Chapter 0 PROLOGUE-That Night


    ABBY


    As I expected, the party of Trey Hamilton at theke house is in full swing. Song of Nicki Minaj is


    ring from inside. Thewn is full of teenagers ying football despite the empty beer bottles, red


    cups, and empty soda cans littering all over.


    I shouldn’t be here. I mentally berate myself, but Reba was so adamant, and I couldn’t just say no.


    She’s the closest to a sister that I never had. We walk through the crowded dance floor that is already


    wet and sticky. The smell of boozes, sweat, and cigarettes are wafting in the air.


    The mini bar full of drinks, cans of sodas, beer bottles, pink punch, and a bowl chips that could cause


    you salmone. Reba reminded me not to take any drinks from anyone who offers, so I grab a can


    of soda instead.


    Her boyfriend James arrived earlier than us since he came directly from the game. He approaches us


    with a huge grin on his face.


    “Babe, you made it! Thought you were joking,” James says happily after giving her peck on her lips and


    a peck on my cheek. “Hey, Mack. Good to see you here and not a boring party your parents you


    usually threw.”


    I roll my eyes. He’s right, but that’s my parent’s party, so I had to be there and y a good daughter


    role, which I’m actually a good daughter.


    “I said we wereing, so here we are,” Ba retorts, seemingly annoyed.


    “Good, babe. Let’s danceter, okay?” James doesn’t seem to care about Reba’s expression.


    “C’mere, Mack. I’d like you to meet someone!” James yells when the new song starts to y. He grabs


    Reba’s hand, and I grab her hand as I follow them.


    Reba pulls her hand back from James’ grip and yells. “Not a chance, babe! I promised her mom


    that I’ll take care of Mack. It means no meeting with horny football yers.”


    I shrug when I see them start whispering. Reba looks more annoyed, but we keep walking


    throughout the crowd upstairs to the second floor.


    “He’s not a horny, Mack. Just meet him, and if you don’t like him, just say excuses like going to the


    bathroom, or you have a stomach bug.”


    Iugh at hisme excuses.


    “Jeez, babe. You’re so annoying.” Ba rolls her eyes.


    “Babe, trust me, okay? I’m not gonna just let Mack meet a jock because she’s my friend too.” James


    winks at me. “Rx.”


    “Fine. Whatever!” Reba is forced to agree.


    “Who’s he, James?” I ask.


    “You’ll find out soon,” he answers. My brows meet together.


    We stop in front of the group of guys that I recognize most of them as his teammates. He introduces


    me to them since they knew Reba.


    “Guys, this is Ba’s friend Mack. Mack, meet my teammates,” James says. Everyone waves and


    says hi, and I wave back and smile shyly.


    I feel out of ce when everyone talks about winning their game. I know how the game works, but I’ve


    never watched them y.


    Reba is already sitting on James’p on the couch while I’m still standing at their back, fidgeting.


    I tap Reba’s shoulder, excuse myself before I leave. I walk down to the living room where everyone


    is still dancing, swaying, and jumping like there’s no tomorrow. Everyone looks enjoying the party while


    I look lost.


    “Leaving already?” A husky voice asks from behind that makes me stop to halt.


    I turn around, and my eyesnd to the broad chest. I move my gaze up to the one and only, a six-foot


    and two inches Trevor “Trey” Hamilton standing in front of me. His short blond hair is disheveled in a


    stylish way. He has bright blue eyes that glimmers with high cheekbones, straight nose, full lips curved


    into a smile, and chiseled jaw.


    Jeez. I’m checking him out, and the only reason why I’m here. When Ba told me that Trey is


    throwing a party, I was beyond excited and told my parents that I’m going to a party.


    I clear my throat. “Um, yeah. Just getting some fresh air.” I look away. Lame excuse, I know because I


    saw him flirting with Lorrie “Bitch” Morgan sh the cheerleader when I was introduced to his


    teammates earlier.


    “Let’s go then, for some fresh air,” he says with excitement in his voice, and my heart flutters.


    I look up and meet his gaze. “Shouldn’t you be with Lorrie?”


    “She’s a bitch. I don’t like talking to someone while she’s bitching all night telling me about the


    cheerleading like everyone doesn’t know about already,” he exins while looking at me in the eyes.


    “Um, sure.”


    He smiles. “Follow me.”


    We scan the crowd to where fewer guys dancing that leads our way out of the house. I can’t just avoid


    not to bump into the couples making out in the hallway—horny teenagers. We keep walking for a


    couple more steps until we get out of the house, and the night is getting cold, and the breeze makes


    me shiver.


    “So, you’re Ba’s friend? I saw you with her at school. You don’t like football, do you? I’ve never seen


    you with her during the games.”


    We follow the stone paths that lead us to theke. I can still see a few students sitting on the deck.


    “Yeah. Ba’s my best friend. I’m not really a fan. It’s hard to watch them as if they’re in a wrestling


    match. The only differences are running and throwing a football,” I tell him honestly.


    “Yeah, too violent for you, so what is your n for college?”


    “I agree. Too violent for you. So what’s your n for college?” He keeps looking at me, then he drops


    his gaze to my lips, making me a little bit self-conscious.


    “I’m nning on staying here for college. My parents won’t let me attend college away since I’m still not


    legally an adult.


    “Wait. How old are you, Mack?” he quickly asks.


    “Sixteen. I know I’m a freak,” I answer as I look at him to see his reaction.


    He chuckles. “You’re not a freak Mack. You just excel, and you should be proud of yourself. Not like


    other girls who are busy putting makeup on their faces.” Wow, Trey is not bad, after all.


    I give him a tight smile. “Well, thanks. How about you, any n for college?”


    “Yeah. Got schrship, and I’m not going anywhere far too.” He smiles, and I want to giggle so badly


    because he’s cute. No, he’s hot.


    “Congrattions! You deserved it.” I tap his arm yfully.


    “Thanks. I’ll get us a drink. Stay here, okay? Be right back.”


    I nod and watch him walk away. I check my phone from the pocket of my jacket I wear over the red


    dress that Reba chose for me.


    “Wear the red one, Mack. Red is your color. Boys like a girl in red.”


    “Are you sure? I have blue, green, and white. I’m not allowed to date yet, so I don’t care if boys like a


    girl in red. I just want to see Trey.” I check the dresses on my hands.


    “Trust me. Red is great on you. Wear it now, and I still have to fix your hair. Then don’t tell Catie.” Her


    eyes glimmer.


    “Mom will know, trust me. Ask from down to bring us something to drink. Press 3.” I take the red dress


    and hurry up to change.


    Têxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    ***


    I stay for a while and wait for Trey toe back. The evening is so peaceful even if a little bit chilly. I


    can still hear the music from inside the house. The tree leaves rustle as the wind blows. The smell of


    fresh air and the moon reflecting on theke look magnificent.


    Not bad, after all. I’ll thank Rebater. I hear footstepsing closer to me, and I turn my head in


    excitement to think that must be Trey, but I don’t see anyone.


    I feel goosebumps on my skin. The hair on my nape stands as I wrap my arms around me.


    I stare at the moon before I close my eyes slowly to take a deep breath. Before I can start dreaming,


    hands grab my waist from behind, causing me to yelp in surprise.


    I grab the hands and try to lose them, but they were so strong. I shout for help. My mouth and my nose


    instantly cover with a cloth. I struggle, but I can’t breathe, and I can’t hold any longer. I inhale


    something like a chemical that burns my nostrils and my throat. I can’t fight anymore, and my eyelids


    start to feel heavy, and my body starts getting weak, and my eyes flutter closed.


    ***


    I open my eyes, but I can’t see anything. Something is covering my eyes. I can’t move either. Then I


    remember what happened, and I start to panic. I try shouting, but my mouth is sealed with adhesive, or


    duct tape? I try to free my hands, but it looks like I’m being chained. I can feel the cold metal around my


    wrists and the clinking sound when I struggle to move is terrifying. For how long I’ve been in this


    position?


    I feel cold—so cold, and I can even feel the cold floor on my skin. My ankles are shackled too. I’ve


    never been afraid in my entire life until tonight, or is it a day? I try moving, but as soon as I struggle, my


    wrists are burning, and so as my ankles. I burst into a cry, and that’s when I remember my parents.


    They must be worried.


    I cry until I feel exhausted, and I abruptly stop when I hear a sound unlocking the door opens then


    closes. I hear footsteps—heavy footsteps. I am trembling with fear and from the cold.


    I’ve never felt so helpless like this. I don’t know what will happen to me here. My throat hurts, and my


    stomach just grumbles.


    A lot of horrible scenarios pop in my head, and at that thought, my body starts to shake from


    frustrations, anger, hunger, and hopelessness.


    Please, God. Please, don’t let me die like this.


    ***


    The high-pitched sounds irritate my ears.


    Beep


    Beep


    Beep