A/N: The format for this story has changed since I broke a few rules with the way I had originally wrote it. Please enjoy, and try to bare with the first chapter; so much could have been done, but I left it how it was - with the exception of the pov and main character; giving her a name.

Alice woke to an unexpected, yet pleasant aroma.

With her right cheek against the pillow she took it in and sighed tiredly. It reminded her of the ocean; of the time she first saw the beach. Creamy sandalwood and warm salt air eased her exhausted body – a scent that was unusual around Hawkins.

Right away she knew that something was wrong. She was not in her own bed – squared sheets were not her style – or her own house for that matter. Not to add onto her unease, but she was sure that someone was behind her.

A warm, sturdy body was pressed against her back; their limbs ensnared by her own. Alice was a muscle spasm away from their crotch – she knew that this someone was a male, because of this. The heat pouring from him was nice. It was almost soothing enough to put the dark haired teen back to sleep, but nausea filled her.

After last night, it was easy to see why; she drank too much. The fact her body felt slack and sore indicated that she had sex with him, but she certainly didn't remember going home with him.

Last time I take advice from her. Alice was referring to the person who called herself the teen's best friend. She was the reason for the way Alice had behaved at the Halloween party; like a slut.

Irritated with her actions, she slowly began to sit up. Yet, the arm around her slender hips kept her from doing so. It tensed up and the guy behind her moved closer. The minute his wet lips touched her naked shoulder, she knew that she had woken him.

"G'morning," he said lazily. Again he kissed her shoulder.

Alice said nothing in return, feeling a little uncomfortable. All she could do was wiggle her toes.

This pulled a laugh from him. "So now you're shy? Last night you were so eager to get me alone. Barely made it out of the car." He pushed his crotch against her ass, inciting a soft whine from her. He too was enjoying the feeling of being close to her.

"I should go," she finally uttered. Alice honestly needed to; he was making her feel nervous.

"What's your hurry, Kelly?"

That's not my––

Now she remembered. She went to the Halloween party dressed as Kelly Kapowski; hot pink shorts and the whole lot. She must have failed to give him her name. Between the sex and the making out – he claimed – she doubted that the thought ever occurred to her.

Capturing her bottom lip between her teeth, Alice couldn't think of a single excuse to give him. She just needed to leave. Again, she tried to sit up. He thankfully allowed her to, turning over onto his back as she met his keen eyes.

He was familiar somehow.

Goldie, she remembered.

This wasn't his real name – Alice didn't actually know it – but a nickname her best friend gave him, seeing as he moved from the Golden State. He certainly didn't act like an out of towner; more like he had been living in Hawkins all his life. The way he stole the focus from Steve Harrington was unnatural.

It was easy to see why; he was gorgeous. Steve had nothing on him. His electric blue eyes stared back into her own, but honestly Alice couldn't help from ogling at his naked torso. He had lean but firm muscle in all the right places. It seemed almost a waste not to see what was beneath the sheets.

However, she fought the urge. Collecting the duvet, she wrapped it around it around herself and began to climb over him. One of her legs made it over his middle, foot planted on the cold, hardwood floor, just before his crotch bumped into her own. The sudden action shot a pleasant sensation throughout her body. Capturing her bottom lip between her teen again, Alice narrowed her blue eyes at him.

"Muscle spasm," he said with an arrogant smirk.

Alice brought her other leg over him, quickly standing for the first time in hours. It hurt; her bones popped and her knees trembled. Ignoring the ache in her core, the nervous teen located the pieces of her costume and let the duvet sag to the floor.

Goldie hissed sharply. "I got a little rough."

She hummed in question and glanced down. Her hips were littered in small bruises; Alice frowned. It wasn't his fault, she bruised easily. Hiding them beneath her shorts, she finished getting dressed and staggered towards the door. Alice didn't even stop to say anything to Goldie as she escaped from his bedroom.

It was when Alice made it to the kitchen did she realize that she didn't know where she was. For a moment she considered going back and asking Goldie, but movement from the corner of her eye stopped her.

At the table she noticed a young girl with frizzy red hair. She was using a ratchet tool to replace the bearings on her skateboard wheels – Alice's little brother took an interest in the hobby before he found something he liked better. She assumed that the girl must be kin to Goldie – she'd seen her on several occasions get into his blue Camaro after school.

She briefly looked at Alice, but didn't pay her any mind.

"May I borrow the phone?"

Lifting her arm, she pointed over her shoulder to the base on the wall. Alice quietly thanked her and used it to call Robin – her best friend. Not sure about the address, she had to ask the red head, expressing her guilt. This had to be awkward; it was for Alice.

And with any luck, Robin wouldn't be long.

"Did I mention that I hate you?"

Robin faked an expression of shock, then rolled her eyes. "Only like a hundred times."

She sat beside her irritated friend on the bed in her room and poked at the mark on her neck.

Alice wanted to swat away her hand, but honestly she felt too exhausted to move. The car ride to her house nearly put her out.

"Why don't you stay over. You can borrow some of my clothes for school tomorrow," she offered

Alice agreed with a brief nod. If she went home right now, her parents would have a cow. She looked horrible. The clothes she was wearing smelled like beer and cigarettes; not to mention she reeked of sex. They would know right away that Alice lied and went to that party with Robin.

A shameful wine escaped her lips as she flopped back onto the bed. "I was so embarrassed this morning. It was terrible. He didn't want me to leave, but I couldn't stand it; I was not myself."

"When I said for you to live a little, I did not mean for you to jump the bones of the first dingus to smile at you."

But he's a gorgeous dingus.

Alice suddenly frowned. "What if I never get the chance to have a relationship? One night stands may be all the time I can afford."

"Now who is the dingus?" Robin flopped down beside the dark haired teen. She slid her arm around her waist and hugged her side – Alice leaned against her. "Nothing is set into stone, so don't act like you're living on borrowed time."

But I am. I have chronic leukemia, and though the doctors have their eyes on me, I can't help but to feel the full weight of the situation at time. The symptoms might get worse, and I might die. No point in acting like it might not happen.

Robin was right. Alice had to live while she had the chance. Tomorrow never knows.