Wilder

Chapter Two

© Copyright 2018 M.C. Davis. All Rights Reserved.

Chapter Two

The party has been in full swing for about an hour and I lost Sam some time ago, to a group of guys he met earlier today. I scan the crowded room, searching for Connor. I want to find him if only to see a familiar face.

Finally, I see his signature freckled face across the room, talking and laughing with a small group of people. As I'm having an internal debate over whether or not to go over there, he glances up, his eyes connecting with mine. His grin widens and he says a few words to the people he's talking to before starting in my direction.

I smile at him slightly as he reaches me. "Ava!" He shouts, catching me off guard when he wraps me up in his huge arms, hugging me tightly. I can smell the alcohol on his breath and chuckle lightly.

"Hi, Connor," I laugh, wrapping my arm around his waist when he stumbles into me.

"I'm glad you made it! Come one, I'll introduce you to some people." He hooks his arm around my shoulder and drags me over to the group he was just talking to. "Hey guys, this is Ava. I met her today and now we're best friends." His words are slightly slurred.

I wave at the group and they respond with a round of 'hellos' and introduce themselves to me. I hadn't really looked at the group properly before so I glance around to take everyone in. There is a girl standing next to Connor, who introduces herself to me as Alice and is looking at him with hearts in her eyes. She is beautiful with her short brown hair and hazel eyes.

Next to her is Drew, a tall guy with dark brown hair and striking blue eyes. He is very handsome and from the smirk on his face, as he sees me checking him out, he knows it.

Lastly, is the cutest girl I have ever seen, with her pink-streaked blonde hair. She is tiny, even compared to my five foot three inches. Her cropped hair frames her face and makes her twinkling blue eyes stand out. She launches herself at me and wraps me up in a surprisingly strong embrace.

"Hi! It's so nice to meet you. I'm Zoe. I'm so sorry that you had to deal with Connor all day, but it's okay, you have me now." She beams up at me and I can't help the answering grin in response. She is so cute!

"It's nice to meet you, and don't apologize, he hasn't been too bad." I look over at Connor who is smiling drunkenly at me.

'Ava, where is your drink?" Drew asks me.

"Uhm, I don't have one?" It came out as a question. I'm not sure what he's talking about, I never had a drink so how could I be missing one?

"You aren't drinking? I could get you one if you want?" This is from Connor. Realising what they mean, I feel heat fill my cheeks.

"That would be great actually," I tell him. He nods at me and tells me he'll be right back, leaving me with his group of friends.

"So Ava, any guys catch your eye?" Alice asks coolly, a strange look in her eyes. Even I am able to understand the real, underlying question – was I interested in Connor?

"Not really. Today was my first day at the college so I haven't really met too many people yet," I answer and her eyes lose some of their coolness.

"Well, I'm sure you'll meet lots of people tonight," Zoe adds.

Connor comes back just then, holding a red cup out to me. I take it hesitantly and sniff the liquid inside. The smell makes me wince. I have never had a drink before and the stench of the alcohol leads me to believe I haven't been missing out on much.