Wrote this chapter all the while listening to Tanner Patrick-I just love that guy. GREEN EYES! *CRASH* Shit.

Anyway.

This chapter is extra long because I owe you people, so R&R, 'kay?

Thanks to xXxGGirlxXx for reviewing Chap 7!

~Tower Ballroom, Bellagio~

~ Cammie POV ~

Wrapped in my violet silk-chiffon dress, I sipped my wine and surveyed the room.

The stage made of thoroughly polished macassar ebony, where a black piano sat between two open wrought iron gates twined with dark red rose vines against burgundy curtains, rose gracefully from the heartwood floor. A ceramic vase filled with artfully arranged perfect red equadorian roses and yellow calla lilies sat on hundreds of velvet-covered tables each surrounded with four delicate gold chairs with comfy seats.

I grinned to myself. Now if only I could find someone to talk to, this would be an okay night

A petite, red-headed girl was coming my way. "Hey, Cammie, is that you?"

I felt a smile tugging at my lips. "It's me, Sofie. You look great!" She did look great, her green maxi print dress contrasting nicely with her hair. I lowered my voice."Do you mind sitting with me? I'm a bit bored here."

Sophia 'Sophie' O'Brien was one of my relatives my age that I could stand. She's part Irish, what with the green eyes and red hair. Though she lives in England, she has a light Irish accent that refuses to leave.

"Sure. I have nothing better to do." Sofie rolled her eyes."So cousin, what have you been up to these days? Still on with that Josh fellow? He looks really hot on his Facebook page by the way. Those eyes-"

"We broke up weeks ago. I made-out with him two days ago, though, 'cuz one of his slut followers was irritating me." I tried to keep my voice nonchalant.

Sophie tsk-ed."Did anyone see you?"

"I think so, but either they were embarrassed or mad because they slammed the door after them."

Sophie laughed."Your life is so much more interesting than mine. All I get are the same bunch of gorgeous boys begging for dates twenty-four-seven. You get irritating competition, hot exes, and sudden desires to kiss aforementioned hot exes."

I rolled my eyes."And you don't?"

"Not as often as you do."She grinned."So, why did you break up with him?"

My stomach twisted. I stood up abruptly. "I'm gonna need some alcohol before I tell you that." I left her and went to the banquet table, and refilled my glass. I sipped the stuff slowly, taking my time. When I felt drunk enough, I tried to find my way back to her, but I stumbled after the first two steps.

Somebody caught me."Hey, are you okay?"

I didn't bother to hide that I was studying him. He was what you'd call hot, with dark green eyes, messy brown hair, perfect tan, killer lips that curved into a mischievous crooked smile. I could make out the well-toned body under the tux.

"Excuse me." I tried to pull away.

He let me go, but he was still staring at me."Have I seen you before?"

I stared at him. "Maybe, if you've been to the other family reunions."

"In fact, I haven't but your face seems familiar."

Why is he being so stupid?"If you haven't been to a family reunion before, then why did you think my face looks familiar?"

He smirked."That's my secret to keep."

I glared at him. I had not time for this guessing shit."Why am I even talking to you?"

He smirked."Because I'm hot?"

I saw Sofie sitting four tables away and left the arrogant little twit still smirking his stupid smirk at my retreating back.

"Hello again."Sofie studied me."You looked pissed. And you forgot to bring me a glass."

When I didn't answer, she asked."What happened?"

"Some asshole says he's seen me before when he hasn't been to any of the other freaking reunions because I haven't seen him in all of my life."

"Uh, what?"

I raised my eyes. "There's the asshole right now, ask him yourself."

Green Eyes tapped Sofie's shoulder. "Mind if I join you?"

Sofie rolled her eyes. "Don't you pull that gentleman crap on me Zach. We both know you're the complete opposite. It never works."

"No shit."I growled under my breath.

'Zach' smirked at her."It wasn't for you Sof. It's for the pretty blonde you were talking to."

The haze from the alcohol was fading now. Shit, I'm suing whoever made the freaking wine."So you're name's Zach, huh? That's funny. If I were your mother, I wouldn't bother to name you, I'd throw you out with the trash ay-sap. And, yes I'm pretty, and a blonde, but my name is Cammie. And you may not join us, you'll just make the damn hangover worse."

He sat down anyway. I glared at him, then turned to Sofie. "You know each other?"

"Yep. She's my brother's girlfriend." Zach answered for her. He turned to me."Y'know, I think I know why you seem familiar. Mustv'e seen your picture in Sof's Notebook...oh, shit."

Sophie glared at him."So you were the one that stole it?"She screeched.

"No! Grant took it, he said you gave it to him, how was I supposed it was stolen?"

"Shut up, both of you. You can have the screaming match later."I raised my eyes at Sofie. She didn't tell me she had a boyfriend.

Sofie flushed."It wasn't a big deal,"She lied.

Zach laughed at Sofie's discomfort."Right. It's no big deal that the untouchable Sophie O'Brien actually stayed with a guy for more than a month. Of course," Zach added, smirking,"such blemish has never tarnished my record."

"Just wait until you find the right girl." Sophie warned him,"I bet any hopes of keeping your record would be gone like magic."

"The right girl."Zach snorted."What's that, a disease?"

"Sofie how could this moron even have a record if he talks like this every time?"I asked Sofie, smirking.

"You know, you probably have the disease, the way I talk make girls swoon every time. And that's my smirk."

Sophie rolled her eyes. Then she glared at me. No, someone behind me."Grant's here."

"Hey Sof, Zach." I turned my head. Grant looked like a lot like a buffer, taller, and blonde Zach. He ruffled Sofie's hair playfully, immune to her glare. He turned his eye to me.

"I'm Cammie. Her cousin."I introduced myself before Zach could say something.

"You both look kinda pissed,"Grant observed."You wouldn't have something to do with that, would you?"He asked his brother.

"Nope. Not a bit."Zach smirked.

"I'm getting some food."The daggers Sofie were shooting at Grant looked deadly.

Zach noticed it too."Wait for me!"

I gave him the death glare, daring him to follow me. He just smirked and wrapped an arm around my waist, dragging me to one of the balcony doors.

People were staring. I tried to push his arm away, he just tightened his grip. "When we get out of here, I am so going to kill you."I hissed at him.

He laughed, and I saw my mother looking at me."Counting on it."

Son of a -

He shut the balcony doors behind us, and finally let go of me. I opened my mouth to make a scathing remark, but he pinned both of my arms behind my back and pressed me against the wall. A woodsy scent filled my nose.

We glared at each other, violet meeting green."What's your problem?"I hissed at him.

"I was supposed to ask that first."

"Fine. You want to know my problem?"I tried to free my hands."You. You are my problem Zach, you and your goddamn smirk, your freaking attitude, and everything. God, even your presence irritates me. Care to tell me why you like irritating me so much?"

He grinned and let me go."I don't know. Probably because you fight back. I like a lot of fire in my girls."

I rubbed my sore wrists. "Well, you're not gonna get this girl. You're much of an obnoxious moron to be my type."

Zach leaned on the railing."You don't even know me that well."

"I think I've known enough about you in the last twenty minutes or so."

"Well, I don't know much about you except you're Sofie's hot cousin, and hates me."He smirked."But that could change."

I rolled my eyes."Keep dreaming."I peeked out at our table. Sofie was still grilling Grant.

Zach whistled."Looks like we're gonna be here for a while. Do you think we should have a truce? Y'know, to keep from killing each other?"

I nodded."Truce. But when they're done fighting,"I looked him in the eye,"it's our turn."

"Excellent. Is there a chance I can ask you to dinner?"

"Nope."

"Lunch?"

"Okay, I know we have a truce but if you keep doing that, I'm gonna have to kill you."

He yawned."Try it."

I leaned on the glass door, closing the drapes."Truce remember? And if I'm going to kill you, I'd prefer a more dramatic set."

"What could be more dramatic than this?"He laughed softly."Girl Murders Innocent Guy On Balcony. Tragic."

"Well how about-"

Someone opened the door, probably thinking it was empty. I almost fell flat on my face, but Zach caught me. Again.

"Hey, watch it!"I growled.

"Sorry!"The moron went to find another door to open.

Zach looked amused."Why do I always have to keep you from falling?"

"Shut up."

Green eyes laughed at me. My stomach churned, and red crept to my cheeks.

He helped me stand up. I wobbled on my heels. Frustrated and humiliated, I took them off, almost threw them out, but I decided not to.

I sat on the balcony. The sky was clear tonight. I searched for constellations to keep my mind off things like Zach, and falling, and his smirk and downright annoying attitude...

Warm arms wrapped my waist."So you're going to ignore me now?"

"It's either that, or your unfortunate death. You choose. And get your hands off me."

Instead, he turned me around to face him. I glared. I'm getting so sick of this."What now?"

He sighed. "I'm sorry okay? I'll try to be less annoying from now on."There was no smirk on his face, but I probably imagined that.

I snorted."In my dreams."

"Is that how you usually accept apologies?"

"It is with you."

Now he smirked."So I'm forgiven?"

"Only because we have a truce."I grinned, unable to help it.

He grinned back."You're so much better without alcohol in you. Why did you drink that much wine anyway?"

Something clogged my throat."None of your business."

"I feel like whatever upsets you is my business."He raised an eyebrow."So?"

"I'm not upset."I said quickly."When did you become so protective anyway? A few minutes ago, you were annoying the hell outta me."

"Nothing else to get worried about, I suppose."

"I'm not sure I could trust you with my issues, Zach."

"I have plenty of time to earn your trust, so hold on to that, I guess."He smirked."I'd get it out of you pretty soon, I figure."

"That's gonna take more than a century for you. So if you want my trust, you better start now."

"Oh sure. No problem, Princess."He leaned towards me, and I knew what he intended to do. I would've fought my way out if only I wasn't so paralyzed.

"Just so you know Cammie,"he whispered,"I'm going to kiss you right now."

No matter. I've kissed many boys before. I stared him in the eyes."So kiss me. But don't you dare fall in love with me." I reached up to kiss him.

Then the door burst open. I was thinking how lucky It was I wasn't leaning on it again when Sofie's voice reached me."There you are! Glad to see both of you alive, and if you don't want those shoes cousin, you could give them to me."

I'm sure my cheeks were red. I put my heels on again. She and Grant were looking very amused. I was tempted to throw something at them. Grant had his arms wrapped around Sofie, so they probably settled the Stolen Notebook issue, thank God.

Then a familiar face appeared beside them, wearing a very serious expression on her face. Oh shit.

"Hi mom."I said as casually as I could.

There!

Hope you liked that... No, wait, I know you liked that...but forgive me if there are grammar mistakes, if any. The background music is very distracting.

R&R!