Superficial //a Luke Hemmings fanfiction//

8- Awkward

Finally, the most awaited chapter (idk with you guys but I was awaiting this chapter)!! But, do enjoy this bit hehehehe. + yes, another dress inspo from emma stone in la la land (i can't help it guys, i love la la land and emma stone's fashion there!!). her dress is what jennifer is wearing at the party

but anyway... continue :)

- Jennifer -

Tiffany was right. It was crowded. The place was full of buzzing people, the speakers were blaring out EDM music (I hate EDM so I cringed), and the clinking of glasses and flutes of champagne and shots filled the room. All around, there were clusters of people, talking to each other, buzzing about whatever they were able to relate to each other with. Some of them had clusters of people with the members in it not talking to each other, and looking down at their shoes, swinging from heel to sole, heel to sole. My heart weighed a little for those clusters -- that heavy weight of awkward atmosphere must've felt really uncomfortable. With none of them talking to each other, staying silent, and what they're able to do is to hold their breaths & staring at nowhere or anywhere but the people they're with, that's absolutely uncomfortable. Well, of course, it's uncomfortable, they're within an atmosphere of awkwardness.

Suddenly, Tiffany lightly tapped on my shoulder, and muttered, "Jen, I think I see Ashton. He's coming our way. Okay, stand straight, Jenny." I nodded at her order, and followed it. My eyes scan the place, and it was able to spot the approaching Ashton Irwin, who was wearing a classy black suit and tie, holding a glass of red wine. Now that's fancy, classy, and gentlemanly -- my type of men. I brought out my best, polite smile, and clutched on my pouch with my left hand situated at my back, with my palm open.

As he reached us, he gave us both a wide and welcoming smile; so wide, his dimples looked visible and deep. He greeted, "Hi guys! Thank you for accepting the invitation. So glad you guys are here." Is it bad to say that this guy I met twice is liquefying me with his undeniably adorable and dimply grin?

Tiffany stated at his greeting, that I absentmindedly ignored because of his cute smile, "You're welcome! Thank you for actually inviting us here. We did not expect this much of a crowd, honestly," the three of us chuckle softly at that statement, and Tiff continues after, "I thought it would be like a chill kind of crowd who would attend." Ashton answered, "I thought so to, to be honest. I invited a number of friends, along with my mates' friends (he meant Luke, Calum, and Michael). But looks like my friends invited many more of their friends." We add another laugh to that because of the anaphoric use of the word friends.

While Tiff and I continue to converse to Ashton about different topics -- the weather, their tour, music, politics -- random topics in general, my eye catches 3 men, not far from the circle Tiffany, Ashton and I made, engaged in a conversation with 3 women wearing very revealing clothes with each of the men, holding a flute of champagne. I cringed at the sight of it on how they treated these women like flirting and toying objects, and how these women allowed themselves to be toyed by flirtatious, immature men. As I continued to cringe at that sight, the blonde, tall, and blue-eyed man caught my sight, and pursed his lips at me, raising his left brow in response to my expression. I sighed, rolled my eyes, and shrugged in response, then returned to my conversation with my circle with Tiffany and Ashton. They were talking about the issue of feminism.

I wonder if they noticed that non-verbal conversation between me and him.

- Luke -

The moment I felt her cringing at our direction, I just had to make a glance to see if she really was doing it. So my head turned to where she, her friend and Ashton were, and my eyes met hers. I was right, it really was a cringing expression. She looks good in that royal blue cocktail dress she's wearing, along with the makeup and other accessories she had, but that expression ruined that look.