~Mr. Ruin Everything~

The stairs held up their end of the deal, staying intact while we raced down. The spiral shape caused me to crash into the sides every third turn I made, and my head was spinning at 60 mph. I saw Jaxon crash into the edge and tried to stop the laughter bubbling in my throat. We couldn't increase our speed any more, or make a safe calculated stop, so we just kept flying over the steps. I caught up with Jaxon, and that started a cycle of smashing against each other down the twirling staircase.

We got to the bottom and both slammed through the door. It swung open and failed to stop our momentum. Jaxon and I both went shooting out of the exit and a little ways further before tripping and crashing on the sand.

"Ow, my foot..." Jaxon complained, holding it and rolling around. I was laughing so hard with no breaths in between, it just made everything ache more. I laid face up on the sand, my chest heaving up and down. That was fun. Really fun.

"Catch me... if you...can" I breathed out, forcing my body up and eventually getting to my feet. Once both were planted in the sand, I took off running. The world was still spiraling, therefore I was swaying and stumbling around and falling when my knees gave out. Jaxon tried desperately to keep up, but he kept hobbling due to his foot condition. I gained the upper hand and watched from a short distance as he struggled.

"Having a hard time, are we?" I asked smugly. He shot forward a couple feet, hopping on one leg, and then collapsed by my feet. I bent over, watching him rub his foot tenderly and glance up at me.

"You poor, poor thi-" Before I could finish, Jaxon pushed me to the ground, laughing and taking off. I really liked that he wasn't afraid to be a little rough with me, unlike other guys I know. His injuries caused him to limp a little, but he was really going for it now, using the energy he had stored for this very moment. Sneaky move, my friend.

"Hey!" I got up dizzily, and ran after him. The effects of the stairwell were wearing off. I slowly advanced, reaching the point where Jaxon was.

"Jerk!" I shoved him aside, setting him back a couple steps. The group was appearing in the distance. They were all closer together now, probably getting ready to leave to the dance. Maybe I should just walk the rest of the way.

My foot slammed hard into something solid hidden in the sand. I went toppling downward, landing on my knees with a sharp intake of breath. Jaxon slowed to a stop. He turned and eyed me for a brief second, then sighed, jogging back up.

"This is all your fault," I told him. He laughed at this.

"How?" He said cockily, "I've done nothing wrong." I grabbed his arm and helped myself up, not waiting for his permission. He kept it in place, letting me use him to regain footing.

"Just is," I said stubbornly. I did an inspection, and luckily, the fabric of my dress didn't rip, it was just sandy and a little ragged. I bent over to brush the sand off and smooth it over when a sharp pain stabbed at my head and poked holes in my vision. Too soon. Just before I hit the sand again, Jaxon grabbed hold of my arms and lifted me back upright.

"Okaaay no more falling. Let's take a nice, slow walk." He still let me hold onto his arm the way back. We reached the group in a minute or so. Austen found me first thing and stole me away, grabbing my hand. I could sense we were in a bit of a hurry. I found my heels alone in the sand and carried them with me up the dune. I should have told Austen about the lighthouse, but I didn't want him to get the wrong idea, since Jaxon was involved. When is he not involved these days?

"Are we late?"

"Sort of. If we hurry, we'll make it in time." Austen lifted me up and piggybacked me up the hill, since I was barefoot. I giggled, and hopped off as soon as we reached the top. He opened the door for me as well.

"Thanks," I said, getting in next to Jaxon, and this time not minding it. Jaxon rested his head on my shoulder, which I quickly pushed off before Austen got in. I brushed off the sand on my feet and slid my high heels back on. Austen put his arm around me again, claiming me as his. I wanted to stick my tongue out at Jaxon as soon as he did this.... No no, don't be childish, Bailey. Good thing I listened to that little voice in my head, and refrained from doing so.

The dance was being held in a gigantic building that is considered reception status, or rented out for other big corporate events. Riverton is sort of a rich kid school, if you were wondering. Most people that go there are swimming in it.

I didn't have much time to admire the architecture, since we wanted to get there as soon as humanly possible. Our limos dropped us off at the front, and circled around to park in the back until it was over. Our massive group sectioned off through the revolving doors.

Then, we proceeded up the vast staircase, trampling through the marble palace in our loud clicky heels. Big white pillars made of polished stone shot up to the very tippy top of the ceiling, that had a mural painted across it of angels in clouds and other interesting artsy objects. The girls fought to keep up with the guys, that were eager to get up the stairs and had the luxury of running in their suits and shiny sneakers.

We finally made it to the top and the beat of music became within earshot. The source of the pumping bass came through two double doors made of dark wood. I bumped into Austen, who's eyes were sparkling with excitement. We looked at each other, grinned, and together burst through the entrance.

The room was jammed with tons upon loads of Riverton attendants, and my oh my, I don't want to sound like an old geezer, but the music was overbearing. The "I can't hear myself think" kind of volume. Walking in, the air was thick and smelly, and I could already feel my forehead breaking out with sweat.

Me and Austen sort of led the group, being in the front, but I forgot about them, and gave in to my own selfish desires, seeking out a space unconfined by sweaty bodies. We all pushed towards the back of the room, to a gap near the corner.

"Wow, this place is packed," Austen commented, laughing at my horrified face. I rearranged it to look excited once again. This was my first high school dance. I needed to make the most of it.

"Sorry, just needed a minute to gather myself. Let's get in there, in the thick of it. Middle of the dance floor sound good?" I offered. He nodded, and with a jolt, we sought out our destination. I squeezed through the crowd of couples, avoiding flying fists and other danger zones, including a gross grinding session. What moves do I even know? The body ripple? Macarena?

I was prepared to embarrass myself at the cost of a good night. We took up a lot of space, our giant group, and went wild. I kept it mostly under control, spinning my arms and shimmying my shoulders and doing other things that made my body feel like one lanky green bean. Riley crept over next to me, and together we had a contest to see who could flip our hair the longest. I beat her by ten seconds, whipping my hair around and coming up red-faced and disoriented. Austen laughed out loud several times when I tested out some new originals. How can he even find me attractive after this?

Jaxon and his date were dancing on the other side of our circle. Sierra would pull him closer, grabbing his shirt collar and biting her lip, then flipping her hair and grinding her body against his. It was the kind of couple you'd see on a modern'Dirty Dancing' remake. He slid his hands on her waist, and I turned away, annoyed beyond words. Just forget it. Doesn't matter.

Austen grabbed my hands and we danced together, which I found very cute. We twirled around and did little windmills. Right before the bass would drop on a song, our group huddled up like a football team does before a big game, building the fire, and then exploding outwards. It was exhausting, but worth every ounce of energy.

Journey came on, the distinguished "Don't stop Believin." Jaxon broke away from his intimate dancing from Sierra, and before I could stop him, he grabbed me and pulled me off. We started doing airplanes and crashed through the other closed off groups, racing around the dance floor and laughing. When we reached the speakers blasting on the side, I screamed along to the lyrics. Jaxon gazed at me with a smirk, then swooped in, grabbing my waist and lifting me up. I shrieked as he carried me back around the dance floor and around the outskirts, then finally returned us to our group in the middle. He put me down, and I punched him in the arm, feeling like my head was floating above my body. The song ended too soon, and the next song in line was a slow piano, in contrast with the last one.

"Finally, a slow song! Been waiting for this all night," Riley screamed in my ear. She found her date and wrapped her arms around him. He accepted it, pulling her close and putting his arms on her waist. Other couples started splitting off, some talking and making conversations, some stealing kisses when chaperones weren't hawk-eyeing them. I stood still, watching Austen talking to another one of the guys distractedly. Sierra found Jaxon and laced her fingers in his.

"I'm going to get a drink," I announced loud enough for Austen and Jaxon and anyone else to hear. Austen smiled and nodded, and I dropped my gaze to the floor, turning around.

"I'll go with you," A deep voice said behind me. Jaxon coiled away from Sierra's death grip, prying her off his body and heading off without looking back. I ended up following him. He cut a path through the slow dancers, to the punch table set up in the back. I took a plastic cup and filled it up three times, downing it in one gulp each time. Didn't even taste the punch, I just knew I needed more.

"Slow down before you put California in a drought," Jaxon mumbled to me, staring as I filled up my fourth cup. I turned to him, taking a small sip.

"What? I'm thirsty." I leaned against the table, feeling all that liquid sloshing around inside me. I watched the couples dancing around, and felt a pang of jealousy. Why can't I be doing that?

"So, you going to ask Austen to dance, or are you going to stay here?" Jaxon asked, phrasing it to make the second option sound nothing short of pathetic. I shrugged, tipping my cup to look at the red juice filling it up.

"I'd rather stay here," I said, setting my cup down and crossing my arms. Jaxon leaned against the table.

"Well, I'm not going anywhere until the song's over. Sierra is trying to conjoin bodies with me, I swear." I cracked up, almost spitting punch everywhere. What an odd thing to say.

"Yeah, she's all over you," I said while watching/creeping on the couple closest to us. The guy whispered something into the girls ear, making her giggle and hug him tighter. They swayed back and forth, the effortless kind of movement that comes naturally to most people, excluding me.

"So why won't you go dance with Austen? I know you want to," Jaxon demanded, raising his eyebrows. I shrugged, heat rushing to my face.

"I really don't know how. And I don't think he really wants to. He was talking to his friend, probably trying to get out of it. And it might be awkward, I could end up stepping on him, and last time I slow-danced, I got nervous and while I talked to the guy, and accidentally spit on him...." I trailed off. Jaxon shook his head, shutting me up.

"Excuses, excuses. Just get over there." Jaxon shoved me forward, and I came springing back, angry now. I scooted away from him, fixing my gaze on the floor and staying planted in place. The song was about to come to an end. I drank the last of my drink and chucked it in the trash.

"Next time, you're not chickening out. I'm serious," Jaxon told me. I pushed past him, back to the middle where Austen greeted me. We got back into the swing of things, dancing manically.

A couple songs later, and the DJ cut the track. A whir of complaints buzzed through the room. His voice boomed through the speakers.

"Hey, none of you get all worked up. Just stopping to make it known, for this next dance, you have to grab someone new. You heard me, not the person you came with. Get to it!" We all paused, and a soft steady beat began to build. My eyes shot around, straining to find a partner. Who would even want to dance with me? I'm going to end up alone while everyone else gets asked. That's how it always is. I'll just escape to the bathroom.

I spun around, smacking right into a chest. Whoever it was grabbed my hand, and guided my hand to their shoulder before I could process it.

"Aw, you came right to me," He said in my ear, which sent aggravation trickling through me. I pushed Jaxon away, but he kept a hand around my back, making it impossible to fully escape his clutches. He gave me a little space to fume, and glare into his enthralling brown eyes.

"You are the last person in this room I'd want to dance with. I want a new partner," I told him. Looking around me, everyone was already paired up. I found Austen with Sierra, and this made me angrier. She had already forgotten about Jaxon, which was obvious in the way she giggled and batted her eyelashes at Austen. He laughed, and I hoped it was just a friendly, polite laugh, not a real one. Don't even tell me you're turning into a jealous psychopathic girlfriend already.

"It's a little late for that. Come on, one dance isn't going to kill you," Jaxon said convincingly. My gaze lingered on Austen and Sierra slow-dancing. He turned his head, and winked at me, giving me a smile. See, nothing to worry bout. I sighed, turning back and looking at Jaxon.

"Whatever. Let's just get through this." Jaxon chuckled, pulling me back closer to him. He was much taller than I was, and I realized now that my head only just barely reached his shoulder. Huh, so much for being average height.

"You know, Bay, you kind of have to move to call it dancing," Jaxon said after a couple moments. I snapped out of a trance, looking down at our feet. We were just standing in dance position, his arms around me and mine outstretched on his shoulder. This must look weird to the public eye.

"Uhh..." I looked over at another couple, and tried to mimic them, but we ended up starting in separate directions, to where Jaxon had to pull me back before I fell over.

"That's not going to work. Let me lead. You just follow along like you know what you're doing," Jaxon said, making me almost crack a smile. He paused, then led us to the left a little, and back around. I dragged my feet at first, but gradually, got used to the gentle swaying movement. Although I had to stare at our feet to get it right, it wasn't long before we were dancing. Like normal human beings. I looked back up at Jaxon, and he was already staring down at me, completely serious. I grinned, not able to contain our success.

"Check it out! Do you see this? We're actually dancing!" I pointed out enthusiastically. He smiled, and nodded his head.

"Yeah, people do that sometimes." I rolled my eyes at that. The song reached the chorus, and Jaxon took my hand and spun me around. I came back confused, unsure how I pulled it off.

"Okay, gonna dip you now," Jaxon told me. I started to decline, but his hand had already snaked around my back and lowered me. I was careful not to let my feet go flying up. He held me there, and for some reason, I trusted that he wouldn't let me fall. My hair fell down around my face, and I giggled while he gently pulled me back up.

"Thanks for not dropping me," I said when we were both back on our feet. He held me seemingly closer than before.

"Thanks for not killing me," He said. I probably should plot his murder after yet another sneaky move, but I just laughed instead.

"Later," I informed him. We both smiled, and I looked into his eyes, searching for some kind of hidden agenda. Jaxon hasn't been the jerk I know him to be lately. Yeah, he's still rude and blunt and annoying, but it's been a while since he's done anything truly horrid. Maybe he's lost interest, or his games were drained of their usual satisfaction. Whatever the reason, I was scared that I was getting too comfortable with him, putting too much trust in this other side of him.

His brown eyes looked a lot less scary than they usually do. I found myself getting lost in them, the rest of my surroundings blurring. Jaxon laced his fingers through mine, and his hand wrapped clear around my waist. Without thinking, I rested my head on his chest as it rose and fell. It reminded me just how human Jaxon was.

We continued to sway, and all I could think about was how I never wanted the song to end. There was something going on inside of me that I couldn't explain. I felt like my own chest was going to burst with this strange indescribable joy. Jaxon rested his chin on the top of my head, and I was perfectly content just listening to his steady heartbeat, while mine was racing around. I found it hard to catch my breath all of a sudden.

I gasped as our hands dropped and we tore apart, pulling away. It was as if someone else was controlling my body. I wanted to stay where I was, but something forced me to distance myself. I realized now that the song was over.

Another annoying hit on the radio blared through the speakers. Jaxon was still staring after me, remaining where he was. I furrowed my eyebrows, trying to make sense of what happened. Before I could pattern together a verdict for my actions, defend them somehow, Austen popped up behind me. He was beaming, clueless, and I figured out that he must have missed everything that happened. Or was it all in my head?

"Shut up and dance with me," Austen declared. So that's what's playing. I gawked at him for a couple seconds, then peered over to where Jaxon was. He had darted away. Wherever he went, he was camouflaged by the massive thick tangle of black suits on the dance floor. Austen pulled my hand and took me back to the middle of the floor. My fingers tingled where Jaxon had held them. I replicated some of my crazy moves from before, and it didn't take long for me to adjust, and temporarily push aside the effects of slow dancing.

"This is the last slow song of the night! Make it count," The DJ hollered through the mic, deciding on "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri. The nerves started eating me alive, and with Austen right beside me, I knew I had to find the courage to ask. I opened my mouth, turning to Austen, but the words wouldn't come out.

"Would you care to dance?" Austen asked instead, holding out his hand for me. I smiled, and nodded, slipping my hand into his. That wasn't so bad. He pulled me to him, and alternated to the other form of dancing, where both his hands went around my waist. I hesitated, bringing mine up to wrap around his shoulders. We began swaying, just like Jaxon taught me, and I tried to block out the thoughts of him, or even worse, look around to find him and his thirsty date doing who knows what.

"It's burning in here! Sorry if I'm all sweaty," Austen told me. I laughed, reaching up and running a hand through his blonde hair, causing it to point in all directions.

"Nooo not the hair!" He complained. Instead of fixing it, he kept it all crazy and pulled me even closer to him. I looked up at his flickering blue eyes, and wondered why I felt guilty. I haven't done anything wrong... have I?

"This night has been perfect. It seriously could not have gone better.... and I honestly can't believe you're my girlfriend," Austen admitted, blushing a little. I smiled at his pink face, brushing the tip of my nose against his.

"Yeah, it surprises me too. You're not so bad yourself," I said, giggling. Austen grinned, then all at once, lost the humor. He moved in, and I closed my eyes, not wanting to fight it. Maybe kissing him would help rid the feeling that something was off.

The moment his lips touched mine, I could sense something different. It wasn't because of the mysterious guilt that was concealed deep inside of me, although that was definitely still there. No, it was in the way he kissed me. Austen wasn't as gentle. This time, it was more longing.

He broke away quick, and smiled again, sweetly. He has a dazzling smile. I grinned back, until he turned and walked away. I didn't realize he was pulling me along with him until we parted from the crowd of slow-dancers. Confusion dominated my emotions. We walked past the punch table, through the door frame, and out a different exit then where we came. There was a long corridor leading to the bathrooms. He led me down it without stopping. Where is he taking me?

At the end of the corridor, it turned into a hallway that extended out further into complete darkness. Austen continued a little ways down, to where the light barely reached the hallway. To anyone who might walk by, we were almost masked by darkness. He finally stopped.

"Austen, where-" I was cut off by his lips smashing against mine. I was caught up in the moment, my arms instinctively resting on his chest. Before I could comprehend it, he had pushed me up against the wall, his body pinning me to it. The kiss was rough and desirous, and it sent waves of crippling exhilaration coursing through me. I couldn't determine whether or not I wanted it.

His lips wandered down my neck, and I was breathing hard, gazing up at the ceiling. It was all happening so fast, I didn't know what to make of it. I felt his hand slip down lower from my waist, and tighten. I gasped, my eyes widening. Things were suddenly snapped into perspective. I pushed a little on his chest, hoping he would break away.

"Austen, I-I...." His lips began sucking on my neck, and I suppressed a moan. No, no, this has to stop. This is moving way too fast, and it's all wrong.

"I can't. Austen, you have to-" Before I could get the words out, his lips came back to mine. I was flashed back to that night on the beach. His tongue swirled around in my mouth, and he pushed his body into me. I shut my eyes, hoping that somehow he would sense my discomfort and slow down, before it was too late.

But he didn't. He was too absorbed in the desire. I knew he wanted me, so badly, but I didn't know how to say no. His hand trailed up my dress, and I tried to catch my breath, squeezing my eyelids shut and wishing it was all a dream. I felt him press against me, but before things could be taken further, he was pulled away.

I was breathing hard, gasping in oxygen to fill my lungs. The wall helped relieve the dizzying sensation that hinted I might pass out. I slowly opened my eyes, gazing at the ceiling. There was the sound of something hitting the ground. I could hear yelling, but I couldn't understand it. Finally, I turned my head, taking in the scene before me. What I saw made me double take.

Jaxon had Austen on the floor. He got on top of him, swinging his hand and punching him hard in the jaw. Austen shoved him off, and they both stood, staggering. Austen planted a solid punch right in Jaxon's face, and he returned it quick, aiming at his gut. Everything was happening in a flash, it hurt my head to watch.

Austen sucked in, moaning as he crumpled to the floor. People were rushing around, gathering at the end of the hallway and watching the fight take place. I stared, wide-eyed, as Jaxon grabbed Austen by the collar and knelt, ready to knock him out cold.

"STOP IT!" A voice demanded. Jaxon looked up at me, his eyes blazing with rage. I realized that it was my voice that said it, though I don't remember ever opening my mouth.

"You're hurting him! What are you doing? Get off him!!" I demanded. Jaxon grunted, too angry to say anything, and threw Austen back on the floor, standing up. I immediately rushed to Austen's side.

"Are you okay?" I lifted his face, cringing when I saw his lip was cut and gushing blood. He cracked open one blue eye, since the other one was already swelling shut, and gazed up at me. An adult figure broke through the swarm of curious teenagers, kneeling by Austen's side. The man helped prop Austen against the wall, and sent someone to get a paper towel to stop the bleeding. He looked like he was going to be okay, he just needed to wait for the pain from the last blow to pass. Taking in Austen's state, the shock turned to anger. I stood up, searching for the cause of all this. Jaxon was nowhere to be found.

"Where is he?" I shouted, running and pushing through the crowd and pounding down the hallway. I have to find Jaxon. He has some explaining to do.

A face I recognized popped out from behind me. Riley grabbed my arm, stopping me in my tracks. Cameron was close behind.

"Bay, where are you going? You can't leave, Austen is hurt!" She told me. You don't say. I growled, twisting my wrist. She latched on, and being stronger and more athletic than I am, kept me from going anywhere.

"I know! I just have to find Jaxon," I tried to explain to them without losing it. The anger was just escalating with every passing second. She shook her head, and I was so frustrated, I thought I might cry.

"You can't. He's probably long gone by now. You should stay until they make sure Austen's okay," Riley probed.

"I know! I'll be back. But right now-" In a flash, I pulled with all my strength and broke away from Riley's hold on me, "I have to go kill him."

With that, I sprinted away from them. In case they were following me, I hurried and took off my heels, then ditched them at the top of the stairs, racing down. I got to the bottom and charged across the cold marble floors, lunging towards the door. I shot through both doors and out into the night.

The streetlamps made everything close by visible, but he wasn't anywhere. I scanned the streets, hoping to see someone taking off down the sidewalk. I walked along the path, checking both directions. When that didn't work, I jogged around the building, discovering a neighborhood winding down behind the building, with only one streetlight flickering on the end. And down by that streetlight, I saw the silhouette of a guy in a tuxedo, walking fast.

I lifted my dress, racing towards him. As I got closer, I could make out details, seeing his brown hair all messy and his left hand hanging by his side, his knuckles black with bruises. He didn't stop walking, even though he heard me approach.

"Hey!" I screamed. He pretended not to hear me. Breathless, I grabbed his arm and forced him to turn around. His right eye was completely black and swollen from where Austen hit him, but besides that, he was unscathed. He glared at me, his brown eyes angry.

"What?" He snapped, annoyed. This just pissed me off further. Why is he mad? He has no right to be!

"Why the hell did you do that?" He blinked at me, not saying anything. I fumed, shoving him in the chest.

"Explain!" He took a step back, glowering.

"I'm sorry, did I interrupt something? Is that why you're mad? Maybe next time you two could find someplace a bit more private before you decide to have sex." That was it. I slapped Jaxon across the face. He tensed his jaw, and I could feel my hand throbbing with the impact.

"I hate you," I spat, feeling tears fill up in my eyes. His eyes were stone cold, without a trace of regret or pity. He watched me begin to cry, and didn't even react.

"Good," He said, turning and continuing walking down the street. Tears were raining down my face. I wanted to choke something out of him. I was getting hysterical now, feeling something deep stirring inside of me. I wanted him to hurt. I tried to find something, anything, that would make him hurt the way I was hurting.

"Just leave then! Run back home to your daddy! Oh wait, he doesn't care about you, just like everyone else!!" I regretted it as soon as it came out. He heard every terrible thing that left my mouth, but just kept walking down the street.

"I want nothing to do with you!" I shouted after him, "I never want to see you again!" I turned and ran down the sidewalk. I only made it a couple feet before collapsing. The crying turned into sobbing, and I felt like I had been stabbed, every breath I took was like a knife driving deeper into my chest. The pain was overbearing. Jaxon had disappeared down the street.

This was my bitter reality. Night of prom, I was left alone, in an abandoned neighborhood, with something shattered inside me and no one to turn to.

I hated him.

I know, you all hate me for writing this chapter. And you're probably ready to strangle me for leaving it at that. I'll hopefully write the next one quick. Until then, please vote, comment, and keep reading! You're comments keep me inspired :)