Mysterious Notebook

party time

The guy outside my door just smirked in return.

As he stood there like some Greek God, I noticed he had dimples. His dark brown eyes seemed to twinkle with amusement.

I tried to clear my throat and control my raging teenage hormones.

"Who is it Annie?" Mom asked from inside, breaking my trance.

"My date, would you mind if I come in?" He asked me with a slight bow.

"Uh? My date?!" I stammered as he entered chuckling, a deep husky sound.

"You didnt tell me you had a date for this party tonight." Mom replied as she walked out of her room and stood watching us with her arms crossed.

"Its a pleasure to meet you Ma'am. I have heard a lot about you from Annie." My date replies casually as if we knew each other since years and had not just met now at my doorstep.

All this time I stand there gawking at him and my mother exchanging greetings, trying to figure out what was happening in my house.

Suddenly he turns and raises an eyebrow at me nodding towards the door.

I fumble with my clutch for a second while my mind goes dizzy with questions regarding the strange guy's identity, before smiling at mom and waving her goodbye.

We walk out and there is a sleek black car waiting outside.

He opens the door for me but I hesitate entering the car, glancing up at his face.

"My name is Bryan by the way." He says and flashes me a dazzling smile.

I nod and get inside the car.

Once we are out of my driveway, I purse my lips willing myself to calm down.

"A pretty name for a pretty girl, Annie." He murmurs glancing at me sideways.

"Thanks. I thought Max was going to pick me." I mutter agitatedly.

Annoyance was quickly replacing my initial nervousness at the sight of this guy.

I was expecting Max. It was him for whom I had agreed to attend the party at all. Even though I knew I would have to pretend to be his cousin's date, I wasnt very keen on meeting the jerk. So soon.

And it annoyed me to find myself so completely at a loss of words with this moron.

He chuckled again to my utter disbelief.

How could he be so composed? I had no idea.

He seemed not the least worried about this party and us acting as dates when in reality we had never even met before. And pretend to be dating that too in front of his family!

"Yeah. Max was going to come but I decided it would be more practical if I picked you up instead. Afterall you are 'my' date." Bryan smirked at me.

I didnt understand whether he was being sarcastic or 'nice' by stressing on 'my' date but I felt it necessary to make myself clear.

"I am not very good at acting. To be honest I have never been much of a party girl either. I dont see why Max felt I could pass off as your date." I say, shaking my head in irritation.

"You just have to pretend to be in love with me. I am sure it wont be very hard given my good looks and gallantry. I bet you would literally fall for me soon." He said.

The arrogance! The over-confidence!

Those were the traits in people which intimidated me.

I felt like running away from him, the car and the party.

Suddenly being grounded at home seemed like a much better option.

But sadly it was not an option anymore.

I cant remain silent. I thought to myself. It would only mean I agreed with his statement.

I was never one for partying let alone pretending to date a guy like Bryan. But I knew I had to change myself. I didnt want to be the timid girl and for that I needed to speak up my mind rather than staying quiet.

So I took a deep breath and encouraged myself by cheering 'Its gonna be okay' in my mind.

Then I snorted at his comment and said, "Please dont make me gag. Your so-called 'good looks' and 'gallantry' only makes me more disgusted with you. I wonder how I am supposed to survive this torture of being your 'date'."

And then I continue staring outside at the passing buildings, trying to ignore the deep throated chuckle that followed.

"We'll see about that, Annie." He replied softly.

And I only prayed that I would survive the night.

The rest of the journey was mostly silent while I enjoyed listening to the songs that came up on the radio.

Before long the car took a swerve into a broad driveway and I realised we had reached the party location.

I could hear the music pouring out from inside the massive halls.

As I stepped out of the car, I saw the various lights that decorated the lawn and gave the whole place a festive look.

Bryan parked the car and presently appeared at my side.

"Ready?" He asked me while tugging my right arm and hooking it in through his left.

I stared at our entangled arms for a few minutes before blinking the awkward feeling away.

"As ready as I'll ever be." I mutter as I walk with him towards the entrance of the hall.