Midnight. ☆ [boyxboy]

Kickback.

I helped my mom set the groceries on top of the kitchen island. I was listening to her talk about one of the women in the book club.

"And Mrs. Winderson couldn't stop complaining about the book the entire time. It was..ridiculous" She set her bags on the counter and started digging down into each bag, pulling out the contents.

I helped her put away the fruits in the fridge and then set the vegetables and shredded cheese on the countertop next to the chopping board for tonight's dinner: Cheesy rice and chicken with vegetables. I nodded as my mom carried on and then I took a deep breath. "Hey mom, Can I ask you something?"

She was busy putting organic juice bottles in the fridge and she nodded, "Of course, honey. What is it?"

I smiled at how eager she was to hear my question and I went on, "There's a party tonight and -- " I stopped talking mid-sentence.

She had spun around and was now staring at me, her eyebrows raised "I don't know about these high school parties, Zane.."

" -- everyone's going mom, please..? The whole school is going " I lowered my eyes, technically I wasn't lying the whole school would be there but some would get told at the door that they couldn't even attend the party.

"Zane, I don't like you being out late. How're you going to get home when I've got work in the morning?"

I sighed. She always did this. She'd guilt trip me.. going on about how she had work the next early morning, but I pressed on. "Mom, please. Cassandra's going to be there, if you don't want me out late I'll just pack a few clothes for tomorrow and spend the night there tonight. Her mom can drive us to school, see mom? Everything's handled. I'm matu--"

"--Mature and responsible and old enough to take care of yourself" my mom finished for me, she rolled her eyes and shook her head. "No funny business at this girls Cassandra's house.." she pointed a finger at me.

I glared at her and slumped my shoulders, "Mom, you know I wouldn't"

"I know you wouldn't" she said a little too quickly and I frowned. She quickly turned away and began talking again "So about this party, you can go. But you better check in twice tonight"

I grinned and ran around the island to hug my mom, "Thank you.."

I felt her arms go around me and she squeezed me tight. "Yes, just be careful.."

A couple hours later I stood in front of my mirror for what felt like to be the 79th time. I stood in every angle trying to decide if I liked how this outfit looked. After taking nearly everything out of my closet I decided upon black jeans that were a little ripped at the knees and a light pale grey v-neck shirt. I stepped closer towards the mirror and examined my face and I really looked at myself. My pale green eyes with gold and black flecks, my pale skin and my full lips. I had spent hours on my hair, washing it and conditioning it to get gel out after I styled it a way I decided I didn't like anymore. So now my black hair was slightly tousled but it still looked good.

I wore a necklace that my grandmother had made me. It was a tiny golden locket and when it was opened both sides held mirrors. I remember her giving it to me when I was smaller and telling me it was the necklace of Clarity and that whenever I wore it, I'd have a clear mind and heart. I was hoping it would bring some kind of good into my life. Because with all that was going on with Hunter, Chris and Oliver I was unsure how to feel at all anymore. I stopped myself right there, I wouldn't think anymore about the whole vampire Oliver healed me bullshit. I'd go out and have fun tonight and so I packed my over night back for Cassandra's and then headed downstairs to get a ride to her house.

I knocked three times on Cassandra's door and then I rang the doorbell for good measure because there was music booming from somewhere in the back.

The door swung open and there stood a short girl with her hair in a high set pony tail. She grinned "Welcome to Cassandras kick ass kick back-pre party!" she shouted and I frowned at the title.

"Uh, yes..Thanks" I said and the girl moved back as I stepped inside.

"Everyone's in the back, including Cassandra" the girl said as she closed the door behind us, I turned and thanked her before heading through the hallway and into the kitchen where the backyard balcony door was. Around the door was lights hung up around the frame and beside the balcony door was a table with drinks. The kitchen was quiet and I took a breath and fixed my hair one last time before pulling the sliding door back. I stood there looking around the medium sized yard, the porch was lined with chairs and tables, more lights were hung around the backyard and in the bushes. Cassandra had really gone all out for this and everything looked really nice.

"Glad to see you showed up" Cassandra said, tapping me on the shoulder. I turned to face her and instantly my eyebrows went up. Cassandra looked beautiful. She was wearing a black lace dress, with a simple pearl necklace around her neck and her long dark hair was swept up into a bun on top of her head, her bangs were gorgeous as ever.

"Cassandra..."

"Woah. You're actually looking at me like I'm attractive.. Am I.. Am I making you straight..?" said Cassandra teasingly.

"You look beautiful, Cass!" I exclaimed, giving her a genuine smile. "Wow, the music is great and there's a lot of familiar faces from school here at your kick back-pre party.."

She grinned and looked down at herself and she nodded. "Thank you, Zane. You look mighty handsome yourself if I might add..And why did you sound so bland when you said Kick back pre party? You're not liking that name?"

"No, it's great! It's just a little long.." We both started to laugh, because even though we were juniors in high school we were still very immature. Cassandra turned her head and glanced off to the side, her eyes wide.

"God..He's here.." her cheeks went red and she smiled.

"Him..? Who...?" I turned my head to look in the same direction she was. And standing over by the snacks table was a tall guy, he had dark brown hair and hazel eyes. He was strikingly handsome and I nodded in agreement. "Oh, you mean that eye candy over there"

"His name is Ben. Isn't he..just so beautiful? He transfered into my German class ..He's new" Cassandra said dreamily as she stared off at Ben.

"There's a lot of people transferring to our school this year.." I said softly.

"And there's horror number two!" Cassandra giggled as she looked off in a new direction.

"Another hot guy? Where?" I said excitedly.

"There" she pointed.

I looked over to the sliding backyard door and saw Hunter standing there, looking around the backyard.