To Be Loved... (BOOK 1)

The Party Has Just Begun

It was chaos the moment we got there. When I say everyone I know from school is here, I mean everyone. But I needed to try my best and be social.

"Do I look approachable?" I asked Wooyoung.

"You look presentable, not approachable. Even still, you need to go up to people and start a conversation. That's how this social thing works."

I'm lucky I have the most outgoing, obnoxious person in the world as my best friend. I can take notes on how to be the normal version of him.

"Yo! What up!" Already drunk off his ass, the familiar face, Choi Yeonjun, came straight for us.

"Hey, stranger." Wooyoung beamed, hugging him tightly. The drink in Yeonjun's hand was nearly knocked out, but I can tell he used what sobriety he had left to prevent past events.

Wooyoung turned around to me and whispered, "be social," then left with Yeonjun. Minho and Felix were coming later, so I didn't have anyone else by my side. I guess all I can really do now is drink.

"No way, Hwang Hyunjin! Is that you?" I side-eyed the man speaking but quickly changed to a happy face.

"Chan!" I smiled. "Haven't seen you in years." And I didn't plan on seeing him ever again, but whatever.

"How've you been, kid? You look so different." I know he didn't just call me 'kid'.

"I've been good, yeah. What about you?" I gaslight myself into believing I don't know a Bang Christopher Chan. It's not necessarily a sad period in my life; I'd say it's more humiliating if I'm being honest. I guess he's technically considered to be my first crush, but like I said, I choose not to believe that ever happened.

"I've been really good, yeah. Busy for sure."

A pair of little arms wrapped around me from behind, but I could tell it wasn't Felix. But whoever it was, I was grateful.

"Guess who?" They said. I couldn't tell. But then he laughed. That definitely gave it away.

"Hongjoong?" He let go and stood in front of me. Chan took that as his cue to leave me be.

"Here." Hongjoong handed me a cup of jungle juice from the middle of all the drinks. "You looked uncomfortable, so I thought I'd save you." He smiled.

"Thank you." I was beyond relieved. I took a sip of the drink and scrunched my face from the taste.

"That'll get you fucked up."

"Good." I chugged it, shocking Hongjoong. He took the cup and filled it again for me. "Was Seonghwa invited?"

"Yeah, we came together. He's been with Yeosang." He seemed disappointed.

"Yeosang's here?" I beamed.

"Yeah." He nodded. "Hey, do you wanna take some shots with me?" He was hopeful. He must've been able to tell I was going to walk off and look for Yeosang. I don't think he wanted to be alone for some reason. Or at least around Seonghwa and Yeosang. Weird. He did save me from Chan, after all. I guess a couple of shots wouldn't hurt.

Turns out, four shots would.

It seemed as though Hongjoong and I didn't know how to hold liquor well.

I poured myself a cup of whatever alcohol was in the colorful bottle I just grabbed. I really didn't care what it was. All I knew was that I needed to be absolutely wasted by the end of the night.

No one knows what happened on Christmas still. I've kept it to myself. This was my plan to let loose.

"Hongjoongie." I sang, wrapping my arm around him. "Do you have a New Year's kiss planned?" I smirked.