Everything Happens for a Reason

Chapter 5

recap: Sadie glanced at her watch. “Girls, it’s 6:50. Let’s move out!” and all of us piled out of my room in our party clothes and out the door, squeezing into my tiny, yellow bug. And we were headed off to Lauren’s house. I hope this is fun... And I really hope Max isn’t there...

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I heard loud music pounding before I even walked into Lauren’s house- I shouldn’t even say house; it was more like a mansion! As the girls and I reached the door, it was flung open by a very drunk Lauren, who had a red cup in her hand. 

“Hey, guys!” she slurred. 

We stepped inside the house to find people everywhere. I had never been to a party like this... or any party at all for that matter. Sadie grabbed my arm and dragged me to a large group of people.

The group of us hung around talking for a little while. The beginning of parties are so awkward, and no one dances, so people just drink and talk- well actually it’s more like shouting because the music is so loud. 

I met some new people, including one nerdy kid, Liam, who I really liked for some reason. Not like-like, but like as a friend. There were a bunch of other people too, but I can’t remember their names for the life of me. More and more people joined our circle and it turns out my friends are pretty popular. People were buzzing around Sadie, especially. I couldn’t make out faces because the room was so dark, but I could tell there were a lot of them.  

Inside our huge circle of people was Max, surrounded by a bunch of guys. He was the person I most dreaded seeing. Our gazes locked and I quickly turned my face away to try and look like I hadn’t seen him. Unfortunately, before I knew it, Max was by my side. 

I glared at him. “What?” I snapped.

“Can’t a guy be friendly and say hey?” he said in his sexy English accent.

“Hmm, if it’s you... then no.”

“Come on, Grace. So, we had a bad start. Forgive and forget, isn’t that what they always say?”

“Max-” I was interrupted by a kid who pushed Max into me. 

“Wow, Max, new girlfriend? I like her. She’s hot.”

My eyes widened, “We’re not-”

I was interrupted again, “We are dating, isn’t that right, Grace?” Max said, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

For a minute, I stuttered, trying to think of what to say. By the time I was going to yell at Max, the kid had already gone, probably to go spread the rumor.

I pushed Max’s arm away from me. “What was that about?” 

“Oh, just thought people should know that I have a new girlfriend... You,” he said, narrowing his eyes at me.

“Why would you pick me? I thought you hated me?”

“Hate you? Now, Grace, hate is a strong word.”

“Oh, please,” I said, deciding to turn back to Sadie and my other friends. “Goodbye, Max,” I called behind my shoulder. 

Paisley ran over to me the minute she say me walking towards her.

“You... talked to him?”

“Uh, yeah. Apparently I’m his new girlfriend.”

I thought Paisley’s big brown eyes were going to pop out of her head when she heard what I had said.

“You two... dating!”

“No, that’s not exciting. I hate him.”

“He’s so cool, though. Let’s go tell the girls.”

“No, Pay. Not yet. Maybe he was drunk and just kidding. I don’t want to seem desperate or something if he was joking.”

“Fine... People are dancing. You in?”

“Alright... Hopefully my seven years of dance lessons pay off,” I said, following Paisley to another crowd.

I left the group of people I had been dancing with for the last hour in search of a couch, or something to sit down on. My feet were killing me!

I peered in every room to find crowds of people everywhere. Luckily I found a bathroom. I took a seat on the edge of the bath tub and tried to relax. I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket to check the time... 12:13. My mom was going to kill me. I was supposed to be home at eleven forty five. Whoops. Well, I’m already late, might as well stay longer. 

All of a sudden the bathroom door opened. My head whipped around, giving me mild whip lash and I saw Max staring at me, confused. 

“What are you doing?” I shouted.

“Well, I had to pee... so I came to the bathroom... but I guess the door doesn’t lock and I didn’t know you were in here, so-”

“Okay, whatever, it’s fine. I was just trying to get away from everyone.”

“Yeah, same...” he said.

Max took a step closer to me. I stared into his green eyes. Then I realized what was happening.  I stepped back and ducked past him, leaving him standing alone.

“Grace! Where are you...” and that’s all I heard before I turned a corner and his voice was swallowed by the blaring music. Max was so confusing. What was he trying to do. Lead me on? First he hates me... now he likes me? This is why I don’t get involved with boys. 

Back in the main room I saw the girls standing together looking worried. 

They all ran over to me when they saw me. 

“Thank God you’re okay...” Sadie breathed.

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” I asked, pushing my hair in front of my flushed face to hide it’s redness.

“We thought you were raped or something...”

“I was just in the bathroom.”

“Oh...” Then something seemed to click in Sadie’s head, but I don’t really know how. “You were with Max!”

“Um, no, no I wasn’t.”

“Yeah, you were. You disappeared, then Max did. Plus yo have that weird look on your face that you get when you’re with him.”

“I wasn’t with him.” Sadie looked unconvinced.

Kate spoke up, “Yeah, I thought you guys were a couple...”

“What? Where’d you hear that?”

“Max.”

“Okay, it’s a rumor. Are you guys ready to go?”

“Yeah,” they replied in unison.

We got out of the loud house, but I had to listen to the girls question me about what it was like being so close to Max and all for the rest of the car ride home. These girls were annoying, yet I loved them at the same time...

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hello everybody! SO sorry I haven't updated in a long time. Things have been busy. Didn't really proofread. Sorry for mistakes. Keep reading. xoxo ~ Lucie 

and p.s. i added the recap in case you forgot what happened in Chapter 4 since I uploaded such a long time ago. Thanks! <3