CHAPTER EIGHT:

Senior Social

I woke to the sound of lightning cracking. It looked to dark to be day but it was seven o'clock in the morning. I shook Jayden lightly on the shoulder. He moaned and pulled me back into his chest.

"Five more minutes" He groaned.

"Come on" I shoved him lightly "you have to get home"

"On the contrary, I already have a change of clothes" I looked at him confused. "Well I was going to change last night so I brought a change of clothes, but I didn't bother so looks like I'm set for this morning. One issue though, I need a brush so it doesn't look like I've just woken up and is there a back way to this house?" he asked still groggy, but already planning his escape.

"Yeah, hang on" I ran into the bathroom and grabbed a brush. I noticed my hair was smooth again. I had a theory.

"I have a theory" I said aloud, Jayden raised an eyebrow, his eyes slowly widening "well when I wake up my hair is usually like an afro. Though one of the times it's been okay was when you're here. So my conclusion is that if I sleep calmly, my hair stays smooth. My epiphany being that you help me sleep calmly" I sounded rather smug, it was kind of funny. I crawled behind the now-sitting-Jayden, and started brushing his hair down.

"I like your theory" he added as he was a hero. Which in a way, if my hair could talk it would probably say something along those lines. Wow, that was a weird thought… Even for me.

"Come on, I'll show you out" I lead him to the last door in my wing which lead out to a small balcony. There was a table and chairs and a small ladder over to the left. "That" I said pointing to the ladder "will lead you down to the ground floor then if you follow the house around to the left you will eventually be at the front door" I finished up. The sky was dark and it was just starting to rain.

"Thanks, I'll meet you back in your room" Jayden said before kissing me lightly on the cheek and crawling down the ladder. I held my face where his soft lips had just touched. I walked back to my room in a daze. I didn't know how to feel about this, was it going too far or could this be the start of something? All I knew was I was confused, yet his lips felt so amazingly good against my skin. I sat in the middle of my bed and a few minutes later Jayden came through the door. He saw the frustrated expression on my face.

"Too much" he said ashamed.

"I don't know" I replied quietly, tracing his lips with my eyes.

"That's not much of an answer, if it wasn't okay just say so" he seemed a little bitter. I honestly didn't know how to feel though. I couldn't tell if this really was okay or not. Most of all I didn't want to screw our friendship up, that in mind kept me from seeing straight.

"Many things came to mind Jayden, some you might not want hear and other that you would kill to …" I hoped he wouldn't be too frustrated or upset with my answer.

"That's okay, I should of asked you first anyway" He said really ashamed this time. I rushed over to where he was leaning against the closed door.

"No, it's not your fault" I comforted him. I wrapped my arms around him and muttered into his chest. "I just need to sort some stuff out first" he leaned his head down so his cheeked was pressed against my hair. "I do have to get ready though. You can wait in here if you would like but I'm just going to take a shower" I added on trying to take his mind off of what just happened. Many emotions flickered across his face and I could tell he had a number of things that he desperately wanted to say, some things I wouldn't approve of.

"I'll wait" he concluded. He chucked himself down on the coach and flicked the TV on. "By the way, I only meant it as a thankful gesture I didn't mean it to come across like I wanted more" his eyes were intense but I could see through the lie.

"That's okay" I reassured him before I walked into the bathroom and shut the door behind me. I turned the water on in the shower and sat down, wrapping my arms around my knees. If he really did mean it just as a friendly gesture then there is no reason to be so confused, but he didn't and I didn't feel like thinking about complicated things at the moment. I wiped all related thoughts clear of my mind. I got out of the shower and dried my hair off, wrapping my towel around my body, and walked out of the room and straight into my closet. I could see Jayden's jaw drop from the corner of my eye. I shut the closet door and started hunting for something to wear. I popped on a singlet and some dark blue jeans that were at the top of my pile. I walked over to the other side of the closet and put on a charcoal sweater. As I walked out of the closet I hung my towel on the brass door knob of my bathroom. Jayden was still staring at me, his mouth hanging wide open. I walked over to him and manually closed his jaw.

"You know it's really not kind to tempt people that way" he scolded.

"Too bad" I grinned.

The rest of the week passed quickly and each day I learnt and realised a bit more about Luca. Like how the boarder of his eyes are lined with black flecks. I was always looking forward to talking to him and I couldn't wait to be able to actually talk to him without any restraints at the senior social. We talked more and more as each day passed. It was the trivial things that he did or said that had me constantly captivated. Like how he would stare at me with the most amazing smile on his face and his eyes crinkled up in unison, and with some of the things he said… I could feel every single beat of my heart like it was a hit to the chest by something large and heavy. I was getting in over my head though. I'm imagining something that could be different from reality. I'll have to wait until tonight.

I had another dream, only this time it was slightly different.

I ran through the forest looking for any sign of them. Somewhere off in the distance I heard the crunch of the forest floor under heavy feet. I turned and ran as fast as humanly possible towards the small sounds of crushing leaves. I burst into a clearing. Not just a clearing but the clearing Jayden and I had our picnic at, our clearing. There they were, Luca and Jayden staring each other down.

"Stop it!" I screamed. This time I was the one speaking first. Jayden's eyes stayed on Luca, but Luca's eyes did not stay on Jayden. Luca slowly traced his eyes along the ground and found my face, his eyes apologetic and tortured. "Luca" I whispered his name, it flew through the wind and echoed around us.

"No" Jayden began "you can't do this, it's not right, please don't" his voice lost volume as the wind grew louder, threatening to cut me right down the middle with each icy whip. We were no longer in Ireland, the whole environment had transformed into the park back in Alaska.

"Don't listen to him Seana you don't belong to anyone and you owe him nothing" Luca said as calm as he could manage, making each word very distinctive. I tried to surrender myself to the wind and let it tear me into two, but it wasn't going to cooperate. I was either being brave or being obliterated and I honestly couldn't tell which one I would prefer.

"Please, Seana, I need you to look at me" my eyes were glistening with tears as I traced my eyes over to where Jayden stood "I wouldn't lie to you! This is dangerous!" He screamed at me, I yearned to wrap my arms around Jayden but my feet were glued in place.

"Seana" Luca called in a very subdued voice "don't let him choose for you, please don't let him choose" his voice was fading away and so was he. I ran towards Luca not knowing what I would do once I got there.

"Seana" Jayden screamed before his iron arms locked around my arms and waist, protecting me from the unseen danger.

"No!" I screeched, whipping myself back around and into Jayden's chest. The dream faded into blackness after that.

Things with Jayden got more complicated as the week went on. He kissed me again softly yesterday. I could feel his persistence, his determination to prove something. The way he was constantly looking at me, like the thing with Kaylee in the cafeteria. Even when it came to Ray, it looked like Jayden suspected Ray was about to shoot me. It was getting odd and a little uncomfortable. He took my hand every now and then not as sure of himself as he should be. His fingers were laced through my even now as we walked to the club that the social was being held at. It felt nice but wrong at the same time but I didn't see any real reason to pull my hand away. We walked quietly down the long path from my house to the city. Jayden nudge me lightly on the arm.

"What's wrong" Jayden asked sincerely. What's wrong is your trying to screw up our friendship.

"Nothing, just a little nervous about tonight" I answered. It was believable.

"It will be fine" Jayden soothed me, rubbing the side of my arm lightly.

As we got closer to the club I found a reason to let go of Jayden's hand. The last thing I needed was rumours. A big neon sign read 'Club El Mysterio'.

"Here we go" I said breathlessly. Jayden held the door open for me and I walked inside. It was large and had two floors. Loud music came from every direction and it was pitch black besides from the flashing coloured lights. It looked amazing though. Unreal in a sense. It wasn't something you would see regularly but more like something out of a movie the way it was lit and the floor was full of dancing seniors. Did they book the club just for the seniors? I thought idly while I walked slowly up towards a small table. Jayden joined me and we both took a while to scan over everything. It was quite astounding.

"Let's dance" Jayden yelled over the loud music, not wasting any time. I hesitated, the large crowd was intimidating. What the heck, I shrugged. I was with Jayden and he wouldn't let anything happen to me.

"Okay" I laughed, feeling more at ease with Jayden acting like himself. We headed onto the dance floor and danced to the beat, the music was unfamiliar. After a while I grew tired.

"Hey Jay-" I began.

"Seana, I'll be right back I'm just going to say hello to Skye" he said before sliding out of the group. I looked frantically for a way out of the circle. I was just about to make a move before two hands slid onto my hips from behind me. Jayden, I thought annoyed.

"Care to dance" A voice whispered right beside me. This voice was too seductive to be Jayden's. I stood there silently for a second putting one and two together. Luca. I span around where I stood. There he was, his green eyes looking up at me from under his jet black lashes. I couldn't breathe for a minute he looked so stunning. He had a white sleeveless shirt on with a leather jacket hanging open and a pair of grey black jeans. His shirt pulled slightly tight over his muscles. I could see the slight definition of his broad chest muscles and the outline of a light six-pack. I subconsciously ran my hand down his chest. He caught it half way down and laced his fingers through mine. I could feel my face burn bright red. He raised his head slightly to look at me properly. How long had I gone without breathing?

"So how about it" he murmured softly in my ear. He took my hand and lead me deeper into the crowd. His hands slid back to my hips, he was standing behind me again, and he leaned his head on my shoulder right as a slower song came on. My flesh burned everywhere he touched me. He swayed our bodies from side to side like we were the same person. I wrapped my fingers around his hands and let my body go. I felt so good just standing here, I was elated and content. He turned his head into my neck and his nosed skimmed my bare skin. I shuddered and he laughed lightly. He was so confident. His laughter didn't shake nor did his hands as they wrapped around my body, drawing me slightly closer to him. It didn't bother me though. I stood there as he held me, wishing he would pull me closer again. It felt illegal to speak and break the silence, so I didn't. I decided If I wanted to be closer I had to be the one to make the move. I took a deep silent breath and leaned myself back into him. Why was it so much easier to do this with Luca? Luca hasn't been my best friend for twelve years, there's nothing to screw up.

"I almost forgot that I wanted to talk to you" He said moaning slightly when I tilted my head back to talk to him.

"I almost forgot to breathe" I said breathlessly, proving my point. His laughter shook my body. He stood up and released his grip on me. No. He took my hand instead and led me easily out of the crowd. He led me to the second floor which was filled with small booths. He sat us down at the furthest one. It was much quieter here, I didn't have to yell even slightly.

"It's good to be able to finally talk to you" he continued to look at from under his eye lashes. "It's kind of odd isn't it? I meet you on the plane then the next day I see you randomly at a bus stop" he laughed and so did I, thinking back to the memory. "I have to say though you looked really cute when you stared after me as I left" the word 'cute' bothered me a little but I didn't want him to stop talking. "Then I found out you're in my class, and the irony was too great not to be amazed" his voice found all the right gaps in the beat of the music so he never had to speak louder than necessary.

"I never see you at lunch time" I added. It was true, I had searched numerous times but I always come up empty.

"That's because I eat on the roof" he smiled. Wow, that's so different. The roof, that's actually really a good idea, it would have to be silent in comparison to the loud cafeteria. "But that may become a problem…" he said leaning into me slightly. He abruptly sat up and his eyes narrowed. "Speaking of problems, I'm sorry if I got you in trouble" although Luca couldn't see, Jayden was advancing on us fast. Great. Jayden was two steps away when Luca stood up and spun around to stare Jayden down. They were both tensed, I could feel the hate running off them. Did they know each other?

"You" Jayden growled. His eyes look like they could all of a sudden combust spontaneously.

"Took your time" Luca said in the exact same tone.

"Do you guys know each other" I asked idiotically. It got both of their attention though.

"Sure do Seana" Jayden spit through his teeth. "Don't worry, just an old friend" they quite obviously were not friends, there was something different though, this 'rivalry' was different to anything I had ever seen before. I got up out of my seat to stand between them. I laid a hand on both of their chest. I heard a low groan escape Luca's lips. Jayden took a step forward barring his teeth. What was wrong with him? He looked like an animal. Luca raised his hand towards me like he was going to slide them back on to my hip, but the way he looked at Jayden was like he was tempting fate by doing so.

"Touch her and lose your arm" Jayden growled through his teeth again. I could see his chest rise and fall with every heavy breath Jayden took. Luca moved his hand slightly closer. That was it, Jayden had pushed me back down onto my seat and grabbed Luca's arm. It's like my dream only worse. I couldn't believe this was happening. Jayden spun Luca's arm around and pinned him down on the table.

"Jayden stop it!" I screamed. Luca looked at me and smiled.

"Don't worry 'bout me" Luca said before winking at me. Luca spun his arm around and ended up facing Jayden. "Nice try" he grinned darkly. Luca pulled his fist back and was just about to let it snap forward when I threw myself in between the two of them.

"No!" I yelled. Luca lowered his fist immediately and Jayden calmed underneath my touch. "Jayden, Luca, stop!" I forced them to arms length. "Why the hell are you fighting? Because if it's over me that's just stupid" I glared at the both of them. "You both need to calm down and put whatever issues you have aside" I said fiercely. I looked at both of them again and headed for the stairs. I heard Jayden laugh and follow after me, assuming he was my bodyguard. I turned and put my hand on his chest again. "Don't follow me Jayden, this isn't who you are… I don't know this you" my voice grew shaky and I could feel the tears before they hit. I turned around and ran down the stairs. I searched for the door as fast as I could but to no avail I came up clueless. I felt a warm hand glide down my arm and take my hand. I was moving, my body gliding through the crowd easily, before I had the chance to say anything, large doors burst open and a cold wet wind licked my face and I knew that I was outside.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think you would listen to me if I asked and I could see you searching for a way to get out" Luca whispered, his voice getting even quieter with every word. He evaded my eyes. I sighed. I felt bad for talking to Luca when I so quickly shrugged Jayden off, I wanted to rush back through those doors and find him, to make up some excuse for my irrational behaviour.

"What the hell is wrong with you two" the tears silently spilled over. I felt another pair of arms wind around me, thick arms that I could take comfort in, but not right now.

"I'm sorry" Jayden whispered. He held me the way he did when he had stayed the other night, holding me tightly to his chest like a child but the way he held me was not like a parent or a sibling, I could feel it go much deeper than that, just by his touch. Luca's face was torn, I couldn't understand why but I had a hunch. I shrugged out of Jayden's arms, I didn't want another fight on my behalf.

"Stop it Jayden" I shoved away from him with more force when he refused to let go of me. I took a step back from Jayden so that I was in the middle of both of them again, my eyes tossing between the both of them. There was something not right about the fight that was just going on, the way they stared each other down, like the forces of nature itself told them to destroy one another. "Okay, what's going on? What was that fight all about?" I questioned them both, I wanted answers and I wanted them now.

"You" Luca spoke. Jayden's eyes narrowed again.

"See!" I exclaimed "right there, you say one word and Jayden, you tense up like it's the apocalypse…" Which was true every time one of them moved or spoke the other would automatically tense up and reposition themselves.

"Old rivalries" Jayden said, a twisted edge to his voice, it seemed like he was avoiding something. I huffed. There was something that they weren't telling me and I wasn't in the mood to play games, I had millions of thoughts at once and couldn't focus on a single one, the distraction of the expression on the boys faces was enough to un-paralyse me. I stormed off, trying to emphasise exactly how sick of the silence I was, from the entrance of the club to the rainy pathway that would eventually lead me home. After walking for ten minutes the tears hit and added to the rain, I couldn't see. I stumbled on to a bench nearby and it took me a second to realise I was at the bus stop where I saw Luca for the second time. I felt pathetic the way that I craved Jayden's arms around me again, and then felt bad when there were another pair of arms that I wanted. I laid there for a long while, gaining control of the cries that escaped my lips. After fifteen minutes I had enough courage to get up off the seat and walk home.

I walked in the house soaking wet. I couldn't believe what was happening, I had I just walked away from an amazing person that was very much my friend and my best friend? I felt horrific, nothing good would come of my friendship with Luca.

"What, there was no more room on Noah's Ark?" Ray joked. I wasn't in the mood for joking so I settle for snide instead.

"Yes Ray, Noah's ark left me behind" I said dark and sarcastically. I walked past a wide eyed Ray towards the stairs.

"Ray you moron" Tay called from the kitchen. The argument turned into a mumbled conversation when I closed the door behind me and I entered my room, the tears hit again. I hated fighting with Jayden and now worse than ever I wanted him to embrace me. I changed into some warm clothes and crawled up into bed with my hair still soaking wet. The door creaked open. Tay peered at me through the small gap.

"Come in" I called quietly, my voice sounding rather rasp.

"Hey" she called quietly. She walked into my room and closed the door behind her, jumping into my bed behind me and put her arms around my shoulders.

"You want to talk about it?" Tay asked. I debated that over seriously for a little while. I really did want to talk to someone. I nodded. Tay settled in and I told her everything that had happened. I could see my tears forming in her eyes, she shouldn't have to feel what I did.

"I'm sorry honey, come on we can go grab a hot chocolate and I'll show you somewhere I go in times like this" she said, her smile radiated heat and it was hard to reject the offer. We walked down the large stairs and into the kitchen. I couldn't see Ray anywhere, whatever Tay said had taken effect though. There was two already made hot chocolates on the bench. Tay ran over and snatched them up easily, both in one hand.

"Suck up" Tay murmured. "Come with me" she took my hand with her empty one and lead me down the west wing on the bottom floor.

"Why do you have so many rooms and wings?" I asked Tay, honestly curious.

"Well, each wing has a purpose, this wing for example is for all different purposes like the room I'm about to show you. Your wing his filled with rooms for one person. My parents, even though they a travelling, a very famous and often have many guests over. Which is the similar to my wing, but each of my rooms are meant for two people. And the wing below mine is for studies. There are different rooms filled with stuff about each subject you would learn at school" Tay was oddly smug, I had to say though… I was overly impressed. Tay lead me to the last room of the wing. She flung open the door with a smile on her face like a mother whose son was head of the football team, it was beautiful. The floor was all different shades of purple and the east and west wall were glass with thousand of exotic fish behind them. The floor elevated by a foot halfway through the room. The floor was layered with pillows in every corner possible besides one, which had a tightly woven hammock instead. The north wall was the most amazing it was made completely of stained glass, which through colours around the room. There was a sliding door in the centre too that lead to a small forest at the back of the house.

"Wow" is all I managed, because the room was honestly far to amazing for words.

"Yep, but you have to remember this is a very important room, its mine" Tay smiled "so you need a key" she handed me the small silver key and told me not to lose it. "Now you and I are the only ones that have access to the room. There is another lock, that you lock from inside. The keys won't unlock it so it will let us know when each other are in there" she continued to smile brightly. She really had thought of everything.

"Thank you Tay, this means a lot to me" I answered, it was a bubbly feeling to be so excepted by Tay. Just being in this room made me feel better. Tay and I sat on the hammock sipping at the hot creamy drinks in our hand until they were all gone talking about anything that came to mind.

"Seana!" I heard Ray call from a distance. I sighed and groaned before I got up, I didn't want to leave the room which made me feel so much better than I had. Tay walked me out of the room before locking it behind her.

"It's vital that you lock it, that's what makes it ours" she winked at me. The two of us walked down the long hall, I could feel the pressure of the world on my shoulders again, and to the entrance of the kitchen where Ray had called from. Ray smiled from the doorway and looked to the side at an area that wasn't visible from outside of the kitchen. I walked into the kitchen and turned my head, I groaned as the boy sitting not 3 meters away gave me an impish smile. Tay growled at Jayden audibly.

"As if my night couldn't get any worse" I snapped

"Can I just talk to you please?" Jayden pleaded.

"Fine. Come on" I gestured for him to follow me, I did want to talk to him as well. Ray was oblivious to the snide reaction I had towards Jayden.

I shut the door once we were both in the entertainment room. I flicked the lights on and flicked everything else off as I made my way to the fireplace. I sat down in front of it and slowly defrosted, still cold from my wet hair. He came and sat beside me, I didn't argue when he put his arm around my waist because his body temperature felt so good against me.

"Look I'm sorry about today, Luca is just an old enemy of mine" Jayden started, though there was an edge to his voice, he was being careful about what he said, I knew that much. "I…I don't want you to see Luca anymore" his words came down hard but still very cautious, his tone didn't have enough venom to hurt but it had enough meaning to hit.

"Who are you to tell me what I can and can't do?" I was straining my voice so that I could yell quietly, to be able to put the sting in my words without raising my voice. I can't believe he thinks he has the right to tell me what to do.

"Ugh, Seana he is dangerous" his eyes burned intensely, looking past my eyes and into my soul. "Nothing good will come of you hanging around with him" he sounded so serious, was he prejudice or something?

"How is he dangerous" I snorted at the ridiculous remark.

"I'm being serious about this Seana, he can be a really dangerous guy to be around" there was still something Jayden wasn't saying but the words rang truer than anything else he had said.

"Why do you care so much? You practically ditched me at the club!" I hated how angry I was getting with him, I need to bring it down a notch. "Look Jayden" I moved closer to him "I don't want to fight with you, but, I have my own say in where I go and who I see. If you can't deal with that I'm sorry" my small speech sounded more formal then I meant it too, my calm voice adding to the formality.

"Seana" Jayden whispered, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration, was he looking for something that would change my mind? "I need to tell you something" he began, his words gained speed as he said them "I don't know if it will make a difference or not but I need you to hear something." No, don't do this to me, I pleaded mentally. "Seana, I love you, I always have, you are the most amazing person I have ever met. The best part of my life is the time I spent with you. Then the other night when I slept holding you to my chest, it was easily the best night of my life" his eyes were pleading for a response. I, on the other hand was speechless. I stared into his eyes for a long time searching for the right words but continuously coming up empty. "You don't have to say anything" Jayden said leaning his body slightly to the side. His large hands moved quickly, one leaning against the floor for support and the other cradling my face. He wasn't really going to was he? He had officially lost it. "Seana" he whispered again, I froze in place, a reaction to pressured situations. It was too late to think though. His soft pale lips were on mine, kissing me softly but with an urgency, it made the whole situation feel so wrong, but so right at the same time. I couldn't do this though, I wanted answers first and I had to think about some things before I could do this with him. I used my hands to push Jayden off me, at least try to anyhow, I wasn't pushing hard, I didn't want to. Not when it felt so good. He was so strong, I didn't know if he could feel me pushing or not. I tried to say something with each pause but each pause wasn't long enough. He wrapped one arm around my body and laid me down on the ground gently, never breaking the somewhat endless kiss. Something clicked in my head and I didn't give a damn for a second, I was kissing him back with as much force as he was exerting.

"JAYDEN!" I managed to scream, I had to stop before it got too far. He looked at me like I had just committed murder.

"I thought…?" Jayden started.

"No Jayden, I can't, not now. You can't do this to me again, you are going to screw everything up" I was already crying by now, I was still so confused "I'm just trying to sort things out but you're not helping" I sat myself up and Jayden moved closer towards me, wrapping his arms around me. "Don't touch me" I threatened as I ripped his arms away from me. "Please Jayden just go. Wait until I feel better or something… just go" I whispered barely audible. I got up from where I stood and walked him to the door. He leaned in to hug me before he left but I took a step back before he could, this seemed to really set him off. The expression on his face became twisted with anger as he walked firmly away from the house before breaking into an easy jog. I sighed. Everything was so messed up. It sucked, I wanted him to come back though.

"Will he come back?" A voice came from a few meters to the side. Luca.

"Not that I know of" I said, almost mute, how did he know where I lived? Did he follow Jayden?

"Are you okay?" the words came out in a slow tremble. I looked up at him from under my eyelashes, my teeth jittering slightly. His eyes went wide. "You want to come for a walk?" Luca suggested, taking a deep breath first. I nodded, still mute. I didn't bother to say anything to Ray or Tay. I just walked away.