You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

 Harper

 I didn’t want to go to Blake’s party, and I tried to come up with every excuse in my head to back out.

I even ran a few of them past Sadie once I found out Easton was dead set on going.

But each excuse I gave to my best friend, she returned with the same reply—that I was going no matter what, and her sassy self didn't want to hear any more abott it.

Anxiety ate at me all day.

I could feel it in my hands while I was getting ready, my eye liner a wobbly line, far too thick and beyond repairable.

But after that joint we smoked in the car and the electric blue punch that I've been sipping from Blake’s kitchen—that probably has thirty different kinds of alcohol in it, oops, whatever—I hate to admit that I’m actually having fun.

But I really am.

Blake’s game room, which is more like an arcade, is where we've spent most of the night.

The boys have been battling out an epic game of beer pong, Sadie and I jumping in to partner with them when we're not lost in our own war of Ms.

Pac—Man or bowling— because, of course Blake has a bowling alley in his basement.

And whenever we run low on drinks, Blake sends one of his servers to refill our glasses.

I've never been to a high school party that has waiters.

Not even Easton hires them for his ragers.

But I’m not surprised that Blake has gone all out, he doesn’t do anything half—assed.

Even as he’s standing next to Easton, partnering with him on this round of pong, he looks perfect.

His hair is more styled than mine.

His outfit is so put together, I swear he uses a Stylist.

He catches me looking at him and smiles and when he finishes the round with Easton, he comes over to the bowling area where Sadie and I are hanging out.

clinking his glass

up at the TV that’s tracking our

“Damn, you're on fire.

at bowling.” “Neither did I,” I admit, laughing, watching Sadie’s ball head straight into the gutter, missing all

this has been a blast.” “A few more of those”—he nods toward my glass—“and

it!” Sadie shouts at her second attempt, which turns out to be a gutter

only ever wanted to

don’t want anyone hurting you,

whisper, feeling his words, the impact of each one

known you've had my

him, but that's when I've allowed Sadie

heart and the way it’s felt, I’

“Good.” His grin grows.

wouldn't do for you.” “What am I doing wrong?”

at Sadie who’s throwing her hands up in the air,

to Blake, my

I realize how silly I sound, that Blake

it’s getting

of it.” “Then why does it keep happening? Who am I hurting so badly that they want to hurt

“I wish I knew.

all away and replace it with

the servers returns with a full

grabs them off the tray and hands

good news is,

points to her as she attempts a fourth try and fails again, cursing at the

of a new year and that’s

off with a fucking dud of

Year's I'll ever celebrate with all these

we go to college, everything is

we all return home for the holidays, who knows if we'll all even get

We could lose touch.

could be totally

this party,” I