Avery

~9~

The second I enter through the big, oak doors, Adam on my arm, I feel like I'm part of a movie.

These things actually exist?

Everyone is clad in suits and ties, dresses the colours of little kids dreams, drowning in shiny sequins and glitter.

I'm dressed up to, but I still feel so out of place.

People are greeting us every 10 seconds, sharing friendly pats and smiles with Adam.

I was definitely wrong when I said he had no friends.

It's actually kind of nice, seeing a different side of him.

His arm is yet to leave mine, which I'm glad about, this is all very overwhelming.

I feel his palm come to rest on my fingers on his bicep and he gives me a funny look, and I notice my hands shaking slightly.

"You okay?" he mutters, so close to my ear I can feel it.

I smile up at him and nod, but he makes it obvious he doesn't believe me.

He stands up straight again and his face goes back to that blank, absent look he always seems to hold.

As I look around, I'm still completely clueless as to what is going on.

There's rows and rows of tables, drowning in multiple foods I've never even seen before, on one side of the room, and the other is almost empty.

It's like a school dance, but turned up on the fancy dial by 100.

The roof is fascinating, intricate paintings splayed across it, so many little details and so many colors I could stare at for hours.

His hand is around my waist, very firm, and we are closer than we've ever been.

I can feel the heat of his skin through his jacket.

He places a soft kiss on the side of my head and I swoon a little, but then I remember the hundreds of hungry eyes we are selling this ploy to.

You know, I can't exactly say I blame them for looking at him.

I don't even remember we are walking until I'm sat down in one of the many seats.

There's drinks in front of me, so many words on bottles that I can't pronounce.

Someone tries to hand me something, but the second I smell it, alcohol clouds my senses and I pause.

"I don't drink alcohol. Thank you though." I smile at the young man who returns it instantly.

My knee bounces violently under the table and I can feel Adam's gazing burning holes into my head.

I'm sat next to a young, blonde girl. She has one of those kind faces people are just drawn to, I feel like we would get along.

Our eyes meet a few times and she always returns with a friendly smile, maybe I should speak to her, she would be far more interesting than Adam.

"You don't drink?" Adam's curious voice breaks through my thoughts and I turn to look at him.

He sips the liquid from his own glass, keeping his eyes on mine.

His arm rests around the back of my chair, his fingers dancing across the skin on my arm in a soft rhythm.

This is the strangest thing I've ever done, I can feel the chills going up and down my spine.

"It's not my thing."

He seems to think about it for a second but doesn't ask anymore questions.

More people are flooding through the door, I wouldn't even be able to guess how many people there are.