Falling For You

Chapter 1 - Speechless

[Avery]

Tucking my hair behind my ear, I sighed. My best friend was across the other side of the room, making out with some dude I had never met before.             

I don't even know why I'm here. It's New Year's Eve; she had decided to throw a party and had somehow managed to persuade me to come along.

Looking at the watch that sat on my wrist I looked at the time, half an hour to go then I can go home.

Gripping my purse tightly, I started to aim towards my best friend, dodging the many couples who were making out. GET A ROOM. I so wanted to scream out, but then again, technically they were in one. I needed fresh air, it was far too dark and too hot in here.

"Oh my gosh!" I cursed myself for being so clumsy as I bumped into something; spilling my drink down my dress. "I'm so sorry." I continue to apologise as I looked up, upon the unfamiliar figure.

"It's okay." The person with a deep husky voice replies causing me to look up. "I should have been watching where I was going. Are you okay?" He continues to ask bending down to help gather my stuff that had fallen out of my purse.

"I-I'm fine." I reply blushing slightly. He was quite a handsome young man, he didn't look much older than myself; with his short scruffy brunette hair, he was much taller than me bearing in mind I was under five foot; it meant he towered over me but in a non - threatening way. Although there wasn't much light within the room, his dark eyes that were now gazing down at me caught me in a daze. "Thank you." I finish as I stand up straightening myself out.

"Your welcome. I'm Nick by the way." The mysterious boy who had now introduced himself to me said. "I'm new in the neighbourhood and you are?"

"Avery." I answer with a slight smile. I had always been shy around new people. "I-I was actually just heading outside to grab some fresh air." I gesture towards the door across the room, near where my best friend stood. I think she's forgotten that I'm here.

"That, actually doesn't sound like a bad idea. Mind if I join you?" Nick asks and now it was my turn to be shocked. He actually wanted to do something with me? I blinked, no one ever wanted to be anywhere near me let alone talk to me. I was nothing special, I was way to short for my age, I had recently cut my once long hair into a bob and had dyed it blonde. Nothing ever seemed to suit me, I was wearing a floral skater dress because it was the only style I felt comfortable in. But here I am standing with a boy who wanted to stay with me rather than run away. "Avery?" I felt a nudge.

"S-Sorry." I felt my cheeks go warm, I mentally thanked my best friend who decided to switch the lights off and have fairy lights around the room. "S-Sure, the company would be nice." I reply, tucking a piece of my hair behind my ear. It was something I did when I was nervous.

"Let's go then."

***

"Plans for the new year?" I ask starting up a conversation, as Nick and I take a seat on the patio steps. The back door was left slightly a jar so we could still hear the music playing but it was just Nick and I outside.

"Not really. I'm hoping to get a new job, meet some new friends and maybe a girlfriend. But I don't know if I'm ready or not yet. How about you?" He replies watching me as I hug my knees against my chest. "Are you cold?" He continues to ask looking at me concerned, although it was almost midnight, there was enough light coming from the house that allowed me to see his face.

"Oh, N-no I'm fine." I answer, it was slightly chilly but I wasn't freezing. "And to apply for university. I'm hoping to go next year." I finish as I watch Nick take of his jacket. "What are you doing?" I ponder.

"This." He says as he places his grey jacket that was miles to big for me, around my shoulders. "I don't want you to get a cold." He continues, his face so close to mine, I can feel his breath on my cold lips.

"Honestly, I'm fine. Now you'll be cold." I fuss trying to take his jacket of me as I he places both hands on my shoulders.

"Trust me. I can manage the cold. I'll be fine." Nick says sending me a smirk. "It's you I'm more worried about."

"Why are you so worried about me? You hardly know me?" I ask, it was a question I had been dying to know. But just as he was about to the answer we heard everyone yelling from inside.

"20, 19, 18..." They were counting down the last minute of the year, before the new one started. I sighed. For some reason, I wasn't bothered.

"What's wrong?" Nick asks probably thinking I'm absolutely crazy for not wanting to celebrate the new year.

"I just don't see the point in celebrating the new year. Plus everyone will be kissing in a just a few seconds and I - "

"You can kiss me." Nick interrupts, my eyes widen, as I look up at him confused and shocked. Who wouldn't? The boy I just met, said that I could kiss him? That's not what I meant.

"10, 9, 8," They continued to cheer snapping me out of my thoughts.

"I didn't mean that. I meant that, I don't see the point of celebrating the new year. I mean, you don't know what's going to happen. What's the point of celebrating, if there's no-one with y-." Before I could finish Nicks warm lips were against my cold ones. My breath hitched, as I felt a tingling feeling run through my body and for some oddly strange reason, I began to kiss back. I could feel the sparks running through me as I wrapped my arms around his neck, I could feel his hands down my lower back. The fireworks began as soon as he pulled away.

"Your here with me." He tells me, wrapping his arm around me, as he turns to watch the fireworks. I'm still looking at him dazzled. "I had to shut you up some way. Although, you are rather cute when you ramble." He continues as I blush. "You're also cute when you blush too." I smile biting my lip as I turn to watch the fireworks. I didn't know what else to say.

He left me absolutely speechless.