My Annoying Neighbour

Chapter 16: Butterflies

Sophie's POV

"Oh my gosh. My makeup looks absolutely flawless." said Hailey.

Hailey is sort of the barbie girl in our friend group. Forever trying to fix her hair in the mirror, always putting on makeup to school(we're not allowed to) and drooling about almost any boy she sees. Hailey doesn't really get good grades at school, but I guess she thinks they're good marks because every time she gets her exams back, she takes one look at the exam and doesn't care. Lily is the exact opposite. She has really dark black hair and grey eyes. She always tells Hailey and I how rare grey eyes are and says how she is the chosen one. Weirdo. Lily is the smart, driven girl. You know, the girl that gets straight A's, always caring about her school work and always does her projects the day she gets them. That's why Lily isn't in any of Hailey and my classes. It's because she is in all the top classes. Not to mention the fact that we just chose different subjects. Lily never wears makeup. I guess tonight was different, because she asked Hailey to do her makeup.

And me? Well, I am the sort of boyish girl in my group. I don't do all the things boys do, I'm just not a girly girl. I used to always wear oversized shirts, sweatpants and two-sizes-too-big type of hoodies. I guess this year is different, because I actually started wearing tank tops and crop tops. Not to mention shorts. I've been skating ever since I could remember. My skateboard was the last gift I got from Grandma Lucy so that's why, even though my skateboard is old and probably about to fall apart, I never let go of my skateboard. Like Lily, I don't wear makeup. Except, I would only wear it on special occasions. I have sort of blonde hair with brown highlights. Trust me, my hair is natural.

We finally arrived at the party after Hailey and I argued about whether or not the three of us should be matching and if we should wear dresses. I won. Obviously because I was definitely not going to wear a dress under any circumstances, and the fact that I don't think I even owned any dresses.

As soon as we entered the door, I saw Josh standing by the door. He sort of looked different tonight. I don't know how to explain it but, he just looked different. We both took one look at each other and looked away. That was probably the second time Josh and I didn't give each other death glares. Josh just walked out of the room without even saying hello back to us. Jerk.

Max came up to me and I swear I was about to run for the hills. Not because I didn't want to talk to him, but because I was feeling so nervous to talk to him. And I don't get nervous. Then we just started talking about the most random things and my nerves all went away. Max was really funny. I found myself laughing at almost everything he said, but that's okay because he was trying to make me laugh on purpose.

I don't know why, but I just felt as if someone was watching us. I guess Max felt it too, because he asked if I wanted to go to the backyard. We walked outside of the house and sat on one of the benches.

"I always come here to clear my mind." Max said, looking at the view of the forest.

"Is it like, your happy place?" I asked.

Max looked at me and smiled.

At that very moment my stomach bursted with butterflies. Here I am talking to Max Williams. Last year, if you told me this would happen, I would've laughed in your face.

"This is my happy place." Max said smiling at me.