Shy

Clara

The party is just getting started when I arrive and I immediately spot Kia in her fantastic blue tutu. I make my way over to her, hugging her when she spots me.

"Clara! You look beautiful! You know, I swear I saw a Danny Zuko just now." She says, raising a suggestive eyebrow at me. I blush and try to change the subject.

"This place looks amazing Kia, I can't believe how much effort you put into this!" I admit and she shrugs happily.

"Couldn't have done it without you, Bestie." She says.

"Where's Kit?" I ask, my curiosity getting the best of me and Kia shrugs again.

"I'm not sure, he's in a werewolf costume." She says carelessly and I quickly find him. He's in the corner with a group of boys who are downing their drinks and laughing at crude jokes.

I frown slightly, turning away from the scene. Kia and I head to the kitchen and she pours me a generous drink. I look at it and wonder exactly what it is. I go to ask Kia but she flits away, ever the hospitable hostess.

I smile, watching her socialise and glance back towards my drink. I put it down for the moment and go to try and find Kit.

I had given myself a pep talk before I got here and I wanted answers to all of my questions. I wanted to meet him, to speak to him, to try and form an impression of the boy that seems to encompass all my thoughts.

I search the room for the werewolf mask and spot him in the corner, chatting to a girl in a saucy nurse outfit. She twirls her hair around her finger, laughing at something he says. He laughs too, his head turning to survey the room.

He lingers in my direction and abandons the nurse, striding towards me. I look down, suddenly feeling very shy.

"You alright, gorgeous? I don't think we've properly met, what's your name?" He says and I frown slightly. He doesn't sound like I remember, but then again when have I ever really heard him speak?

"Clara." I say quietly.

"Come with me." He murmurs and I follow his lead as he takes me through to the garden.

He pulls me down onto the bench with him clumsily and he laughs. He sways slightly as he looks at me and I shiver, realising that he's quite drunk.

"You're a gorgeous little thing, aren't you. How come I've never seen you before?" He slurs and I feel a little dejected. He's never seen me before? He's all I ever see.

I sigh to myself and go to stand up when he grabs my hand forcefully.

"Hey, where are you going?" He asks, his tone sharper now.

"I'm going back inside." I say, pulling my hand away.

"Hey, I'm sorry. Really, I just want to get to know you." He says, raising his hands in surrender and I pause. I want to know him too and the comment makes me smile.

I sit down again slowly and he leans back against the bench, his arm dangling off the arm rest as his fingers fiddle with his drink.

"I don't think I've ever met anyone so gorgeous." He says lowly and I smile.

"You're pretty handsome yourself." I admit and he laughs, placing a hand on my thigh. He leans forwards, his mask still obscuring his face and my breath catches in my throat.

"How do you know?" He asks and I roll my eyes.

"Because I've seen you before." I say simply and he nods, offering me his drink. I take it gladly, my fingers stiffening as his hand crawls further up my leg.

"How about you and me go somewhere a bit more private?" He asks lowly and I swallow harshly.

"Um, I'd rather not, I..." I stutter and he laughs.

"Come on babe, I know you want me." He says, his hand raising further still and I freeze, absolutely petrified.

"No, I don't." I say as he lunges forwards.

A hand catches his shoulder and pushes him firmly away from me as I scoot quickly to the other side of the bench.

"She said no, Jared." A low voice mutters and I gape in horror as the boy removes his mask to reveal a man I have never set eyes on before.

"Whatever, man. Look at her, she wouldn't have been any..."

"Get out, now." My rescuer interrupts and Jared rolls his eyes, muttering under his breath as he skulks back inside. My hands clutch the plastic cup he gave me in terror, my eyes glazing over as I think about just how wrong I had been.

"Are you okay?" A voice asks gently and I look up. I half smile when I find that my saviour was none other than Danny Zuko. He's tall and downright gorgeous in his outfit, pulling off the bad-boy look effortlessly, but I can't seem to find it in myself to appreciate the fact.

I nod gently, sighing shakily as I raise the glass to my lips.

His palm quickly blocks the top of my drink, and he gently takes it from me.

"I wouldn't drink anything he gave you." He says quietly and I shiver. He disposes of the liquid and returns to my side, dithering next to me. After a moment, he removes his jacket and lays it over my shoulders.

I hadn't realised how cold it was outside and I smile thankfully.

"Thank you, for helping me out I mean." I say and he smiles. It's a tentative, genuine smile and he shakes his head.

"Anytime." He responds. We sit in silence for a moment before he breaks it unexpectedly.

"He was right, you know." He says quietly and I look at him in disbelief.

"You do look gorgeous this evening." He finishes, standing up and holding out a hand.

I smile, blushing at how gentle and earnest his voice is.

I take his hand, feeling completely at ease despite my brief, unpleasant encounter. He escorts me inside and I soon re-unite with Kia.

When she spots me, she makes a beeline for me, nudging her way through a throng of people.

"Clara! Where have you been?" She asks wildly and I smile.

"We were just outside chatting." I say and she looks puzzled.

"Who is 'we'?" She asks and I turn around to find my Danny gone. I frown, glancing round to try and find him.

"Where did you get that jacket?" She asks, completely side tracked and I notice that I'm still wrapped in my hero's leather jacket.

"Oh, I just found it." I say and she nods slowly, soon forgetting about whatever was bothering her.

"You, my friend, need a drink!" She says merrily and I follow her into the kitchen.