Anything But Ordinary ☯ Josh Hutcherson [unedited]

Chapter 20

Liz's POV

Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. I mean coming to the party.

I could feel a lot of eyes on me and I couldn't help myself from blushing as I looked down at my feet.

Nick noticed and he smiled.

"No need to feel embarrassed sweetheart. They only keep looking because you are the most beautiful girl in this room" I looked up at him and he smiled wider, I guess he was trying to make me feel more comfortable.

I gave him a slight nod, indicating I would try to see it that way. Then his arms circled my waist and pulled me closer to him. I was about to protest but then I realized he had started to move us both at the rythm of the music.

It's just dancing Liz, you are only dancing. I kept telling myself the same thing over and over but I still couldn't let my guard down.

I took a deep inaudible breath, circled my arms around his neck and stopped my physical hesitation.

"Good girl" he crooned and I rolled my eyes at him.

"Don't get used to it" I warned, but I still couldn't help but give him a half smile.

Afterwards we just started talking about unimportant stuff and at some point he had me laughing with his goofiness. For the first time in three years, I didn't feel the need to keep my guard up with Nick. He finally felt like my friend...

But of course the good stuff never lasts.

I felt eyes on me again and when Nick spun me around while we danced I knew who was watching me.

Josh and Laura.

Laura was staring at me with a mix of jealousy, envy and admiration while Josh looked like he could murder someone. Oops...

I instantly stopped dancing and took a step away from Nick. I saw his brow furrow in confusion, then his eyes showed a little bit of hurt and guilt hit me hard. 

"I'm thirsty" I forced out. This seem to distract him and he nodded.

"Let's go" he took my arm softly as if trying not get me defensive and we walked to the refreshments table.

Josh's POV

My blood was boiling and all that laughing, dancing and touching Nick and Liz were doing was driving me insane.

"What's wrong with you?" Laura asked a little nervous; apparently I was holding her really tightly while watching them. I softened my hold on her and took a deep breath. 

"Nothing, everything's fine" I tried my best to sound convincing and since she's not very bright, she believed me.

"Okay. Did you see them? Your friends I mean" she asked in a whisper.

I followed her gaze and of course she was talking about Liz and Nick. 

"Yeah, I saw them" I let the words out through gritted teeth and looked back at Laura's face.

"She looks really pretty and I totally hate her for it... and he looks so hot! Don't they make a perfect couple?"

"Yeah, perfect" I could feel the muscles in my jaw clenching roughly as I tried to keep myself together.

"Wanna go say hi to them?" Laura asked suddenly. I stared at her, trying to figure out if she meant it or if she was playing me but she was too distracted watching them to reveal anything.

"No. I'm with you remember?" I gave her what I hoped was a charming smile and she blushed.

I don't know if she was doing it on purpose or if she was really that clueless but if she says one more thing about those two I was going to lose it. So I started dancing with her again but I knew her attention wasn't completely on me.... I was convinced when she said the next words.