Chapter 1

My friend Amirah grabbed my arm, trembling with excitement.

"Look, Brianna!"

We were at a classmate’s party, the place buzzing with music, chatter, and drunken laughter.

"What?!" I asked, gulping down the wine in my hand. My vision was already a little wavy.

"Oh my God, girl—retouch! Quick!"

I blinked, glancing around to see what she was talking about. Most of the people in the enormous mansion were already wasted.

"That’s it, b*tch!" she squealed, holding my jaw and directing my gaze.

My eyes widened. My crush—Steve—was there. Laughing with someone. His cheeks were flushed, and it was obvious he was drunk.

"F*ck! You didn’t tell me right away!"

I scrambled for my pouch, fixing my messy hair, swiping on lip tint, powder, and running a comb through it.

"Whoa, look at you," Amirah teased. "Not even drunk anymore. Your eyes are turning into hearts!"

"Of course! This might be my chance to flirt."

"Just a little, girl, or you might not be able to walk later," she warned, her gaze still locked on Steve.

"B*tch, I said flirt, not—"

"Tss. Stop lying, B. If he invited you somewhere right now, you’d go in a heartbeat."

I pretended to think about it.

"Hmm… If he’s my first and last, why not?"

"There! A flirt!" she teased again.

I’d liked Steve for as long as I could remember. Through all of college, I never wanted anyone else. Sure, I’d had a few boyfriends, but they always broke up with me because they were jealous of Steve. I couldn’t help it—I was a fangirl through and through.

I was waiting for him to look my way, but the more I drank, the less chance I had of looking good when he finally did.

"Girl, we’re already drunk and your crush hasn’t even noticed you," Amirah said.

"What if… we just kidnap him?" I joked.

"F*ck you! That’s bad!" she laughed, while my head spun from the dizziness.

"Woah, life-changing idea, huh?"

"Don’t worry, I’ve got another plan."

"And? Include me!" she leaned closer.

"No."

"Why?"

"Because…"

"What?"

I leaned in and whispered, "I’ll seduce my crush. Genius, right?" I laughed, but she grinned like she believed me.

"F*ck you. Your brain’s worse than mine."

"Tss. Nah. I’m just brilliant."

I looked back at Steve. His polo was unbuttoned down to his stomach, abs on full display. God, he was hot.

I suddenly needed the restroom. When I stood, I almost fell, but Amirah caught me.

"You okay? Where are you going?"

"Want to come?" I raised my brows at her.

"Where?"

"Pee," I said, laughing.

"You idiot! Go by yourself. Do you want me to wipe for you too? Gross!"

"Fine!" I shoved her knee lightly.

"Hurry up. We’re leaving soon. I’m sleepy."

"Yeah, Mom!"

"B*tch!" she called after me, but I just laughed.

I staggered inside the house from the pool area. Both bathroom doors were locked. F*ck. My bladder screamed in protest as I steadied myself against the wall.

"Rose!" I called to the birthday girl.

"You’re wasted, B. Where’s Amirah?"

"I’m fine, but I need to pee. The bathrooms are locked—do you have another one?"

"Upstairs. Guest room, last door on the right."

"Thanks! Happy beer day! More beers to come—oops, my bad!" I flashed a peace sign, making her laugh.

"Go ahead, but be careful upstairs."

"Yes, Madame!" I saluted before heading up the stairs.

"Why isn’t there an escalator for drunk people?" I muttered to myself. At the top, I raised a brow at the long hallway. "What is this, a hotel?"

I shuffled down the corridor, legs crossed, hand on the wall for balance. I found the guest room, flicked on the light, spotted the bathroom, and rushed inside—only to vomit first. After rinsing my mouth, I stepped back into the room.

The lights suddenly went out, making my vision blur even worse.

"Tss. They can throw a party but can’t pay the electricity bill?"

I spotted the bed and decided to rest before heading home. Lying down made my head spin more, my eyelids heavy. Just as I was about to drift off, someone slid into the bed beside me and wrapped their arms around me.

"Hmmm…" a man’s voice growled.

I froze, too drunk to move. His hands began roaming my body. I forced my eyes open, but they kept wanting to close. His hand stopped on my breast.

"Hey! You pervert!" I pressed his hand away.

"Hmmm…" he mumbled, pulling me closer.

"Who are you?" he asked, breath warm with the scent of wine. His face was inches from mine.

"You? Who are you? Go away!"

Instead, he kissed my neck, making me squirm.

"Never mind," he murmured. "Let’s just do it."

"Do… what?" My voice trembled.

I tried to resist at first. But the alcohol made everything hazy… warm. His lips on my neck drew a soft groan from me. My body betrayed me.

Soon, he was kissing me again and again, undressing me, and then—pain.

"Sh*t!" I gasped.

"Shhh," he whispered, kissing me harder. The pain faded into a strange, unfamiliar sensation. His thrusts were rough, his body hot against mine.

That night, I gave a stranger my first time.

---

A loud curse woke me. I opened my eyes slowly. The man beside me—wrapped in a comforter, nothing else—was staring at me, brows furrowed.

"Who are you? Did we have s*x last night? Why?!"

I blinked at him, irritated. Why was he acting like it was my fault?

Last night, I had fantasized about him. Now we were naked in the same bed.

"You’re not my girl. So why are you here?" he demanded.

His words stung. As if being with me was something disgusting. I didn’t know it was him either. And he hadn’t exactly pushed me away.

"Auntie, Uncle, I’m sure she’s here!" a voice called from outside.

The door opened.

"B? Oh my God—your parents—" Rose froze.

"Mom, Dad—"

"Brianna Czes, what the hell did you do?!" my father barked, glaring at the man beside me.

"Oh my God, Czes…" my mom gasped, covering her mouth.

"Mom, Dad… I can explain—"

"You’d better," my father snapped. Then to the man: "You, I need to speak with you."

"But—"

"No buts. Czes, fix yourself," he ordered, leaving the room.

My mom gave me one last disappointed look before following him.

"I’m sorry. I didn’t know," Rose said quietly before slipping out.

I sighed, covering my face.

"Sh*t! What happens now?" Steve growled.

"What? I didn’t know either. We didn’t plan this. Stop acting like I dragged you into it!"

"That was just a one-night stand."

"Do you think my parents will accept that reason? Think again." I grabbed my clothes and rushed to the bathroom.

"Brianna, f*ck you! You’re dead after this!"

I muttered under my breath, I thought it was okay because it was Steve—my crush. But now he’s pissed at me, my parents caught us, and I’m screwed. Completely screwed.