Chapter 1: The Inception

"I'm ready, Bria," Shaun said angrily, pulling Bria's arm. She was getting uneasy and being an introvert, she was out of her element.

"Loosen up, Shaun." Bria told her, squeezing Shaun's hand, "We got here under an hour ago and besides, we need to get used to this kind of scene. This is what college is going to be like."

They were at Malcolm's 18th birthday party, and it was already past midnight. Though Shaun's parents told her it was okay if she stayed out late, she knew her mother would still be slightly disappointed.

"It's getting near to final exams and you know how stressful that can be. We need to have fun. I'm sure our parents would understand." Bria added, rolling her eyes. She was already slightly tipsy.

Shaun took the bottle of beer out of Bria's hand and threw it outside. "And we're still not old enough to drink." She retorted.

Bria glowered at Shaun. Her eyes lit up suddenly when an athletic figure walked into the room. "Ooh, is that David?" she asked, eyeing the attractive young man.

"He's like thirty!" Shaun burst out.

Without uttering another word, Bria made her way over to David. They talked for an exceedingly long time while Shaun stayed in the corner alone. After a while, it seemed like Bria had forgotten all about Shaun and walked over to the kitchen with David.

Shaun glared at her and angrily walked outside. She sat on one of the many chairs scattered on the lawn and decided she would wait some more for Bria, but when ten minutes had passed, Shaun decided to walk home although she and Bria drove there together.

12:24 am

Though it was freezing and lonely, Shaun felt more comfortable on the road than at the crowded party. After a few minutes of walking, a car drove right up to her.

"Now she's ready to leave," Shaun mumbled, rolling her eyes. She was getting ready to give Bria a piece of her mind.

The car window rolled down, revealing an extremely attractive man with dark hair and sparkling deep blue eyes. Shaun was a bit startled; contemplating running or attacking him before he attacked her.

"Would you like a lift?" he asked, giving the most perfect smile Shaun had ever seen.

"No, I'm okay," Shaun responded and continued walking, but the strange driver kept following her.

"I insist." he smiled at her, "It may be the suburbs but these parts can get wild, especially at nights."

Shaun sighed and shrugged, then got in. She gripped the pepper spray that was in her purse tightly.

"So... why are you walking alone at this time? Did something happen back there?" he asked as they drove off.

"I like the fresh air," Shaun said quickly. She tried to sound as confident as possible.

"May I have your name?" he asked politely.

"Shaun."

"Well, Shaun, I'm Jared. Where are you heading to?" he asked.

Shaun sighed in relief when he asked her. A kidnapper wouldn't have asked for a location, right? She said to herself. "Wulsberry bus stop is okay," she told him.

Jared smile and nodded.

After talking for a while, they stopped at a 24/7 diner. Shaun noticed that although it was cold out, he was only wearing a black polo shirt.

"Aren't you cold?" Shaun asked.

Jared laughed and led her inside the diner, ignoring her question.

He ignored the many questions she asked about his eyes constantly changing colours or why he felt so cold whenever she touched him.

"What do you plan to do after school? Jared asked her, popping a fry into his mouth, trying to avoid one of her questions. "I know a smart girl as you had already got into an Ivy League school, but what's your passion?"

Shaun smiled as she played with the foam on her milkshake, "I'm taking a year off," she admitted, "it took a lot of convincing to get my mom on board but I scored a paid internship so that's twelve months experience but extra cash.

Jared chuckled, "That's impressive," he complimented. "School was never my thing. I was good at other stuff…" he looked up at her and grinned. "You've inspired me so maybe I'll give it another try."

Shaun blushed and shyly looked out the window.

After eating, they return to the car.

1:03 am

"In a weird way." Shaun said, sipping on her latte, "I find it easy talking to you."

"What's weird about that?" Jared asked, smiling his perfect smile.

"Because you're a stranger!"

"But I'm not a stranger anymore, aren't I?"

Before Shaun could say anything else, Jared reached over and kissed her.

"I... need to go," Shaun said, but she did not move. It was as if she were frozen.

"Do you?" asked Jared as he stared into her eyes.

Shaun did not respond. She felt breathless and weak in the knees.

Jared smirked and continued, taking off her jacket and then her blouse whilst kissing her neck.

"Can you be gentle, please?" Shaun asked innocently.

Jared smirked and nodded, then guided her to the back seat.

Shaun fell asleep afterwards. When she came to, she found herself alone in the backseat while Jared drove. That was the last thing she saw before she fell asleep again.

3:28 am

When Shaun woke up, she found herself in her bed while Jared went outside the window. Obvious questions such as "How did you know where exactly I live?" and "How did you climb up a five-story apartment building with no ladders and get through the window were far from Shaun's head. The first question was, "Why are you leaving?"

Jared did not respond. He just continued to climb down.

After he left, reality suddenly hit Shaun. She just lost her virginity to a total stranger, a peculiar one, that is. Not only that but it was unprotected. She suddenly felt the urge to vomit and she sprinted to the bathroom. That was where she cried until she fell asleep and until the sun kissed her skin.