Querencia

Chapter Three

My hair sways back and forth as I move my body around skillfully, feeling my arms, legs and hips move around to the beat of the music.

The bass dies out and I lean over to Sarah as a slow song starts "I'm getting some water do you need anything?"

She shakes her head and I make my way out of the crowd and towards the kitchen. There's less people in here and the music is low, thumping the walls. I grab a bottle of water, gulping half of it down.

"You can really dance." A voice startles me.

I jump, jutting a hand out towards the counter. "Jesus Christ."

"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you." I turn to see Ariella leaning against the sink, holding a cup with both her hands in front of her. She smiles sweetly when I make eye contact.

"It's fine, and um yeah, dancing is kinda one of my hobbies."

"One?" she lookes puzzled.

I nod "I get bored quickly so I pick up hobbies left and right." I giggle nervously.

She walks towards me, stopping to stand in front of me "Like what?"

I chew on my bottom lip thinking "Like sewing, painting, sculpting, guitar, dancing, singing, etcetera."

Her eyes widen a bit. "Wow, you're a jack of all trades."

"Maybe that should be my essay," I mumble under my breath, more to myself than her.

"Struggling with the essay too?" She inquires.

I shrug, nodding "Can't seem to....I don't know... get myself in words, or get myself in general."

She nods, an empathetic smile softening her features "I get it, don't know if I know myself completely either." Her voice is light and caring.

"Really? You carry yourself with such grace you could've fooled me."

She smiles "You're sweet. I just know what I want, though sometimes..." she trails off, staring at me with an unknown expression playing behind her eyes.

I tilt my head "Sometimes what?" I ask gently.

"Sometimes even I have trouble going for what I want." she finishes.

I shake my head with a smile "You shouldn't be. You're amazingly beautiful, caring and talented, I'm sure anything you want you could have at the tip of a hat."

She smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes this time. "It's a bit more complicated than that." she whispers.

I reach out to hold her wrist gently, shocks and warmth run through my hand and up my arm, buzzing through my veins. "You'll work it out I'm sure."

She slips her hand back so my hands holding hers instead of her wrist, the electricity increases. There's a tension between us that makes it hard to breathe, my heart beats faster, I hope my hand doesn't feel sweaty in hers, and I'm sure my face is bright red.

"I hope you're right." She says, still holding my hand before stepping away and towards Bailey and Ryan.

I take a deep breath and step outside. Sitting on the steps, I roll my hair up in my hands so I feel the cool evening breeze against my neck. What is going on with me? Is this intimidation or something else? If it's something else what could it be? I get lost in thought before shaking my head and letting go of my hair.

"Come on Leah... pull yourself together."

Why do I feel like there's a blaring neon sign right in front of me that I can't see? My head feels stuffed with cotton, I'm missing something but don't know what.

"There you are." I turn to see Sarah at the door. "Come on, the party is starting to die out, we should get our bags."

I just nod silently.

. . .

"Phew! That's everyone." Ariella lets out a huff as she throws herself onto one of her love sacs.

I walk into her room, my jaw-dropping at the size. There is floor-to-ceiling windows on either side of her huge bed, a couch pushed against the end of her bed facing a flatscreen, french doors leading to a balcony, and two doors on the other side of the room leading to a walk-in closet and a bathroom.

"Careful you'll catch flies." Bailey laughs while pushing my jaw close.

"There's nothing really special about it." Ariella chuckles.

"You have a balcony, a couch, a walk-in closet, two huge love sacs, and room to spare." Sarah scoffs in amazement "Yeah, nothing special at all." she states sarcastically.

"It's whatcha get when mommys a surgeon and daddys a lawyer." Ryan teases, stretching her long legs along the couch.

Ariella throws a pillow at her making us laugh. It's refreshing to see her so relaxed and calm, during the party she was constantly walking around, talking to everyone.

We decide to change into our pajamas and throw on a movie. Ryan and Bailey share the couch while Sarah spread out on the loveseat by the end of the couch. I glanced over to Ariella who had pulled both love sacs closer to the tv.

She looks at me, gesturing me over "Come on I don't bite."

I grab my blanket, sit on the other lovesac, and nuzzle into it until I'm comfortable.

. . .

My eyes open to see the menu screen of the movie, soft snores coming from the girls. I turn the tv off and try to fall back asleep only to toss and turn.

I quietly huff before getting up and creeping towards the balcony, closing the doors behind me. I lean against the railing.

"Can't sleep?" I hear a voice whisper, making me jump.

A soft giggle makes me look over to see Ariella sitting in one of the outdoor chairs. "Sorry I keep doing that."

I smile then go and sit down in the chair next to her "Looks like I'm not the only one who can't sleep."

She hums a response, a small smile playing on her face as she rests her head on the chair, facing me.

We stay in comfortable silence and I admire how she looks in the moonlight. The light makes her skin glow and face look serene. She looks like an angel, complimented by her white silk top and matching shorts.

"Why did you invite me?" I can't help but ask.

"Why did you come?" she counters.

"Because I wanted to know why I was invited in the first place."

"I just wanted to see if you'd come." she shifts in her seat "I mean I knew it was a long shot since this.." she gestures around us " ..this isn't really your thing."

I scrunch my brows "What do you mean "this"?"

"You know the whole fancy house, expensive towels thing." she chuckles moving around again in her chair.

When my expression didn't change she continues "I mean I saw your face when you walked in, I knew you weren't used to seeing this kind of scene."

I scoff, raising my brows "Right. So that's why huh." I imply.

"What do you mean?"

"You wanted to see if the middle-class silent introvert wanted to see your shiny cars and expensive countertops, is that it?"

Her eyes widen "I...I" she stutters.

I laugh dryly, standing up, heading for the door.

She quickly gets up "Where are you going?" she asks, sounding panicked.

"Home." I state "Thank you so much for this very generous opportunity but I think you'll just have to give it to someone else." I dramatically say sarcastically.

"I didn't mean it like that- it didn't come out- that's not why I-" she trips over her words.

I hold my hand up to stop her babble "Don't bother, you can take your pity invite and sh-"

My words stop short when I feel her hands grab my cheeks and her soft lips on mine.