Stolen Thoughts- 1 A/N: Hey... new story! So excited to write this, hope you guys found it interesting from the description! Well, here it is! Stolen Thoughts. Pic of Lena on the side, played by Emily Rudd! Chapter One Lena's POV "What am I going to do?" Megan screeches my my ear. "Calm down! Gosh, it's like a damn explosion in my ear from all your yelling!" I say irritably. Megan grins, her blonde, curly hair bouncing up and down on her shoulders with each stride she takes. She continues, ignoring my energy dampening mood. "I know, but anyway, Mr. Ives expects me to come up with something good, something that will really help with the town, and my idea is due tomorrow!" Megan says, a whine creeping into her high pitched voice. "Okay, so I'm not seeing the problem here." I say slowly and deliberately, not intending to provoke her. I know she's not a rabid animal, but one can never assume with being wrong. I'm not taking chances. Luck has seemed to be on the opposing side lately. Megan frowns, her pleading face gone. "I don't have any ideas!" She screams. I roll my eyes. Here ya go, the drama queen. I think for a second. "Megan, calm down!" I plead with her. "Anyways, today's the last week of school; why would you have homework at this time?" I ask her. "Because! Mr. Ives said he wanted everyone to work on the summer charity project that I give them. He said it was to help clean up the town and help nature." Megan complains. "Now give me an idea!" She shrieks again. "Well, why don't you have the grade go and volunteer at the dog shelter every Saturday?" I ask. "We could make some groups, and have one group go on one saturday, and another the next." I suggest. "Lena, that's not going to work-" Megan starts, but stops, her eyes lighting up. "Actually, I think that you, Lena Adler, are a genius!" She squeals. "You know, at first, I was like this isn't going to work because who's going to volunteer at a dog shelter on Saturday of all days, but then I thought, we could just make it half their grade!" Megan says. I stifle a laugh. "You know you can't make someone do something by blackmailing them." I say. Megan pouts. "I'm not," she protests. I raise an eyebrow and she widens her honey gold eyes that everyone falls in love with so quickly. "You're threatening half their grade. What do you call that?" I ask. Megan furrowed her brows. "School." She says. I sigh and look down at my feet. "Megan, you know I love you and all that, but you're blackmailing the whole grade including us if we don't go." I say. Megan pouts and lets out a whine. "Ugh, then how am I going to get the school to come?" She asks. I shrug, "Your dad's a really successful business man and now you're rich, like, George Clooney rich. What do you think you should do?" "I don't know!" Megan says. "Just tell me!" I hope you've figured out that Megan's not the sharpest crayon in the box. "You give them food in between breaks. You buy some food, or make some if you can. Everyone loves a good barbeque or some fried chicken, why don't you host a grill while they work? We can feed the dogs some of the scraps." I say, nodding slowly. Finally, Megan's face lights up with understanding and she hugs me, squeezing the air out of me. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She cries. She waves at me, muttering a quick "bye" and takes off outside. I wonder why she was so nice to me then, and the remember that she's kisses up to me when she wants something. I seriously don't know why I let her run over me. ***************************************************************************************************************** Megan's POV I ponder whether this'll work or not, but shake myself slowly. My confidence returns in a flood; I'm smart, I'm beautiful, and I'm successful. I have no reason to be upset. Suddenly, Lena pulls up in her new car she got two months ago for her sixteenth birthday, and I climb in. She studies me closely, frowning when her gaze lands on my chest and legs. She frowns like always, but doesn't dare ask me about them. I had chosen a red satin halter top, a black and red plaid skirt, black fishnet tights, and simple red pumps. My hair was down in long blonde curls, and twisted into a small half pony. "Lena, I'm sixteen. Don't mother me since you're five months older than me." I scold her. "I didn't say anything." Lena says defensively. "Yeah, but you were thinking it." I say. "Sorry." She apologizes. "It's usually an outfit a lite warmer. What changed?" "Me. You know what they say, a change is good for everyone. Anyway, it's spring now. I though an update from the cold as shit winter would be good." I smile weakly. Lena's eyes sweep over me one more time in a scrutinizing once over, before settling comfortably on the road. Her wiry black hair fell in jagged jet black waves down her back, ending at the ombre tips. I'd convinced her to dye the tips of her hair an ombre color, knowing it would look bad, but I didn't want her to look better than me! In all truth, she looked wiry and dirty, but I sure as hell wouldn't say that to her face. She was kind of chubby, but I guess that was fine. I had been the one feeding her the fatty yogurt, telling her that it was fat and sugar free. I really didn't want her to be skinnier than me either. It was sunny and warm out, and Lena's pale skin stuck out like a beacon, especially since it contrasted with her bright, lightening blue eyes. She's decided to bum it with the skinny jeans, sneakers, and gap sweatshirt I had bought her. When she didn't put it on I had pretended I was hurt. I mean, I buy all of the clothes for her and she doesn't wear them. That's a serious ego drainer. I tear my eyes away as the car speeds away, and wait. When we finally get to school, I'm bombarded with hello's and try my best to answer everyone. Lena hides behind me and everyone ignores her. We exchange goodbye's and I head quickly to my next class without Lena. I'm in Chemistry, and she's in Honors English. I wait for everyone to come in before going up to the teacher's desk. "Hey, um, I have my charity idea." I said to Mr. Ives in a low voice. I planned on telling him that it was Lena's idea, but he interrupted me. "Hello students, Megan has something to tell you all." He says, and I stare nervously at the floor. I straigten up and raise my chin defiantly. "Um, hi." I start, mentally banging myself on the head. Idiot, my mind whispers. Screw you, I shoot back. "Um, I have an idea for charity. I was thinking that we could split into pre- made groups and have a group go volunteer at a defferent chairty each week." I say. "How does this work?" Earl asks after raising his hand. Of course he would ask questions since he's the nerdiest kid ever. "Um, well, there would be three groups; one for each class. Each main group would split into five branches. Branch 1 in Group 1, Branch 2 in Group 1, Branch 3 in Group 1, Branch 4 in Group 1, and Branch 5 in Group1. Branch 1 in Group 1 would volunteer at the Dog Center this Saturday, Branch 2 in Group 1 would make military packages this Saturday, Branch 3 in Group 1 would volunteer at the recycling company this Saturday, and so on. When the next weeks comes round, all of the groups would switch. Group 2 would be volunteering at the Dog Center that Saturay, Group 3 would be making military packages that Saturday, and Group 4 would be volunteering at the recycling company that Saturday." I explain. In the corner of my eye, I spot Neil leaning forward. My heart flutteres when I notice the most popular boy's sudden interest in this project. I hurriedly continue. "There'll be a barbeque at each center for the first Saturday, and some fried chicken on the second Saturday if that interests any of you." I say. A few whoops and hollers echo through out the room. Neil raises his hand and I point a tan shaky finger his direction. "Who came up with this idea? Did you? I think they're a genius." Neil says. "I'm in." He said. I smile ecstaticly. If he joins, everyone would. I smile and he repeats himself again. "Did you come up with this idea?" Neil persists. I hesistate. I love all this attention, and Lena was gracious. She'd forgive me, I decide. Anyway, if she didn't I would find another girl to take her place. I couldn't come up with ideas on my own. "Yes," I say. At the end of the school day I stare incredulously at my supposed best friend as all of the students file neatly out of the school doors and am met by guilty eyes. The empty hallway seems to stretch into a never ending hallway of betrayal, and something inside of me snaps. "You did what?" I ask- no, growl at Megan. "Lena, I'm sorry! It's just that, you know, Neil wanted to join, and then I said it was my idea in the spur of the moment, and I knew everyone would join if he did, and if he found out that I liedthenhewouldn'twanttojoinandthennoonewouldwanttojoinand-" Megan's words became more and more jumbled, and her voice became incredibly high pitched. "Megan, just stop." I say. "I can't handle this." I start walking away, but Megan follows me. She grabs my wrist and I yank it away from her. Megan turns red and stomps after me. "Lena, wait up!" Megan yells when I walk away. I stop and wait for her to catch up. When she reaches me, I turn around. "What?" I ask. "You can't seriously be mad at me!" Megan says condescendingly. I narrow my eyes at her. "I can't be mad at you? I seriously can't be mad at you Megan? I have every right to be mad at you! I gave you an idea, you said that you would tell the class that it was my idea; you lied to me, and then you took my idea just to get Neil Portman's attention! What kind of idiot do you take me to be?" I ask her. Megan gasps indignantly. "I did it for my assignment! Did you really want me- your best friend- to be in detention until summer? I thought friends were supposed to help friends." Megan spits at me. I shake my head. "Don't turn the damn spotlight toward me, this is about you. My friend," The word tastes bitter on my tongue, "took credit for my work. I don't call that helping! Yes, friends are supposed to help each other out, and that's what I did!" I say. "Exactly, so that's why you should be fine with this! You gave me help! If you were willing enough to do that knowing that it would count towards my credit, then you should be fine with this!" Megan huffs and crosses her arms. I let out a shaky laugh. "Oh my gosh. You can't even admit that you did something wrong! Fine. I'll give you today to tell Mr. Ives or anyone in this grade that this was my idea. If you don't, then I will, and you'll be in one shitload of trouble." I say. Megan sputters and her face turns red again. "Like anyone would believe you! You're a mere nobody in this community. I actually mean something to this world." Megan sneers at me. Her words are bucket of cold water being splashed on my face. I stand still, stunned by the brutality of her words. Tears from in my eyes, and Megan is red from the energy drainage. She turns around, just as stunned as I am that those words passed through her lips. She hunches over and walks away from me. A tear slips from my eyes and I walk the other way.

Broken- Chapter 7 A/N: Hey, sorry for the late update, had a massive writer's block! Fortunately, I'm back! Enjoy, pic of Lance Fire (Allie's dad) on the side, played by Michael Fassbender. Please VOTE, COMMENT, and FOLLOW! I'm also so so so sorry if this book is going by at a quick pace! Chapter Seven Allie's POV After Nicholas leaves me, I dial Olivia's number over and over again. I reach voice mail every single time. I decided to get on Flappy Bird, but right when I reach 10, one less than my highest record, my phone buzzes, and the screen flashed white with Olivia's name. Shit. Groaning inwardly at the awkward time , I pick it up and hold it against my ear. "Hello?" I ask tentatively, feigning annoyance. "What in hell's name made you to decide to try to call me-" she paused for a second and the phone crackles to #life again with her voice. "8 times in a row?" Olivia finishes. "You know, that's a sign that-" I cut Olivia off, no longer pretending to be annoyed. "I was ditched at the party, and I need a ride home." I explain, anger lacing my words. "So, the last thing I need is a bitchy girl on my trail." Nothing on the other line. Finally, Olivia's voice broke through the silence. "What happened?" She asks. "I had a big hoe down with the queen bitch Jenny." I say. "I don't want to talk about anything else. Nicholas was there and just left me, so now I'm alone on Curry Street at the infamous keg party." I finish. "Oh. I'll be right over Allie, sorry for Jenny and all that, though." Olivia apologizes profusely. She hangs up and I sigh. Staring at my reflection in the lake's calm, rolling waters, I gasp in surprise when Nicholas' figure appears in the lake's mirror. I turn around quickly. Nicholas stares coldly at me and I wonder where the kind Nicholas went. Nicholas frowns and studies me closely. "What are you doing here?" I ask. "I thought you weren't coming back." I say. Nicholoas looks shocked, but quickly recovers. "I had to find my phone. I thought I'd lost it. I told you I'd come back once I found it." Nicholas says smoothly, but I narrow my eyes. "Oh really? You were talking on it when you left," I lie, testing him. Nicholas looks like a deer caught in the headlights. "Oh," he laughs nervously. "Did I say I lost my phone? I meant to say... I lost... I lost my..." Nicholas thinks for a moment, stumbling to find something to cover up his slip up. "I lost my, um, son!" Nicholas grins triumphantly as if he won the lottery. "You're lying." I accuse him. All of a sudden, Nicholas' nervousness faded and he becomes menacing. "Look," He snarls, "I don't know how you usually are, but you're really getting on my nerves. So I suggest that you don't ask any more questions, name any more accusations, and you'll be fine." Nicholas says. I cower on the bench, and wait desperately for Olivia. A/N: So sorry that I had to make this so short! I'm really having a major writers block specifically for this book, and I think I'm going to take a break for a little while and focus on my other book called Stolen Thoughts. Please download it or at least give it a chance; it's really good and I try my hardest on these book. Thanks for your support, and love ya'lls!

Broken- Chapter 6 A/N: Hey, pic of Miles on the side, played by Brian Balzerini. Don't forget to VOTE and COMMENT! Chapter Five Through my tears, I managed to grab my phone and call Olivis without granting it the favor of water damage. Immediately, her perky voice picked up. "Hello?" She asks. "Hi, um, something-" I start, but am quickly cut off by a long beep. Damn it! She made her voicemail messgae sound like she was really answering. I groan and throw my phone on the ground in anger, seething at Jenny. I had really thought that we were goingto be friends when I moved here. "Having some trouble?" Someone approaches me. Without looking up, I respond, "Yeah, something like that." I grab my phone off of the ground, and start to shove it harshly into my purse. "I know what it feels like," the voice says quietly. It's then when I see the guy. Tear brimming, I look up and see, amazingly, Nicholas standing there. I stop, my hand quivering with my phone. I let my breath out and sit back down. "Yeah, 'cause I can see you look really damaged." I say. He shrugs. "I know right?" He shoots me a crooked smile. "I try to cover it up, but, you know, stuff isn't what it seems like. What's your name?" Nicholas asks me. Figuring that he was being sarcastic, I decide to go along with it. "Allie Thompson." I say. Nicholas looks hurt, but he looks away. I sigh. "Anyway, I kind of figured it out from the jerk Jake. I know we weren't dating; we barely even knew each other, but I felt loved for once in my #life, you know? It feels nice, but then that love is crushed when he appears with another girl in his arm and I realize at that very moment, love isn't just given, it has to be earned." I say, letting out a nervous laugh. "God, you obviously seem to not want to be around me, and here I am blabbing about my whole #life." I say. Nicholas furrows his eyebrows. "You said that you finally felt loved. Haven't you been loved before?" Nicholas asks. I freeze and hold my breath, realizing my slip up. Shit. I look away, injured. I thought I finally had someone to confide in, but I guess I thought wrong. Nicholas' eyes widen and he stammer to try and cover it up. "Allie, I didn't mean it that way," Nicholas says. I look up at hm, my eyes wide. "You saw what goes on between my family and me, and you have the damn nerve to ask if I've been loved before? Well, here's the answer, no. I haven't been loved and I don't know what it truly feels like." I say, standng up abruptly. The images appear again, and I remember the by bing blonde. For a second, I think that it might have been someone else, but the guy had the exact same features as Nicholas. He must've dyed his hair or something. "What?" Nicholas frowns. "I never saw anything!" He cries, but I hold up a dissmissive hand. "That's bullshit and you know it." I say. Nicholas suddenly blanches. "Kyle, shit." He mutters. I shake my head. "What? Can you explain what's happening here?" I ask. Nicholas spares me a scarce glance and then looks away. "I'm sorry, I've got to go." Nicholas says. And so I'm left, feeling broken again. .......................................................................................................................................................................... Nicholas' POV God, no, this can't be happening. I saw a girl crying and I had to go and help, only to get sucked into drama. The reality of what's happening finally sinks in, making me stagger forward as I run away from Allie. I remember Sara and my conversation as I found her after her walk with Max, our dog and she told me she ran into a girl. I run into our house, slamming the door loudly. I run into the kitchen, and find a note taped to the fridge, I run over, hoping it was from Sara. I had gone away for a couple of minutes to go to the bathroom, and came back to fins that she was missing. I had gone to the house thinking she'd gone home and found that my dad went grocery shopping for food, so he was out of the picture. I guess I was in this alone. I hear the door clicking and throw the living room door open. Sara stands there bewildered. "How did you get home so fast?" She asks me. "And why'd you run off after you met Allie?" Sara says. I frown. "What? Who's Allie?" I ask. Sara sighs. "Nick, cut it out and answer me." She says. "No, really, who's-" I stop, an idea dawning on me. "You don't think..." Sara narrows her eyes, coming to the same conclusion as me. "Kyle came?" Sara finished my sentence for me. When I was born, my mom had twins. I was born with Kyle. Four years later, Sara was born. When Kyle and I had both turned five, we started arguing and fighting, and mom and dad started blaming each other. They eventually divorced a month later, my mom moving, along with Kyle, leaving Sara, my dad and me behind. Kyle and I hadn't talked since; our relationship being so tense. "But why would he come now? You know we don't talk to each other." I say. "I don't know. And why would Kyle show up while you were in the bathroom and pretend to be you?" Sara asks. I sigh, raking a hand through my hair. "I don't know any more than you!" I shout at Sara. "Oh, and he showed up at the party too! He was acting like an ass to Allie, but that's beyond the point. He was still acting like you! And he dyed his hair back to brown, so he must've been planning ahead of time." Sara infers. "I know, but what could he be trying to do?" I sigh. Sara shrugs. "How would I know?" "Damn it, stop being such an annoying sister!" I say. Sara smiles sweetly. "I'm sorry for acting like I normally do," she says. I glare at her and she immediately sobers. "Wait, I texted you! Not Kyle, so how would he know to go to the party and act like he was trying to find me? The only one around was..." Sara trails off. "Allie?" I ask. Sara frowns. "How'd you know?" She asks. I wave it off. "Lucky guess. She's all you've been able to talk about lately.You and your obsession with dogs. I should've known that whoever knew anything about dogs would be obsessed over by you." I shake my head. Sara growls and I smirk. It fades as Kyle enters my mind again. "Anyway, that can't just be some wacky coincidence. It has to be connected. Maybe he was looking for her, but I don't know why. And my cell number must be connected to Kyle's for some reason. Mom and Dad must have done that." I scowl. Sara stifles a giggle and I ignore it. I remember that conversation and frown in confusion. For some reason, I had this strong urge to protect Allie from all of this, so I had to try and keep Kyle away from her as long as possible. I have to keep Allie safe; for all we know, he could be some phycotic killer on the loose. I knew I had to act like I was the one who met Allie on that slope to keep her from getting suspicious, rather than acting clueless and making Allie looks for answers. And there's that million dollar question again, why was Kyle back in town and how?

Broken- Chapter 5 A/N: OMG! FORTY READS? :O I know, some people have millions, but I'm lucky just to have one! You guys are awesome! Thanks so much, so keep reading and recommending this book, and don't forget to VOTE or COMMENT! Pic of Jake on the side, he's played by Alex Pettyfer! For an even quicker upload, can I get ten votes, and ten comments please? Chapter Five Ingrid suddenly bounds in, looking glum and defeated. Her red hair was disheveled and her hands were clenched into fists as she stomped towards Sara and me. I smirk at her. "I guess karma came back for you." A hysterical giggle escapes my mouth. "That's what happens when you ditch your best friend on her first time at a party." Ingrid glares at me. "I'll have you know that it wasn't me; he was just an asshole." Ingrid shoots at me. I nod. "K, sure." I say, roling my eyes. Ingrid whispers something in Sara's ear. She giggles and pulls her phone out. Ingrid just stalks away, a smug smile on her face. I frown. Sara dials a number and holds it up to her ear. I hear a panicked voice come from the other side of the line, but Sara wanders a couple feet away so I can't eavesdrop. She flips her phone off after a couple of minutes, "Hey, I got to go to the bathroom, I'll be right back." Sara says, but I detect a sign of laughter in her voice. Narrowing my eyes, I say okay, and stay rooted to my spot. I flipped through all of the possible scenarios that she could be plotting out in the 'bathroom' with Ingrid. A) Maybe she wants to ditch me inconspicuously She could be trying to set me up with some oaf C) That's all I got A scowl settles itself firmly into place and I sigh, checking my phone. A message appears on the screen, the name Jake flashing bright red. Missed call. I turn my phone off angrily. How could I have missed his call after only a literal ten minutes? I look up and spot Nicholas pushing his way through the crowd. He looks at me, panic in his eyes. "Where is she?" He asks hurriedly. "What? Sara? She just went to the bathroom." I say nonchalantly. Nicholas seethes in anger. "What the- she told me there was emergency! God, I just sprinted from the other side of the building thinking she was lying in a corner either dead or dying and her emergency is a fraud?" Nicholas runs a hand through his hair, and when he lifts his arm, his shirt comes up a bit revealing a glorious eight pack. My breath froze, and he casts me an irritated glance. "Seriously Thompson, I'm trying to find my sister and all you can do is check me out?" Hate fills Nicholas' eyes. I flinch at his cold demeanor, and straigten my spine. "I thought you were mad at her." I say. "Are you always this obnoxious?" Nicholas asks. I shrug. "Maybe. Why don't you move your lazy butt and actually find her rather than looking around? You should know better than anyone that you're not that tall." I tort. Nicholas turns red and stomps over to me. "Come again?" He asks, towering over me. My breath catches in my throat. "You heard me. Move." I muster up all of my courage. Nicholas huffs, refraining himself, and backs up. He shoots me one more hate filled glance and sprints away. I sigh. Why must I get all the assholes? Why not someone that actually cares? I walk stiffly away, tears pricking my eyes. I spot Jake leaning over the counter on his elbows and sigh in relief. I make my way towards him, but someone sits down next to him, flipping her blonde hair behind her, looking nothing less than a supermodel. Okay, so then I got myself another player. Wow, I think. My #life is just absolutely pathetic. As if sensing my presence, the supermodel turns around slowly, her perfect blue eyes coming up to meet mine, a challenge in the depths. Jenny sneers, and gets up. Jake turns around and follows Jenny's gaze. He seems surprised to see me still here. Even thought we didn't even like each other, it hurt and my chest felt like Jake had a hold on my heart and was slowly squeezing the breath out of me. Jenny smirks and links an arm through Jake's. We used to be best friends until she started hanging with the supreme bitch Dana. Then, Dana moved, and being in the next line of royalty, Jenny took her place and started bullying me. Jenny walks up to me, twitching her butt the whole way. "Oh my gosh Allie, you need to get a new butt job, yours seems to have shrunk." Jenny says. I glare at her. "Having a smaller one is better because if you have a huge one that can't seem to defy gravity, when you twitch like that, you're going to need I have the local ambulance on speed dial for when you break a hip." I spit at Jenny. She screw up her face and blinks. "You little bitch!" Jenny stalks towards me and leans forward so that her nose is almost touching mine. "At least I have someone who actually loves me. Your father always liked your sister more than you because you were a mistake. You were never meant to be born! "And you wonder why you went through all those years of torture? It's because your father was trying to fix that mistake! "So. I'll say this once, you're not loved, and the world would be better without you in it, so stay away from me." Jenny threatens, her face red when she finishes. Tears stream down my face, and I muster up all of my will not to break Jenny's face. "Why did you sink this low? Why did you choose to do this?" I ask. Jenny scowls. "Because I realized you needed to be eliminated, and since you have everyone else fooled, it's my job to eliminate you." Jenny explains. "Okay, but answer this. What did I ever do to you? Why did you think I needed to be eliminated? Think about it." I say slowly and deliberately. I walk briskly away, and Jenny's face keeps appearing in my head. With tears blurring my vision, I manage to stumble outside and they flow freely. I wipe frantically at my face, and run to the garden. The lake reflects my image, distorting the peaceful scene. I collapse on the bench and hold my head in my hands.

Broken- Chapter 4 A/N: Please VOTE, COMMENT, and READ this book! I try my hardest and hope to reward all of you with a great book. By the way, Allie and Olivia are both nineteen, Miles and Ingrid are twenty one, Sara is seventeen, and Nicholas is also twenty one. Oh and, Miles and Ingrid are twins! Love ya's, pic of Sara on the side, played by Laura Marano! I'm trying to show a pic of all the main characters, so I'm pretty sure that this is the last one other than Miles and a guy you'll soon meet! -Ally7457 Chapter Four I enter the lights and screaming of the club. I instantly turn on Ingrid. "You never told me this was a keg party!" I screech. She smiles deviously at me. "Well, you heard the rumors. Redheads are always the most wild ones!" Ingrid takes off after a cute guy and I sigh, raking a hand through my hair. I quickly turn around, but run into a firm chest. I look up and Nicholas is looking down at me. I look down again, and Nicholas is frozen, his eyes wide. I let out a small snort at NIhcolas' deer in headlights recreation. His eyes suddenly harden and he pushes past me. I wander off and sit down at the bar. The bartendar casually slides to my area and I get a red cup. Suddenly, a guy about twenty or so takes the seat next to me. He has short blonde hair, and striking green eyes. It feels like I'm swimming in a pool of emeralds. I rack my brain for one of those pick up lines Ingrid and Olivia taught me to use during one of their hundred flirting lessons, but the god beat me to it. "Hey, I'm Jake." He sticks his hand out. I smile and take it dreamily. I contemplate what to say, but he beats me to it again. "Do you believe in love at first sight?" Jake asks me. I smile shyly. "Maybe," I reply. I give mself a mental high five at my response. "Oh, should I walk by again?" Jake jokes. I laugh. "No, I might just believe in it now," I laugh. The bartender comes back and shoots an irritated glance at Jake. Without even looking, Jake reaches into his pocket and waves some money in front of the guy's face between his middle and ring finger, and managing to look cool. "So, what's a prettty girl like you wandering around alone?" Jake asks me. I shrug. "My friend ditched me," I explain. Jake nods empathetically. "Ah, I get you. Yeah, my friend did that to me too. I just needed a drink." Jake says. I agree. The bartender finally comes back with drinks and I quickly grab my cup. I down it in two gulps. Jake looks impressed, sipping at his cup strategically. "Wow," He says. "I've never seen a girl do that before." I wink at him. "I'm not your average girl," I point out. "I see that now," Jake scoots closer, placing his hand on my leg. I look into his eyes, and smile. Thoughts race through my head, warning me that something was off, that we were going too fast. I closed my eyes against the oncoming rush of dizziness that overwhelmed me. I was certain that no one put drugs in my drink; Jake hadn't even gotten my drink. I guess I was so tiny that it didn't take much. Suddenly, I sneeze. I hurry to cover up my mouth , and make it there just in time before I sneezed snot all over Jake. He smiles, looking like he didn't care one bit. "Bless you," He says. "Thanks," I reply. "Yeah, my folks would be freaking right now if I did that." I say, slapping a mental hand over my mouth. I stopped myself from blabbing any more of my personal #life to Jake. The guy comes back with another round, and I drink it slower, finding that it helped. I get up and shook Jake's hand. He took it and surprised me by planting a small kiss on the back of my hand. We exchanged numbers, and I surprised myself by finding Jake and my meeting so cliche, but so perfect. I just wondered why it happened to me. Usually I'm a magnet for trouble. I wander around some more and come across Sara. "Hey, what are you doing here?" I greeted her. Sara tucked her hair behind her ear. "Nick's here, so of course, he takes me with him." She explains. I smile. "Yeah, I saw him, but he didn't really seem to notice me," I lie. Sara smiles. "Yeah, he can act pretty stiff sometimes," She says. "Wait, how'd you know-" I start but Sara cuts me off. "I could tell you were lying. No offense, but you need to work on lying some more. And Nick's my brother, I know he can seem distant at first, but really, he's not that bad of a guy." Sara sticks up for her brother. I nod, unbelievingly. "Sure," I agree, trying my best to convince her, but failing miserably.