I slowly walked back to my room. There was going to be a party. Here. Tonight. I've never been to a party before - I've never been invited. Not that I'd want to go. Right now I envied Nina and Kayla - they were naturals socialists whereas I, just didn't know how to act in front of anyone.

I think I might take Aiden's advice and stay in my room. Yes, that's what I'll do.

The door opened without further warning and Nina and Kayla walked in holding dresses and a curling wand. They both looked delighted - too bad I felt as though a hurricane was brewing between my temples.

Nina gaped at me for a moment. "April, are you falling asleep? Get up." She grinned, throwing a pillow at me.

"I'm not going."

They both fell quiet and shared a look. Oh no. Shifting backwards until my back hit the headboard, my head shook from side to side stubbornly. Then, before I could protest, they'd already begun leaping on me, pestering and pleading for me to not act, and I quote 'like a baby.'

"We don't know these people that well, it'll be weird without you." Kayla reasoned. "Plus... the party is just downstairs. Would it not be strange if you don't make an appearance after coming all this way?"

"We need you, April. I'm your wing women, you crazy lady."

I scoffed at Nina, "I think you'll find I'm your wing women, Ni."

"Please Ap," Nina finally said, gripping onto my arm as though I would relent.

In the end, I was tired and not willing to fight with them so I told them I'd come down later. They made me promise that I would keep to my word and I could never break a promise, which totally sucked because I really didn't want to go. I didn't fit in here. I didn't fit in anywhere.

But then again, I did need to protect them.

So I first helped them get ready. Stalling, I deliberately took my time curling Kayla's hair because as soon as they were finished, their attention would be riveted on me. After promising I wouldn't dress like a tramp or break my promise, they left, with me practically shoving them out. Flopping down onto the mattress again, I massaged my temples in agony, not looking forward to the night to come.

The party was officially in full swing. The sounds of chanting reached my room and I turned in my bed and slammed my head into the pillow, wanting the noise to go away. I gulped at the thought of joining it. I knew that Kayla and Nina would make true to their promise of coming up here and dragging me down in a bodycon dress, so I flipped around, thinking.

I calculated it in my head - if I go down now, then I can stay for 20-30 minutes and then come back up - Nina and Kaya would be happy if I showed my face, even for a few moments. Squatting on the floor, I squinted into the cupboard, debating what to wear. It was strange choosing clothes that weren't my own. They were nicer than mine, I thought grimly. In the end I decided on a pair of black ripped jeans, a black ribbed vest and a black cropped jacket on top. Wow, the creativity with this one is strong.

On my table top, someone had kindly bought me various items of makeup - I would probably steal some when I escaped. I quickly put on makeup, making my eyes look darker and my dark circles less bruised-looking. Swiping on some gloss, I smacked my lips together.

I looked like crap.

Oh well.

Outside, the noise was even louder and the walls were vibrating with its might. When I reached downstairs, people of all ages filled the hallways to the brim, the front door open to the night wind. Right at the bottom of the stairs were a group of boys, clearly tipsy, who were jeering at girls - all of whom were avoiding them. I twisted my hair around nervously; suddenly, I had forgotten what I would do with my hands when I was just standing. I was about to turn around and flee back when Nina spotted me.

She waved at me frantically. I smiled at her and carried on the dreaded journey. One of the guys noticed me. He must have been too drunk to notice my face because otherwise he would have left me be, but he could tell that I was a girl and that was enough for him. He stumbled over to me, blocking my way. Glancing up, I made a move to side step him but even in his intoxicated state, he counter-moved me. He was young-looking, maybe a college student, with dirty blonde hair and heavy-set brows. Maybe if he wasn't reeking of sweat and alcohol, I would have though damn, an attractive boy is paying me attention.

"Hey, where are you going?" His voice wasn't slurred, but he had a slightly mean look on his face. A look that told me I'm not in the right state of mind.

"Excuse me, I just want to get past." Come on Nina, where are you?

"Dance with me." He said, grabbing my waist and pulling my body close to him. I squirmed out of his hold but his grip was tighter than I had anticipated so my face was being forced into his sweaty chest. I leaned my head back desperately, trying to get some distance between us so I could raise my knee. Once I had pushed him back slightly, I did the one move I knew would never let me down - I kicked him in the balls. He let go immediately and I ran past him, adrenaline coursing through my veins.

"Screw you." I spat, once I'd jumped away from him.

"You fucking bitch! Come back here now!" I merely flipped him the bird. Looking up, Nina was gone. Taken by the crowd. Pushing past people, I made it to the kitchen without anyone else bothering me and leaned my head onto the cool marble counter top, slowing my breathing. I'm going back upstairs and locking that damn room myself. Once I've found Nina and Kayla, we're out of here. It's the perfect opportunity. I raised my head and found a group of boys staring back at me through the glass, wide-eyed and slightly dreamy.

I spotted Daniel and Beau among them and my eyes widened. What are they doing? Is that weed? And then, to top things off, I saw Aiden pushing his way through the crowd of boys looking completely and utterly mad. His expression was dark as he slid open the patio door. I swallowed and stood quickly, turning to walk out.

Before I could however, he grabbed my shoulders and spun me around. Then, feeling my tension, he lightened his grip slightly. He marched out of the room and led me into the corner, away from the boys.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"I was about to go upstairs. I just needed a moment to breathe."

He sighed angrily. "Look, I told you not to come down, right? Well - I advised you not to come down. Why did you?"

"Nina and Kayla made me promise them that I would come down for a while, so I did. I don't break my promises." I snapped back. "Plus, it's a free country so...."

He released me and ran his hand through his hair. "Fine. Well, seeing as you deliberately made yourself known to all of my friends, they're probably wondering who you are, so I guess I have to introduce you."

"That is the worst logic I've ever heard! Please don't make me meet them." I pleaded. I didn't want to have to meet more people. He merely shrugged and caught my wrist with his fingers deftly, pulling me along.

Damn him.

We reached the patio door and a couple of the guys were still gaping at me, their eyes red. Aiden slung his arm around my waist half-heatedly and opened the door.

"This is April... my mate." Aiden announced. Their eyes rounded to Aiden and me and fell silent. I cast my eyes downwards, avoiding everyone's gaze.

"Whoa, when did you find a mate?"

"Recently." Aiden said shortly. "So... this is her." After a few more moments of awkward silence, Aiden tilted his head and began walking away from me. My eyes widened and I stumbled after him, my cheeks burning.

I tugged my wrist out of his hold and massaged it, looking around. It was cold outside and there were lights hung up on the trees. We were in a beautiful surrounding, littered with people. Everyone seemed to know each other. The wild, un-invited party-goers were inside and the more behaved people were outside smoking weed.

I, on the other hand, just wanted to go home.

I sulked awkwardly behind Aiden until we reached couches that were set up outside. Carlos was sitting on the edge of one next to Emma who was chatting to Diego on her other side. She was wearing a beautiful red dress and her lips were also bright red. When she saw me, she instantly shot me an apologetic look. I looked around and noticed that no other girls were talking to her. They were all veering clear of that area. I'm not the type of girl to hold grudges and I know that bringing Nina and Kayla here wasn't entirely Emma's fault - she must have protested to it and was also the only one to feel genuinely sorry for her actions, so I gave her a small, almost invisible smile in return.

We reached the couch and Aiden sunk into it. Donna sidled in next to him. I hadn't seen her since we first met and her sour expression hadn't changed. She was wearing a snake print dress and strappy heels and as soon as she saw me her eyes narrowed suspiciouslu. I turned away from her and headed to a sofa far, far away from them. Hovering for a few moments, I remained standing, motionless.

"April? What are you doing over there? Come here!" I heard Diego yell over noise.

Ah crap.

"Here, have a drink," he said smiling and offered me a can of soda. Don't take it April. "April? It doesn't have alcohol in it. I promise you, I wouldn't do that to any girl - ever." Diego said turning me to him and looking at me sincerely, his eyes a pool of mossy green.

"Thanks."

In the end, I ended up chatting to Diego, Emma and Carlos who was really nice considering I'd never heard him speak before. Carlos was really funny; he told loads of lame jokes which made me laugh and it was actually pretty cute seeing how happy he made Emma.

Maybe party's aren't so bad, I thought.

And just as I thought that I felt two shadows looming over me. I looked up and saw Aiden and Donna who was clinging to his arm, probably drunk. Aiden looked annoyed to say the least.

"Move human." Donna slurred slumping onto the place besides me. I looked down at her not sure what to do. Should I help her up? "Hello, didn't you hear me? I said move." I decided to help her, bending to help support her weight onto the sofa, but she pushed me away roughly, her nails scratching my skin.

"Don't touch me. Ever."

I stumbled back, gaping at the sudden change in atmosphere. Suddenly, the party didn't feel so good any more.

I remained silent, moving. I couldn't be bothered to argue. Making my excuses, I pushed my way past people quickly, towards the patio doors. Feeling a warm presence next to me, I didn't have to look up to know it was Aiden. His hands were deep in his pockets and he was staring off into the distance, his usual smirk not in place. He was pouting naturally and he rubbed his jaw line dumping his can of beer into a dead plant pot. I'm guessing he was:

1. Getting away from Donna.

2. Having to look like he cared about me since he just told all these people that we were 'mates.'

3. Pissed off about something or the other. As usual.

He stayed silent until we reached the patio doors. I hesitated. After a few moments I decided to just leave, since neither him or I were going to say anything any time soon. Aiden still hadn't moved so I gave him one last glance and walked inside. I really needed to pee because I'd had 3 cans of soda and I didn't think I would reach the upstairs one in time, especially with all of those people out there.

I entered a corridor, figuring that there was bound to be a bathroom around here somewhere. The party noises were more muffled here which I was grateful for and I spotted an open door to the right with light peering out from the bottom. I began to walk quickly to it, assuming that this was either another bedroom or bathroom. I silently prayed that it was a bathroom because I really didn't want to see any R rated things going in there. I was about to reach for the door handle when I felt hot breathe on the nape of my neck. I felt the hairs rise. Warm hands grabbed my wrists pulling them behind me.

I panicked and tried to squirm around.

"Hey bitch. Did I not tell you to dance with me?" I heard the familiar voice of the guy from the staircase in my ear. I jerked my head back and struggled against him. I kicked my legs behind me, desperate to locate the balls again.

"Not this time, honey."

I screamed and instantly a hand clamped my mouth shut. I struck out blindly and he pushed me up against a wall. I was trapped. He had my arms and legs trapped and I knew what he was going to do. Oh no, oh no, oh no. I tried biting down on his hand but it didn't work because he pressed up to me even closer. Damn it, I just needed to get out of his grip. If only I could twist my body a little to the right, just a little, so I could jab him in the eyes and blind him momentarily.

"You're a little bitch!" I managed to mumble from behind his hands. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!"

He turned me around in one motion. "I'm not going to force myself on you," he laughed, his eyes crinkling, making him look almost normal. My eyes widened. "You're going to fucking enjoy it." Then, he dipped his head down to my neck and placed sloppy kisses there, working across my jawline, my hands pinned behind me. I felt bile rise in my throat as I tried to push him away.

Maybe if I can force myself to throw up on him?

Oh God. I knew this was a bad idea. I knew it was. This can't happen, please, please, please don't let it happen, I thought as his fingers stumbled to my jeans button.

Please.

Just as he was about to open them, I felt him being drawn away from me. It felt like someone strong ripped him away. As though he hadn't been pressed up against me a moment ago. Fear had frozen me and I stumbled away from where he had held me, quickly buttoning up my jeans. I heard punches being exchanged and someone screaming.

I finally had the courage to twist around and see who my saviour was, still shaking. He was on top of the drunk pervert and was beating him up badly. His face was a mesh of blood. I'm pretty sure he was unconscious.

"Stop! Stop!" I yelled. I didn't want to witness a murder! I tried pulling my saviour off him until he finally stopped punching him. The saviour stood up and I saw who he was. He was panting hard and his fists were bloody and raw. He looked up at me and his green-grey eyes bore into me.

It was Aiden.