"Hurry up Serenity, we don't want to be late. I want to make it on time for once," Adrian said through a mouthful of Brownie that he had found in my stash, hidden in the back of the pantry.

"Give a girl a minute, won't you," I struggled to find a preference of shoes, yet rushed myself and grabbed the first red pair I saw for the sake of Adrian. 

I opened up my cupboard and pulled out the most ecstatic red dress off its hanger. 

"Alright, just give me 5 now," I said. 

I knew I was wasting time but I couldn't help admiring myself for a moment.

I never felt grateful for what I was left with, the skin never healed over naturally so the discoloration and indentations were hard to conceal, but I finally took a breathe and appreciated myself. 

Maybe I can still be the girl that stands out in a crowd. 

"Time to go, I'm not waiting any longer," Adrian said.

"I'm coming, just start the car," I began to dart left and right grabbing items that I thought I may need. 

While I rushed around, I couldn't help but think of Adrian, still waiting outside the door.

The girls always loved him because of his Ford Shelby Mustang. He was one of the lucky ones that had a rich father.

He had a better start to life then others, and the thought of being jealous made me scowl.

I had finally finished grabbing my things and decided that I would run to the door to save time.

I locked the door behind me and rushed to the car with my heels and bag in my hands.

Adrian paused and stared at my beaming red dress.

"Wow, you look.. amazing," it seemed like a romantic moment as Adrian commented on me, but then I remembered that we had been friends for years, and we had always spoken to me in that tone when I put on something tight or sexy.

"What, I don't any other time?" I asked. 

"You always look amazing Serenity, you should never doubt yourself," he spoke with such kindness.

Suddenly, i felt a flush come over me.

I felt swooned by him yet felt a barrier between all these different emotions.

"He smiled his cocky smile and started the car.

"Oh god, what are you wearing?" I questioned Adrian about his purple button up shirt.

"It's my lucky shirt! I don't care if you judge me, you know that you always have something to say too and I've gotten used to it," we faintly giggled to ourselves before Adrian started the car and drove off.

We began to sit in silence, almost as if we wanted a breath of fresh air and some peace and quiet before the storm.

I found nothing to do but stare out the window of the car. 

When I have nothing to distract myself, all the images start to replay in my head.

Every single detail has been drilled into my brain and I know I'll never lose that dreadful feeling I get when I remember him.

Lately it's been the only thing on my mind.

I won't let it ruin the night for me, I'm sure there will be many things to distract me.

"Holy shit, is that it? I guess the word spread about the free booze," Adrian said as his mouth and eyes became distorted to show a face of disgust.

He pulled the car to the side of the road to get a closer look.

"She bought it with her daddy's credit card. I don't feel so special taking from her father when he probably doesn't even know what's happening here tonight," I said with a smirk on my face. 

"It's funny that no one genuinely likes her, but this seems to be enough for her and I'm not here to judge," Adrian began to show a grin spreading wildly across his face.

"Find a parking space already, we look creepy just sitting here staring at the house," i looked over at all the people and hoped I wouldn't recognise too many.

Adrian pulled into the closest parking spot further up the street before turning the car off and slumping into his seat.

"You don't look so excited for someone who wanted to come here. Come on, let's get out of the car," as I spoke I began grabbing Adrian by the arm, almost as if to shake him until his posture changed.

Suddenly, I realised he was gawking at the lower range of my porcelain frame, before looking back up at me.

I began to stare back with an alluring look upon my face.

"We don't want to miss out on all the beer," i said.

I began to jump out of the car and close the door behind me.

Deep down we both knew it was to break the sexual tension that was still questionable for both of us.

I guess it had always been lingering, but we were too witless to be aware.

Somehow over the years it had escaped our notice, but I knew we couldn't deny it forever.

Adrian got out of the car after me and scampered to my side, to then extend his arm so he could lock his with mine.

I secured myself on his arm as we sauntered over to the kernel of the party.

"Adrian, you made it! It's good to see you," Cecelia's high pitched, repetitive voice broke the silence between Adrian and I.

She had always asked everyone to call her cece, but I found the name too monotonous.

"Yeah, me and Serenity. Not just me you blind bitch," i could hear the anger almost leaking out of Adrian, I never really saw him react in this way.

He took my hand and dragged me over to the mini bar that was being run by one of Audrey's closest friends, we never seemed to find out her name.

"Where did that come from?" You never talk like that," I was confused, yet impressed at the same time.

It was almost like he was safeguarding me.

I could almost feel the endorphins setting off in my brain, yet everything still felt so unclear.

The fact that he listened when I told him about the months of intimidation received from Cecelia.

Maybe they used to be close, but now they just seem to push each other's buttons.

"Want a drink?" Adrian asked while already holding two whiskey shots.

"Why not, let's have a good night," I said in response.

"You better start lining them up, I'm not stopping at one I can tell you that now. Just carry me to the car once I'm blind drunk," I said it with a smile, even if I knew that getting drunk would be an attempt to wash out the shitty thoughts with alcohol poisoning.