

"I-I don't get what is so funny. You said you had a run in with Johnny, did he not say something hurtful or threatening to you?" I ask.

"He didn't. I mean he wasn't thrilled about you and I sharing a meal. But I don't think he will put two and two together. Besides we are friends." Nick explains.

Friends. Nick just said we are friends. Why did that sting a little?

"I'm still sorry." I say quietly and pick at my salad. I have lost my appetite. Nick may be fine but I am far from it.

"It's fine. I'm not upset." He smiles and I muster up the best smile I can.

We are almost at the end of our lunch period when Nick brings up a new topic.

"You know how I took you to Larry's Pool Hall so you could get to know me better?"

"Yeah." I say playing with my bracelet once agin. And once again Nick notices.

"Well, I think it is your turn to take me somewhere so I can get to know you better." He suggests while eyeing my actions with my bracelet.

"I agree." I say and stop playing with the bracelet. I think he is hoping I will tell him the meaning of this bracelet but that ain't happening.

"Awesome." He says and leans his elbows on the table with interest, "So what is the best place or thing to best describe Taylor Croft?"

I think for minute and it would either be sitting in my room watching Netflix, or shopping. None of those things would really give Nick a front row seat into my life, but I know what would.

"A party." I simply say.

Nick raises a brow, "A party?"

"Yes. A party is something that is a big part of me. You want to get to know me better, a party is the way to do it." I say.

"You are throwing a party?" He narrows his eyes.

I scoff, "No. If I were to throw a party I would be in so much trouble and I've been giving my parents a hard enough time as it is. A party is where I can let lose and be myself. I don't have to worry about the things going on in my life." I explain. What I didn't say is a party is how my life changed forever.

"I still don't totally understand." Nick says his hazel eyes covered with confusion. "If there is a party I will more than likely go, how does that help me get to know you better?"

It doesn't but I figured a party is the best way to help keep his questions to a minimum.

"It will if you come as my date. You would get to see how I party. You would witness me in my element of popularity." I inform.

"Okay. You think us going to a party together is a good idea? I mean you were freaking out thirty minutes ago about how I had run in with your ex." Nick points out.

Crap, I didn't think about that.

"We won't be there as a couple. Just friends. If you are my friend then you will be in on all the things that go on at parties. You will get to see a different side of me." I say.

"Fine, I'm in. I think we should meet at the party then go in together. And instead of running away, I will stay right by your side." Nick suggests.

"Deal." I hold my hand out for him to shake. When Nick places his hand in mine I feel that tingle again. Like last time I ignore it, because I am good at that.

- - - - - -

Jamie Brown's party started at 8:30 Saturday night, this dude always set weird times for his parties. It was never 8pm or 9pm sharp he always set it for fifteen to thirty minutes into the hour. None of us really ever complained, Jamie's parties were usually pretty entertaining. One of his parties took place over the summer and he turned his inground pool into a dance floor, it was pretty sweet. He also tends to have a well know DJ and top of the line catering. We may live outside of Boston but Jamie is from Manhattan and is used to throwing extravagant parties.

I knew that none of my clothes would do for this party so Friday after school I drug Lacey to the mall to help me find a dress. I made the mistake of telling her that I asked Nick to be my date to this party so of course my bestie had to take it too far and pick out a dress that was way over the top.

The dress we chose was black and short and a halter type style in the front but was held together by two very thin strapes in the back. Don't get me wrong, the dress is stunning but it feels a little too much for a party. I was so tired from school and shopping I didn't even argue when Lacey pushed me towards the cashier to pay for it. Plus I has a black pair of peep toe heels that would go perfectly with the dress. So it was a win-win.

taylor's dress:

Since Nick and I agreed to meet at the party I took my sweet time getting ready. I did a dark smokey eye and added a red lip along with an amazing contour job. To show off my awesome make-up I curled my hair and put it into a high pony, I also teased it some to give it more volume. After all, we have to look our best when attending a party hosted by Jamie Brown. The temperature was the only thing against my fabulous dress so I threw on my black coat to keep my body warm going from my house to the car then from the car and to Jamie's house. I planned to ditch my coat as soon as I arrived. A dress this gorgeous needed to be shown off.

At 8:20pm Nick texted informing me that he was leaving his house and would meet me out front so we could walk in together. I mean we may be bordering on fashionably late but in this case the later the better. More people would see and Nick would most definitely get an inside look at the life of Taylor Croft. I just hope nothing goes horribly wrong.

I arrived at the Brown residence at around 8:45pm and I sent Nick a text as soon as I found a place to park. Just as I expected from the amount of cars, tons of people were already inside enjoying their night. Well their night was about to get a little more interesting.

As I got out of my car I couldn't ignore the pounding in my chest, I was nervous to say the least. I know this isn't what Nick had in mind when I agreed to show him the real me but this was the best I could do. Honesty I was only doing this because I knew that if we were partying he wouldn't get the chance to ask me any questions I try to avoid. I was also vowing to stay sober tonight. I didn't need any alcohol running through my veins, that would cause me to spill my deepest darkest secret. I didn't need that tonight or ever.

I spotted Nick standing on the curb in front of the Brown house, a house isn't the corrct term, it was more of a mini mansion. Very elegant and did not fit in with the normal one or two story houses in town.

"You ready for this?" I ask walking up to him.

Nick locks his phone and slides it into the pocket of his medium wash jeans. Along with his jeans he is wearing a dark blue Henely that somehow goes great with the color of his eyes. How that is possible I have no idea considering his eyes are a warm hazel shade. Nick is also sporting the same NorthFace jacket he wore when he took me Larry's Pool Hall. Nick Ross looked very good tonight and smelled amazing, like mint as always.

"Ready as I will ever be." He sighs and runs a hand through his brown locks. His hair looks super soft. Would it be weird to run my own hands through it? Probably.

"Don't be nervous. I won't let anything happen to you. Promise." I reassure him and hold up my pinky for him.

Nick throws me a look of amusement then wraps his pinky around mine. "Pinky promise, really?"

"That way you know I won't break my promise. I keep my pinky promises." I smile softly.

"Good to know. But shouldn't I be the one saying I won't let anything happen to you?" He points out in question.

Usually yes and when we went to the pool hall that would have been the perfect time to say those words. However, he missed his chance and he needs my reassurance tonight. Especially tonight.

"You had your chance to say those words. I get them tonight." I laugh.

"Fair enough." Nick nods. "Shall we?" He asks holding out his hand for me to take.

I take a deep breath and push all the terrible things that could happen tonight out of my mind. I really needed some wood to knock on right now.

"Let's go." I say entwining his fingers with mine. I feel that same tingle once again and this time it makes heat surge through my entire body. Oh boy. This is going to be a long night.

- - - - - -

Just as I suspected. This night was a long one but so far so good. When Nick and I walked through the front door hand in hand, everybody stopped and stared. As we walked through the crowd we heard all of the whispers. Most of them were shock of me being with Mr.Mysterious and others were from guys who were jealous that I didn't turn Nick down like I had done to them. And then there were the whispers that frightened me. The whispers that said 'Wait until Johnny finds out'. Those whispers sent chills to my spine and caused me to be on alert all night. The last thing I wanted was for Nick to get hurt.

My dress was definitely a hit and not just with the other party goers. Once Nick and I got through the crowd and to the coat room I removed my coat to reveal my dress. A dress that left Nick speechless and his gaze to wander all over my body. His burning eyes told me he liked my dress but I don't think he liked the attention that came with it. Attention from guys that is. It definitely isn't my intention to make him jealous, but I think I was. Who knew?

It was now almost eleven, Nick had retreated to the game room, shocker I know. I was chatting with a few friends when I decided I should go find him. We were here together after all.

I carefully walked up the stairs and into the game room where Nick was hustling another poor innocent kid out of his money. Only this time they were playing pool not air hockey.

After the kid left I made my way over to the pool table and leaned against it with my arms crossed over my chest. "You told me you don't hustle people. Yet you just did." I state.

"He was way too cocky, its his fault." Nick tells me.

"You know we are suppose to be here together. If you are off playing pool with some random kid people might think otherwise." I say a little aggravated that he left me.

"Actually, us coming here together was what got that kid to play me in the first place." Nick smirks.

"How?" I ask quirking a brow.

"He's a rich kid who won't play pool with just anyone. When he found out I came with you, he agreed to play. But sadly he lost. Got distracted by asking one to many questions about my date." He explains.

Wow, he took advantage of us coming here together to beat some rich kid at a stupid game of pool. He also used me as a topic of their conversation. I don't know if I should be happy or pissed.

"That kid kept asking you questions about me?" I ask in disbelief.

Nick nods, "Questions that were even a shock to me. I now have a few new ones to add to my list of questions to ask the cheerleader." He smirks devilishly and it scares me a little.

"Really, like what?" I narrow my eyes challenging him to further this conversation.

Nick is about to answer when all of sudden my worst fear comes to life. Johnny storms up to us and punches Nick square in the jaw. I gasp and Nick stumbles back but doesn't fall down.

"Johnny! What the hell!?" I yell.

"I heard you here with someone. Had to see who it was for myself." He spits out. "Stay away from her!" He warns Nick.

At first I think Nick is going to retreat but the look in his eyes tells a different story. And the next thing Nick says is what starts a full on fight.

"I could just beat your ass again like I did three months ago." Nick says loud enough for everyone in the room and adjacent rooms to hear.

Johnny's blue eyes turn to fire and a look of remembrance comes over his face. Shit he's figured it out. Johnny walks closer to Nick so he is standing right in front of him, his chest heaving.

"That was you." Johnny says.

"Yeah. It was. And I would do it again." Nick snarls.

And that is all it takes for the fight to turn into an all out brawl. Months of keeping Johnny from finding out and keeping Nick safe have just been shot to hell.

And it was all my fault.