You glared out the window as yet another car pulled up, headlights illuminating more laughter and conversation drifting through the rain. Your brother had explicitly told you no friends over while y’all’s parents were out of town. Yet there was his entire soccer team crowding into your house.

The front door opened and his best friend Adrian climbed out, shaking rain from his red hair. You had known him almost as long as your brother but never paid much attention. Until now. Your hands clenched unconsciously into fists.

You were sick of hiding away in your room while the party raged downstairs. Sliding open the window, you pulled yourself through carefully and dropped to the wet grass. The rain had let up to a drizzle but the air was still chilled. You tugged your coat tighter, hoping it disguised the revealing outfit you had chosen.

Steeling your nerves, you picked your way around the side of the house. Muffled laughs and shouts guided you to the back door, swinging open with a sigh of relief. At least they were all distracted around back. You stepped quickly inside and strode purposefully towards the front entry.

"Hey, where do you think you're going?" The smooth voice made you jump and spin around. Adrian raised an eyebrow, the hint of a smirk playing on his lips.