[Chapter 1]

I ran forwards, the gentle wind blowing my hair backwards. A couple strides later the finishing line comes into sight. I breathe deeply, the cold morning air stinging my nose and mouth like millions of pins.

The crowd gathered around the finishing line begin to cheer and whistle for me. I scan the crowd trying to see the familiar faces. A wave of disappointment washes over me when I don’t spot them amongst the sea of people. My shoulders sag a little but I push on. This is just another time to add to the long list of disappointments.

Sucking in a big breath I push my legs to go faster. The finish line comes quickly and before I know it I’m crowded by many. They pat me on the back and say how good I am.

I push past the people and make my way slowly out of the crowd as they move back to congratulate the second place runner. The minute he steps over the finish line he falls to his knees and throws up all over the fresh green grass. I crinkle my nose against the stench. Poor guy should learn not to eat before a big run.

A smile snakes its way onto my face when a familiar weight jumps onto my back. They wrap their legs around my waist and hug me tightly around the neck, so tightly that it’s hard to get the air that I so desperately need.

“You won.” The voice yells in my ear. “First place, again.”

I shake him off and he falls to the ground with a thud. “Ouch.” He whines as he stands and rubs his butt. “What was that for?”

“Making me deaf.” I say, slapping him upside the head.

I watch Drew in silence as he groans and rubs his head. “Child abuse!” He yells, causing heads to turn our way.

I roll my eyes and take a drink from my drink bottle. The tight pain in my chest disappears as the cool water rolls down the back of my throat.

“You coming tonight?” I ask through sips.

His eyes light up as he nods quickly. Any faster and his head would fall off. It’s times like these that I begin to wonder why we’re best friends, he’s so childish. Why can’t I have one of the quieter people? I look around noticing something, or someone, missing.

 “Where’s Floyd?" 

Drew claps his hands together like a little kid and looks around confused. "He was beside me a few minutes ago." 

"Reign!" Someone calls out.

I look out to the crowd of people. A boy about my age with black hair walks towards me slowly, a determined look on his face. Two people follow behind like trained dogs causing me to roll my eyes.

Drew’s happy mood suddenly turns sour. "What do you want, Tex Donik." He spits out like the name hurts his mouth.

"I just wanted to come and tell Reign that this is only the start of the year." Tex growls. "I will beat you, no matter what it takes."

A warm arm is draped over my shoulder causing my coldness to wash away. "You've been saying that since we were little," A calm voice says, "And you haven't won once."

Tex's face turns a bright red, an accused finger pointed towards me. "That doesn't mean I won’t win this time! You watch me."

With that said he storms off back to a slick white car parked outside the hall, this 'dogs' following behind in sync.

When the car's out of sight Drew’s normal happiness comes back full force. "Floyd!" He shouts loudly causing an old lady to shh him. The second she turns around Drew sticks his tongue out at her. 

Floyd and I both chuckle, something that Drew always makes us do. He's the go to guy when you're feeling down. 

Floyd removes his arm from me and stands in front of me, "Congratulations on coming 1st." He says with a true smile. "I'm sorry that your parents didn't come."

I smile back, I don't care anymore that my parents aren't here. Floyd and Drew are more of a family then they ever will be. "It's fine, it's not like they haven't ditched before." I really don't get why I keep getting my hopes up when they never come anyway. 

As if sensing the mood change Drew yells, "Puppy!" Before taking off towards an owner and her dog.

The girl must only be around 7 or 9, her face half scared to death as Drew plays with the dog. Floyd and I laugh, this isn't anything new. I just feel sorry for the girl.

"First goes to, Reign Carter!" My name is called over a microphone.

I smile and walk towards the stage to collect my medal. Floyd and a crazy Drew follow until we reach the stage. From there I walk up on my own and stand with the 1st behind my shoulder, painted on the wearing wall.

The coach walks up and shakes my hand, "Great work Carter." He says before placing the gold medal around my neck. He steps back and I smile as brightly as I can while many take photographs. I look to my side to find an unfamiliar boy in 3rd place and no one in 2nd place. 

So that's who threw up, Tex. I laugh quietly to myself and look down at my friends who are too laughing as though they realized the same thing. 

~@~

I close the door behind us. My parents aren't home so we have the whole house to ourselves. 

“What do we do while we wait for the party?” Floyd asks looking around.

Drew jumps up like he’s had the best idea ever. “We could go for a swim!”

Floyd and I stare wide mouthed at him, “You do realise it’s winter right?” I ask him.

He nods. “That means it’s freezing.” I say softly, like I’m talking to a baby.

He pouts and crosses his arms. “Fine.”

Floyd rolls his eyes and turns towards me. “We could eat something for starters. I’m starving.”

I shrug, “Sounds good to me. Drew? Are you hungry?”

He glares at me then nods happily. “I want a hot dog.”

“Okay, I’ll make you a hot dog.”

“Woo!” He yells.

“I mean, how hard can it be?”

~@~

“YOU’RE BURNING IT!” Drew yells and runs over to the stove.

“How am I burning it?” I groan, “It’s just water.”

“I don’t know how you did it but you did, it’s all yuck.”

I throw my hands in the air and pick up the phone, I give up. “What are you doing?” Floyd asks as I punch the numbers in.

“I’m ordering pizza.”

He shrugs and takes a seat. “That works for me.”

“Hello, pizza palace, Rule speaking.” A boy on the other end says, “How may I help you?”

“Yeah hi, I’d like -”

~@~

“It’ll be here soon.” I tell an annoying Drew as he jumps around.

“It better be or I’ll shove my foot where no foot has ever been in history!”

Floyd and I groan, leaning our heads back on the sofa. The doorbell rings and Drew runs quickly to it. My eyes go wide as I snatch the money up and run after Drew.

“Drew! Stop!” I call after him but he’s already answered the door and yelling at the poor pizza delivery boy that looks like he might wet himself any second.

I pull Drew away by his collar and push him away from the door. “I’m sorry about him, he’s hungry.” I say, handing the boy the money.

He nods like he’s dazed and hands over the pizzas. I offer him a half smile. “See ya ‘round.”

“Y-yeah, see you.” He stutters and I laugh at him while closing the door.

I walk into the living room where Drew and Floyd sit patiently, still laughing. “What’s so funny?” Drew asks, snatching a pizza from me and shoving heaps in his mouth.

“The poor guy looked like he’d seen a ghost.”

“Well you have that effect on people.” Floyd says, trying not to laugh.

Drew speaks with a mouth full of food, the crumbs practically flying out of his mouth, “He might be gay.” He says, “Or bi.” Then he goes back eating as if he didn’t say anything.

“Yeah…” I say, thinking about it.

“So, what time’s the party?” Floyd asks, taking a bite.

I look at the clock on the flat screen TV, “9 PM.” He groans.

“Great, 9 hours with this idiot.” He points towards Drew but he doesn’t even notice as he scoffs more pizza.

I swear he’s eating it so fast he may as well be inhaling it.

~@~

The music is so loud we can hear it from 2 streets down. I bet there’s well over 100 people there, maybe even 200. Some wouldn’t come to this party however, this one’s just for college kids however I was invited because the host is Drew’s older brothers best friend. Crazy, I know but that’s just how we were invited.

Our school party is on Friday night at school, when the teachers break off with a group of kids each and play activities all night in their homeroom. It sounds lame but it really isn’t, well… depending what teacher you get that is. I just hope we don’t get Mrs. Neud, she’d force us to play actually games that involve maths. I bet you can guess what she teaches.

I suppose you can’t really call it a party but it beats having nothing at all.

“There’s no parks.” Floyd says, steering the car slowly down the road as already drunk teenagers stumble all over the place. One falls over right in front of our car and starts throwing up. When she doesn’t get up Drew jumps from the car.

“I’ll meet you guys inside.” He says seriously, closing the back door and lifting the girl across the road and back inside the busy house.

We shrug it off and continue to find a park. I point to a car backing out, “Get that one.”

Floyd nods and when the other car moves he takes that park. I look towards the busy house and my stomach twists. Suddenly, I’m not so sure about coming here. I can’t explain it but it feels like something bad is going to happen tonight.

“Reign?” Floyd asks softly, placing a hand on my knee and I can’t explain the feeling that shoots up my leg like an electrical current.

“Yeah?” I ask, hoping he’ll get his hand off so the tingles stop.

“We don’t have to stay if you’re not feeling up for it.” He says, removing his hand.

Instantly the tingles stop but when they’re gone I wish they’d come back.

I sigh and shake my head, “It’s not fair to leave just because I have a bad feeling, and you and Drew were looking forwards to this all summer holidays.”

“True.”

“Plus I don’t think I have a choice anymore.” I nod towards the door, towards a girl standing there in a tight black dress.

Floyd chuckles. “You’re still with her?”

“Not for long.” I mumble.

He shakes his head like a disapproving father, “You need to stop playing with them, you’ve had more girlfriends in two months then I have since, well… ever.”

“It’s not my fault.” I turn towards Floyd who stays looking straight ahead. “They just don’t pleasure me.”

He turns to me so quickly I’m surprised his neck didn’t snap. “What did you just say?”

“It’s not my fault.”

“No, no… after that.”

“They just don’t pleasure me.” I say, slightly scared. From the look in his eyes I can see there’s something he wants to say but’s holding back. I roll my eyes and turn back towards the girl who waves our way. “Spit it out.”

“Well it’s just a thought but you know what Drew said earlier?”

I stare at him blankly, “You’ll have to narrow it down slightly.”

“After the pizza boy came.”

I throw my head back against the seat. “That he could have been gay or bisexual.”

I don’t directly see him nodding but I feel it. “So you’re suggesting that I might be gay?”

“You could be.” He thinks, “I mean, there’s no other explanation.”

“I just haven’t found the right girl, that’s all.” The words taste sour in my mouth, like my body knows I’m lying to myself and Floyd.

“It shouldn’t matter what girl it is, they all have the same stuff.”

“I’m not gay.” I say firmly, getting slightly worked up. Who’s he to say that I’m gay or not, I’ve had more girlfriends then anyone in the whole school.

“You can’t rule that out though, you don’t know for certain.” He continues, “Drew and I’ll still be your friends even if you are. We don’t care.”

“I’m not.”

“But you could be.” He argues back.

I glare at him so hard he shields back slightly. “I’m not a fag!” I yell and storm out of the car.

I know I’m acting like a little brat about it but I’ve told him and I’ll tell him again, I’m not gay. I don’t like dick.

I run a hand through my hair as I walk across the perfect lawn and into the house. The girl in the black dress runs up to me and walks beside me, struggling to keep up with my pace.

Eventually when she can’t any longer she grabs my arm and forces me to a stop. “What’s wrong babe?” She asks but behind her eyes I can see that she doesn’t really care.

I pull my arm back and she stumbles slightly but stays on her feet. “We’re through, I can’t take it anymore.” I say, walking off while I leave her standing there dumfounded.

“Babe, wait!” She calls out and tries to run after me but I’m among the people already.

“Bye Leah.” I call back to nowhere in particular.

The music is loud to my ears and the smell is strong and overpowering. As much as it looks like fun it really stinks, the smell of alcohol, sex and vomit. The worst three smells combined.

I hold my breath as I walk deeper inside, the smell intensifying so much that even without breathing I can smell it.

The house is much bigger than I thought and just as I predicted there’s around 100-200 people, all dancing against each other, some drinking, others passed out in the most random places and many more kissing in the corners.

Looking around I don’t spot anyone I know and move off to a different room. The kitchen is empty and surprisingly quiet. I lean my elbows on the counter and put my head in my hands, willing my stomach to stop doing loops.

Someone taps me on the shoulder and I jump a meter in the air, hitting my head on the counter above. “Ouch.” I groan, rubbing at the sore spot.

I’m too caught up in my pain that when I turn around I don’t fully notice the other person standing there with two drinks in his hand. He smiles sheepishly.

“Um… sorry about that.” He says, genuinely sorry.

I sigh and remove my hand from the back of my head, slight blood but that should stop. “It’s okay.”

He looks at my hand. “Oh my God, is that blood?” He panics and practically throws the drinks onto the counter and snatches my hand up before I can move.

The same tingles run up my arm but stronger this time. Luckily he lets go shortly after and they stop. That’s seriously getting on my nerves. “It’s fine, It’ll heal.”

“I don’t care, I’m cleaning you up.” He says, taking my hand this time and leading me out of the kitchen.

He bumps into someone on his way out and nearly falls backwards but I push him so he stays on his feet. No joke, I can literally feel him glaring an icy glare at the person that bumped into him.

Shortly after I notice who it is. “Tex? What are you doing here?”

Tex raises an eyebrow at me, “I could ask you the same thing.” He looks down at our joint hands. “I didn’t know you were gay.”

I snatch my hand back, “I’m not. I just b-”

He puts his hand in my face, “I don’t need your life story.” Before either of us can reply he leaves to dance with a girl.

“He gets on my nerves so much.” The boy says, clenching his fists.

“You too?” I ask, glaring at Tex.

He nods without another word and takes my hand again, pulling me up the stairs. He turns and leads me into a bathroom.

Releasing my hand he closes the door behind him and locks it. My stomach twists more when the lock clicks. “That’s just so no one comes barging in and throws up all over us.” He laughs lightly and the tight feeling ceases.

He searches around as I sit on a chair in the corner. My head spins slightly and the room tilts. I find myself falling and then the floors against my face.

The boy swears and picks me up off the floor, placing me gently on the chair. He lays a hand on my chest to stop me from falling again and with my on it he drags the chair into the middle of the room and in front of the sink. The whole time he’s getting a wet cloth and moving me he keeps his hand on my chest and the feeling is too strong to ignore.

My stomach turns but this time it’s not a bad feeling, it’s like millions of butterflies exploded from some hidden spot and are flying around in me. Each and every one of them brushing their little wings against me, sending a numb feeling throughout my body. I lift my hands up and they shake severely. It doesn’t matter how much I will them to stop, they keep it up.

I’ve never been nervous before in my entire life so the feeling is completely new to me. I watch in the mirror as the boy moves behind me and begins to clean the bump on the back of my head. Pain explodes through my head like a bomb going off but it doesn’t overpower the butterflies.

He creases his brows in concentration, pieces of chestnut coloured hair falling into his face but he doesn’t move it. I want to just reach back and move it for him but I lace my hands together before I can. He bites his pale pink lips as he finishes cleaning the cut.

A look crosses his face as he meets my eyes in the mirror and even from this distance I can clearly see his happy copper eyes. He smiles like he’s slightly embarrassed, I would chuckle too if I wasn’t so mesmerised by him. I find myself thinking about what it would be like to have him in my arms, to hold him, hug him…kiss him.

As though my body has a mind of its own I’m on my feet. The boy snaps into action and grabs my arm to keep me from falling. “You don’t look too good.” He says, looking everywhere on my face for a hint of pain or confusion.

“I’m okay.” I say, my voice hoarse and rough as though I only woke up. Our eyes meet and I find that by looking in the mirror there was one tiny detail that I nearly missed out on, his copper eyes have soft gold flecks by the pupils.

I hadn’t realized how close I was getting until he nervously clears his throat and moves his eyes away. I blink a couple times and move away slightly but keep my eyes on him. “What’s your name?” I whisper without meaning to.

“Byron Victor.” He says nervously. I watch his lips as he speaks and mentally wonder if they’re as soft as they look right now.

“I’m Reign Carter.”

“I know who you are; you’re the most popular boy in school.”

Before I can stop myself my hand reaches up and I run my fingers along the side of his face, feeling the smooth skin below my fingertips. He goes as stiff of a board and if it wasn’t from the constant rise and fall of his chest I would have thought he was dead.

I trace around his eye and cheek until I reach his lips. I stare at them, open slightly as he breathes. Not even thinking about it I run my fingers over his lips and just as I expected they’re as soft as they look. He relaxes under my touch. I pull my hand back, the sudden urge to kiss him pulsing through my veins.

I look him in the eyes as I move my face closer and when he doesn’t move back I take that as a good sign. He swallows loudly and I pause, waiting for him to reject me but surprisingly he doesn’t. I move even closer until we’re a mere centimetre apart. He closes his eyes and I do the same as I lean in the remaining space. Our lips touch, sending a blast of pleasure through my body and all the butterflies fall away. But that’s short lived.

There’s a loud rapid knock on the door and Byron and I fly apart. I fall backwards over the chair but save myself from knocking my head again.

I get to my feet, unable to meet a clearly embarrassed Byron in the eyes. Lifting my chin and righting myself I walk and open the bathroom door. Floyd stands there with an apologetic look on his face and something else that I can’t place.

“Look I’m sorry about what I said earlier, it was wrong of me and I apologize.” He says.

I bite my lip and slightly put my head down. He catches on instantly. “What is it?”

“Well, I think you might have been right…” I mumble, casting a quick look behind me at the confused boy.

 Floyd looks back and his eyes go wide as he just notices Byron. When he looks back at me a smile appears on his face. “I knew it,” He cheers, “Dude I totally knew it!”

“Shh!” I hush him, looking around behind him for anyone that might be listening. “Why are you here anyway?”

“Well I came to apologize but I can see now that I didn’t really need to.” He laughs and I punch him on the arm slightly, “actually I came about Drew.”

I roll my eyes, “What about him?”

“He’s got himself into some trouble.”

“What kind of trouble?” I ask, seriously concerned.

“Illegal trouble.”

“Great, the police are here?” I ask, I could see that going to happen.

Without a word he nods. “Okay, I’ll be down in a second.” I say.

He nods and winks before leaving. I hold the door open, watching him leave before I turn back to Byron. “I’m sorry but I have to go, my friends in some trouble.”

“That’s fine; I have to get home anyway.”

“Have you had anything to drink?” I ask, already knowing and fearing the answer.

He nods, “Yeah.”

“Great.” I groan. “Do you have a ride home?”

This time he shakes his head. “No.”

I run a hand down my face. I can’t just leave this boy here without a ride home and slightly intoxicated. Plus I can’t take him out because the police are here and he’s underage. “I’m taking you home.” I say.

I start to walk out but realise he’s not following; I turn and meet his eye. “What’s wrong?”

“Why are you being so nice to me?” He says, “I mean, you’re the most popular boy in school and I’m just the faggot that gets beat up.”

“Don’t say that, I’m still a person just like you.” I sigh, “Just because I’m popular doesn’t mean I’m a dick.”

He laughs slightly and it sounds like chimes playing in my ears. “I guess so.”

Good enough, “Now come on, I’ve got to help my friend before the police taser or pepper spray him, as much as I would love to see that.” I admit, it would be pretty funny.

He nods and follows me this time. We reach the top of the stairs and I look around the corner, throwing my hand up to stop Byron walking out. Once I see that the coast is clear I grab him by the wrist and pull him down after me. Quickly as I can I turn the corner and run out the back door, Byron stumbling to keep up behind.

I don’t stop running until I reach the car. From here I can see Drew fighting with a police man and he’s obviously winning from the look on the cops face, poor man. He really should have chosen a different job.

“Stay right here, I’ll be back in a second after I help my friend.” He nods and I run up to Drew, Floyd and the two police.

They all turn to look at me. “What’s the problem officers?” I ask politely.

“It seems to me that your friend here is drunk.” He says. Motioning to Drew.

I laugh and they all stare at me like I’m crazy, “Sir, that would just be Drew. He’s always acting crazy and stupid.”

He looks me over to see if I’m lying but he obviously doesn’t find anything that gives me away. “Okay I’ll let you three go with a warning.” He says, “But the next time I won’t be so easy on you.”

We nod, Floyd and I both grabbing one of Drew’s arms each. We lead him… well; drag him back to the car. When we reach it Byron stands there awkwardly rubbing his arms revealed arms. I notice the chilly air biting at my skin. I pull off my jacket and hand it to him. He takes it without a word and wraps it around himself.

Drew stands staring at him like Byron’s some kind of alien. “You turtle neck.” He screams and lunges at him but before he can touch him I pull him back by his hood.

I shake my head and pull him around the car, pushing him into the passenger’s seat I do up the seat belt and close the door just for him to yell out, “You found my weakness!”

“Sorry about him.” I say to a slightly scared Byron. “He was dropped as a child.”

“It’s okay.” He says.

I look him over, “Hey why don’t you stay at mine tonight, we can all have a fun last night of freedom thing.”

He looks at Floyd who stands there twirling the keys around his finger whistling and shrugs, “Sure, my parents aren’t in town anyway so they wouldn’t care.”

“Great,” I say, “Let’s get going.”

~@~

We reach my house and all get out. Well, everyone apart from Drew who sits there clawing at the seatbelt.

Floyd has enough of watching him and undoes it. We all walk inside and take a seat in the living room.

“I’ll go get the booze.” I smile and get up. “And then we can start a real party.”