7

"Hello there, the Angel from my nightmare."

I Miss You, blink-182

Sawyer

I'd always had the sense that I didn't belong. Anywhere. I was never the pretty, confident girl that everyone fought to sit with during lunch. I was always the quirky outsider. So, it's understandable why they never invited me to parties.

And now, I'm being invited by the most attractive guy I've ever seen. Is it a date? Or was he just asking me because he felt sorry for me? Noah had already made friends with the entire hockey team and climbed to the top of the social ladder in two weeks.

At least I have Stella.

I must have tried on every outfit in my wardrobe, but nothing seemed appealing to me. As the time to leave drew near, I resigned myself to wearing the sweater and jeans I already had on. Is that party appropriate?

Noah knocked on my open door. I looked at his reflection in the mirror.

"Josh is waiting for us."

I smoothed out the invisible wrinkles in my outfit before following Noah outside. He was leaning against his truck. His left hand was holding onto his right bicep as he glanced at his phone. He tucked it away and stood up straight as soon as he noticed us.

I observed how the veins traced down his arm to his hands. His black t-shirt had the words Marshtown Manatees on it, but I was more focused on how attractive he looked in it.

Just as I was about to start a conversation, Asher's head popped through the back door. A few strands of hair got stuck in his eyelashes, but he didn't move it.

"Ms. Bennet, is Mr. Darcy aware you're coming?"

He said it as if he was a character in the book. His head darted around, searching for someone. I rolled my eyes.

"Funny."

"Thanks, I thought so." He scooted over and patted the seat beside him. "I saved you a seat. How about we braid each other's hair while we're at it?"

It seemed I wasn't the only one annoyed by his patronizing attitude, because Josh stepped in.

"That's enough, Asher."

The dirty blonde folded his arms across his chest and slouched in the seat like an out-of-control toddler.

It was only when I entered the backseat that I understood why he was so snappy. The stench of alcohol invaded my nostrils, and he struggled to keep his eyes open.

"Is he drunk?" I asked once Josh got in.

"I found him like this in the backyard." He said. "Mom and Dad are home, so I couldn't leave him inside."

His head lolled to the side and his eyelids couldn't stay open any longer. Thinking he was dead; I held my breath until I saw his chest moving. I leaned over to flick his nose. He groaned and scratched it as if there was an itch.

"Is he going to be okay?"

Josh glanced at him through the rearview mirror.

"He won't be tomorrow." He said. "Don't worry about him. This happens all the time."

Asher slouched against his side of the door, using his hands as a pillow. I stayed as close to my side as I could, not wanting to get involved in his drunken escapades. His head was right next to the stereo, and he was unconcerned.

I glanced out the window as Noah and Joshua made conversation. I'd never been skilled at small talk.

A slight breeze invaded the car, leaving me shivering in my thin sweater. I should have been more prepared. In the short time I've been here, I'd noticed the nighttime cold could be brutal.

It got worse as we stepped out of the truck and fell victim to the angry wind. Josh and Noah appeared rushed to go inside.

"Are we just going to leave him?" I asked.

Joshua raised his brow. I motioned to his passed-out twin in the backseat. Realization hit his face as he jogged over and opened the door. Asher fell out with a thud.

He jumped up, as if someone had electrocuted him. He squinted, unsure of his location or how he ended up there.

Josh sighed and folded his arms across his chest.

"Hurry, Asher." He said. "Let's go inside."

He slipped from his daze and followed them. Unsure of my next move, I followed behind. Intoxicated teenagers filled the house, both upstairs and downstairs. Just like I'd seen in the movies.

"Are you okay?" Josh asked.

I thought my poker face was strong. He must have noticed my apprehension.

"I'm fine."

That he believed. He reached out to grab my wrist and directed me through the obstacle of partiers. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages cluttered the kitchen counter.

"What do you want?"

An abundance of choices confronted me, and I was unsure of what half of them even were. I reached for a can of Red Bull, opting to play it safe for the night. He reached for a few bottles and poured them into his red cup. It was an outrageous concoction.

A group of guys walked in and cheered as they noticed him and my brother. They high-fived and patted each other on the back, not caring that they were spilling their drinks everywhere.

My forehead felt hot as my heartbeat increased. The room appeared to be overcrowded. I needed air.

It took some time to find the way out, but once I stepped onto the backyard patio, relief washed over me. I would rather brace for the cold than the stuffy indoors. I wrapped my arms around myself and tried to rub the goosebumps away.

My nose scrunched at the smell of nicotine. The wind was blowing it straight into my face. I followed the smoke trail. Asher sat on the patio wall, gazing at the sparkling sky. I don't think he noticed me. He had his gaze transfixed on an outlier star.

"It's rude to stare."

He may not have been looking, but he was aware of his surroundings.

"Sorry."

That was all I could muster.

He took a deep inhale before squishing his cigarette against the wall. He dropped it to the ground.

"Smoking kills." I said without thinking.

"So does hypothermia."

I did not know why he'd said that until he motioned to my shivering body. I hadn't realized how cold I was until he pointed it out. My arms tightened around my waist. He sighed as if my presence was a major inconvenience to his life and slid his leather jacket down his arms before approaching me.

"Here." he said, extending the jacket at arm's length.

I raised my brows.

"What?"

"Take my jacket."

I didn't want to argue for a multitude of reasons.

"Thank you." I said and slid the oversized jacket on.

"Don't mention it." He said. "I mean that."

I was about to question him about why he gave me the jacket if he was going to be rude about it, but someone cleared their throat. Joshua hovered under the doorway.

"I've been looking for you."

His eyes fell onto the leather adorning my body, but he didn't make any comments.

"I needed some air."

Asher scoffed.

"I'm going to get a drink."

Joshua blocked him from getting inside.

"Do you think that's a good idea?"

Asher smirked.

"No, but I'm going to do it, anyway."

I watched in disbelief as he strutted inside, hands tucked into his pockets, and whistled a tune. As if he didn't have a care in the world.

??