The party was in full swing by the time Harper arrived at Noah's house with her friends. The house was packed, the sound of laughter and Christmas music spilling out of every corner. The air was filled with the scent of spiced cider and the glow of colorful holiday lights. Noah's place always had this warm, inviting energy, but tonight it was even more electric—buzzing with holiday cheer and the excitement of New Year's Eve just around the corner.
As soon as they walked through the door, Ella grabbed Harper by the wrist, pulling her into the living room where a small group of people were already dancing to Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is You. The girls were singing at the top of their lungs, spinning and laughing without a care in the world.
"I knew this would be a good idea!" Ella shouted over the music, her face lit up with joy as she twirled around Harper.
Harper couldn't help but laugh, feeling the infectious energy of the moment take over. She'd been hesitant about the party earlier, still feeling the weight of everything between her and Connor. But now, with her friends, a drink in hand, and Christmas cheer all around her, she felt herself relax.
Across the room, Harper's eyes flicked to the group of guys lounging near the kitchen. Noah was cracking a joke that had James practically doubling over in laughter, while Cooper playfully shoved him, trying to calm him down. And there, leaning against the counter with a beer in hand, was Connor. He looked casual yet effortlessly attractive in a gray sweater and jeans. His dark hair was slightly tousled, and even from a distance, Harper could see the familiar smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Their eyes met for a split second, and even in the middle of all the chaos, it was like the rest of the room fell away. The intensity in his gaze made Harper's stomach flip, and she quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing.
Ella noticed immediately, of course. "You're so obvious," she teased, nudging Harper with her elbow. "You two have been doing this dance all night."
"Shut up," Harper muttered, taking a sip of her drink to hide her embarrassment.
"Right," Ella said with a grin. "Because I totally didn't just see you making heart eyes at him."
Harper rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the smile tugging at her lips.
As the night went on, the music shifted, and the party became more relaxed. People were either sitting and talking in small groups or pairing off to dance. The lights dimmed slightly, and a soft, slow Christmas song began to play. Harper was about to slip away to grab another drink when she felt a warm hand slide into hers. She turned, only to find herself face-to-face with Connor.
"Dance with me?" His voice was soft, but there was something in his tone that sent a shiver down her spine.
Harper hesitated for a second, her heart racing, but before she could think of an excuse, she nodded. He led her onto the dance floor, pulling her close as the music played on.
Connor's hand rested gently on the small of her back, guiding her in slow circles. Their bodies moved together, perfectly in sync. Harper could feel the heat from his chest radiating through his sweater, and the steady rhythm of his breathing brushed against her ear.
"You're tense," Connor said softly, his lips close to her ear.
Harper swallowed, trying to keep her voice steady. "I'm fine."
His hand slid slightly lower on her back, his fingers tracing small circles against the fabric of her dress. "You're lying," he murmured, a teasing edge to his voice.
She huffed softly, looking up at him. "Maybe I am. You make it hard to relax."
Connor chuckled, the sound low and warm. "I don't know if that's a compliment or an insult."
YOU ARE READING
Forever Chasing
Teen Fiction"Chasing Forever" is a contemporary romance that follows the intense, complicated relationship between Harper Westwood and Connor Cooper. Set against the backdrop of their senior year at an elite high school, the story explores their journey from ac...
