I walked towards the house, straightening my dress with my hands. Not going to lie, I'm nervous as hell. Gripping Yvette's arm, we walked towards the house, Jace Leighton's house. He was holding a New Year's Eve party. Of course, I had to attend.

We entered the courtyard and into the house. There were a lot of people inside. Some were talking while others were playing games like spin the bottle. Nah, I'll steer clear away from that game. I know who I want my first kiss to be with.

"Bella, I need to go to the bathroom for a while. Wait for me here. Please don't leave me alone," Yvette said firmly, pointing her index finger at me.

I rolled my eyes and replied, "Yeah, whatever. Just go."

With that, she ran off. I wanted to come to this party so badly but it felt really weird to come alone so I dragged Yvette along. She did not want to be here at all. I stood there awkwardly, looking around for the host of this party and the reason I came.

"Hey, you came," I heard from behind me.

I turned around and saw that it was Jace. I immediately felt my heart racing. Calm your hormones, Belinda. "Hi, yes. I can't possibly miss the last party of the year, can I?" I lied. You know damn well the real reason you came, Belinda, I could hear my conscience chiding me.

"No, you can't. It's so great to know you came today," he replied, smiling. Gosh, he looks so good. "You look beautiful today. I mean, you always look beautiful but you dolled yourself up today. It's nice," he blabbered.

I blushed. Did Jace Leighton just compliment me? I tried to chuckle as I replied, "Aw, thanks. You look good too." I nodded awkwardly as silence reigned between both of us.

"So... Do you want to eat something? I got some really good food. I've got cakes, muffins, sushi..." Jace asked with an awkward smile. He looked so cute.

"Sure!" I replied a little too loudly and followed him as he led me to the dining room. Damn, his house is big. I'll be the luckiest lady in the world if I ever get together with him. "Ooh, this looks delicious! You sure ordered a lot of good food."

"Yeah," he muttered, scratching the back of his neck. "I just ordered every little snack I could think of. Hey, try the tiramisu. I heard it's really good."

I raised my eyebrows. "Oh? Really?" I remarked. With that, I took a small plate and placed a slice of tiramisu on it. Using a fork, I took a little bite. "It's actually good!"

"See? I told you!" Jace chuckled.

I never thought there would be a day where Jace and I could talk freely. We were just friendly acquaintances in school. We greeted each other in the hallways, nothing more. After all, he was a rich and popular kid and I was just an average nobody.

"Hey! I told you to wait for me there! I was looking all over for you," I heard someone holler.

I turned around and saw that it was Yvette. Oh crap! I gasped, "Oh Gosh, sorry! I was just so hungry. I couldn't resist the temptation of grabbing food from the dining table. By the way, the tiramisu is very good."

"Yeah, right," she replied, rolling her eyes affectionately. Yvette is the only person who knows I've got a crush on Jace Leighton. She's the only person I could trust with this secret. If anyone else knows, they'll probably broadcast it to the whole school and everyone will mock me for thinking I even had a chance with the most popular kid in school.

And I will never be able to hold my head up high in Empire High ever again.

"Come on, let's play some card games. I know you don't know how to play with poker cards so let's play Uno. Welcome to the Uno club," Yvette said.

I nodded. "Hey, guys. I'm Belinda," I introduced myself. After that, we started playing Uno. Let's just say it was very fun. For some reason, instead of joining the group of people playing with poker cards, Jace joined us. Damn, he plays this game very well.

"And I won again!" Jace declared as he placed down his last card on the stack.

"Aw, dang it!" I cried. "How do you keep winning?"

"It's a secret," he replied with a wink.

For the rest of the night, Jace seemed to be everywhere. Wherever I looked, he was there. Late into the night, we played truth or dare. Someone suggested spin the bottle but Yvette and I violently objected. After all, I wouldn't want to watch as Jace kissed someone else.

We started with Jace, the host of the game. "Truth or dare?" one of the footballers asked.

"Truth," he replied without a change in facial expression.

"Do you like anyone?" he asked with a smirk.

Jace grinned and replied, "Uh, yes. I do like someone." For some reason, he was staring at me as he said that. No one else caught it. But I did. It can't be me, can it? I'm just Belinda Clarke. It's not like I'm that pretty. What would Jace Leighton see in me?

"Who is it?" the footballer asked.

"I believe you have maxed out your questions," Jace replied with a smirk and the footballer punched his thigh in frustration.

We went in a clockwise direction and it was soon my turn. "Truth or dare?" another footballer whose name I don't know asked.

"Dare," I said immediately. I wouldn't want them to ask me who I liked. I wouldn't want them to know that it was Jace Leighton and let them laugh at me for it. Perhaps they would dare me to do a handstand or something.

"I dare you to... kiss Jace Leighton," he replied with a smirk.

I immediately looked at Jace in shock and saw that he was glaring at his teammate intensely. If looks could kill, he would've withered there and then. But all he did was shrug. "Uh, can you give me another dare?"

"No can do, girl. Do it or you drink," he chuckled.

I winced. I can't drink. I'm driving home tonight. I don't want to accidentally kill anyone. "Fine, I'll take the dare," I muttered. With that, I inched towards Jace and pecked him on his lips. That should do it.

"Boo, give him a real kiss," everyone else except Yvette hollered.

I could feel my cheeks turning hot. How much I wish the ground would open and swallow me up at this instant. Yet I feel so excited knowing that I'm going to kiss Jace. I don't even know if my heart is racing from embarrassment or excitement.

"It's okay. It's just a dare. Just do it," Jace whispered.

I nodded and crashed my lips into Jace's. Gosh, it feels so soft. I feel like my lifelong goal has been completed. Before either of us could deepen the kiss, I broke off. This is just a dare. I shouldn't take advantage of this, I thought.

I could hear everyone playing this game cheering. My cheeks couldn't turn any redder. "I have to go to the bathroom," I murmured before standing up to leave.

"What the hell, Roy. What the hell," I heard Yvette say before she ran towards me. "I don't know what to say about that but I've got to admit that it's really hot."

"You're not making this any better," I groaned as I went into the bathroom.

"Oh, come on, you kissed Jace Leighton. It's your dream come true," she whispered in reply. "You should be happy! Besides, it's not like anyone took a video of you two kissing. It's okay. Maybe you two can now be together."

I groaned once again. This is terrible!

"Anyway, what's done is done. I have to head back home because of curfew. Mum and Dad will kill me if I get back home after midnight. I'm catching the last bus. No worries," she said.

I muttered a goodbye and she left. And now I'm all alone, facing this mess. I can't blame Yvette. I was the one who dragged her here after all. What did I just do to myself? Why the hell did I play truth or dare with the popular kids?

After splashing some water on my face, I left the bathroom.

Instinctively, I avoided wherever we played truth or dare earlier. Instead, I went to the balcony. After all this, I definitely need some fresh air. I need to comprehend whatever had happened earlier.

I kissed Jace Leighton.

"Hey," I suddenly heard.

Out of shock, I yelped and jumped when I heard that but soon realised it was just Jace. Oh, boy. "Hey! What's up?" I asked, trying to act as if nothing had happened.

"Sorry about Roy. He's obsessed with teasing me and enjoys seeing me suffer," he uttered. "It must've been so embarrassing for you. For that, I deeply apologise. I must say, though, you are a very good kisser."

I blushed upon hearing that. Oh, why did he have to say that of all things? "Apology accepted," I muttered, pretending that I didn't hear that last sentence.

"Hey, Belinda," he started.

My eyes widened in surprise upon hearing my name. Does he actually know my name? I turned to look at him and opened my mouth to speak but something prevented me from speaking. That was when I realised.

He's kissing me. Jace Leighton initiated our kiss.

At that moment, I heard the grandfather's clock chime and I closed my eyes to enjoy this moment. His kiss made me feel wanted, needed. I will never forget it for as long as I shall live. This better not be a dream.

With that, I wrapped my arms around his neck and deepened the kiss.

***

A/N:

How's this for a start? Things will only get more interesting and I promise you won't regret picking up this book.

Please vote, comment and share this book with all your friends! I'm not going to continuously remind you in every chapter cuz it'll get annoying :)

Anyway, I hope you will enjoy this book. Thank you so much!