Chapter 1
“DING!” The doorbell rang.
“Mel, Can you get that?” Mom asked.
I smoothed out my red dress and went to open the door. Mom hosts a Christmas block party every year. Even with the circumstances, we are still doing it this year. So I’m here to help her.
I opened the door and saw Tyler Nack, Will Hawkins, and Caleb Smith. They are the three most annoying people that live on this earth. When I was younger, my best friend, Hannah and I used to call them the ‘The Three Blonde Butts’. Tyler was the tall one with blue eyes. Will was the one with green eyes that always smiled. And lastly, Caleb had warm brown eyes and was the leader of ‘The Three Blonde Butts’. I am a junior at Stowe High School in Vermont. Our town is pretty different and smaller than other towns. First of all, our town only has around 4,500 people. Second, our whole popularity system is messed up. In normal schools, if you are hot, rich, and bratty your popular. Here if you are smart and play sports you’re popular. Which would make me half popular? Anyways, juniors and sophomores hate each other so much. Of course, there are exceptions, they are called Mixers. Our hate-hate relationship started way back in 7th grade. They got better teachers and everything, our grade got the shittiest things ever.
I put on a fake smile and welcomed them inside.
“Hi,” They all said together.
“Hey,” I replied.
Caleb was holding a platter with a wrap over it. I took it and set it on the kitchen counter. They came in and sat down on the couch. They all looked at me. Seeing them reminded me of my brother, Blake. They used to play soccer together. Just thinking about him made me want to cry. My vision started to blur.
“You okay?” Caleb asked.
Is he stupid enough to know that after what happened I’ll never be okay? I ran upstairs to my room. I curled up into a ball on my floor and let the tears fall. I let it all out, everything that I’ve been holding in. Eventually, I stopped. I got up and fixed my dark brown hair and reapplied my make up so they would make my mixed colored eyes less puffy and red looking. Then I heard the doorbell ring again. I smoothed out my red dress and started walking down the stairs to open the door. When I reached the door, I saw Caleb had already got it.
I mumbled a quick thanks to him as I walked by. I saw who had just arrived.
“You know the drill, anyone younger than 21 in the basement,” I said.
Caleb, Tyler, and Will started walking down the stairs. I faced the couple that had arrived. My best friend’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edge. Most people know them as Hannah’s parents
“My mom will be down in a minute,” I told them.
“Melanie, we are so sorry,” Mr. Edge said. “We miss them too.”
I nod. Mr. Edge has been a father to me. Ever since Dad walked out on Mom, Blake, and me, Mr. Edge has been the father figure. Mrs. Edge, who is like a second mother to me, gave me a hug. I pull away after a few seconds. Mom came down and I walked down to the basement.
Caleb, Tyler, and Will were all waiting for me. Usually, my brother and I would force them to play a boring game and eventually it would become fun. I’m not doing that this year.
“Do whatever you want,” I said. “Just don’t break anything.”
They all looked at me. Tyler raised an eyebrow.
“Seriously, do what you want,” I said.
They looked at each other and started talking. I sat down on the foldable chair and started scrolling through my phone.
After an hour, the basement was filled with kids from age 10 to 18. The 10-14-year-olds were on one side and the 15-18-year-olds were on the other. Sadly, my boyfriend, Gus wasn’t here. His full name is August Vidal, but I prefer to call him Gus. He was a tall blonde haired person. His blue eyes were brighter than the sky and he was extremely strong. Gus was also a junior, but he almost a year older than me. He’s helped me through so much.
“Do you want to play a game with us?” Tyler asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“No,” I answered.
“Come on,” Will said. “It will be fun.”
“Fine,” I sighed.
“We are playing truth or dare.” One of the seniors said.
I looked around and saw it was only ages 15-18. I sat down between a sophomore girl and Caleb. Oh, this was going to be fun.
So far the game has been boring. It’s been stupid stuff, like do the chicken dance or play patty cakes. Will decided to take it up a notch. By a notch, I mean a lot.
“Caleb, truth or dare?” He asked.
“Dare,” Caleb answered.
“I dare you . . . to kiss the prettiest girl in the room,” Will said.
There was a whole minute of silence.
“Nah bro,” Caleb said.
“Don’t be a wimp,” Will responded.
“I’m not fucking kissing anyone other than Gia!” Caleb exclaims.
Gia has been Caleb’s girlfriend since the beginning of high school. She’s a popular bitch queen of the school, which fits perfectly for the asshole king.
Tyler raised an eyebrow and looked at Will. Will responded with a smile.
“Caleb Smith, backing out of a dare?” Will mocked.
Caleb looked at Tyler. The rest of the group was watching this with intense interest.
“Don’t drag me into this,” Tyler said. “I’m not in any part of this.”
“Whatever happens in the basement stays in the basement,” Will said, making sure everyone knew that.
“Fine!” Caleb exclaimed. “I’ll fucking kiss a girl!”
Caleb really likes that word that starts with an ‘f’. He tended to throw around swears all the time, so no one was surprised.
“Good,” Will said. “I’ll make it easier, only for 10 seconds.”
Caleb glared at Will. Easier? How about harder.
“So which girl?” Will said, looking towards every girl.
When he looked at me, he winked. What the hell? I swear if Caleb kisses me, I’m going to slap him.
Caleb rolled his eyes. He looked around the circle and finally looked at a redhead. I think her name was Ellie, and I’m pretty sure she is Gia’s best friend. Well if Caleb kisses her, Ellie will tell Gia. I smiled.
“Go!” Will said.
Caleb quickly turned around and faced me. Before I could even blink, he leaned in and kissed me.
