Forever starts with us

Chapter 2: The Party

Six months into my friendship with Nathalie, I received my first invitation to one of the Rivera family’s infamous parties. Apparently, it was a tradition for the Riveras to host big celebrations for birthdays, holidays, and anything else they deemed important. This time, it was Lucas’s birthday.

“You have to come,” Nathalie insisted, practically bouncing in excitement as we walked home from school. “Everyone’s going to be there. My parents are going all out with the catering, and there’s going to be a band!”

I hesitated, adjusting the strap of my backpack. “I don’t know, Nath. I don’t even have anything to wear to a fancy party.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she said, grabbing my arm. “You’ll look amazing in anything, and besides, you have me. I’ll help you pick something out. Please, Ellie?”

Her pleading eyes made it impossible to say no. “Fine,” I relented with a sigh, though my stomach churned with nerves. “I’ll come.”

Nathalie squealed and threw her arms around me. “You won’t regret it! This is going to be the best night ever.”

I wished I could share her enthusiasm. While I was excited to celebrate Lucas’s birthday, I was also dreading the possibility of seeing him with Mia. I’d been trying to convince myself to move on, but the thought of him laughing and dancing with his gorgeous girlfriend was like a punch to the gut.

---

The night of the party, Nathalie and I got ready together at her house. She’d insisted I come over early so we could do our hair and makeup—a rare occasion for me.

“You have no idea how lucky you are to have such clear skin,” Nathalie muttered as she applied foundation to her own face. “It’s like you’re naturally flawless.”

I rolled my eyes, sitting cross-legged on her bed. “I’m just trying not to look like a total mess tonight.”

She turned to me with a teasing smile. “Ellie, you couldn’t look like a mess if you tried. Trust me, Lucas is going to notice you tonight.”

My heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name. “I’m not doing this for Lucas,” I lied.

“Sure you’re not,” she said with a wink.

After an hour of hair curling, eyeliner mishaps, and trying on half of Nathalie’s wardrobe, I finally settled on a simple blue dress that Nathalie said brought out my eyes. It wasn’t as glamorous as what Mia would probably wear, but it was enough to make me feel confident.

---

The Rivera house was already buzzing with activity when we arrived. Strings of fairy lights hung from the trees in the backyard, casting a warm glow over the crowd. The sound of laughter and music filled the air, and the smell of barbecue wafted from the grill.

“Ellie!” Lucas’s mom greeted me with a warm smile as we entered. “I’m so glad you could make it. Nathalie talks about you all the time.”

“Thank you for inviting me, Mrs. Rivera,” I said politely, feeling a little overwhelmed by the lively atmosphere.

“Come on, let’s find Lucas,” Nathalie said, grabbing my hand and dragging me toward the backyard.

The moment I saw him, my breath caught in my throat. He was standing near the bar, laughing with a group of friends. He looked effortlessly handsome in a button-down shirt and jeans, his hair slightly tousled as if he’d just stepped out of a magazine.

Before I could second-guess myself, Nathalie called out, “Lucas! Look who’s here!”

He turned, his eyes lighting up when they landed on me. “Ellie!”