Time for change

Chapter 5

We walked into the party, and just like that I knew I made a mistake. The smell of booze and smoke was more prominent than in the parking lot at school. There was no sign of Ashley there, and I guess I was relieved she wasn't here. I'm glad she's not like them, throwing her life away just to have one crazy night. But the one person I did see, was Hunter.

He appeared around the corner and just as we locked gazes, he disappeared. I tried to rush out of the house to hide in the car until the party was over, but Hunter went a different route and caught me in my tracks.

"Going somewhere New girl?" He asked with his adorable smile.
"Sorry- um- I-," I said trying to brush past him. He saw what I was doing and stood in front of the door.
"I didn't expect to see you here. You can't leave. The party just started." He said.
"No, I really have to go." I protested. Well, he doesn't smell like smoke. Yet.

"Why are you rushing to leave? It's gonna be a kick-ass party." He said.
"Well, I'm not really into parties. I just came here because my brother needed a ride." I retorted. He still won't let me go. I knew this was a bad idea.
"Come on New girl, I'll show you a good time!" With that, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me to the back of the house. I didn't have a choice in the matter, no matter how much I protested.

"So. You've never been to a party either?" He asked.
"No, it-" I begin to say
"I know, I know. It's stupid, I'm stupid, and you don't want to kiss me." He interrupted in a mocking voice.
"So that's what this is about? I was the first girl smart enough not to get mesmerized by your looks and do stupid things because of it. And you don't like that I won't let you kiss me." I have to admit, I am mesmerized and 2 seconds from being like every other girl would do. He put on his quirky smile of his and with that, I lost it. I had to get out of there.

"So, within her week here, New girl isn't so shy, huh? And what do you mean by 'my looks?'" He questioned.
"Um. What? I didn't mean it like that." I blurted. Oh no, there go the normal shade of pale my cheeks normally are. I really don't like how I don't feel in control of my own body or thoughts when I'm around him.
"Oh, but you did." He said with his quirky smile aimed at me. He slowly wrapped his arms around my waist.
"Oh please, don't flatter yourself." I retorted. Pushing his hands away. Oh how badly I wanted them to stay there.

"Oh I get it now." He said out of the blue.
"You get what now?" I asked. Afraid he read my mind.
"You secretly do want to kiss me, just not in public." He said with confidence as if he cracked the code. No. You mean yes, my mind corrects me. No, I fight back. He must see the conflict in my eyes because he is grinning from ear to ear and staring right at me.

"Wow. I think you've had way too many drinks." I finally retort, backing away. "Actually, I haven't had any." He defends himself.
"What? That can't be true." Could it though? "Sure it is. I sobered up for you baby." He says slyly.
"Ok, don't call me baby. And what do you mean you sobered up for me?" I asked intriguingly.
"I mean exactly that. I figured I'd wait until you got here to get drunk with you. Then I figured I could take you to a private room an-" For a moment there, I thought he was genuinely thinking about not drinking and getting to know and talk to me like a normal human being. My mistake.

"You are sadly mistaken." I interrupt a bit defensively. With that I ran off to find my brother. I did my best to ignore Hunter chasing after me. My blood was boiling so I almost don't realize when I slam right into his friend Matt.

"I'm so sorry, um, what was your name again?" I asked.
"Oh hey, Sky, isn't it? I'm Matt, and you have a mighty fine bod." He insisted. Oh god, why is everyone here concerned with hot bodies and booze? I'm anxious to leave, with fear of Hunter catching up with me.
"Anyways, Matt, I was looking for my brother. Have you seen Ryan anywhere?" As I ask this his face falls and he looks almost panicked.
"Oh shit, your Ryan's little sister?" He asked. I don't exactly know what that was supposed to mean.
"The one and only," I replied.
"For the record, I didn't hit on you." He blurted nervously.
"I mean, I guess I could forget about it if you told me where he is." I used his nervousness to my advantage. I needed to get out of there. I didn't feel comfortable at all.
"He went up in a room with some chick." He said. Oh great.
"I don't suppose you could go find him for me?" I asked.
"No way, I ain't getting into anything. I'll show you the way though." They better have clothes on or I will lose it.

I opened the door and I found Ryan passed out on the floor. I didn't see any sign of a girl in here. Hmm, how am I supposed to get him into the dang car.

"Need any help with that?" Replied a familiar voice. There was no need for me to turn around to know it was Hunter.
"No. I got it." I replied aggravated. I guess he didn't like taking 'no' for an answer. Before I could protest again, Ryan was over his shoulders.
"Where do you want him, boss?" He asked, smirking. I notice he is trying to show off and I hate to admit it but it's working for him.
"In his car." Well, I guess this makes one less thing I have to worry about. But then again, all my effort of staying away from Hunter went down the drain.

Once he got Ryan in the car, he asked if he could talk to me.
"So, I've been thinking. Um. I-" he might not have had a drink before, but he definitely had one in his system now. He was stuttering and he doesn't do that normally.
"Spit it out Hunter. I have to drive this idiot home and think of a cover story for him." It was already half past 11 and curfew was 12.
"I'm not used to girls saying no to me!" He blurted.
"Yeah buddy, you've made that clear. I'll see you Monday." I snap. Now I realize how b wordy that was, but like I said, I don't go for bad boys. And the sooner the point got across, the better.

Once I got home it was 11:50 and I just told my parents that Ryan fainted at the movies. They bought it! I've never really lied before because people usually see right through me, and they bought it. I was actually quite proud of myself. Then I realized, I shouldn't be. I guess Hunter was rubbing off on me. Or maybe Ryan. Or maybe both. I wasn't sure. But all I knew, was that within my week or 2 of being here, I've changed a lot.

I explained all of this to Kim when I got home. We didn't talk for that long, but she sure was happy to know more about Hunter. And she was happy to know I made another friend. I fell asleep right after the call. It was late and I had a long day ahead of me.