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IV

The day of the party finally came. I went to school earlier today only to take another AP exam and track practice. As I walked over to my car with Nicole, I caught a glimpse of Dawson but he seemed to be avoiding me ever since our tender moment at the lake. He hasn't once said hi or made eye contact with me and quite honestly, I was missing his hazel eyes.

"I'd be surprised if he showed up tonight," Nicole said breaking me out of my trance.

"Who?"

"The boy you've been eyeing for the past two days."

I stayed quiet in hopes she wouldn't persist.

"Oh come on Sav. Your puppy dog eyes don't lie. You totally like him."

"I do not! I haven't heard one good thing about his past experiences with girls and I want the first time I fall for a guy to be perfect."

"Maybe he's actually different."

"What do you mean?"

"What if all his past experienced only failed because he didn't feel right about the girl? What if he's looking for what you're looking for? Sure a lot of girls have had broken hearts after pursuing him, but that doesn't necessarily make him a bad guy."

"Okay, but I don't want to get hurt Nic. Not the first time."

We were quiet for the rest of the ride back to my house. We had about three hours before people would be walking in. We both showered, did our hair, put on make up, and picked out outfits. I was going to wear a red strapless dress that was fitted on top and flared out a little on the bottom. It was short so I put on flats. Nic wore a loose fitting white sun dress.

My hair was curled, Honey was at Nic's mom's house, and I made sure to have an assortment of chips and other snacks all laid out on the island in my kitchen. I also opened up the french doors that lead out to the back yard. Nic and I previously put up some decorative lights and I also set a fire in the propane fire pit. It honestly looked pretty nice. Last but not least, Nic borrowed from speakers from Peter and made up a playlist to play. We set them up on the patio out back and started the playlist. We had it on low since it was just us two, so far.

By ten o'clock, people had been arriving nonstop since eight. Cars would unload with six to eight people piling out of them. The music had been turned up and some people were even jumping into the pool. There were bodies talking, laughing, and drinking all over my house. Even though I strictly said there shouldn't be any alcohol, a rumor got out that it was B.Y.O.B. By eleven, mostly everyone was drunk and I could hardly recognize anyone. I stepped out to my front yard and was amazed by all the cars parked up and down the driveway. I was about to head back in before someone grabbed my arm and pulled me back.

"Savannah," the stranger smiled, "nice party."

I didn't know who this boy was but I didn't like him one bit. I could tell he was drunk and I desperately wanted to get away from him.

"Thanks," I mumbled and wiggled my arm loose.

"Hey not so fast!" he grabbed my arm again and pulled me back once more.

"Let's chat sweetheart," he wore a creepy smile and his breath reeked of alcohol.

"I really should get back I-"

"Let go of her Mike," Dawson emerged from the line of cars and pushed the boy away from me.

"Hey Dawson," he smirked, "nice of you to join. I didn't realize this one was yours man, I'll be inside."

The boy, Mike, stumbled his way inside and left Dawson and I alone. It was quiet and I was tired of it. I turned to go inside before I heard Dawson say, "Wait!"

"Now you want to talk?" I said in disbelief. I turned around to face him and fixed my brown eyes on his hazel ones.

"Savannah, I'm sorry."

"What for? Leading me on? Or ignoring me after you did it? I heard rumors about you Dawson, and I started to doubt them but now I see that they've been true all along."

"Sav, please, I can explain," he wasn't even looking at me any more. He had brought his hand up through his hair and turned around as he stared out into the night.

"You can't even look at me Dawson..." I looked down at the ground as I turned to go back into the house. I was about to close the door behind me, but it was blocked by Dawson's hand. He re-opened it and pulled me back outside. He closed the door and pinned me up against it. Everything happened so fast, my eyes were wide open in shock and my breathing had increased.

"I can't look at you because every time I do, I fall for you a little bit more," he paused, "and I've never felt this way with anyone. I look at you and I see a pure, authentic person, and I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I did anything to change that in you. So yes, I've been avoiding you, and yes I led you on, but in the long run Sav, you'll be better off without me." He backed away from me, and I felt my back come off the door. He took one last look at me before he walked away down the driveway.