Storm Warning - TLOM Prequel

Chapter Three - The House Party

As soon as Lark rounded the corner onto Brett's street, she felt five inches tall. So much so that if it hadn't been for her brother walking beside her, she would have turned and bolted home to bury herself in her comforter and stick her headphones in.

"This is crazy." Lark winced as the music reached her ears. Not at all like Lark's own music taste; it was all loud shouting and techno beats.

"It's not the first party these guys have had." Alex acknowledged. "Went to my first one at fifteen and every one since; they are so much fun."

'Fun' wasn't a word Lark would have associated with this huge house of shrieking teenagers. There were people making out in the yard and teens drinking out of plastic red cups.

"Let's go inside!" Alex had to raise his voice to be heard over the loud beat, and Lark nodded, desperate to be in her safe haven of a bed. "We'll get something to drink."

"Alex, I'm fifteen!" Lark yelled back at him, as they stepped into the house, sure he'd realise and be more protective older brother. However, he shrugged and pulled her towards the kitchen area, past where people were using the living area as a dancing space. If grinding on each other's pelvic areas could be called dancing.

Lark shuddered and chased after Alex. A fifteen year old could get swallowed up in this crowd and Lark didn't trust the senior guys as far as she could throw them. And they were big muscly guys too.

People swarmed around her like flies as she pushed through, making her way to where she assumed the kitchen was. Alex's figure in front of her kept her heading in the right direction, because a few seconds later she emerged into the slightly quieter kitchen. Sleek lino lined the floors and Lark looked around as her dainty flats tapped quietly against it. Finally, a face she recognised.

"Hey, Dawn." Lark smiled shyly and waved a little.

The cheerleader looked up from her place on the counter and grinned back excitedly. "Lark!" Dawn jumped down and stumbled drunkenly as her stilettos hit the floor. "Hey-yyy!" She drawled out, giggling.

"Woah there, Dawn." Lark caught her as the older girl stumbled into her and nearly fell over. "You want some water?"

She nodded slightly and stuck her tongue out. "Think my tongue's gone numb." Dawn slurred and Lark sighed, pulling her towards the sink. An empty plastic cup was on the counter and Lark filled it with fresh water before turning back to Dawn. However, when she turned around, Dawn was disappearing out the door, being led by some football player to go dance.

Sighing again, Lark sipped the water herself, deciding it was better than getting something from the suspicious looking jugs and pitchers that lined the table in the other room.

"Hey little bird."

Brett's voice made her start and she spun round to see him leaning against the counter. He seemed drunk.

He took a step forward and swayed a little. Yep. Drunk.

Lark took a tiny step back, away from the drunken teenager who was looming above her. "Hey, Brett." She smiled pleasantly, trying not to show her nervousness.

"Not scared of me are you, Lark?" He took another step closer and Lark found herself pinned into a corner. "I don't bite." He grinned, leaning down. His lips were less than an inch from the delicate skin of her neck, and Lark felt them press gently against her. "Much." Brett nipped at her skin and Lark felt like she'd been burnt.

"Brett, stop it!" She struggled as if she could fight him off, but he was a good sixty pounds heavier than her and she was stuck.

He lifted his head but he was still too close. Lark barely even knew the guy; she didnt want to kiss a stranger. Especially when it was her first kiss. Where the hell had Alex gone?