Why did parties have to be so loud? And why did Dana have to drag you to a vortex party just to leave you for vip? You love her, really you do! She’s your best friend shockingly enough, two polar opposites. Night and day. Outgoing and shy. Which is why she knew good and well you’d be miserable here, and you were. Your head was pounding, you felt shaky, and you were a hundred percent certain that the punch you drank was spiked with something strong.

Carefully and slowly, you passed the pool. Water splashing your arm lightly from whoever was playing around. Surely that couldn’t be safe, you thought, drunk and stoned people in the deep water. Ignoring the dizziness the flashing lights gave you, you headed outside. The cold air feeling like sun on your skin after shutting yourself in your dorm for days. You wished you were doing that right now, actually.

Unfortunately, you were instead about to fall on your ass. You slid yourself down the brick wall, settling on the concrete with your knees up. Whatever was in that bowl wasn’t good. You should’ve known better, of course it would’ve had alcohol in it. You were just glad you were alone now. No one to see you, talk to you. Or so you thought, until someone’s foot hit your leg. “Watch it, Freak.”

You didn’t look up, just moved your knees to your chest so they’d be out of the way. You didn’t wanna get into a fight, not that you’d have the voice to even argue. You never do. “..The fuck are you doing? Sitting there like a depressed creep.” That got you to look. Only cause you assumed whoever it was would leave. Yet he didn’t.

Nathan Prescott. Seriously? You knew you had shit luck but to have a run in with him on the one night you’re drunk is awful. “Sorry…i just couldn’t keep walking.” You whispered, it was meant to be louder. But you couldn’t force your voice loud enough.

“Really?” He asked. A tone in his voice you couldn’t quite capture. “You fucked up?”

“…No.” You lied, shifting your feet. Your shoes were killing you, you shouldn’t have worn them. But Dana convinced you, besides, you thought you looked pretty in them.

“Yeah, okay, Liar.” He scoffed, and shockingly, slid down the wall next to you. That’s when you noticed the cup in his hand, probably just as drunk as you.

“Are you drunk?”

Nathan rolled his eyes, the cup sitting between the two of you as he dug in his pocket. “No, it’s my first cup. And unlike you, i can hold my liquor.” He pulled out a lighter, and then a box of cigarettes. “..Want one?”

“Another drink..? No?” You spoke, grimacing.

“A cigarette, dumbass.”

You blinked a few times, trying to think clearly. You probably should’ve guessed that’s what he meant. “Oh. uh..also no. I don’t smoke.”

“Oh yeah? Like how you don’t drink?” He raised a brow, slipping two from the container and shutting it. “Don’t be a priss.”

He definitely got you there. You stared at your finger nails, picking at the skin around them. “I don’t know..it’s just not healthy..” You mumbled.

“It’s not gonna kill you. Just open your damn mouth, It won’t hurt.” He reassured you. You shouldn’t be trusting him, or doing this, but for some reason he sounded so sweet. So you did it, your mouth falling open. “Jesus, not that much.” He huffed, grabbing your jaw and moving it up before slotting a cigarette between your lips. Taking the lighter and steadily lighting the tip and then his own.

It smelt awful, tasted even worse. But you breathed in anyways, taking it between your fingers the second you started coughing. The smoke coming out in a few clouds. “Oh my god —“ You hacked.

Nathan chuckled. It wasn’t loud, or even that happy. Just a quiet, short sound. “Burns?”

“Um..yeah.” You grumbled. “I shouldn’t be doing this..”

“Too bad.” Nathan started. “You’re doing it anyways…just..breathe it in slower, dumb bitch.”

You took his rudely said advice, letting the coughing fit die down before inhaling slower this time. It still tasted like crap but you didn’t nearly puke this time. “Thanks..I..I guess.”

“Uh-huh.”

“….um..so why are you being nice to me?” You questioned. You never saw him nice to anyone outside of his own friend group. It’s not like he had a reason to be mean, you two had never spoke before this moment. But you didn’t expect him to be nice. Or what you were wasted enough to see as nice.

“Just bored. Party’s fucking lame..” He admitted, his stretched out leg moving back and forth.

“It’s your party though.” You reminded him, the cigarette resting in its place between your middle and pointer finger.

“Just cause my fucking name’s branded on the damn club doesn’t mean it’s my party.” Nathan hissed, flicking ash onto the sidewalk. “I have better shit to do.”

“Like what? Photography?”

“Excuse you?” He seemed to get defensive at that. Almost afraid. His body tensing just enough for you to notice. Did you say something wrong? Did you mix up which class he was in with someone else?

You quickly backtracked, trying to save yourself from being yelled at. “I — just thought that was what you meant..you’re in Mr.Jeffersons class right?” You asked awkwardly, face feeling warm from the sudden embarrassment of having upset him. “Isn’t that photography?”

“..oh. Yeah, it is.” He relaxed, bringing the cigarette up to his mouth. “And yeah, that’s what i meant.”

You nodded, hand mimicking his. “What uh..what kinda photos do you take?” You didn’t know much about the subject of photography, but you appreciated looking at the art.

“Why do you care?” He mumbled.

“Cause i like photography.” You admitted. “Not that im a photographer, ‘m not. I prefer paint, but still it’s similar.”

He went silent for a second. You could see his mind thinking, and then seemingly making its decision. One you couldn’t make out. “Huh…you really’d like to see my photos?”

“I would, yeah.” You smiled, stomach turning a little as his fingers wrapped around your wrist, other hand taking the cigarette from yours and putting it out on the ground.

“…How about i take you to my dorm?” He suggested. Rising to his feet and pulling you up with him. You wobbled, being steadied by his hand. The grip on your arm tight, too tight. You didn’t care though. He felt safe and you couldn’t stop yourself from agreeing to his next suggestion as you followed him. “You could even model for me.”

“Really? I’ve never done that before..”