"Happy Birthday again," Raye leaned over to hug Serena for the seemingly hundredth time that night. Plastic cups with the dredges of cheap beer scattered across the coffee table and various side tables. Most of the guests had left already and it was just the 6 left.

"Thanks soo much for coming. It wouldn't have been a party without you!" Serena squealed pulling out of the hug.

""We should've contained Mina a bit more, I don't know if she's going to make it to the car" Lita supported a blond girl with an arm around the waist. Amy was on the other side of the slumped teen-ager.

"Shusshhh I'd nooo if i'll drunk soo much"

"Uh huh" Jon came out of the living room into the foyer. He snaked an arm around Serena's waist. She blushed before leaning into his support.

The four girls waved good bye and half carried Mina out of the door. Serena leaned on the door frame watching her four best friends leave her house. The warm June air still chilly against her alcohol warmed skin. Amy helped Mina into the back before making her way around to the front of her blue '99 Sunfire. She waved again as the others piled into the car. Jon watched the scene with her before leading her back into the house.

Serena glanced at the grandfather clock, nearly 2 am already. Her parents wouldn't be home for hours. They trusted her to keep her 18th birthday party contained. Jon guided her back to the dark leather couch where they snuggled.

"Do you want another drink?" he asked.

"I dunno, I don't want to get drunk. Let's just watch a movie." Serena leaned in a little more, but Jon just got up and into the adjacent kitchen. Serena fell onto the couch, blond silk streaming from the twin buns atop her head. She stared lazily at the pale walls eyes glazing over bold modern art. A loud pop from the kitchen caught her attention. Jon re-entered the living room as Serena sat up carrying a champagne bottle and 2 glasses.

"What's that for?"

"Happy two weeks, and happy birthday of course," Jon flashed a perfect smile sinking onto the couch.

"Champagne? Really?"

Jon poured the champagne before handing one to Serena, holding the glass by the rim. She took it and sipped slowly. Jon leaned back and wrapped a strong arm around Serena's petite shoulders. In a few minutes the glasses were empty.

Serena's eyes grew heavy, her head falling onto Jon's shoulder. "I lov..." His deep voice started something before she blacked out.

--------------------------------------------------

Chilly

"SLUT"

Pain

"Whore"

Black

"Bitch"

------------------------------------------------

"Traffic was fantastic!" Ken smiled as he pulled his grey Lexus into the driveway.

"We made record time getting back. I'm sure that Serena will be happy to see us. I can't wait to hear how her party went last night," Irene said.

They made their way into the house, Sammy lagging behind to pull his backpack out of the car. Ken put his keys into the door; he frowned when he noticed that the door was not locked. It was unusual. Pushing the door open, Ken stepped into the house. Nothing had been cleaned from the day before. Red plastic cups still scattered the living room. Left over hors d'ourves were piled on plates in the kitchen. Irene furrowed her brow. This was not how their daughter usually behaved.

Sammy ran up the stairs, ignoring the mess and rising frustration of his parents. They shared a look before heading up the stairs themselves. Ken ran a hand along polished oak handrail a reflection of the wooden expression on his face. Pre-teen rock played softly from Sammy's closed door. Walking further down the hall the couple stopped in front of Serena's closed door. Happy bunnies on pink backgrounds were stuck to the white door. Ken knocked once before turning the knob.

The scene before them was astonishing. It was so unlike the daughter they had raised. Clothes were strewn across the floor. Serena lay face down on her double bed. The baby pick comforter covering her lower half; smooth, pale skin of her back exposed. Irene's eyes began to water when she noticed the many used condoms around the room. They were on the floor, her bedside table and even on her lamp. Serena had not yet stirred. Looking at her husband, Irene saw his brow knit together while a vein began to throb in his neck.

"Serena."

Ken said the name very calmly. Still Serena didn't stir.

"Serena!" Much louder this time, Serena moaned and turned her head to the other side.

"It's Saturday, I don't have to go to school." Serena said into the covers.

Irene went into the room and sat on the edge of her daughters bed. She sat there for a moment. She looked at the roof, attempting to control her tears. Taking a deep breath Irene began rubbing Serena's smooth back.

"Serena, honey, your dad and I need to talk to you."

The feel of skin on skin woke Serena up. Gasping at her nakedness she brought her arms in close to her chest. Irene shot sad eyes at her fuming husband. They pleaded that he go downstairs to wait a moment.

Goodness she was confused. Mom and Dad were home. Oh how her head hurt. It was Saturday. Why wasn't she wearing a shirt? Why wasn't she wearing anything? What time is it? The sun was still coming in her window. That means it's still morning. Finally lifting her face from the sheets Serena saw that her Dad had left the room. At least she wasn't going to flash him. What happened?

Mom closed the door and started to pick up Serena's clothes from the floor. She hasn't said anything yet but her eyes are shining like she wants to cry. Serena reaches behind her and pulls the comforter up to her shoulders before flipping over and looking at her mother.

"Do you want to tell us anything?" Mom asks.

Holding pink blankets up to her chest Serena sits up. Regretting the action as soon as it was complete she fell back onto the pillows.

"Just how much did you drink last night Serena?"

"I only had 2 Mom. Just like I promised. Well, and a glass of champagne that Jon brought." Serena mumbled with the hands covering her eyes. Why was it so bright today??

"So you were sober enough to make this decision." Mom's voice is rising. She must be really mad.

"What did I do?" Serena attempted to sit up again, this time her eyes were open long enough to see Mom pick up one of the condoms. "Oh My..."

"To have sex?" She hissed the word. "I thought we raised you better than that! We have talked to you about the dangers; we talked to you about what would happen!"

"But I didn't... I don't think I did..."

"Put some bloody clothes on, I am sure your father wants to talk to you!" Mom screamed before leaving the room.

This makes no sense. It was 1:00 when everyone left. Jon gave her a glass of Champagne. He left then, didn't he? Thinking hurt too much.

Forcing herself to get out of bed Serena finally got to see the state of her room. Mom had picked up her clothes from last night and piled them in the hamper. She stumbled, grabbing the near-by desk for support.

"I am never drinking again if this is how you feel after." She closed her eyes again and stood. She still held the desk and after a minute opened her eyes. Crawling along the wall she got to the dresser and pulled on some underwear. She slipped into some jeans and threw a hoodie on. Again she stopped to steady herself. Deciding that it would be safer to crawl, she dropped to her knees and crawled to the stairs. She stood again, took one step and fell down the remaining eight steps.

"Are you ok?" Mom asked standing a few yards away. Tears lined her face. Serena let a loud wail escape her lips.

"I don't know what happened! I don't know why I can't stand up! I don't know why there were those things in my room. I... I.." Serena screamed the words. She was in a crumpled heap at the foot of the stairs. Burring her face into the carpet Serena gasped for air. All of this confusion was just too much for her.

Mom came over, helping her into a sitting position. Serena was still crying, quieter now.

Dad now stood in the door way. Anger etched his jaw eyes like arrows. "Serena. This is very important. What do you remember?"

Serena told them. Dad's slapped her. "Liar!"