IMAGINES ▹ ROSS BUTLER

↳ before we were us pt. 1

( BEFORE WE WERE US )
by anaboo96

The inevitable end of summer was fast approaching with the start of a new school year. But you weren't going to let that disappointment stop you from making a statement marking your change from your usual quiet, non-athletic nature to a spontaneous, workout fanatic. You spent your summer working at the local YMCA and taking full advantage of the workout facility. Your body had completely changed. Muscles were more defined and waist clenched with perfect sculpted abs. Whenever, you walked past the mirror you became more and more impressed with your new physique and started to love your body more.

Before the school year started, you got a text from your friend, Sherri, about a party at Bryce Walker's house. Without hesitation you were at his house, ready to have the time of your life. You were sure it was going to be legendary as he lived on the richest side of town. You felt a rush of excitement as you were ready to reveal your new body to your classmates, but you couldn't help but to feel nervous as you knew your crush Zach Dempsey would be there. Was he going to notice you this year or just walk past you like you were invisible. You took in a deep breath to calm your nerves and made your way to the back of the enormous house to the party.

Everybody who was everybody was there, both inside the house and outside, in the pool, in the hot tub, and on the lawn. You tried to find a familiar face until you locked eyes with a familiar crowd in the hot tub. Sherri waved you down from the hot tub for you to join her and you let out a sigh of relief as you rushed over. But you couldn't help but feel the sense of panic as she was hanging around Justin, Bryce, and the infamous Zach Dempsey.

"Y/N, come on in," Sherri encouraged, "We have so much to catch up on,"

You were reluctant at first, but easily caved from Sherri's pleas. You crossed your arms at the hem of your shirt and pulled it over your head to reveal the top of your black bikini. The last to go were your shorts to reveal your black bikini bottoms. As you got into the hot tub, you couldn't help but notice the stares, until Bryce said what everybody was thinking.

"Damn, Y/N, where did you find a body like that?" Bryce smirked, his voice lower than normal making you slightly uncomfortable.

"Have a little class Bryce," Sherri slapped him in his shoulder to get him to stop, "You look stunning, Y/N,"

You started to blush from the compliments as you settled yourself in the only spot left in the hot tub, next to Zach.

"Hey Zach," you spoke with a shaky voice. Anxiety was nearly consuming your body, but you weren't the only one feeling the pressure.

"Uh, hey Y/N," Zach stuttered. His eyes kept darting from your face to your body back up to your face. You never knew somebody as cool as Zach Dempsey would get nervous. "Um, how was your summer?" he finally trained his eyes on the beer he was holding nearly submerged in the water.

"It was good, started working out a little bit. How was yours?" You smiled. A sense of comfort came over you now that you knew that Zach was nervous to talk to you as you were to talk to him.

"Um, yeah it was fine," he sounded rushed, "I need to get some more beer," He turned around in the hot tub and quickly reached a towel. He balled it up in his hands and held it in front of his waist. You were confused at first by his behavior until you heard to jokes fly from Bryce and Justin.

"What's the matter Big Z, can't focus on talking to a girl?" started Justin.

"I think I got something that could help that boner of yours," continued Bryce.

Even with the heat from the hot tub, you could feel your cheeks grow warm and you were for sure that they were red. You weren't only embarrassed for yourself, but you were also embarrassed for Zach. The next time the two of you meet will the most awkward thing in your life and you were dreading it.