“That’s not how to take a fucking shot. Toss it back,” he instructed impatiently. I sent him a withering look and then opened my mouth to quickly swallow the liquid. The tingle from before erupted in full flames as my eyes watered and my cheeks flushed. I instantly felt the effects of the liquor to my head. I made a sound of distress and fought to get my bearings.

“Good. Now another.”

“Please, I don’t want to.”

“I don’t care. Drink.” I looked at him in disbelief. It was bad enough that he made me do it the first time. How did people actually have fun drinking this stuff? I’ve had champagne before at one of my aunt’s book functions but never anything this strong and disgusting.

“Do you have anything lighter?”

“Yes, but this is what you’re getting. He poured another shot and this time a second. “I’ll take this one with you.”

Was that supposed to make me feel better?

This time I didn’t wait to be prompted. I tossed the drink back and coughed as it burned down my throat. “Good girl,” he praised. I didn’t feel good at all. I felt sick. Six or seven shots later my body felt loose and heavy at the same time. I was pretty sure my vision was blurry. Either that or I was hallucinating. I didn’t know which because I’d never been drunk before. Or maybe I was just tipsy?

I was staring at the counter top willing my vision to focus and I could feel Keiran watching me from the side. A guy, who I don’t think even goes to our school, had come in during my third shot as I was begging for Keiran to stop making me drink. He was watching me with too with interest in his eyes.

I didn’t bother to beg Keiran to stop this time but surprisingly he did after we had been standing quietly for a few minutes. I found it seriously fucked up that I was drunk but he was not.

“Hey, man if you really want to get her going, you can have her pop a couple of these.” The guy pulled out a Ziploc bag full of pills and waved them at me with a sly grin. “I’ll even give them to you for free if I can get a turn.”

My alcohol-riddled brain was slow to catch on but when I saw the lust in the stoner’s eyes and Keiran take the bag from him, I looked on in astonishment. He was not seriously considering drugging me, was he?

“Can you walk?” Keiran asked.

“If it’s to your car then I can skip if you like.” There was no way in hell I was letting him drug me.

“Go lay down in the guest room and lock the door.”

“But –”

“Now, Lake” I didn’t bother to argue anymore and headed in that direction but just as I made it to the stairs, Trevor intercepted me. I so did not need this right now.

“Well, well, well. I never thought I’d see little Miss Prim at a party, much less Masters’.”

“Don’t get your hopes up. I’m trying to find the nearest exit out of this cesspool.”

“Looks to me like you were sneaking upstairs.”

“No one would ever accuse you of having bad eyes. Excuse me.” I tried to go around but he linked his arm around my waist and leaned into me. I could smell the stench of alcohol on his breath.

“Have you been you taking care of our little secret? Wouldn’t want to make an enemy out of me too, would you?”

“It’s not my secret, Trevor. It’s yours. The only one afraid of making enemies right now is you.”

“Whether you like to admit it, Lake, you helped me bring Keiran down. You should be grateful. I even let you take the credit for all the work.” He grinned and slithered away like the snake he was. As much as I hated Trevor’s treachery, I think I was madder at myself. I should have seen it coming. I should have been more careful…

* * *

“Enemy? I don't have enemies. I’m no one,” I stated, dumfounded.

What or who could Trevor and I possibly have in common? We didn't share the same social status and our circles – or rather my circle of one – were different.

He looked at me impatiently when I stared up at him in confusion. Gosh, was everyone on the basketball team freakishly tall? He dwarfed my five-eight easily.

Trevor was blonde and good looking, but Tiffany and her friends were right – Keiran was better looking…with a hotter body. Trevor was bullish looking as his muscles strained and pulled against his skin while Keiran was lean with the right amount of muscle tone that made him look naturally powerful.

“Keiran Masters,” he stated simply.

I stepped back, anxiety kicking in. It was my usual reaction to hearing his name. I also didn’t understand what he was asking or what he wanted from me. I looked around thinking it was a setup and Keiran was waiting to jump out to screw with me. He hasn't gone a day without a prank, condescending look, or taunt, once in ten years. It was like my pain was an addiction and he needed his fix. Sometimes I think he went out of his way to find me so he could hurt me.

“What about him?” I swallowed deeply wanting to be anywhere but here.

“I know a way we can stop him so he’ll no longer be a problem for either of us,” he stated simply as if he was telling time.

“Why?”

He frowned down at me not expecting that answer I guessed. “Why what?”

“Why are you doing this?”

“Why not,” he scoffed. “Keiran thinks he’s untouchable. He runs this school, but he doesn't run me. “Don’t you want the bullying to stop?”