Girl Meets New Years Eve

Chapter Eleven: 'An Hour till Midnight'

J O S H

I led Vanessa back into the apartment, my face dawning a hopeful smile. After a pretty heated conversation on the roof with her, I had finally managed to get her to see our feelings weren't mutual, and we had broken up for a reason. It wasn't because she wasn't it great girl, it's just there was someone else. There had always been someone else. I just hopped I hadn't messed it up too bad.

Stepping back into the apartment, I was met by the overwhelming sound, of multiple kids hooting. I looked around trying to find, the cause, when suddenly my eyes were met by the image of two figures in the middle of the room, kissing. Upon further inspection, I realized one of those figures, happened to be my niece. I could see her hands at her side, clenched ever so slightly, as if saying she didn't want this. She pushed him away, her cheeks burning red. "Okay, I wanna stop now" she said quickly looking away.

"Riley?" I heard Charlie say as he took another step towards her, reaching for her once again.

"That's enough Charlie, give her some space?" I said standing between them, placing a hand on Riley's shoulder as I led her away.

"Thanks" she said quietly, looking at her feet once we had moved away from the crowd. I watched her grab a napkin quickly wiping at her lips.

"What was that about?" I asked looking over at her. She shrugged slightly. "We were talking.. And then he just grabbed my face and kissed me.."

My face turned down into a scowl. "You know the more I hear about him, the less I like this Gardner kid" I said glancing over at him. He was smiling like an arrogant boy, who was showing off to his friends.

I felt someone punch my arm, causing me to turn my attention back to Riley. "What was that for!?" I ask rubbing my arm.

"The roof, and Maya." She said glaring at me.

Crap.

Of course Maya had told her, she was her best friend after all. "Now before you get all mad at me let me.." I start, trying to defend myself, but she hit me again.

"What is there to explain!? You lead her on, and then lock lips with some wannabe knock off, you invited as your date?" Riley asked through gritted teeth. "Because I'm pretty sure what happened, is clear as day."

I sighed running a hand threw my hair. "I wasn't just leading her on... This whole thing is a misunderstanding"

Riley rolled her eyes looking at me. "oh really? then by all means explain to me, how it's being misunderstood." Her eyes trailed over to where Vanessa was standing by a table. "You invited her didn't you?"

"I did invite her, but that was weeks ago when we were actually together" I said quickly.

Riley looked over at me. "Actually together?" she asked curiously.

Nodding a little, I darted my eyes towards her. "I broke up with her last weekend, things weren't working out.. but I guess she didn't get the memo that us breaking up was also a dis-invitation to the party.."

"So what happened?" Riley asked her eyes focused on me once again. I flashed her a confused look. "Why wasn't it working out?" she clarified.

I shrugged slightly looking away from her. "We just weren't right for each other.. She's a sweet girl and all, but she's not the girl for me"

"And whys that?" She asked her gaze still focused on me.

What is this an interrogation?