It was just after dark when I told my parents I was heading over to Jo's to spend the night. I drove the small truck to the Harvelle's hunting property I had the windows down and my cattle dog, Bond, rode shotgun with his head hanging out the window. Anywhere I could take him with me I did. Bond was one of our two dogs and I had trained him myself. He brought the title "velcro dog" to a whole new level, never leaving my side. Once me and my friends had started getting our licenses and going on camping trips more, Dad had insisted on me getting a dog for protection. Bond didn't look like the most intimidating thing ever, but the little guy was fifty pounds of pure crazy.

By the time I pulled in there were already quite a few cars here. All that was there was a dingy cabin and acres of woods; perfect for teenage shenanigans. Cas' run down Caddy was parked near the cabin, along with Jo and Ash's Jeep. There were a few trucks and other cars, but no one that I was super excited to see.

"Wait." I commanded and Bond sat in his seat until I came around to let him out, immediately falling into a heel position at my side. I carried the case of beer that I had bought with one of my fake IDs towards the smell of burning wood. As I weaved through the last of the cars, I spotted one that made me stop. Holy shit. I set down the case, inspecting the cherry ride. It was a 67 black Impala, in perfect condition. I hadn't seen one in this condition since I went to the car show last year, and I had never seen one in black. God, was this a nice ride. The only way it could be any better was it being a manual instead of of an automatic. Dad and I were working on a Camaro at home but I think I would trade it in an instant for this car.

I shook my head and continued towards the fire.

"Jo!" She turned and jogged my way, "...Where do you want the beer?"

"Hide it girl...These people are drinking like fish. Plus Ash found a couple of kegs...Bond!"

She crouched and started playing with the dog, who wagged his tail, "Who is all here?"

Jo stood back up, glancing around, "Ah shit...Of course Ash, you couldn't have missed Cas' pimp-mobile, a couple of seniors, Meg showed up."

"Ugh…"

"Don't start anything Jen... Even though you have an in with the cops does not mean we need them here. I don't want to spend another night in a jail cell because of you."

"That was once!" I hadn't started the fight, but I sure as hell had finished that asshole off.

"Twice…"

"The second time was all on you."

"Whatever Jen…"

I shoulder bumped her, "You love me and you know it...Your life would be boring without me."

"Go hide the beer Jen."

I strolled towards the cabin, running into a few people I knew, saying hi. Everyone was already on the downslide to drunk, and I could smell Ash's latest crop wafting around. Even though I enjoyed drinking, pot wasn't my thing. I set down the case and grabbed a beer, Miller Lite, and headed out. I spotted Cas standing off by himself awkwardly.

"Jen! I thought you had ditched."

"And leave you to have all the fun?"

He smiled, bending down to pat Bond on the head, "I heard Meg showed up."

Cas blushed, "Ash invited her."

"And you had nothing to do with that?" I teased. Cas' face just reddened, as he glanced across the fire to where Meg was talking to a couple of other girls. I decided to let him off the hook, "Your parents gonna kill you when they find out?"

He shook his head, "I'm not drinking, they shouldn't find out. I told them I was going to the movies with you guys and I would be back late."

"So you are the one ditching all us?"

"I'm wasn't going to push my luck."

"True that." We stood there getting caught up for a long time. With no longer having all our classes together, we didn't spend the time on school work that we normally did. After a bit, Jo came up beside me, replacing my empty beer with another, "You wanna do me a favor Jen?"

I sighed, "I'm going to regret this but sure."

"Can you go get some firewood...Ash is high off his ass and I'm a little tipsy."

"It's only like midnight Jo!"

"Well…" She stifled a burp,"...Some of the guys were doing shots…"

"Yeah I see where that is going. I will be back in a few." I watched her sway in place for a moment, then handed Cas my beer, "Cas...make sure she doesn't do anything too stupid."

I took off to the edge of the clearing. The gigantic wood pile that the Harvelles had was just beyond the woodline, along a quad path. Bond trotted before me, sniffing everything. I stacked as many logs as I could carry in my arms and turned to head back when a branch snapped. I dropped the wood and spun, reaching behind me, only to realize I had nothing to protect myself. Bond growled menacingly into the darkness. Another snap, and footsteps to my one o'clock. I could see an outline, but couldn't make out who, Bond began to bark.

"Whoa...whoa. Easy there." Dean came out of the shadows, "You wanna call your mutt off?"

I exhaled, my heart still racing.

"Bond." I fisted my hand and when he saw it, sat, watching Dean with uncertainty.

"You shouldn't sneak up on someone like that. You about gave me a fucking heart attack" , And he about lost his damn head, but I wasn't about to say that.

"I saw you take off into the woods alone…"

"I didn't even know you were here." I thought I had seen everyone.

"Yeah, I was here before you...What are you doing?"

"I was getting firewood…"

"Do you want some help?"

"No...It's fi…" But before I could finish my sentence he was picking up the wood that I dropped, stacking it in his arms. I paused before grabbing some more from the stack, "I didn't know you were coming."

Dean turned and grinned, "Yeah...Ash and Jo both invited me...You ready to go back?"

"Ah...yeah." I let out a short whistle, Bond ran ahead again and Dean fell into stride. I tossed some of the wood by the fire before throwing a couple logs into the flames.

Dean cleared his throat, "I didn't really have you pegged as the partying type."

I chuckled, "Well you were a little off on that one then."

Bond jumped up, demanding attention, I scratched behind his ears. I glanced over and Dean was staring at the fire, obviously deep in thought, "Hey Dean...Don't hurt yourself."

"What? Oh… Ha. I was just zoning, sorry."

I studied him for a moment, "C'mon. I will introduce you to some people."

"How do you guys get away with this...half the damn school is here?"

I shrugged, walking slowly, "Sheriff Mills is pretty chill. As long as we don't let anyone drive, she let's us get away with it...She figures if it's gonna happen anyways, it might as well be controlled."

"Huh."

By then we were over where some people were talking, "Hey guys...This is Dean...This is Evan, you know Jo already, Kim, and Cas."

Dean held out his hand as I introduced everyone. Jo began talking excitedly and I slipped away as soon as I could, going to sit by the fire and chill. It was on the downslide to one and everyone besides the die hards were filtering out. I sat in a folding chair, watching the flames lap at the wood with Bond curled up in my lap. I lost myself, thinking about the weeks ahead. Dad had been talking about going hunting at the end of the week. That would mean I would probably miss a couple days of school. I really hoped so. We were only going into week three and I needed a break, and shooting shit was the perfect way to blow off steam. A hand on my shoulder startled me, I must have been dozing off, "Sorry Jen."

I glanced up to see Dean standing above me, "I was just going to say bye."

"You're heading out?"

"Disappointed?" He teased. I shook my head, "Did you have fun?"

"Yeah...Jo was talking my ear off. She probably should have been cut off an hour ago. That Cas is pretty cool… Tweaky little nerd, but he seems okay."

"Me and him have been friends since grade school...Are you okay to drive?"

"Yep...I haven't drank in a couple hours and I only had two." Dean reached past me and patted the dog on the head, "Anyways...ready for a week of detention?"

I snorted, "No...But at least Singer has detention this week...He isn't too bad. As long as we are there and not causing trouble, he doesn't give a shit...Are they benching you from football because of that?"

"Nah, Coach said I can still play as long as I show up fro the rest of practice and put in some extra time...Anyways, catch you later."

"Yeah...see ya." I watched him disappear into the darkness.

"Jen!" Jo scared the shit outta me. I must be losing a step.

"What?"

"You staying the night?"

"Nah..I'm gonna head home."

"Party pooper."

I smiled, "Yeah I know...See you Monday."

I wandered through the cool night air back to my truck. I opened the door, looking up at the sky. There was no moon tonight and the air was clear, the stars shone bright against the black canvas.