First Love (David & Liza)

Chapter 6, part 1

As we walk further between the two houses, the music gets even louder. And so does my anxiety. The view of an enormous backyard, full of people dancing, drinking and just having fun spreads in front of my eyes. I can't help but wonder what exactly am I doing here. Oh, yes! A promise is a promise and I really don't want to break it. We're make our way through the crowd when I suddenly realize that I actually don't know anyone. Like no one! How is it possible that there is not even one familiar face here? After all, these people attend the same school as me. Right?!

But Gabbie on the other hand, is acting like a social butterfly. She most certainly does know a lot of people, because she's been smiling and waving at practically everybody around us. I spot a big swimming pool and a few tables by a wooden shed in the back of the yard. Gabbie stands on her tiptoes, waving frantically at someone in that direction. I let out a big sigh of relief when I finally notice a bunch of familiar faces, gathered around the tables. But when she heads towards them I grab her hand, scared that I will lose her in the sea of dancing bodies. She gives my hand a slight reasurring squeeze, knowing how nervous'and uncomfortably awkward I can be when I'm meeting new people. She is absolutely right about it though, because when we reach the back of the yard and a smiling Zane and a little tipsy Heath greet us, I just hide behind her, completely frozen and utterly ashamed.

"Baby, you look so gorgeous tonight!" Heath pulls my hand and gives me a big bear hug, almost crashing my bones and knocking the air from my lungs. I find it hard to not blush at the cute nickname he gives me, as I shyly thank him.

"He calls everyone he likes "baby". Don't worry! He is a very good guy." Gabbie whispers to me and I nod my head, giving her a small smile.

"Liza, I don't think you know the others." Zane says, standing beside me. "Here we have the cutest couple in the world. Scotty and Kristen." He points to a shirtless boy with lots of colourful tattoos and a girl with long brown hair, sitting on his lap. I smile at them and they wave back at me. "I know you've already met Alex, but this is his crush – Corinna." Zane 

"Hi, Liza! And no, she's not my crush! Just shut up, Zane!" Alex yells back, rolling his eyes.

"Never mind! These lovely ladies there are Carly and Erin. Babes, come here and meet Liza!" Zane shouts to a couple of girls. The one has bright pink hair and the other is a tall blonde holding a camera. What's going on with these people and why are they always recording everything?

"This is the newest addition to our gang. Liza, say "Hi" to our Internet friends!" They both say, turning the camera in my direction as they come closer. 

"Hi, Internet friends!" I awkwardly wave at the camera, feeling a little flustered from repeating the weird phrase.

I'm used to record myself, but not in this way. When I make my videos I'm always alone in my room, not surrounded by a bunch of strangers at a party. But every single one of these people I just met had been so genuinely friendly and not at all judgemental. The fact that they're not giving me that weird "what is she doing here?" look is actually making me feel less nervous and honestly, a little more confident.   

"Thank you, but hat is enough exposure for today, girls! You'll scare her away and we don't want that, right?!" Zane smiles, playfully winking at me. Do I have to know what's that supposed to mean? "And for the grand finale we have these two very fine-looking guys over there. Handsome Toddy and Elton the Beard. Hey, dudes!" The two boys look in my direction, both giving me cheeky smiles and waving at me. As I wave back to them, I feel a big warm hand, sliding around my waist. I slowly turn around just to see a big grin under a black hat.

"Ummm... What ex... exactly are you doing?" I cross my arms on my chest, a little angry that I stutter again. The hand stays where it is, not moving even an inch, but the grin only gets bigger.