The last four years have flown by and the band has been practicing so much. We even recorded a demo album and it contains fourteen of our original tracks. Dad is so proud of us all and therefore he’s in talks with Rob Luxley, his agent, to see if we can start performing at live shows. We haven’t done any as of yet, but there is a fair amount of hype surrounding Staked. The public know that there is a band and that we’re all kids of the infamous Slayed band members. So the bar is set pretty high and I’m just hoping we live up to everyone’s expectations.

Dad’s so excited about it that he wants to treat us all to a giant party and seeing as it is my seventeenth birthday he thought, why not have a massive event and invite the whole country. Well, at least, that’s what it feels like. I’m at some swanky hotel and there're hundreds of people here, all supposedly for my birthday. But the funny thing is the only people I know are my family and the band. Everyone else I know, but only from television or from hearing their songs on the radio. And even though it’s my party and they’ve all brought presents for me, none of them are actually coming up to me and saying Happy Birthday. In fact, no one is saying anything to me.

I don’t mind being the centre of attention, that’s fine by me, but when you’re supposed to be the centre of attention and no one is paying attention to you, well that sucks! I really would’ve rather spent the night at our house with my family and Aston – that’s it. Watch some movies, play some guitar and eat really bad junk food. But instead I’m here eating food so small you can hardly taste it, and when you can taste it, it’s really bloody terrible!

Stuff the fancy shit, I might ring up and get some pizza delivered!

I laugh at my thought and look back out at the party which is now in full swing around me as I sit in a corner and hide away from everyone. Ella is mingling and talking to some pop starlet, Mum and Dad are talking to a famous celebrity movie star couple while their kids run amok, all six of them. I notice Caleb chatting up some heiress who got famous for producing a makeup line that ended up going bankrupt because they were doing animal testing, and she’s supposedly and animal activist – yeah, right!

Well, this apparently doesn’t bother Caleb because he has his eyes on her. He’s such a sleaze when it comes to women. He’s twenty-three now and thinks he’s God’s gift. I just laugh at him.

Chad and his dad Dingo are playing the drums on guitar hero on the big screen television so everyone can see how good they are. Bless them! They’re both as ditsy as hell, but they can both play the drums astonishingly well. Chad is just like his dad, doing all the hand tricks with the sticks and everything. I’m so glad Chad is in my band.

I feel the customary tingle run up my spine, and the hairs on my arms stand to attention. There’s a tap on my shoulder and I smile and turn around and Aston ducks out the way making me look over my other shoulder. He laughs at his own stupidity and jumps over the small red leather seat and plonks himself down next to me.

“Having fun, Lennox?” he asks with a smile that lights up the entire room.

“Not really,” I reply honestly and he frowns.

“What? Why the hell not? This party is awesome and look at all the people and celebs that came here just for you,” he says and I can’t hold back my scoff. “What?” he asks.

“These people are not here for me, they’ve never even met me. They’re here for appearances and because the rock legend Colter Slade invited them. I bet half of them don’t even know my name and are just here for the photo ops and the free booze,” I say what I’m honestly thinking.

“Well, I can’t argue with that. I only know them from what I read about them too, but they’re nice people, Annie. You should go mingle.”

“Nah, not my thing. I’d rather be at home with you and the family watching re-runs of School of Rock.”

“You have a weird fascination with that movie,” he laughs as he takes my hand in his and then brings it to his mouth and kisses the back of my hand tenderly.

I open my eyes wide at his gesture and the shock from the sensation shooting down my hand and along my arm. It’s like the tingle I feel when he’s around only tenfold, maybe even more than that. It’s like an electric surge that jolts through me at two hundred volts and the surge continues down my arm and into my chest making my heart race a million miles an hour.

What the fuck?

I quickly pull my hand away from Aston not knowing what the hell that was. All I know is it felt good, but I shouldn’t be feeling anything like that. It’s not normal. I’m such a freak! I cross my arms over my chest, folding my hands under my armpits so he can’t touch me again.

“What’s wrong? You okay?” Aston asks raising an eyebrow.

I swallow the giant lump in my throat and exhale loudly letting all my frustrations out. “I don’t want to be here with a million people. I don’t know who they are and they are only here trying to outdo each other,” I say. What I secretly want is for him to touch me again, but then my head spins because I don’t see Aston that way. I mean I’m seventeen, boys are not on my ‘to do’ list. Music is the only thing I care about. It’s my priority and my passion, now and always. Plus, Aston is my best friend and that’s probably all this is, just our friendship enhancing. We’ve known each other for seventeen years, that’s a long time to know someone and especially when you’re as close as we are, you’re bound to feel things with that person you don’t with others… right?

“Okay, c’mon. Let’s go outside and get some fresh air,” Aston says and takes my hand pulling me up from the leather seat and starting to drag me outside.

I follow trying to keep my steps at the same pace as his, but he’s tall and quite stocky now that he’s grown up a bit more. He’s filled out and his muscles now have muscles. I know him and his Dad have gym sessions together every day, something to do with male bonding or some crap.

We arrive at the large open doorway and the breeze hits me and it’s like a cool wave of air rushing across my hot skin. I am so grateful for it. It was stuffy and hot inside, but now that I’m heading outside into the open and the fresh air, I am so much happier. And to make things better there’s only a couple of people out here. Aston and I can now talk properly without being overwhelmed by the music playing loudly inside. He slows his walking pace down and we sit on an old wooden bench right at the corner of the beer garden. It’s away from everyone and I feel more relaxed out here. Inside is crazy mad and egos are trying to outdo each other and that just shits me off.

“So Lennox, what’s your birthday wish?” he asks as we get comfortable next to each other on the bench. His leg grazes mine and that familiar spark shoots through my legs and straight up in between them.

What the holy hell was that?

I clench my thighs tighter to stop the feeling between my legs. I have absolutely no idea what’s happening right now and all I can do is try to control my breathing as it seems to have hitched up a notch. This intense feeling with Aston has steadily grown over the last four years and right now it’s starting to do my head in. I hate feeling like this. He’s my best friend and I have no idea why my body reacts like it does to him. It makes no sense to me… at all!

“Annie?” he asks breaking me from my trance.

I look at him and his blue eyes sparkle in the dim shades of the moonlight as the silver moonbeams gently caress his face in such a way that I want to caress his face too.

“Sorry, what?” I ask shaking my head slightly trying to rid myself of these weird thoughts.

“What did you wish for, for your birthday?” he asks and I chuckle.

“A car… mmm, fat lot of good that wish got me,” I chuckle as he lets out a small laugh and then frowns slightly.

“What’s wrong?” I ask and he looks back up at me and smiles wide.

“Oh nothing, just thinking about something that’s been on my mind for a long… long time,” he says and I furrow my brows and purse my lips at his cryptic talk.

“Want to share?” I ask and he looks at me and I swear something passes between us. His eyes catch mine and for the first time I see beauty in his blue eyes. They sparkle while he smiles at me and I’m suddenly captivated by his gaze. I can’t seem to look away. I’m distracted by his hand coming up and tucking some of my loose hair behind my ear. His hand lingers longer than normal and his thumb gently caresses my cheek.

I swallow hard and instantly I’m crashing back to reality. Aston is touching my face in a way best friends don’t do. I flinch back and stare at him with my eyes wide.

“Sorry, too much?” he asks and I furrow my brows.

“Why did you do that?” I ask and he frowns.

“I just have wanted to for a really long time—”

“What? Why?” I ask sliding along the bench away breaking all contact with him.

He exhales and rubs the back of his neck. “Sorry, I must have read it wrong,” he says and I stand up abruptly wrapping my arms around myself because I feel like I’m about to burst wide open. My heart is racing and I’m tingling so much I feel cold.

“Damn right, you read it wrong. We’re best friends, Aston, doesn’t that mean something to you?” I ask and he stands up stepping toward me and I take a step back.

He exhales and puts his hands up in surrender. “Okay, I’m sorry it won’t happen again,” he says and I feel relief, but grief at the same time. And that confuses the hell out of me.

“Damn right it won’t,” I say and then turn to walk away.

He reaches out and grabs my elbow turning me back around. I stumble and he reaches out grabbing me and wrapping me tightly in his arms. I freeze for the briefest of moments and then I pull back.

“Aston don’t.” I can see in his eyes and the way he’s staring at my lips that he’s in his own world right now. He leans forward and my breath hitches as his lips nearly meet mine. My breath stutters and I quickly pull back from him pulling my hands free and slap him hard across his face. His hand shoots up to his cheek as tears fill my eyes.

What the hell is he doing?

“Jesus Lennox,” he says and the tears fall down my face. I turn away from him and run inside. When I get to the door, I turn back to see if he’s following and he’s leaning his forehead against the wall and shaking his head. He’s definitely not following, much to my relief.

What the hell was that? Why on earth did he lean in so close to me?

That’s not what our friendship is and hopefully now he knows that. I mean for crying out loud we’re in the same band together. There’s no way anything can happen. That’s what makes bands fall apart and Staked is too important to me.

I walk back over to my corner and sit down on the red leather seat and wipe my cheeks with the long sleeve of my black lacey dress. No one even notices that I’m upset and they’re all supposed to be here for me! What a crock of shit. This is the worst birthday… ever.

The celebrity couple in front of the table beside me are having a great time. They seem to be quite drunk, but they just ordered some more drinks from the bar and the waiter is bringing them over. I wish my dad would let me drink. I’m old enough. I’m responsible. It’s my party, so I don’t understand why he won’t let me have at least one glass of champagne. I’ve never had alcohol before. Dad’s so over protective when it comes to drugs and alcohol. He still drinks, but not a lot. He told me and Ella all about his addiction and how it took two times in rehab and an overdose to stop using. He says he hasn’t used any drugs since, but who knows what he does on the road. But the way he is so adamant about them makes me think that he’s telling the truth.

My whole body feels heavy and I really just want to get out of here and go home and wallow in bed. This night is shit, and no one cares about my feelings right now… especially Aston. Stupid dick! I don’t know what got into him, but I do know I don’t want it to happen again.

My body tenses and I feel like I want to cry all over again when the female of the couple in front of me places her freshly ordered drink on the table in front of me. I look up at her and she has her back turned toward me, so she can’t see me at all. I look down at the short glass half-full of amber liquid and an idea comes to mind. I’ve heard alcohol can take the edge off emotions, so I wonder what would happen if I drank that?

I look back to the people in front of me and no one even knows I’m here. I casually glance around so I don’t look suspicious and when I see no one is looking, I make the quickest decision I ever have. I pick up her glass and bring it to my lips. I can smell the pungent aroma and I hesitate and glance around the room looking for Dad. He’s chatting to Johnny and can’t see me, so I hold my nose and drink back the contents of the small glass in its entirety. At first it feels cold and the taste is God awful. I poke my tongue out and gag on the sour tasting liquid and then it hits. The burn. I open my eyes wide as I place the glass back on the table and fan my mouth trying to get it to cool down, but nothing is helping. I need water! And fast. I stand up and then stumble on the spot, as my head feels a little fuzzy. But I like it. I walk over to the bar and order water and drink the entire glass in quick succession.

My mouth feels better with the water, but it’s still tingling and even though it tasted terrible, I kinda want more. So I turn and look around the room. Tall tables with drinks sitting on them and the owners not even looking at them, seem to be everywhere. I casually walk up behind the new movie franchise heart-throb, that I honestly can’t see what the appeal is, and stand behind him. When he laughs at something someone says, I quickly take his short glass that looks like lemonade, but with a piece of lime in it and walk off inconspicuously.

I take a sip this time, rather than drinking the whole lot down at once. This one actually tastes okay, still really strong but quite nice. I take larger mouthfuls to try and drink it quickly, just in case I’m found out. I’m starting to feel a little buzz. I don’t know whether it’s the excitement of sneaking around and stealing drinks or whether it’s the alcohol, but either way this little game is brightening my mood. I know it’s wrong, but I don’t care.

I look at the heiress Caleb is trying to seduce, while they stand at the bar. She puts her champagne down and touches his chest. This time I’ll have to be really sneaky because Caleb could see. I walk around behind her trying to act ordinary and not suspicious at all, just picking up a menu and looking at it, but really I’m watching the heiress and Caleb. She laughs hysterically at something he says, I have no idea what because I’m not even listening, and he looks away like he’s embarrassed that she’s making so much noise. I seize the opportunity and slide my hand along the bar and quickly take her champagne while no one is looking.

I walk away quickly and go and stand behind a decorative partition and watch as she turns to pick up her drink. She looks around with her eyes open wide like she’s in shock, then she furrows her brows. She looks along the bar and then down on the floor. I can’t help a giggle when I see her searching for her stolen glass. She says something to Caleb and he rolls his eyes and waves at the bartender to bring her another one. I laugh as she shakes her head seeming dumbfounded. For some reason, this is really making me happy. I take a small sip of her sparkling champagne and this tastes better than all the others that I’ve drunk in the last ten minutes. I drink it quickly, just like the rest before I get caught. I watch Caleb take the heiress and her new glass outside and I frown that my fun with her is over. If they stayed, I could’ve kept doing it. The thought makes me laugh out loud which is closely followed by a hiccup, which then makes me laugh again. I feel good. This whole alcohol thing does work. I feel like I don’t have a worry in the world. I put the glass down on the nearest table and go in search of something else. I walk past a small crowd and accidentally bump into someone.

“Oops, excuse me,” I say and I can’t help but notice my speech sounds a little different, but I shrug it off and walk up to another table. When the rapper isn’t looking, I steal his beer and quickly walk off hiding behind another partition. I take a sip testing the flavour, and I’m surprised that I actually like it. I think this is the best so far, and I drink the frothy liquid down quicker than the others. Right now, I’m feeling on top of the world and a rumble emanates from my chest, and suddenly I let out a loud burp. I rush my hand to my mouth in shock and then look around to see if anyone heard, which, of course, they didn’t over the music. Thank God! I laugh to myself and the fun game I’m having. I go to walk off to steal another drink, but suddenly my stomach churns and I start to feel a little dizzy. I swallow hard as the room starts to spin and I flame in an intense heat. My stomach lurches in my throat and I suddenly think another drink might have to wait for a moment.

The first thing I think of is that I want Aston to help me, but then I remember that he’s the reason I went looking for alcohol in the first place, to numb the memory of his actions. The heat engulfing me is really starting to burn and I grab the top of my dress and start pulling it out and in from my body, trying to fan my boiling hot skin. It’s not working as small beads of sweat build up across my forehead.

My head is spinning and I really just need to sit down. I start to walk and it feels like my legs are dragging. I’m fading quickly and considering I only started drinking fifteen minutes ago, this is happening quickly, right? I stumble past some people I don’t recognise on my way to get outside. The cool will help, surely. I need someone to help me, and the only one I can turn to right now is Caleb.

I walk trying to act sober, which clearly I am not, and move toward the door. A person bumps into me and I fall into a table knocking some glasses off. The people surrounding the table look at me strangely, but I stand back up and stumble toward the doors. I make it just in time to see Caleb making out with the heiress, and for some reason I find it utterly hilarious. I laugh hard as the cool air hits me relieving my hot skin. I wipe the sweat from my brow and try to run over to Caleb. My feet don’t seem to want to work and I stumble falling straight into the heiress, whose head bangs into Caleb’s. I laugh as I fall to the ground and Caleb and the heiress both grab at their heads.

“Jesus Christ, Annie. What the fuck?” he says sounding pissed off, which only seems funnier to me. I laugh again and then hiccup. My head spins and my whole body moves with the spin. “What’s wrong with you?” he asks, looking down at me.

I giggle and shrug followed by another hiccup.

“Shit! Annie, are you drunk?” he asks squatting down beside me.

I shake my head and obviously a little too quickly because my head starts to spin and then my stomach lurches into my throat. I gag and Caleb shakes his head.

“For fuck’s sake! I better get you out of here before any cameras snap this,” he says and I laugh thinking it’d be funny that people get photos of the obviously drunk daughter of rock royalty. If this is being drunk, I love it! He scoops me up and I wrap my arms around his neck as he quickly kisses the heiress on the cheek.

“Rain check?” he asks and she nods looking at me and smirking.

“I drink your stole!” I say and then laugh at my mix up of words.

She frowns and shakes her head. “Look after her, Caleb,” the heiress says and I swing my arms out because I feel like I’m flying in Caleb’s arms.

“Weee… I can fly like a bird,” I say and swing around even more in Caleb’s arms.

“Jesus Annie, stay still,” he says gripping on to me tightly as he takes me out the back exit and toward his car.

“You’re my cousin and I love you Annie, but you can be a fucking idiot sometimes,” he says as he places me down on the ground and takes the keys from his pocket. He presses the button and it beeps.

“Beep, beep, like the Road Runner,” I say with a chuckle because I find his car noises hilarious.

“Get in the car, Annie,” he says forcefully while opening the door. I twirl in a circle and slump into the car seat laughing again. I feel great! He shuts the door and shifts around to the driver’s side and slides in.

“Sorry for ruining your smoochy time with Princess Hair Extensions,” I say and he chuckles, finally looking a little bit calmer.

“Buckle up.”

I grab the seat belt and pull, but it keeps stopping. I laugh hysterically as I keep pulling the seatbelt and it refuses to budge.

“Your belt is broken.”

He huffs while leaning over me pulling the seatbelt across with ease.

“Wow, you’re like a magician.”

“How much did you drink, Annie?”

I shrug, and suddenly my good feeling turns sour. My stomach lurches and I start to gag.

“Oh, no you don’t,” Caleb says rushing out of the car and around to my side. He opens the door and undoes my seatbelt.

“Annie, lean forward,” he says and I lean out of the car. My head hangs low as an overwhelming dizziness takes over which sends my stomach into a spin.

“I don’t feel so good anymore,” I whisper and he takes a step back from me on the ground and I lean forward. My stomach heaves and I throw up the last fifteen minutes worth of alcohol all in one go.

“Fuck Annie,” Caleb says while I heave again.

The acid is burning my throat and the alcohol doesn’t taste so good coming back up. I spit, getting the taste out of my mouth as Caleb goes to the boot of his car and pulls out a bottle of water.

“Drink this,” he says and I fall back into the seat, suddenly feeling very average.

“Are you gonna yak again?” he asks and I shake my head slowly as I rest it back on the car seat and close my eyes trying to stop the spinning. It isn’t working.

“Okay, I’m gonna buckle you up now,” he says and leans in doing up my seatbelt and shutting my door. I hear him get back in the car and start the engine. I feel unconsciousness pulling me and I hope I dream of tranquil floating music notes and not of Aston.