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Twenty Five: Meet Ali Sugg

As soon as I heard the lock unclick I took a deep breath, music filling my ears and was greeted by two men monitoring the doors. I kept a tight hold of my two friends as I looked around for Zoe, but as I did all eyes turned on me. I felt short for breath as many pairs of eyes were locked onto me; what I looked like, what I was wearing and who I was.

Whispers could be heard in amongst the crowd and I saw someone walking over; Zoe who emerged from the people smiling brightly and pulled me into a hug. She held onto my arms as she looked me up and down, exerting pride as she became to me. "Ali you look so pretty!" She squealed and hugged me again, then embraced my friends whom she had met on a few occasions.

She stood in front of us still on top of the stairs and called for everyone's attention. "Everyone!" She spoke up, all the murmuring hushed and the room was silent. All eyes were back on us, inspecting us to see if we were real. "This," She turned to bring me next to her, rather than hide in her shadow. "is my sister, Ali. Yes, there is another Sugg. Ali is not familiar with all of YouTube so just feel free to introduce yourself at anytime. These are Ali's friends Jim and Jess and let's get this party started!" Zoe finished with a big smile and there were claps as the music continued and Zoe told me she would see me later, walking off back into the crowd of strangers.

Letting out a sigh of relief I made my way down the stairs and walked to the drinks table, knowing if I were to mingle with over 70 people in one sitting I would need something stronger than water to get me through it. As I picked up a pink drink I felt a tap on my shoulder, I was faced with a girl I had never met before. She had long straight dark brown hair, a slight tan and bright eyes. "Hi Ali, I'm Gabbie." She introduced herself picking up the same drink as me and sipping it, commenting on how good it was.

"Hey I'm guessing you're one of Zoe's friends, I mean of course you are." I corrected myself and laughed it off.

She stared at me for a moment and I felt slightly uncomfortable. "I'm sorry, it's just like you're real. Like there were rumours and speculations about another Sugg but having you here in the flesh is surreal, and you are so pretty!" She smiled and made me feel at ease.

"Guessing I'm going to get a lot of stares tonight then?" I asked and she nodded. After a bit more of informal chatting with Gabbie we agreed to have a dance later as I walked towards another section of the large space.

Through a doorway I was greeted with more people who were sat down having their own conversations, but stopped when they saw me. I gave a small wave and a few smiled back, others continued to converse as if I hadn't been there. I rolled my eyes and looked out, focusing on the city and how beautiful it looked at night. Seeing the skyline and how it was all lit up against the blanket of darkness above, I could easily get lost in this forever.

"Beautiful isn't it?" I heard a voice next to me and snapped out of my trance, seeing a familiar face and felt myself blush.

Fumbling for words temporarily I tucked some hair behind my ear and kept my gaze on the lights outside in attempt to find myself some form of distraction. "It really is, how people can just see it and think nothing of it amazes me." I chuckled and saw his reflection in the glass, he was looking at me.

"I'm Finn by the way, we met briefly a while ago?" He held his hand out but I declined, hugging him instead. He embraced the hug tightly and I felt at ease in the tense atmosphere.

"You're the one with the twin aren't you? I owe your brother an apology." I felt awkward for a moment and Finn smiled.

He kept his smile locked onto me as I glanced back outside, then turned to face him as I tried to engage in conversation. "So Finn, I'm guessing you are a YouTuber and all?" He shook his shoulders, "How so?"