Carolina sighed, leaning her head against the wall and looking at the ceiling, she hated parties, hated them, the only upside of the whole thing was the cider in her hand that Jamie had gone out and bought specifically for her, knowing Sofia's mother would have only stocked beer and cheap wine for the party, both of which Lina hated. She was snapped out of her thinking, mostly wondering when the next time her and the guys were practicing would be, by a large body crashing into her and sending the drink flying, splashing pink up the ivory walls.

"Shit! Sorry," the footballer that had caused the disaster and the sore spots on her ribs and back of her head apologised as he righted himself, "Are you okay?"

She shook her head slightly, "Fine, don't worry about it," She forced a smile and slipped out of his reach, heading to the kitchen to grab another drink.

"Drink?"

Carolina jumped slightly at the voice in her ear and spun around, her green eyes locking on the blue ones of the guy offering her the bottle of cider, "I was just getting one."

"And now you have one," He smiled, holding it out to her.

She eyed it for a moment before taking it, figuring that it couldn't hurt and it saved her a walk and a trip into the cold of the garage where Jamie had put the crate, "Thanks."

"Soooo... having fun?"

"Would rather be home."

"Why?"

"Parties aren't really my thing," She shrugged and pulled herself up onto the large wooden cabinet that Sofia kept her DVDs in, making her only just taller than the curly haired boy who'd given her the cider.

"Then why'd you come?" He asked looking confused at the idea that someone wouldn't like parties.

"My cousins birthday, makes it sort of mandatory, that and I've been charged with keeping an eye on her."

"Oh right, you're Sofi's cousin...urm..."

"Carolina."

"That's it! I knew you were named after a state," Carolina sighed and rolled her eyes, "Sorry. You get that a lot, huh?"

"All the time."

"Well I'm-"

"Axl, I know."

"You do?"

"You sit behind me in English."

"Ah, right. Sorry."

"It's fine, not drawing attention is my general aim in life."

"Why? Pretty girl like you could get a lot if she made herself the centre of attention."

"Centre of attention is Sofi's department. I'm happy to blend into the background, unless necessary."

"So when's necessary?"

"When we play a show."

"A show?"

"I'm in a band."

"Really?" his face lit up at that and Carolina almost groaned out loud, wishing she hadn't said anything. Talking to him was one thing; sharing personal information was quite another.

"Yeah," Well she was stuck with this conversation now.

"What'd you play?"

"Guitar, sing sometimes but not much."

"Why not?"

She shrugged, "Damien's voice is better than mine."

"Damien?"

"Damien Wolfe. He dated one of your cheerleader friends last year."

"Oh yeah! The one Tiffany turned gay."

"She didn't turn him. And he's not gay he's bisexual, but yeah."

"But he's dating a guy now?" "yeah he is."

"And you?" "What about me?"

"Dating anyone?"

"No, and it takes a lot more than bringing me a drink for you to get close."

He laughed, "I'm just wonderin." "Yeah, sure," He phone buzzed and she pulled it out of her pocket, seeing it was Acey and holding up a finger to indicate she'd just be a minute.

"Hey hey, Ace."

"Whoa where are you?"

"Sofia's birthday. 'Sup?"

"Ah, forgot about that. Oh well, guess who's got a gig at L?"

"No way! We're playing L?"

"Yeppers. Friday at seven, so we're gonna have practice after school for the rest of the week."

"Sure thing, See you tomorrow," She smiled and hung up, noticing that Axl had walked off. She sighed and rolled her eyes sliding off the chest and finishing her drink before heading to find Sofia to tell her she was heading home.