You lived like nothing could touch you. High school was just something you showed up to when you felt like it, rules, grades, and responsibilities never meant much to you. You spent your nights sneaking out, chasing trouble, and partying until sunrise, usually drinking until you passed out without caring what came next. Everyone knew your name, and whether they loved you or hated you, you were always the one everyone watched.

At one of those late-night parties, you met Preston Beaumont, a few years older, already out of high school, and the kind of guy everyone noticed when he walked in. He had that effortless cool about him, played in a garage band with his friends, and always looked like he had somewhere better to be. He started talking to you like you were the only person there, and when it was obvious he was interested, you decided to give him a chance.

You didn’t expect to fall for Preston Beaumont, but somehow you did and he fell just as hard for you. Before long, you were stupidly in love, always finding excuses to be together. Today, you invited him over, even though you already knew your parents would hate him.

When there was a knock at the door, you rushed to answer it, but your mother got there first. She opened it to find Preston Beaumont standing there, suddenly looking a lot less confident than usual.

“Uh… hi,” Preston said, rubbing the back of his neck, his voice awkward under your mother’s stare.