TASHAI can't help the burning sensation brewing deep in my stomach, making me restless at the sight of Claire near Nate. Something rips inside me as I watch Claire rubbing her body all over him. Nate darts her a glare, his eyes moving back to me. I unhook the cuff of my kimono and pull the long lace jacket off my body, allowing it to slide down my shoulders onto the couch. I fold the jacket and place it beside me on the couch. The chill of the night air hits my bare skin, cooling the flames pricking my flesh at the intensity of Nate's gaze sweeping all over my body. My breath falters, my heart picking up a mad rhythm as his gaze falls to my breasts. Claire slithers her hand up to his chest, killing off my euphoria in an instant."So, are we all in?" Conrad asks, his sloppy voice distracting me out of my silent torture. He leans forward, his hazy eyes looking around everyone's faces. I wonder if he even knows that he is drunk. He passes the bottle of whiskey in his hand back to Frank,

TASHAI dash into the house, sliding past the crammed bodies blocking my way. My eyes search around frantically for Nate, catching him in time just as he disappears into one of the rooms by the top left of the corridor after the stairs. I hurry towards the staircase and bolt up the stairs two at a time, my heart beating hard in my chest with each frenzy step I take. Getting to the end of the steps, I rush to the door and twist the handle. The handle does not budge. I groan and after taking a deep breath, I knock on the door."Go away!" Nate's voice is loud as he shouts back. "It is me Tasha. Open the door."Upon hearing no immediate response, I try to consider leaving, but I instantly trash the thought. I need to talk with Nate.Just as I lift up my fist to knock again, the door is pulled back, revealing Nate. His messy hair curls are scattered all over his head, some falling to his face, shading his burning blue eyes a bit. His cheeks look pale, but his plump lips are moist with a fa

TASHA"You might want to keep a leash around your new boyfriend Diane." I hiss out and slide past her, wishing that I did not have to see their damn faces at all tonight. I was enjoying this party until I saw their mouths eating up each other, and then that dare from Victor just blew up the rest of my peace of mind in flames. Coming to this party was a mistake.I want to go home. To have a warm long shower and just snuggle up peacefully on my bed like nothing happened tonight. My head is thumping. My heart feels like it is being ripped apart right now. I need to get out of this place.Reaching outside near the crowded pool area, I look around for Marco and Jennie. I groan when I do not see them among the people in the pool or on the lounge chairs or just loitering around.Where are they right now that I need them to help me get out of here!?Just then, my stomach rumbles in hunger. My mind flashes back instantly to the unfinished pack of cookies in the car."Fuck." I hiss under my brea

TASHA"Goodbye mum." I bang the door of the car shut and blow her an air kiss."Goodbye darling." She says, blowing me back an air kiss of her own before pulling out of the school's parking lot, driving away.I am left standing alone and staring at the tall school building in front of me. I had a shitty weekend, and now I am here in school. On a Monday. God I hate Mondays. The school clock just stops ticking faster. Classes become longer and tedious.And assignments. Tons of assignments from Miss Paxton, the Geography teacher. Her long intellectual class is first two periods today.I groan and take in a breath. Today should be different please.I adjust my mid-thigh black jean skirt and black crop top before I start walking over to the school building. A group of three scantily dressed girls with heavy makeup scoff directly to my face as they parade past me.What the hell? And why do they even look like they are trying to apply for stripper positions in a club?I huff out their audaci

TASHAMy statement drops like a silent bomb, spreading its stillness between us. Nate's face falls into a flat pale expression at my words. He wanted me to talk about how I truly feel. Well, that is how I truly feel. Bitter. Pained. Filled with so much anger.I want to pay them back in their own coin.Just when I start to think that Nate and I will continue to keep staring at each other here in silence, Nate stands up from the floor and comes to my side, sitting down beside me, our shoulders merely an inch apart.He rests the back of his head on the wall behind us and takes in a deep breath. "Tasha, I will be really lying to you if I try to console you by telling you that I can understand what you are going through right now. Jason is an asshole, and Diane, what she did to you is totally unimaginable. If Marco did that to me. . . ." He shakes his head. "In fact, I don't want to even think about that possiblity."He exhales gently, turning to look at me. "But Tasha, getting back at Jas