"Hey," I say softly as I sit on the edge of Finn's bed.He has his face buried into his pillow, his arms tucked underneath. He lets out a grunt in response. I gently touch his arm, trying to be some sort of comfort to him."How are you?"He rolls onto his back and stares up at the ceiling, looking drained. "Just great.""Looks that way.""I had a talk with mum this morning," he mumbles tiredly, rubbing his eyes."I heard," I whisper.He raises a dark eyebrow at me. "Eavesdropper.""I know. Anger Management, huh?""Bullshit, isn't it?" he growls, looking annoyed."Well..." I shrug one-shouldered. "You do get in a lot of fights.""So do a lot of people.""Not as much as you," I say gently. "It's getting bad, Finn."He exhales deeply through his nose. "Damn it."I move so that I am lying beside him. Our shoulders graze as I stare up at the ceiling."Who were you with t

 "Isobel!"His voice is loud, which means he must only be steps behind me. I push my legs to go faster, even though I know I can never outrun him."Wait!" he insists, his fingers curling around my wrist. He reefs me back and I stumble back from the force. He steadies me quickly and I glare down at the ground, my chest heaving."What?" I spit through my teeth, desperately trying to keep my eyes from pooling."You can't believe that I would do that," he says with disbelief, his hand tightening. "I just confessed my love for you. Why would I throw that all away, for some girl I don't even know?""I don't know Miles, because you like to torture me?" I exclaim, whirling around to face him. "You're angry at me for pushing you out? You want me to experience the kind of hurt we put you through?" I am yelling at this point, I am crying and I am humiliated beyond words.His shoulders sag. "I don't blame you for cutting

 "So," I begin, clearing my throat awkwardly. "We need to talk."I stare down at my mum and brother, who are sitting side by side, across the table from me. I lean onto my hands and keep my expression cool as I stare at them.Finn has a sour look on his face as he stares down at the table. Mum is staring pointedly at the glass of water in front of her, picking at her nails, a habit I also inherited."Finn, you're suspended and there's a chance you've lost your Captain position, which will not do you any favours for the scholarship you were hoping to get." I begin after a small intake of breath. "And mum, I understand that you're stressed and things are hard, but you cannot do this to us. Locking yourself in your room so you can drink your day away? How is that fair? We deserve better."Mum looks stunned at my words, her face paling slightly. She noticeably swallows, tucking a piece of her curly hair behind her ear."And before you thin

The sound of Samara's heels clipping against the floorboards of my house, makes me look up as she enters the lounge room.Her long, vibrant red hair is loosely curled, falling down her shoulders. She is dressed in a deep maroon dress that hugs her curves and enunciates her petite waist. She has paired the jaw-dropping dress with a pair of knee-high suede boots. I glance down at my black leather skirt and tucked-in navy shirt. Definitely not as daring, but I need to stop comparing my confidence with hers."Your hair looks pretty," she compliments as she uses her phone camera as a mirror to put her red lipstick on."Thanks," I reply, before sliding my phone into the tight back pocket of my skirt.The sound of a loud exhaust makes me get to my feet. Finn's friend Benji, also one of Samara's hookups, is taking his dad's land cruiser out to the party to sleep in. It is an eight-seater, leaving seats free for me, Samara, and Kiarra to get a ride."Ready

 It is somewhat silent as I lead Miles down the dim hallway of my house.I poke my head inside my room, to see that my bed is empty. I smile to myself, before glancing up at Miles."What?" he whispers.I creep towards the spare room and push the door open. Kiarra is laying in there, sound asleep already. I lightly close the door."She always stays in my room, but she must have guessed you'd stay," I smile to him."See? That's why I always liked her more," Miles grins."She is pretty awesome," I nod in agreement.I head into the bathroom. Miles follows me in and locks the door behind me. I raise an eyebrow at the gesture."Oh, are you taking a shower, too?" I tease, even though I was going to offer him the first shower."Yep," he confidently replies, before peeling the navy t-shirt he is wearing, from his body.My lips part as I openly rake my eyes over him. He runs his hand through his hair and smirks