Watching Ricky's behavior shift around Lana was quite funny, as it always felt though she had the guy's balls in a vice grip, whether she wanted them or not. But Alex knew they had a history as long-time friends, and that was certainly not something he ever wanted to get between. As much as he didn't show it though, Ricky definitely had a way of irritating people he came into contact with, and Alex wasn't the exception. He really didn't like him, but he also knew the asshole didn't care if anyone liked him. The photographer wanted to pity him, but there just wasn't room for that at the moment.

The multiple explosions from the roman candle caught Alex off guard, as it did most others no doubt, and he took a single step back, almost tripping over the large stone behind him. Yeah, that was all he needed. To fall on his ass in front of Ricky and Lana, while simultaneously cracking the camera lens. As Alex composed himself from a near-disaster, Ricky busted out with a fairly convincing "teen wolf" howl, which was directed toward the kid who fired off the roman candle moments earlier. Was it Lucky? He wasn't sure, but anyone with a name like that was like a recipe for trouble.

Alex looked over in Alana's direction at Ricky's mention of "beer pong", and was fairly certain the girl wouldn't even bother with a ridiculous party game like that. Or would she? Fuck. The young man thought, wanting to shake his head in protest, in hopes that she would refuse the offer, but again, was it really his place to separate friends? Skirting around the truth was beginning to take a toll on things as well, because while they chose to keep it discrete, it also meant the rest of the world would be pulling them apart without even knowing it.

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Jordan had left Hendrik to his own devices, the idea of having to pay for his knowledge had left somewhat of a stink in his mouth. It was possibly the worst kind of insult you could give the male. However right now he had another job. He had been checking his watch casually most of the night, waiting for the clock to show a certain time.

That certain time had finally arrived. Throughout the week, Jordan had been asked if he was willing to become a buddy to one of the newer more vulnerable students. Why the school thought Jordan would be a good match for this was beyond him. Normally he would say no, however this time, he decided to go along with it. He had thought that perhaps he could manipulate this new girl into a new spy for him. He had spent the first week showing her around and showing her to her classes and taking the effort to actually be friendly. He couldn't be himself just yet. He needed to get her inside before his fellow seniors turned her against him. He had made his way to the entrance of the party, eagerly waiting to see if she was going to turn up at the agreed time.

Her first few days at Rosefell had been, quiet. Though she thanked the lord for that. Students hadn't really taken much notice of Tace, perhaps because they were busy trying to make new friends or catch up with old ones, that she just gladly blended into the background. Although, she hadn't escaped everyone. Jordan seemed nice enough, he had shown her around the labyrinth, but even that hadn't stopped her from getting lost on her way to the toilets.

Tace was hesitant about the party today the least, she had never been to such a gathering full of people her own age. In fact the only time she been to parties, or other gatherings she had always been accompanied by her parents and elder brothers, so to say she was anxious, well that was another thing. Pulling on her red zipper Tace left a note to her uncle, explaining she would be out before leaving the house to head to the Late Party.

With her hands stuffed in her pockets, the young student let out a quiet sigh, she would of been better off staying in. What no one knew was she was pregnant, and if she could, no one would know until she was showing. But by then, who would want to be friends with someone who was having a baby, a teen mom. She wouldn't be able to join them in parties, shopping or regular stuff; and if her parents had their way she would be back in the South without the baby. Like nothing had ever happened.

Coming up to the address, Tace began to chew anxiously on her lower lip, her dark eyes glancing around before they finally set up on Jordan. He relieved her actually, seeing him wait for her outside
"Jordan, hey.." she spoke, making her way over to him with a small but nervous smile, "I hope you wasn't waiting too long."

"Too long? Nah. Honestly, I only arrived shortly myself. People are still pouring in." Years of drama and acting lessons had given Jordan quite the insight into body language. Jordan could easily tell that Tace was on edge about being here. That made her all the more vulnerable, making it far easier for Jordan to make her dependent on him. If only everyone else had been this easy.

The duo would start walking into the party proper, and Jordan would give off a big goofy smile as he held out his arms. "So here we are: A high school party! So tell me Tace: Did you enjoy your first week in Rosefell?"

Listening quietly, Tace was relieved to hear that he hadn't been waiting too long for her, she was always one to either be on time or at least early. Although hearing that not everyone had arrived, she couldn't be so sure if that was a good or bad thing. Would it be easier to be thrown into the deep end?

Following Jordan into the party, Tace watched his actions quietly; if not curious. Fiddling with the sleeve of her jacket, her brow arched slightly he was quite dramatic. Over- dramatic if you asked her. Though no one was. The way he exclaimed about the party he made it out to be some kind of special event, and not just a night of underage drinking. Was that a special event?

"It wasn't all that eventful" She admitted, probably immediately losing his interest right there; "I think it's safe to say the new girl cliche is long gone" Tace said with a small laugh.

"It is your first time in a new school, of course it is going to feel weird. An uneventful week was actually the best thing you could have hoped for." In secret, Jordan was somewhat envious of Tace. No one knew who she was and no one had any preheld misconceptions of what she was like. Jordan couldn't do that anymore. Whenever he appeared, everyone was in their guard, watching what they said and how they acted.

"Anyway. Let's start showing you around to everyone. Don't worry, you aren't going to need to talk to them. I am going to point them out." He began to spin on his heels, , scanning the party and the groups that had arrived. Eventually he settled on a group and pointed towards them.

"Right over there you have Ricky and Alex. Ricky is the one who looks like shit and Alex is the one who looks like an angel. Generally you want to avoid Ricky… People call him Pricky Ricky for a reason. With that, Jordan reeled his arm back so he didn't just look like a weirdo pointing directly at people. "Alex is the school photographer kid. He takes alot pictures of me and for me and is cute… Good, I mean good with a camera" Jordan laughed, trying to defect the fact he had stumbled and called Alex cute. Perhaps Tace was too dense to notice.

Tace nodded ever so slightly in agreement, in fact Jordan probably couldn't be any more correct. It was funny, she always wanted to go to school, make friends and just be like a normal teenager; but now the time had come she had almost suffered from a fair few panic attacks. "Perhaps, it's just, a lot different than I imagined it to be"

Watching the way the freckled boy pointed out a couple of students, Tace's brows knitted together ever so slightly, he was bitchy. From just the way he introduced Ricky, she could gather that much. I mean, there had to be a good reason he had been accustomed to that nickname, but still, first impressions.

Tilting her head ever so slightly to the side as he pointed out the photographer, Tace glanced him up and down, before her dark eyes shifted back to the boy beside her, " Yes, I suppose he is." she replied, rather nonchalantly before tucking a lock of hair back behind her ear.

Jordan scrunched his face as he she agreed that Alex was cute. So she did notice. Still. Perhaps it was time to move on. "Well over in that direction we have Hendrik. Don't know much bout him, he is a new guy like you. So I would be cautious around him. But that is just me." With that Jordan smiled and turned around to show her a few more people. "Right, over there is Aria. She is the host of the party. Most of the social events during the year are organised by her. She is actually quite approachable" Jordan would calmly comment.

"I know this party might seem scary. But no one means you any ill at this party. Just avoid Ricky and also Melissa" He specifically went out of his way to point the woman out. "She is the Head Cheerleader. So I am guessing I don't need to go into detail as to what she is like…

A small slightly triumph smile crossed over Tace's lips as she watched the way Jordan scrunched his face. One thing the young girl had learnt with three brothers was to observe everything, from surroundings to people's behaviour. Hendrik? Like her was new, perhaps it would do some good getting to know him, both being new it might ease their stress ever so slightly.

"Well, I suppose it's better late than never to get to know someone.." she noted before glancing back over to Jordan, highly doubtful he would want her clinging to his side after next week. Again she began to fiddle nervously with the sleeve of her hoodie. A nervous habit.

Jordan was about to speak again when he noticed Lucky arriving on the scene. And here he was hoping to have a quiet night. Jordan carefully got his phone out, casually turning on the video camera and recording Lucky very carefully. He was acting all loud and bratish and was sure to do something stupid. And as if right on que, he lit off that roman candle. Fireworks… it had to be fireworks. Still, Jordan had filmed it all and slid the phone back into his pocket. He would deal with that later.
For now, Jordan felt slightly protective over Tace, who he could see was getting nervous. He needed to give her someone to anchor too. Scanning around, he quickly saw Alex. Grabbing Tace by the hand he would guide them towards Alex, realising he had his own problems right now, Jordan kind of felt bad just jumping him like his.

”Hey Alex, got a new girl to introduce you to. This is Tace. Shy girl. Not sure if you would have noticed her around this week?”

After Jordan had left, Hendrik decided to go further into the party. Mainly grabbing drinks and chilling with people. Speaking up wouldn't be something he did really, he just sat and listened. Hendrik was in all honesty awaiting for something to happen, something bigger or something more exiting. Hendrik himself was already considering to jump into the lake and make his presence as a new guy known. Doing something that big would most likely garner him attention, but he still wanted to find someone to join him. Doing it alone would make it weird, doing it with others would make it a loooot less weird.

Thus Hendrik set out, asking people if they would be crazy enough to join him in jumping into the lake, however sadly to no success. Until now nobody had been wanting to join him. Hendrik was looking around him, checking if there would be others at the party who seemed interesting.