Hi,

Chapter 3

"Dude, that was insane! We don't even know who that guy was!" Dustin exclaims, still buzzing from the fight on Monday.

I chuckle, letting the guys hype themselves up. We're sitting at our usual booth in the diner near school, like we do every Friday. Cheap fries, bottomless soda, and a boss who doesn't mind us hanging around as long as we don't scare off customers.

Dustin's retelling every punch like it was some epic battle, but I'm not as amused. Sure, I won the fight, but it's not just about winning. The real issue is that some nobody thought they could take a shot at me. My jaw's still sore and bruised, but that's not what bothers me. It's about respect, control. And there's only one way to remind people who's in charge around here.

"We're throwing a party tonight," I announce. "My place, 10 PM."

"With who?" Marco asks.

"Everyone," I say, like it's obvious.

"It's last minute. No one's gonna show up," Marco replies, skeptical.

"They will. Trust me," I scoff.

Three hours later, my house is packed. Word spread like wildfire on Snapchat and Instagram. Not just our classmates, but people I don't even know are pouring in. No one wants to miss a Nathan Collins party. Music's blasting, booze is everywhere, and we even scored some weed and pills. I am already really high.

Everything's perfect. I scan the room from atop the couch, pausing the music from my phone to get everyone's attention.

"Alright, listen up! Tonight, there are no rules! Wreck the place if you want! Have the best fucking night of your lives!" I shout, grinning as the crowd cheers.

I hit play on the music again, jumping down from the couch. Lexi's across the room, eyeing me, but I'm not in the mood for the same old thing. I'm in the mood for something new, something fresh. I spot Jade next to her and decide she'll do. I grab a bottle of booze, pop the cap with my teeth, and head over. Lexi's face twists with disappointment as I grab Jade's hand instead, pulling her close.

"Nice dress," I say, my eyes lingering on her body.

"And a nice bulge in your pants," she giggles, biting her lip.

I smirk, pulling her tighter against me, my lips on hers, moving hungrily down her neck. Lexi's watching, but that's the point. Control. Power. You want them to crave you. Jade's moaning softly in my ear, and I know she's ready for the next step. I'm not one to drag things out.

But then, out of the corner of my eye, I see him. That jerk from school, the one who threw the punch. He's at my party.

"Hey, fucker!" I shout over the music.

He puffs up his chest like he's tough, but I've already knocked him down once. I step toward him as people back up, forming a circle around us.

"You know this is my house, right? You've got guts showing up here," I snarl.

"And you had guts talking about my girlfriend in class," he fires back.

I raise an eyebrow, realizing why he threw that punch. A soft voice breaks the tension.

"Will, what are you doing?" a girl says, rushing over and grabbing his arm. That's when it clicks. She's the girl from biology class. I'd made some stupid comment about wishing her pen was my—well, you get the idea.

"Oh, I see. You were defending your little girlfriend!" I mock, my gaze raking over her. I look her up and down with the most disrespectful eyes. She is wearing parachute pants and a blue F1 looking t-shirt, her honey blonde hair falls down to her defined collarbones. I can see why he'd be pissed.