Chapter 1

Julie POV

It's Friday night here in Dillion and school has let out for summer. Finally my sophomore year of high school is over and I'm one year closer to completing high school. Tonight to celebrate our accomplishments Lois is taking me to a party. If anyone knows me they know that I'm not a big party girl. It's just not my scene. I would rather stay at home curled up in bed reading a book. Hanging out with Lois usually consists of going out to parties and alcohol, lots of alcohol. I love hanging out with my best friend so if that means going to a party so be it! Now what to wear? I don't want to look like I'm asking for it. I guess I'll go with my usual v-neck t-shirt and skirt.

I walk down the hall to the living room and I find her mom and dad curled up on the couch with Gracie asleep in my mother's arms. That's the one thing I absolutely miss most. I miss being my mom's little girl and the apple of my daddy's eye. Gracie has only been in the family for ten months and I is still find it difficult to accept her into the family. I stand there for what seems like minutes watching them and imagining what things would be like without her. It's a terrible thing to think I shake my head and walk into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water.

"Hey babe. I want you home by eleven, okay?" mom said looking over at me.

"You know it's summer right?" I replied as I took a sip of my water.

My mom looks to my dad who purposely has his eyes glued to the television. "I am well aware of that Jules." she said. She absolutely hated it when her mother spoke to her that way.

Biting my tongue I waited a few seconds to respond to, "Then why can't I be home at twelve? All we're doing is going to the movies and grabbing some dinner."

My mom snapped her head back my direction and gave me a stern look. Woah don't want to get on her bad side tonight! She is not a force to be reckoned with today. "What did I say Julie? I want you home at eleven. End of discussion."

I hear a honk coming from outside. Finally Lois is here to save me from the wrath of Tami Taylor! I grab my purse from the table and head toward the front door.

"I mean it Jules. You best be home by eleven!" my mother shouts as I open the door.

"I love you bye!" I say and walk out the door.

When I get into the car I am welcomed by an overly enthused Lois. "Hey! I don't know about you but I am ready to get my drink on. I've been waiting for this all week," Lois said while backing out of the driveway.

"Hi. So do you care to share with me exactly where we are going?" I say as I buckle my seatbelt. Lois looks at me with a smirk on her face. Oh boy! I knew Lois was up to something but I didn't know what. She's been keeping the details from me all week.

"Well Julie Taylor if you're so eager to know. We are going to a party at Mike Smith's lake house where there will be tons of booze and college boys."

Mike Smith graduated from Dillion high a few years ago with a full ride scholarship to play football at UT. I've always heard stories about how he would come back to Dillion every summer from college to throw crazy parties at his family's lake house. I remember my dad traveling to Dillion to private coach Mike sometimes. Dad had a lot of good things to say about him.

I look over to Lois with disappointing news, "I hate to spoil your night Lois but I have to be home by eleven."

Lois looks at me and sighs, "Seriously your mom ruins everything Julie."

"Tell me about it…" I say staring out the window.

At the party Lois was doing her usual routine flirting with some guy in the corner of the room. With a drink in hand I sit by the pool table and watch the frat boys waste away while playing beer pong. There was no one here I knew from Dillion High. Everyone here is older and most of them college students. I'd rather be at one of Tim Riggins get togethers at least I would know people there. I just feel completely out of place and uncomfortable. For that matter it makes me want to drink more. I empty the remainder of the drink I have and get up from where I've been sitting for the past hour.

I walk into the next room of the house where the bar is. What should I drink? I look over to one side of the bar and there are a bunch of shots. Why not? One more drink won't kill me. I am at a party after all. Picking up one of the shots I investigate it. I look beside me and see a girl pick one up and drink it.

"Must be good then," I whisper to myself and shrug before I take the shot.

My face cringes from the burn of the unknown. Closing my eyes I take a second to allow the blaze of fire in my throat to subside. Wanting to feel the feverish thrill again I pick up another shot and down it. I really don't care what I'm drinking. Just for tonight I want to let loose for once. So I grab another one and toss it back in my mouth.

Slamming the shot glass onto the bar I hear a voice from behind me, "Slow down there."

As I turn around see who he it was I catch the eyes of a tall tan brunette frat boy.

"Who are you my dad?" I say while picking up another shot. I lock my eyes with his as I swallow the shot. He remains in front of me not taking his eyes off mine.

"Hi" I say to him and smile as I start to walk to go find my best friend. I turn around and wink at him and I see a smirk form on his lips. Did I really just do that? As I'm walking into the next room I start feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

In the next room Lois is now standing around the beer pong table with the guy she had been flirting with earlier.

"Hey there Jules. You having fun?"

"Hey yourself!"

"You look like you're feeling pretty good."

"I feel amazing." I say and turn my attention back to the game.

"It appears to me that you have a stalker. He's been staring at you all night," she tilts her head across the room. I look over to the brunette I had just had an encounter with at the bar. He smiles at me then resumes talking to his friends.

"See I told you! Maybe you should go talk to him."

"I may have said a few words to him already."

"That's my girl! He's really hot Jules I think you two would look good together."

"Lois he's probably way older than I am. Plus I'm not ready to date again."

"Are you still sulking over Matt."

"No!"

The truth is I'm still not completely over Matt. Matt was my first real boyfriend and I care about him a lot. We still talk sometimes but it is not the same as before. He's moved on completely and dating some cheerleader now. I know it's time to move on and start living a little.

"Hey earth to Julie." Lois says pulling me out of my own thoughts.

"Sorry. I was just thinking."

"I think you should call over Mr. I Can't Take My Eyes Off You."

Has he really been staring at me the whole night or is Lois just trying to tease me because I'm half drunk? Looked up from under my eyelashes I can see him glancing over in this direction. What is his deal?

"Lois do you want to get another drink with me?"

"Sure why not."

We're sitting outside around the fire and Lois in the lap of her new man making out. The sight of those two make me want to puke. After we got our drink together Lois has completely ignored. I had stopped drinking about an hour ago but it was clear that Lois was still drinking because her hands were all over this guy. I look up and see the tall brunette heading my way. I wonder what his name is.

"Can I take this seat?" he asks me.

"Sure." I reply and he sits down on the chair beside me.

"My name is Jake," he says reaching out his hand for me to shake.

"Julie." I say shaking his hand.

"Nice to meet you Julie. Are you enjoying yourself?"

"I'm not really a party goer."

"Well you sure did look like one to me when you were taking all those shots."

"They were pretty tasty."

"I could tell. So Julie what brings you to this party?"

I point over to Lois and her lip smacker and roll my eyes, "I came with my best friend."

"Well I can now see why you took so many shots," he murmurs and smiles.

"Yeah." I love his smile.

I glance down at my phone to check the time. It's almost ten and I don't want to be late getting home.

"I should probably get going soon. I don't want my parents to worry."

"You have a curfew?" Jake asks.

"Unfortunately I do," I mutter and he grins.

Turning towards Lois I tap her lightly on the shoulder.

"What?" she asks as she pulls her lips away from the guys.

"I think it's about time we go."

"It's 10:00 and it will take us awhile to get back into town. I don't want to be late getting home. You know how my mom is."

"Can you find someone else to take you home? I'm not read to leave just yet."

I frown. Did I just hear her correctly? Out of all my friends I least expected for Lois, my best friend to ditch me. Seriously? Who the hell am I suppose to ask to give me a lift home.

"Yeah I guess I'll call Tyra. I'll call you tomorrow then. Be careful getting home."

I give Tyra and quick hug and she goes back to smacking lips with her guy. I turn back to Jake "It was nice meeting you."

"Nice meeting you as well. Do you need a ride? I couldn't help but overhear you and your friend." he says.

"I couldn't ask you to leave the party just to take me home."

"I was just thinking about heading out myself."

I don't know. Should I let him drive me home? I barley even know this guy. I've always been told not to get ride from strangers, but I really don't want to be late getting home. I would be in even more trouble if I was late getting home. Then I would have to explain to my parents where I actually was. I guess I have no choice but to except his offer.

"Umm… are you sure you don't mind?" I ask.

"No not at all. Just tell me where I need to take you."

"Thank you so much."

"You're welcome. Come on I don't want you to miss your curfew."

We walk up to the house and grab our things . Jake opens the front door open for me and I head out into the front yard.