Gianni and Me

Chapter Fifteen

"Oh! Here, perfect!" 

Hailey exclaims as she points to a cozy looking couch set in a dim corner. We all plop down and start telling our first kiss stories. No better time than at a MIDAS party to act like middle schoolers. 

John eventually shows up, along with Sam and a few other people that I don't recognize. Sam seems to take an immediate liking to Hailey and sits down next to her. I end up pulling a few plush chairs over, one of which I sit in, allowing the guys sit with my friends. Ruby even found herself someone to flirt with. 

Charlotte laughs loudly at something Ruby says, who's also wiping her own laughter tears- both seem pretty tipsy- if not drunk, whereas I am still nursing my glass of hard alcohol. I swear, my glass only seems to get fuller and fuller throughout time. I'm blaming Charlotte. 

"And then, just as we were about to kiss, he sneezes in my face!" Charlotte exclaims, bringing out a few laughs.

"Did you still kiss him?" Ruby asks, fully serious. 

Charlotte giggles, and John gives her a look of exaggerated disgust. She laughs and flings an arm around his shoulders. "Maybe." She grins out. 

"Ew." John says before Charlotte plants an open mouth kiss on his lips. He pretends to gag when they separate, but quickly pulls her back for one more peck. Meanwhile, Sam and Hailey seem to be in their own world, hunched into each other, talking into the other's ear and laughing. Interesting match. Kinda works. 

"My first kiss story is pretty gross." Ruby starts. She looks around the group. "When you're as old as I am, you have a few stories to tell..." 

"But you're young." Charlotte comments and takes a drink. 

Ruby waves her off before starting her story. She stops abruptly and everyone seems to freeze in their places. Even Sam and Hailey snap out of their little love moment to look in my direction. I frown. Why is everyone looking...?

"Mind if I join?" A deep voice asks from behind me. I immediately recognize the tone and sit up straighter. My insides start jumping and cartwheeling all around my body. 

Everyone in the group nods, while a few reply with yeses, and some just... mumble. 

I have yet to look. A part of me is worried- is this where we pretend? Does he even want to pretend still? Do these people know about the rumors? 

"Oh, let me get a chair for you, Mr. Gianni." The man with Ruby says and stands. A few other men, including John and Sam stand too... They all look ready to grab Liam a chair. 

"No, thank you. I'll just sit here." Everyone immediately sits back down. But sit where? A warm hand touches my bare shoulder and I jump. "Can I sit with you, babe?" 

That gets me to look at him. When my eyes meet his, he gives me a small smirk. We are officially doing this, then. I force myself to look confident and grin. "Sure." I don't look at the group, though I know they're watching intently. If everything said about Liam is true, this is probably like seeing a dolphin fly. Once again, I'm reminded of Charlotte's story.

As he moves to sit on the armrest, I stand. 

"Uh..." I say when I realize he wasn't referring to... lap sitting. I awkwardly sit back down, my face heating. Gosh, why does everyone have to watch? 

"Anyway, Ruby- your story?" I urge out of a wide-eyed Ruby. 

"Oh, uh, yes of course..." She continues her story, but I've completely spaced out. I can't believe I thought he meant having me on his lap! Embarrassment threatens to rear it's ugly head, but I push it away. I glance up at Liam, who's already looking at me. I smile. He smiles back and folds a piece of my hair behind my ear.