1

Summer vacation had ended, school would start on Tuesday. Carolina and the others had returned from a lovely trip to the beach; we had so much fun. Everything had changed since Paige's death, who, by the way, will have been deceased for two months tomorrow. We would accompany Mike to leave flowers for her tomorrow afternoon.

Apolo and I were on our way to my house; he seemed somewhat serious today. Although there were still a few days of summer left in this part of the country, it wasn't very hot; it's always cold here. Winter would start very soon, and it would start snowing too. Needless to say, the lake would freeze over. It's a shame. We won't enjoy it again until next year.

"What are you doing tonight?" he asked me. Our hands were intertwined while he drove with the other hand.

"We're almost out of the forest," I replied honestly.

I looked at him; he smiled sideways.

"Well, I think you'll have to take care of that later..." He kissed my hand. "There's a party tonight."

I raised my eyebrows.

And then I remembered: The welcome party. Every year after summer ends, the Browns, along with everyone in the pack, throw a party.

"Alright, what time are you picking me up?" I asked, looking at him.

"I... I think I'll see you at the party. I have something to do first," he said.

I frowned. Apolo never left me like this; whenever we went somewhere, he always offered to take me. He didn't like me arriving alone anywhere, especially not at a party.

"Oh... Alright," I smiled, looking out the window.

"Can you come with Carolina and Kayler? I'll feel better if you come with them," he suggested. I didn't look at him. I cleared my throat.

"Sure, I'll call her."

Apolo parked the car in front of my house, held my hand, and gave me a warm kiss on the lips.

"See you tonight," he smiled.

I returned the smile and got out of the car with my backpack on my shoulder. I walked slowly towards the entrance of the house until I heard the sound of the car driving away. I don't know what's going on with Apolo today. Christian was with Carla at some restaurant having lunch; I'm glad my brother found someone, especially if she's friends with Carolina.

There was no one at home, as usual; I only lived with my dad, and let's just say he doesn't pay much attention to us. I went up to my room and left my backpack on my bed, took out my cell phone, and sent a message to Caro.

From: Anne

Can I come with you guys to the party? Apolo said he would meet me there.

I left the phone on the bed and started taking out my clothes. Seconds later, the phone rang.

From: Carolina

Of course you can :) I'm here waiting for you.

I smiled.

I think she was the best thing that could have happened to me.

---

I parked my brother's car in front of Carolina's house; Kayler's car was there. My brother would take Carla on his motorcycle, and I haven't seen Gregory since we came back. But something tells me Vanesa will be fine.

I got out of the car and went to knock on the door; there was a full moon tonight, and the weather was getting very cold. Seconds later, the door opened.

"Anne, come in," Carolina said.

I entered.

She was wearing a black dress that reached her thighs, with her hair loose as usual. She was adjusting an earring.

"Kayler is almost ready," she commented, looking me over. "What's wrong?" she asked, putting her hands on her hips.

"Nothing," I replied immediately. "I just wouldn't want to intrude; maybe you guys wanted to be alone."

She gave me a stern look.

"Obviously not. Besides, I needed to talk to someone, and who better than my best friend and Gregory's cousin," she took my hand and led me to the living room.

"What's wrong?" I wanted to know.

We sat down.

"It's that Vanesa is leaving tomorrow, and today she told me she didn't want to go. I told her it was her last year of high school and she had to continue; there are a few months left until graduation, and I..." she stopped abruptly. "I don't know what to do," she massaged her temple.

Gregory.

He's always been a bad influence.

"Don't worry," I said, "I'll talk to him; this guy is going to listen to me."

She smiled satisfied.

"I know something else is bothering you," she murmured, "but you don't want to tell me. That's okay, tell me when you're ready," she stood up. Just then, Kayler came down the stairs.

"Anne, where's Apolo?" he asked, frowning.

I'd like to know too.

"I think he must be at your house; he said we'd meet there," I replied unsure.

He raised an eyebrow in surprise, but then acted normal.

"Well, let's go," Carolina took Kayler's hand and linked her arm with mine. We headed for the exit. I noticed Kayler kissed her on the forehead.

It reminded me of Apolo; I don't know what's going on with him.

We got into Kayler's jeep; he started it, and we headed to his house.

I also noticed that Kayler and Carolina held hands while he drove, just like Apolo and I did today. I know, today I'm very sentimental, but that's just me, I'm so reserved, boring, and that bothers me because maybe Apolo is getting bored of me.

After several minutes in the car, we arrived at Kayler's house; we got out of the car and went inside. The music was loud, and there were a lot of people, more than in all the past parties; I was looking for Apolo with my eyes but couldn't see him anywhere.

We headed to one of the tables in the back, where Connor was already there with Kenzie, and also Vanesa, Gregory, Christian, and Carla. When we arrived, everyone greeted us.

"Have you seen Apolo?" I asked my brother quietly.

He shook his head and went back to Carla.

"I'll get some beer," Kayler said.

As he left, I leaned closer to Carolina.

"I haven't seen Apolo," I commented.

She frowned and started looking around.

"Maybe you should call him," she suggested.

How didn't I think of that before? I gave a timid smile to Carolina as she looked at me shaking her head and laughing.

I took out my phone and dialed his number. Carolina leaned in to listen to the phone. The noise was too loud to hear anything. It rang, rang, and rang, but he didn't answer.

I looked at her.

"He's probably here and just doesn't hear the phone," she tried to excuse him.

Kayler appeared with three red cups. Beer. He gave one to Carolina and then the other to me. I hesitated, but Carolina nudged me, so I took it.

"Kayler, do you know where that idiot Apolo might be?" she asked, but then quickly turned to me, "No offense," she smiled, taking a sip of her beer.

I laughed.

Kayler thought about it for a moment.

"I think I saw him go upstairs," he replied.

"With who?" she asked him.

He started shaking his head, but when he saw Carolina glaring at him, he laughed a little but then became serious.

"He was with Evelyn," he blurted out.

I felt like I was hit with a bucket of cold water. Carolina looked at me again, but there was no pity in her gaze.

"Let's go," she took my hand and we went upstairs. I didn't want to go up, of course not, I was afraid of what I might see. Kayler started walking behind me and then positioned himself next to Carolina.

We stopped abruptly.

"There are a lot of rooms," she said. "We'll split up. Anne, check the ones at the back, Kayler..." she looked at him, "You'll know where to check. And I'll go for the ones in front."

I nodded cautiously. I started walking towards the back rooms; I noticed a slightly open door that caught my attention. Could he be in there?

I started to shake and debate whether I should go in there. Gathering courage, I approached the door but stopped abruptly when I heard... Moans. Oh my God! They're having sex! With all the pain in my soul, I grabbed the door handle and opened it, turning on the light in the process.