"I want to give you all the love you deserve."
___
Hadley Carter has struggled with her sexuality ever since childhood. She keeps her feelings hidden out of fear of judgement and not being accepted by oth...
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The ride to the party is so long it's soul-sucking. The pop music Delaney blares and sings along to (awfully) is torturous to endure and so is listening to Bianca ramble on about how she feels as if she doesn't look pretty, just so that the rest of us will reassure her that she does. Grace is silent in the passenger seat, seemingly dreading this outing as much as I am.
Climbing out of the car once we reach our destination feels like stepping out into the world after being locked in prison for years. Delaney immediately takes the lead, walking in front of the line as she struts up to the front porch of some stranger's house.
Walking through the door, I'm met with an abundance of people, blasting music, and the overbearing smell of alcohol. I feel very out of place as I try my best to stick with Delaney, Grace, and Bianca, following after the girls into the kitchen.
"Who wants a drink?" Delaney asks loudly over the music vibrating through the floorboards.
Bianca and Grace visibly perk up at the mention of booze, through I wrinkle my nose at the thought of inebriating my system. However, I know better than to argue when Delaney passes me a cup. I down the burning liquid without hesitation, feeling it churn in my stomach after it passes my throat. At least the buzz I'll get after a few more drinks will help take away the edge I'm currently feeling.
"What do you girls want to do?" Delaney asks as she finishes her second cup of vodka, tossing her golden hair over her shoulder. "Beer pong? Truth or dare? Spin the bottle? Suck and blow?"
"I wanna suck and blow on him alright," Bianca mumbles, already on her third drink. She points out a boy standing in the corner, smiling to herself as she studies his profile. "I'll be back!" She wanders away, glancing over her shoulder and shooting us a wink.
Delaney rolls her eyes as she watches Bianca go, shaking her head. "What a fucking slut."
I raise my eyebrows at her statement, pouring myself another drink. I officially decide that I need to be drunk in order to deal with Delaney any longer.
I end up in the living room moments later, watching as a game of truth or dare takes place. I sit on the couch, bored as Delaney makes out with some dude next to me. Bianca has yet to return from flirting with her mystery man, and I have no idea where Grace has disappeared to.
I rise from my seat, mumbling an excuse to Delaney about going to get another drink whilst knowing she's not listening. I enter the kitchen and pour myself a fourth cup of vodka, downing half of it before abruptly tossing the rest into the trash. I wander around the house absentmindedly before coming across the den. A few groups are scattered around here and there, though this room is significantly less crowded than the rest of the house.
"Hadley?"
The sound of my name being called grabs my attention. I linger in the doorway as I glance around the room, trying to spot who called me. My gaze suddenly lands on Devon, who sits across the room gazing at me through narrowed eyes.
