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     Jenna Brooks’s POV

 Liam's grin widened, and he motioned towards a table adorned with cups filled with a suspiciously colored liquid. "In that case, let me get you a drink. It'll help take the edge off, trust me."

Reluctantly, I nodded, my curiosity overriding my reservations. Slowly, Liam guided me towards the table, effortlessly dodging the energetic crowd as we made our way through the throng of partygoers.

As I held the cup in my hand, tiny droplets of condensation trickling down its sides, I hesitated before finally taking a hesitant sip. The drink was bittersweet on my tongue, but as the warmth spread through my body, i couldn't help but feel a fleeting sense of relaxation.

        As the night wore on and the drinks flowed, my inhibitions began to melt away. The once disapproving gaze I held over the party faded, replaced by a sense of reckless abandon. The music engulfed me, its rhythm guiding my movements as I danced among the swaying bodies.

Amidst the pulsating sea of partygoers, a guy, no, a very cute guy suddenly approached me,grabbing my waist from behind. A rush of discomfort coursed through me as I tried to push him away, but his insistence grew, his grip tightening. Panic settled within me as I struggled to escape his grasp.

But just as I was beginning to feel overwhelmed, Conrad came out of nowhere, forcefully pushing the guy aside. His sudden appearance caught me off guard, and I stumbled back, my heart pounding in my chest. Conrad's intense gaze met mine, concern etched across his features.

This was the first time he looked at me that way ever since I got to Houston. I couldn’t deny the fact that I missed that gaze. Without a moment's hesitation, Conrad reached out and took hold of my hand, leading me away from the chaotic party and into the cool night air. The sounds of laughter and music gradually muffled as we ventured further from the house, into a secluded area of the yard.

As the adrenaline slowly subsided, I realized how drunk I had become and the potential danger I had found myself in. My head spun, and I leaned against a tree for support, clutching my temple to ward off the throbbing headache that began to take hold.

Conrad stood beside me, his eyes scanning me intently. "Jenna, are you alright?" he asked, his voice filled with a mix of worry and guilt. But mostly guilt. He should be, if he hadn’t brought me to the party in the first place, I wouldn’t be in this state.

I struggled to find my words, my voice slurred as I finally managed to respond, "I'm... I'm okay, I guess."

He sighed, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "I told you to stay in the car. Why didn’t you?”

Are you fucking kidding me? Did he expect me to say all stuffed up in the car while he enjoyed his life? I struggled to stand on my own but my legs felt wobbly. I would have fallen if he hadn’t caught my arm on time.

“Don’t touch me,” I said in a bitch-voice, yanking his hand off my arm. 

I could see the disappointed look on his face as he stared at me. Heck! It was so worth it.

He sighed and said we needed to leave. I knew I couldn’t walk on my own so I allowed him to guide me back towards the car, my steps unsteady as we ventured through the now-dimmed party scene. As we drove away, I slowly fell asleep.

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     Conrad Declan’s POV

   When we finally arrived home, Jenna was already asleep. Why would she drink so much if she couldn’t handle her alcohol? I tried to wake her up but she just kept mumbling gibberish. I unfastened her seatbelt and helped her out of the car. Everyone else was asleep so I knew better not to make any noise because mom would be hurt if she found out I had been ditching studies to attend parties. But what’s senior year without party raves?

Bad boy or not, I hated hurting mum. She was a delicate woman and she sometimes acted like she was strong when she wasn’t. When dad died two years ago, she had acted all strong but she had sometimes cried every night.

As I helped Jenna out of the car, her arms circled me. She looked up at me, her gaze lingering a bit too long. For a moment, I felt the awkwardness of the situation.

 "You know, Conrad, you're such a jerk," Jenna said, her words slurring slightly. "A very…mean person." 

I forced a smile, "Thank you, Jenna. Let’s get you to your room."

 As we walked into the house, she tripped and I leaned in to catch her, but we both tumbled to the ground, ending up in a heap of limbs. 

Breathing intermingled in the sudden silence, i felt my hearts racing as we locked eyes. For me, it was an unexpected rush of emotions i couldn't quite explain. Then, Jenna smiled and brought her hands up to cup my face. Hell, they were so soft on my skin.

Control yourself, Conrad!

"I'm so sorry, Conrad," She whispered, immediately dropping her hand.

"It's okay, Jenna," i said, relieved that she didn’t scream like I expected. "Let's just get you to your room." 

I helped her up again and we both successfully made our way up the stairs. I helped her inside her room and settled her on the bed. 

Taking one last look at her, I turned to leave but I felt a warm hand grab my wrist and my steps momentarily faltered. 

“Don’t leave” Jenna said still holding my hand. 

I turned around and there she was, already up. Her face was so close to mine that i could feel her breath on my face. She took a step back still holding my hand, and scrunched her face up, her pretty lips sticking out all funny. She wanted me to kiss her and I swear I wanted to.

‘Jenna is like a sister to you!’ That voice kept reminding me.

I slowly pulled her hand away and held both her arms to place her back on the bed. This time, she got on the bed momentarily and I tucked her in before switching off the lights and walking out of the room.

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Jenna Brooks’s POV

      As Conrad left the room, I yanked the duvet off my body. I was literally forcing myself on him. God! Jenna. You should have controlled yourself. And why did he leave without saying good night? Not that I wanted him to say good night, not that I needed his good night but it wouldn’t hurt to say it though. I just hope I forget the embarrassment by tomorrow.

I rolled on my bed and took a deep breath. Why did I drink? I wasn’t supposed to taste alcohol till I turned twenty five—one of the rules of mum I had broken tonight. I wasn’t supposed to attend a party till I turned twenty five also but look at me. Although, if there were party raves like this in Cronners, I would have broken the rule long ago but as the saying goes, better late then sorry…or never, whichever one works.

 I also wasn’t supposed to have a boyfriend till I turned twenty five but I kinda broke that rule a long time ago, dated my next door neighbor who was three years older than me. 

Mum would kill me if she found out I broke my no-alcohol-before-twenty-five promise to her. Now, I have a throbbing headache, I have school tomorrow and my inside voice wouldn’t just stop talking to me. I’m fucked!