Make My Way

Chapter Thirty-Three

Willow's POV

I was talking to Willow and Aurora when I felt someone's warm hands on my hips. I jumped and turned my head around to see Liam's face. He pulled my body in closer to his and tried to move my hips so that they were flat on his. His arms were around me and he whispered in my ear. "Come on. Grind with me."

My heart sped up. Memories flashed through my head and I had a realization. Is much as I wanted him, his personality, his eyes, his laugh, I didn't want this. I pulled away and turned to face him. I shook my head. "No," I told him, trying to sound confident but I heard my voice shake.

He looked at me, puzzled. He hadn't expected that. "I'm so sorry," I said quietly as I took a step back towards him. "I just can't do this. I don't want a relationship right now. I can't do this. I'm sorry." I turned and walked away. It took all of my will not to turn around and look back at him. To kiss him. To have what we had that night after homecoming.

I understood what Aria meant that the chemistry between her and Blake had faded. It just hasn't been working. The connection, the spark, just wasn't there anymore. And as much as you wanted it back, the flame had already died. You can't feed a flame that's already gone out. All you can do is start a new one.

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Adrian's POV

Why am I even here.

I.

Am.

So.

BORED.

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Aurora's POV

Blake's not so bad, I thought. I still had a huge crush on Xavier but Blake was really nice. Not to mention, he really wasn't too bad looking. Pretty easy on the eyes if you'd ask me.

We dance and talked and laughed for most of the night. Around 11, Willow and Vivian came over to talk to me because their dates were talking about sports or something. Stella wasn't with Jordan anymore, she was sitting in the bleachers next to Luca, talking. Jordan was nowhere to be seen.

I'm not sure where Aria was, but she was probably prancing someone or trying to set two people up with Julian's help. Apparently that's what they did in French class.

I thought about the afterparty we were having at Stella's house with our friends. I was sleeping over there for sure and the others probably would too. I had helped Stella decorate a little for winter and make some food after we had our hair and makeup done. Of course, we had chips and pop and stuff but we made some cookies and homemade bread and stuff too.

I hoped I'd get a room to myself.

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Aria's POV

Julian and I sat crouched in a corner peering over a stack of boxes. People were making out in the corner behind us but we ignored them. Our eyes were glued on our goal. Vivian and Merrick. We had been trying to get them alone together all night. We may or may not have been trying to get them alone so they would kiss....

Eyes on the prize.

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Stella's POV

Luca was so nice. He was cute. His eyes sparkled when he talked about something he enjoyed. Just him being next to me made my fingertips tingle with possibility. My chest felt warm and fuzzy and my face heated up. I hoped I didn't look too red. Luca was the kind of person that made you feel happy in his presence.

He'd had a rough life though. His parents spit up when he was in sixth grade. I felt bad for him; it must me hard living in two completely different houses. I mean what if you left your Prada hand bag at your dad's house but you needed it the night you were at your mom's house. My life is great compared to his even though my dad is barely home and my mom is encouraging boyfriends and making out since I was twelve years old.

Maybe I could make his life better. Better than it was then anyway.

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Vivian's POV

Merrick looked so cute in this light. I loved the way his eyes sparkled when the light hit them. His green tux did wonders for him. He wasn't the most athletic guy and he was a little bigger than most guys, but that didn't bother me. I was almost as tall as him and was just glad I wasn't taller. I couldn't wear heels already and I was taller I'd be his height.

The song changed and slowed down. Our past conversations came to an end and left me staring into those sparkly eyes.... The next thing I knew, his lips were on mine. I'd never kisses someone before and neither had he. Our noses bumped and I let out a small giggle. I didn't know what to do with myself. I had just had my first kiss.

My arms were still around his neck so I pulled him closer and put my head down and rested it on his shoulder. The song ended and I looked up and smiled at him. He smiled back at me, the curving movement of his lips reminding me what just happened. I told him I was going to the bathroom and slipped out.

On my way out, I saw Aria peering over some boxes at me and ducked when I looked her direction. I got closer and looked around the box. Julian and Aria were pressed up against the back and both gave me a very similar sheepish smile. Aria stood up and drug me outside.

"You had your first kiss!" she exclaimed loudly.

"Shhhhhhhh. Be quiet!" I ran my hands through my hair and looked her in the eye. She had her first kiss in eighth grade and here I was, a junior, having JUST had mine. "Yeah...."

"How does it feel?!"

"I don't even know.... Good, I guess," I sighed. I couldn't stop smiling.

Aria grabbed my wrist again. "We need to find Stella," and with that I was being dragged back into the chaos of the dance.