Chapter 3 House Rules

Aveline's POV

By lunch, Crestwood had already taught me two things that rich people were exhausting and kieran Hampton was worse.

"You have to come." Theo said to me inviting me to a party.

"No."

Theo gasped like I had insulted his ancestors. "It's Milo's party."

"That doesn't improve the sales pitch."

"It absolutely does."

He continued " His parents are in Monaco, the house is unsupervised, there will be regrettable decisions."

"I was already leaning no."

Theo grinned. "Everyone's going."

That got my attention, everyone. Including Kieran, Including Cassian. Exactly the kind of terrible idea I needed. I might actually get some information from this party.

I sighed dramatically. "What time?"

Theo cheered like I had agreed to donate a kidney. Kieran, sitting across from us, merely lifted an eyebrow. "Carter at a party? Should we alert the authorities?" I had actually had enough so i spoke back. "Hampton speaking? Should we alert a priest?" Theo nearly inhaled his drink, Kieran smirked. Cassian as usual, just watched. That was becoming deeply unsettling.

Home was quieter than usual which somehow made it worse. Mom sat in the living room, staring at her laptop, a half empty glass of water beside her. She didn't even look up when I entered.

"You're late."

That was it. No how are you? No are you okay? How was school. Or at least look up to notice my newly cut hair, Just late.

"I had things to do."

She hummed absently. I could've been anyone. Maybe, to her, I was. I went upstairs without another word. When i returned downstairs there was silence. Mom had already showered, changed, packed a bag, and headed to the hospital without telling me. She had gone back to Asher, who is still in coma, in the hospital

It was already 7:30pm, I had milo's party to attend , it was part of my revenge plan. But when I finished dressing up like Asher, there was no one at home, no one to take permission from or to tell where you are going so I just left. Milo's party was already in full swing. Calling it a party felt inadequate, it was a small civilization. Milo's house party pulsed with music, lights flashing through enormous windows, cars lined the driveway, students crowded every available pace. Someone was already doing a handstand in the fountain. Theo found me immediately.

"Asher!" He practically tackled me.

"You came!"

"I regret it already."

"Excellent." He dragged me inside before I could reconsider.

The house was chaos, people danced on furniture. Someone had started an argument over tequila. Milo was shirtless for reasons no one could explain. This was either the best party ever or the beginning of a lawsuit. Probably both.

Then Kieran appeared.

Because apparently peace was illegal. He stood near the staircase, sleeves rolled up, drink in hand, looking unfairly good. His eyes found mine instantly.

"Carter."

"Hampton."

He stepped closer, gaze sweeping over me. "You clean up well."

"I was aiming for barely tolerable."

He smirked. "You missed."

I rolled my eyes. Theo wisely abandoned us. Kieran leaned against the banister. "So, what's your strategy tonight?"

"Survival."

"Bold."

"I'm trying new things."

He laughed softly, that stupid laugh.

Then Cassian walked past, dark eyes lingering on me just a second too long before disappearing into the crowd. A chill ran down my spine. Kieran noticed and his expression tightened.

"You know you should avoid him."

"I thought you enjoyed giving orders."

"Only when people ignore them."

"Then you must adore me."

He stared for a second. Then laughed. Without another word, he turned and walked toward the bar. That was weird. Very weird.

Daphne rescued me twenty minutes later. "I was beginning to think Crestwood had eaten you alive."

"It tried."

She handed me a soda. "You survived Kieran Hampton. That's practically a school record."

"Why not, he is a man just like me."

She smiled knowingly. "That's one word for it."

We talked for a while. About classes, about teachers. I was actually enjoying myself. Then someone slammed into me. A drink cascaded down the front of my shirt. Ice cold and sticky.

I gasped.

"Oh my God!" a girl squeaked. "I'm so sorry!"

Daphne winced. "Go upstairs. First door on the left. There's a bathroom."

"You're a lifesaver."

"I know."

I headed upstairs, muttering dark things about party etiquette, the hallway was quieter. The music dulled to a distant thump. I found the room, pushed open the door and froze. Kieran was there. Shirt half unbuttoned, hair a complete disaster. A blonde girl sat in his lap, lipstick smeared across his jaw. Both of them looked up.

"Sorry, man," I said immediately in a manly voice. "Need the bathroom."

The girl frowned, Kieran blinked at me. Then, to my utter disbelief, he looked at the girl and said, "Leave."

She stared. "What?"

"I said leave."

She huffed, grabbed her purse, and stormed out. I stood there, deeply uncomfortable.

"What the hell?" Kieran rose unsteadily, he is definitely drunk, very drunk.

He crossed the room in three strides and grabbed my collar. My heart launched itself into orbit.

"You've been avoiding me."

"What"

"You smell like terrible decisions."

He grinned lazily. "You smell nice."

That was... not helpful. "Let go."

"Make me."

I narrowed my eyes. "You are unbelievably annoying."

He tugged me closer. Too close. Why was he always so close? His gray eyes searched mine, unfocused but intense. "You're not who I remember."

My pulse stumbled. "Maybe your memory sucks."

Then his expression softened, dangerously.

"I can't figure you out."

"That's because there's nothing to figure out."

I shoved his chest. He didn't move.

"You're drunk." "You should lie down."

"You should stop looking at me like that."

I blinked. "Like what?"

"Like you want to hit me."

"I usually do."

His grin returned. "That's kind of hot."

I should've left. I know that.

Instead, I stayed. Because apparently, I had lost all survival instincts. Kieran's hand tightened on my collar. His gaze dropped to my mouth. My breath caught. This was bad, very, very bad.

"Kieran..."

Then his lips crashed onto mine. My brain stopped functioning completely. It wasn't soft. It was hot and demanding and tasted like whiskey and terrible life choices. Reality slammed into me immediately. I wasn't Aveline. He thought I was Asher. I shoved him hard. He stumbled backward and landed on the bed with an undignified bounce.

"What the hell?" He mumbled as he laid still on the bed, his eyes closed now.

I touched my mouth, my lips still burned. "What the actual hell?"

Kieran opened his mouth, closed it. That arrogant idiot. Panic exploded inside me. I turned and bolted. I moved through the crowd and out the front door. I didn't stop until I reached my cab. My heart hammered against my ribs. My lips still tingled. Kieran Hampton had just kissed me while thinking I was Asher.

Which meant one of three things.

He was gay.

He was bisexual.

Or Crestwood Academy was even messier than I had magined.

Probably all three.