Faking It For Real ✔

Ch 25

"No." I insisted.

"Come on, Ava! You can't sulk in a room all day long." Hannah said sternly. "You've gotta get outta here." 

She rummaged through my clothes, trying to find something that would fit for a party.

As if victorious, she held up a shimmering emerald green dress that ended just at my upper thighs, accentuating my legs. "This is perfect!" she exclaimed, holding it against my body, a grin on her face.

I stared at the dress, the sparkles catching the light.

The thought of attending a party, of pretending everything was okay, made my chest tighten with anxiety.

"I don't know, Hannah," I said hesitantly, biting my lip. "I'm not really in the mood for a party."

Her smile faltered, and she placed the dress on the bed. "I get it, Ava," she said, her voice softening. "But you can't hide forever. You have to face the world, even if it's just for a little while."

I sighed, plopping down on the bed beside the dress, my fingers tracing the neckline.

"Think about it, Ava," She said, her hand coming up on my shoulder, "You've gotta show everyone that you're strong and you cannot and will not let yourself be affected because of a guy." She said.

I sighed again, "But I am."

"You wanna show Bella that she has the ability to break you?!" She asked again.

I rolled my eyes, my anger coming back at what she did.

"No." I whispered.

"Then you're coming to this party. You're getting drunk and dancing with pretty guys and not thinking about anyone else." She ran through the words as she rummaged through her own clothes.

She was right. I couldn't hide in here forever. And I definitely would let Bella think she has any kind of ability to break me in any way possible.

And so, I stood and got ready.

~ ~ ~

"This is getting kinda fun, actually." I laughed, the alcohol getting to my head as my body moved to the music.

"I told you." Hannah shouted over the loud music.

We were dancing in the middle of the crowd at the beach. The colorful lights twinkled above our heads as we danced, all carefree.

The night air was cool against our skin, the salty breeze from the ocean whipping through our hair.

I closed my eyes, letting the beat carry me away, a smile on my face as I let out a whoop of joy.

But as the song came to an end and another began, I felt a presence behind me, a warmth that made my breath catch in my throat. 

Strong hands grasped my waist, and I tensed, my eyes flying open as I turned to see who it was.

My heart leapt into my throat as I found myself face to face with a pair of piercing green eyes and soft cheekbones. 

"Hey," The guy drawled.

"Hi." I squeaked.

He was gorgeous, with chiseled features and a playful smile that made my stomach flutter. His dark hair was tousled in a way that wanted me to run my hand through them.

"I'm Matt," he introduced himself, his voice smooth.

He let his arms fall to his sides as he said, his hand scratching the back of his head, "I'm sorry if I overstepped just now." He said, indicating towards the whole wait-grasping thing, "We were actually playing Truth or Dare, and I got dared to startle with the most beautiful girl here."