THE BAD BOY'S OBSESSION

My narrative begins at a party. Not a house party or a club. But it's one of those movie-themed parties.

You know, the one with too much drink in a strange warehouse with teens grinding on the dance floor to extremely loud music.

I didn't really want to be here in the first place. Anyway, back to why my story begins here, rather than on the first day of school, when some random hot guy walks in and instantly falls in love with me, and everything is rainbows and unicorns and poop flinging skittles.Hmm, that does not seem too horrible. My story starts here because this was the night I met Nico. Nico. 19 (of course, I didn't know at the time) From Spain (didn’t know that either) Has a really gorgeous, drool - worthy face. Also, he smokes.

 Which is not very good for health, but that was beside the point. And I didn't know it then, but that night would change my whole world, flip it inside out and shake it upside down. Then rattle it some more until whoever was writing my story decided it was enough.

 But what was I doing here in the first place? At a party I didn't even want to go to? Here's how it all went down, just an hour ago: It was a calm September evening when it happened. Correction. Before it happened.

I remember sitting in my room, my head bent over my Spanish book, trying not to rip the pages off.

 I couldn't even pronounce the sentence properly, and my teacher wanted us to understand and memorize them. It was going to be a long night.

Not a minute later, my mother's screams erupted from three rooms down the hall, followed by more yelling. I sighed. Apparently, it just got longer.

I didn't even stop to listen to what they were arguing about this time as I picked up my books and headed downstairs to the kitchen.

  Knox was there, knuckles clenched, teeth gritted. "My head is going to explode." My brother muttered. "Ditto." I replied. For once, he was at home on a Saturday night. Let him deal with it. "Margaret!" He called.

A minute later, our housekeeper walked in with a bunch of mint leaves in her hand. Placing them on the counter, she turned to him. "Yes, Knox?" "Have we got any aspirin?" She laughed, patting his head. "Mister   Knox, if you were in the house more often, you would know that there are plenty in the bathroom cupboard." "Right, thanks." He mumbled, getting up and walking out.

 I closed my books and got up too.

I had barely memorized a paragraph - nope, I didn't understand a word- but it was enough studying for tonight. "Need any help, Margaret?" She smiled. "Get some paprika from the top shelf." I reached up and grabbed a mason jar with the red lid.

Margaret could do everything alone, with the exception of reaching the high shelves. "I didn't even know Luke grew mint." I responded, looking at the leaves that were now in a sieve over the sink. Luke was our part-time gardener, not that we required one.And we didn't even have a large garden—it was more like an extra plot in the backyard.

"You are the most unobservant person I know." She teased. He started last month. "And you go to the garden every day." I loved the flowers he planted. 

 They weren't many, just a patch at the back, along with a few vegetables. "You know how this is going to end up, right?" I said, taking the knife and beginning to cut the freshly washed leaves. "Dad's going to end up staying over at his brother's place, and mom is well... you know mom.

And all this dinner you're making is going to go unappreciated." She pinched my cheek. "More for us then, Miss Sienna." I grinned. However, it soon wiped off my face as the familiar rambling continued down the stairs. Wow, this one was especially bad.

 Mom was screaming at him non-stop. I sighed. "I'm done, Katie! You hear me?! Done!" Dad yelled back. He crossed the kitchen, where his eyes landed on me.

His green eyes seemed to be apologizing before he pushed past Margaret and walked out, slamming the door behind him.

 I stared at the door in shock. This was becoming a habit, but it didn't fail to bring my hopes down every time.

I felt a hand on my back. Reaching up, I took it in mine. Fragile and wrinkled, but Margaret provided the reassurance I needed. He will come back.

He always comes back. Mom cursed, and Margaret tutted. "Miss Katie, think of the example you are setting for-" "This is my house." Mom said between gritted teeth. "I will not be pushed around by the likes of you." She might as well have spat on the floor too.

 I stepped in front of Margaret, shielding her from my mother. If looks could kill, her glare would have sent me ten feet under the ground by now. Mom didn't really like Margaret. The only reason she put up with her was because of me and   Knox, because we liked her so much.

Margaret was more of the sweet, caring side of a mother we rarely got to experience with our real one. She was from Kenya originally, and moved to America to find work. She's been with us for as long I can remember. In the end, mom grabbed a beer and sauntered to her room, just as   Knox came back down. "I'm going to Justin's party." He announced. "The one on the other side of town?" I asked. Riley – my best friend - had been talking about it non-stop all week, convincing me to go.  

 Knox threw me his shut up now or I will castrate you look. Margaret turned from her cooking and placed her hands on her hips. "On the other side of town, huh?"   Knox nodded. "Just a small one, Marge." "Okay." She picked up the spatula. "You can go if your sister goes." "What!" we both exclaimed at the same time. There was no way in hell I was going.

Justin's parties always got a little too wild. Besides, the last time I drank resulted in me passing out for two days. It took   Knox's dirty gym socks to finally wake me up. That day was also the same one that   Knox almost ended up in a hospital.

Margaret pointed her spatula at me accusingly. "It is time you had some fun." "But-" "No buts." She smiled sweetly. “Knox will not go unless you accompany him." I turned to   Knox, who was silently begging me with his eyes. He mouthed a name to me. Jessica. Rolling my eyes, I wondered why I ever decided to play matchmaker for the two.

They had a sort of love-hate relationship, you know, the one where they would be screaming at each other one second and the next, I would walk into the kitchen to find them making out on the counter. It didn't so much as repulse me as it scared me. I had mental images no seventeen-year-old girl should be tortured with. "Sure, lil' bro." I finally said.

I wasn't the most loving sister, but even I wouldn't let him stay in the house with mom in her current condition. "But give me some time, okay? Let me text Riley." He pretended to be cool about it, but I couldn't miss the relief in his eyes.

 So, this party. I typed. Where exactly is it? Clair replied a minute later. OMG. SO, YOU'RE COMING RIGHT?! Thinking about it. GREAT. COMING TO PICK YOU UP RIGHT NOW! I walked up to my room, opening my closet and looking for something to wear.

Maybe tonight wouldn't be such a bad night after all. Maybe it would help me forget. But I wasn’t all that comfortable in large crowds. It wasn’t that I was antisocial, I just preferred hanging out with people I was close to better.

 Only, all the people I as close to – loved going to parties. Take my brother, for instance –   Knox, a year younger than me, but already a junior Ezekiel Elliott in the making. Then there were my two best friends – Riley and Eli. They would show up anywhere there was a hint of cheap booze.

Ten minutes and a huge pile of clothes on the floor later, I fell on my bed just as the door opened. Margaret must have let her in. Riley stood in front of me, her hair in a messy knot at the back of her head, her pumps clicking impatiently on the marbled floor. "Well? Are you ready or not?" Riley was blond and tall – and basically stole every guy’s heart.

Too bad she was also their worst nightmare. "Nope." I answered. She tilted her head, taking off her pumps and helping me off the bed. "Let's get you ready, now." She rummaged through my closet, turning it into a bigger mess that I had. But luckily, she found something. A jade dress that barely reached my thighs and boots.

 I picked up my black tights as well, ignoring her disapproving look. After changing, she handed me a tube of lip-gloss and some mascara. All of which I hesitantly put on. "You used to love makeup." She sighed. "Remember when we gave each other makeovers?" I laughed. "You used to make me look like a clown." All the partying, the boys, the extremely short dresses and high heels stopped last year, when the fights began. "Right." said Riley. "Let's pretend you were better than me." She flipped her hair and grinned.

I put on my boots and ran a hand through my hair, wondering for the millionth time why my hair wasn't like mom's- soft and silky, and so very blonde. Instead, it fell down my shoulders in brown waves. I loved it, but it took so much effort and turned into a frizzy mess so easily, I’d preferred moms.

 Five minutes later, Knox, Riley and I were sitting inside my brother's beat up truck. Riley 's car was parked in the driveway, and the majority (Knox and I) had decided it was better to take his truck since Riley drove like psychopath who had just escaped prison. "Why is the party at a warehouse?" I asked in the middle of the ride. "Doesn't Justin own a mansion or something?" "It's more of an abandoned villa." replied   Knox. Like that made it any better. "And he thought it would be fun.

 Different. Not to mention, no police around." Great. So, if a sociopath came at me with a broken beer bottle, all I had were the small wedges on my boots.

 I wondered how much blood I could lose before 911 arrived. The houses slowly started disappearing as factories and industries came into view. Most of them were abandoned, just like the warehouse that served as today's venue.

A decade ago, the funding for the oil and coal extraction had been cut off by the government, which resulted in many people losing their jobs.

Nowadays, the majority of them lived in the city centre, just like us. I knew we had arrived even before Riley or   Knox declared so. The warehouse was similar to the other surrounding it, but none of them had about fifty cars parked in the front with loud music bursting through the open windows.

 As   Knox parked the truck and we got out, a couple of girls I recognized from my Biology class tripped out, their words slurring as they stumbled upon each other. Oh God, I hoped Riley wouldn’t be like that by the end of tonight.

Not that I was judging, but it was impossible to control her when she was drunk – she ran around like a headless chicken every single time. What if you drank with her? No. I silently shook my head. As tempting as it was, I could barely live through a hangover the next morning. "C'mon," ushered Riley, pulling me towards the entrance. "I promised to meet Eli and Lena." I let her lead me in, followed by an excited   Knox.

 I really shouldn't be letting him anywhere near this place. What was I doing? "Don't get drunk, please.

And no drugs. And definitely no s*x in the-" "Jeez, I get it.” "Good," I said, straightening up his collar. Even though he was younger, he was a few inches taller than me. "Tell Jessica I said hi." He walked in, mumbling something about one mother not having been enough and disappeared. The music was louder inside -not that I didn't expect it to be- but like, ear splitting loud.

The smell of sweat and alcohol was nauseatingly strong and so was my urge to go back inside the truck. Before I could make a move, Riley spotted Eli and yelled his name, but obviously he didn't hear her because the music was too loud.

However, Lena did and she ran over to us, crushing me in one of her bear hugs. "Thought you weren't coming." She said, as she let go of me and hugged Riley. "Decided not to be such a prude after all, huh?" Eli was hot on her heels, his messy hair falling over his forehead. "You know, Eli, I would punch you if you weren't my friend." He winked. "You love me, babe." I scoffed. "Still got your head in the clouds, I see." Riley 's grip on my arm tightened.

 "Want a drink, Cia?" "I'm good." Eli narrowed his eyes playfully. "I take that back.  Sienna Morgan, you are so getting wasted tonight." I glared at him the best I could. "I think I'll take up on that prude offer." He laughed. "Maybe a shot or two." It wasn't a bad idea. Just a shot, to let lose a little. I took one look at my surroundings. Scantily-clad girls, rubbing on boys who were grinning from ear to ear, their breaths probably reeking of alcohol and cigarettes. I knew how hard it was for me to stop drinking once I started – that’s one of the reasons I tried to not begin at all. Eli disappeared into the crowd as Lena and Riley headed to the dance floor.

I mumbled a halfhearted apology to a couple I ran into by mistake. They were so busy making out, I doubt they even noticed. Eli came back, handing me a disposable cup. "Your brother here?" I nodded. He gulped down his drink before speaking again. "To meet my sister, I presume?" Jessica was Eli's twin sister. Eli had started school a year earlier than her, and that's why he was a grade ahead.

 I grinned. "They're cute together, Eli." "Right." He folded his arms, motioning to the paper cup in my hands. "I didn't bring that so you could stare at it, you know." It smelled awful. How I had managed to drink so much in the past was beyond me.

Pinching my nose, I quickly took in the contents. My throat burned as I threw away the cup and promised myself no more. "For someone who swings for guys, you surely don't trust a lot of them." His contagious smile was beginning to form on his face. "No offense my love, but your little brother isn’t the goodest of two shoes.” "And besides, no guys when Jessica's involved.

 She's way too young." I almost laughed at that. "She's your twin." They had the same dirty blonde hair, the same face and even the same glasses. Their genes were amazing - they were both pretty attractive.

"Seven minutes younger." I was tempted to roll my eyes. "Sure." He crunched up his cup, bumping my arm with his. "How are things at home?" "Okay." I answered. "I mean, my dad's gone for the night, but what's new?" "It'll get better, sweetheart." He said, ruffling my hair. "Meanwhile," his eyes scoured the room and landed on a super-tall guy with shoulder-length hair and a sweet smile. "Eye-candy." He exclaimed. "He's all yours." Eli raised an eyebrow. "Are you going to be, okay? I don’t want to leave you alone.” I nodded.

His gaze returned to the guy, and he smiled before walking over to him. Meanwhile, I passed a couple of more students from our school and stopped to say hello to one of them.

 I knew one of them from History and Calculus. And by the way she was slurring and almost falling on top of me, she was already wasted. Her boyfriend picked her up, passing me an apologetic look.

I shrugged it off as no big deal. I spotted Lena next, chugging down from a bottle and swaying her hips. It was ironic, how much her name suited her. She had bright red cheeks and even her hair was a mass of crimson curls. The guy in the corner caught my eye.

He was smoking a cigarette while casually resting against the wall. He was new to school, but I didn't know his name yet.

It had only been a week, but based on the gossip, he was already the target of nearly every girl at school.

His gaze shifted to mine, and I quickly turned away to discover my brother conversing with Jessica on the other side. Eli stood a foot away, caught between flirting with the guy and frowning at Knox.My phone suddenly buzzed.

Hey, honey. Read the words. Could you spare a few minutes for your father? Dad never texted unless it was necessary.

My brow furrowed, I stepped outdoors, attempting to avoid everyone in my path.

I phoned Knox when I was near his truck and not distracted by the music. He picked up on the second ring. "Hello?Sienna?" "Yeah, dad?" I was becoming upset. "I thought you were home.

When I dialed the landline, Margaret answered. "You mentioned you were at a party with Knox." "Yes, don't worry, I'm keeping an eye on him." His voice loosened. "I know you are, pumpkin." "Dad?" I was fumbling with my sleeves and trying not to bite my nails.

The amount of times Riley  snapped at me because of the uneven stubs was ridiculous. "What's wrong?" He took a deep breath. "I'm leaving for a few days, Val. Robert and I are going to Miami, to visit mom and dad." "Is everything okay?" "Everything's fine. It's just, you know how your mother is." I gulped.

This was my fault. Mom yelling at him. It was because of me. "Dad," my voice kinda broke at that point. "Can   Knox and I come with you?" "You an