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"It is during our darkest moments, that we must focus to see the light." - Aristotle Onassis.

Dedication: Dredge116 for the character icons! Thank you!

Recap:

I pulled back and he stared at me for a moment. Grinning, I totally ignored the fact that I just dropped the 'L' bomb.

"Help me put it on!" I said in a rush, throwing the box at him.

"Okay, calm down," he laughed, before slowly wrapping it around my slender wrist.

My heart beat was slamming inside my chest.

I am such an idiot.

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I stumbled out of Adam's sister's minivan, half tripping over my own feet.

Xavier hastily gripped my arm. "You all good?"

"Yeah," I replied breathlessly. "Thanks."

"Your watch looks so hot," he grinned, pulling me out of the way so the others could also get out.

I just grinned back, my cheeks still flaming from saying 'I love you' to Xavier. He hasn't mentioned anything and hasn't been acting weird, so that's good. It's me who is being weird.

"Let's get fuuuuucked up!" Derek hollered.

He was late to his own party. He's actually the biggest idiot I know.

He pulled Brooklyn after him and I made a face as I watched her do whatever he wanted. I opened my mouth to call out to her but Xavier quickly placed a hand over my mouth.

"It's his party. Go one night without airing your opinion."

I rolled my eyes. "That's no fun."

"Come on," he urged, gripping my hand.

We entered the party and it looked like most of the invite list was already here. Xavier pulled me onto the dance floor and we began swaying to the music. Leaning down, he pressed his lips to mine.

I tilted my head back and stood on my tip-toes, kissing him passionately back.

We danced around what felt like hours, before I needed to take a break. And re-fill my drink again.

"Oi, Xav," Adam called out. "Come here!"

"Go, it's fine," I assured him.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

After planting a sloppy kiss on my cheek, he bounded over to his group of mates who were surrounding the ping pong table. Plastic red cups were lined up for a game of beer pong. I felt a little deflated that Xavier didn't even ask if I wanted to play. There were other girls there.

Maybe I did freak him about by saying I love you. Maybe it's too soon.

"Hey," I greeted as I saw Alex walking past, his hand in his date's.

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts before I end up having a melt down in the middle of the party.

"Hey Chook," he replied. "Want to dance?"

I tried not to look disappointed. "Nah, you go. I've danced enough."

Sighing deeply, I wandered into the kitchen. After re-mixing my drink, I began searching for someone to hang out with. Brooklyn was too busy swapping saliva with Derek and Olivia was chatting up some guy from the year below us. I could go sabotage it but that would be mean. Or should I?

"Hey Nigel," a new voice said, interrupting my malicious thoughts.

"Who?" I asked with a snort.

"Nigel No Friends," Chase grinned.

"Like you can talk." I glanced up at him. I paused when I saw a series of hickeys splashed across his neck. "Ew, wear a scarf or something."

He laughed. "It just happened, babe. Jealous?"

"You wish."

"You're just denying the truth."

"And you're just annoying as fuck."

"Good come back," he smirked.

"Shut up."

"Oh, that was even better," he grinned.

"I'm drunk."

"No shit?"

"Oh my God, I hate you," I laughed. "Go away."

"The thing you do hate," he murmured, leaning in towards me. "Is that you actually don't hate me at all."

"Is he bothering you, Faith?" Jacob suddenly asked, coming between the two of us.

"You both are," I snapped, clutching my drink too tightly in my hand.

I turned and stomped away from them.

"Hey!" Jacob called after me. "Faith, stop!"

"Bite me," I yelled over my shoulder.

"Oi!" he said, grabbing my hand. "Can we talk?"

"No."

"Come on," he said. "Please."

"What is it? Annoy the shit out of Faith night?" I asked rhetorically, spinning around.

"What?"

I just rolled my eyes. "You're pathetic."

"Why are you talking to me like this?" he asked.

"Because you're an asshole and I hate you."

"No you don't."

"Why does no one believe me?" I shouted to no one in particular. "XAVIER!"

Glancing over, he dropped his ping pong ball and began jogging toward us.

"For fuck sake," Jacob groaned. "I just want to talk to you."

"I'm sorry, but I'd rather talk to my boyfriend," I snapped.

"The one who ditched you?"

I opened my mouth to retort, but Xavier finally reached us.

"What's up? You okay?" Xavier asked, grabbing my arm, pulling me to him.

"I am now."

Jacob just raised his hands and shook his head at me, before walking away.

"What was that about?"

I shrugged. "He thinks harassing me is going to make me talk to him."

"He must want you back."

"Don't stress," I said, weakly grabbing his shirt. "I'm all yours."

"Good to hear," he grinned, before pecking me on the lips. "Come and play beer pong, I'm totally kicking ass."

Finally.

"Wait until I join the team," I smirked. "They won't stand a chance."

***

I seriously underestimated how much of a party animal Xavier was.

I usually left the party at about 1am. It was now 3am and the party was still in full swing. I think I told dad I would be home like... three hours ago. Biting my lip, I withdrew my phone, deciding to send him a text, only to realise my phone was flat. I groaned and felt like throwing it, but decided that was pretty dumb.

Brooklyn had passed out about two hours ago. Derek had carried her up to his room. I had been checking on her every now and then, but she was fine. I was kind of annoyed. Not exactly at her, but the fact that I didn't really have anyone to hang with.

Olivia had left (good riddance) and Megan had gone home with some guy. Which just left me more confused than before. I don't know who she's dating anymore.

"I see your date left with someone else," I sighed theatrically as Chase leaned on the kitchen bench beside me. "What a shame."

He shrugged. "I don't care what she does."

"You're such a romantic."

"We're not dating."

"Dodged a bullet there," I muttered, taking a sip.

"What's with the attitude?"

"I always have an attitude."

"Want to go for a walk?" he asked, moving closer to me.

"Ah, no, I'd rather cut all my hair off. Thanks though."

He rolled his eyes. "This hard to get act is cute."

"It's not an act and I'm dating your brother. You will never 'get' me."

"Oh really?"

"Really."

Before I could react, he slapped my drink from my hand.

"Hey!"

While I was distracted staring sadly at my spilled drink, Chase chose to press his body to mine.

"What are you doing?" I snapped, glaring up at him.

Gripping my face tightly, he pressed his lips to me. I slammed my palms against his chest but he was too heavy. I began squirming as much as I could, to get out of his grip, but nothing was working.

"What the fuck?"

Finally, Chase stepped back from me. My body was trembling. I felt sick. I gripped the kitchen bench, feeling weak.

"Oh, Xavier," Chase said, his voice filled with fake horror. "I didn't want you to see-"

Chase didn't get to finish, because Xavier's fist was suddenly thrown in his face. I screamed in surprise as Chase dropped to the floor.

"FIGHT!" I heard someone yell and suddenly, loud footsteps could be heard as everyone ran to see what was going on.

Xavier wasn't holding back. He was laying one punch after the other. And Chase was hardly reacting.

"Sorry man, I didn't want you to find out this way," he moaned.

"Oh for God sake," I muttered, resisting the urge to face-palm.

Xavier sent a punch into his stomach.

I blinked as blood began to ooze from Chase. At an alarming rate.

"Xavier," I suddenly said. "Come on, he's not worth it."

Chase threw a punch into Xavier's jaw, but it didn't phase him. It was like he didn't feel it at all.

The crowd gathered in the kitchen, began to get restless. The shouting increased. People were stamping on the ground and chanting. It was only making it worse.

"Xavier!" I cried out.

Lunging forward, I gripped his shirt and tugged as hard as I could. He didn't budge. All I could do was beg at him helplessly.

Chase was motionless, as he laid slumped on the ground.

"Someone stop him!" I screamed, looking around.

Everyone was too drunk or too high to take things seriously.

Turning, I began rummaging through the cupboards. I found a pot. Without thinking, I leapt towards Xavier and hit him, hard, over the back of the head. He toppled over to the side, wheezing.

"What are you doing!?" he hissed at me, rubbing his head.

Dropping the pan and ignoring the loud "boo"'s from the intoxicated teenagers around me, I dropped to my knees.

"Chase," I said to him, gripping his shoulders. "Can you hear me?"

"What the hell?" Xavier cried. "What are you doing?"

"Trying to get a response," I snapped back. "He needs to go to hospital."

Xavier leaned over, trying to get to him again. I turned and slapped him, straight in the face.

"Don't touch him," I seethed. "You've done enough."

"He kissed you!" he yelled, his eyes bloodshot.

"And you were going to kill him!" I cried back.

Suddenly, the wail of sirens could be heard. Either someone rang the police about Xavier or someone had made a noise complaint. Either way, it wasn't good.

"Come on," Xavier yelled, grabbing me.

In one fluid movement, he ripped at my arm and pulled me into standing position.

"Xavier, we can't leave him!" I yelled, pulling out of his grip.

"Like hell we can't, let's go!" he urged, grabbing me once more.

Powerless to pull my hand away, I tumbled after him. I glanced back at Chase's limp body, sprawled across the floor.

I was surprised to find myself hoping he was okay.

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What do you think about Chase trying to kiss Faith?

And what do you think about Xavier going after him like that?