Half way there

Chapter 2

Martin Taylor:

Even though this was an engagement party, John was forced to invite everybody who's anyone in the 'soccer world' and that is why I found myself surrounded by executives from various teams and as much as I didn't want to have to talk, I couldn't be rude.

The questions went from "Are you planning on staying on this team" to "Are you single?" and what I hated most about these types of events was the prying into your life and not just your personal life, but every single aspect of myself.

After a bit of mingling around, talking to executives and directors I decided to find a few friends and order something to drink, so I headed over to the bar.

There a couple of my friends and teammates, Ashton, Nate, and Chris, were seated talking or flirting with Leila's friends.

I had a charity event the following morning so there was no way I was going to drink, but I decided to dance some.

Everyone in the party was well known and the press wasn't allowed in here, so technically, we could go crazy. But the press and paps always ha a way of getting pictures, either way i found myself to be one of the few sober people in the sea of drunks, which was fine with me, over the loud music they cracked jokes and we fooled around.

I ordered another sprite and then decided to take a break from everything and went outside. Truth was, I was getting anxious. The familiar burn in my throat was asking for a drop of something, anything and it made me feel desperate.

In times like this, I could go home and take a cold shower, but that wasn't an option right now. For emergncies like these, I always kept a cigarette or two in my pocket, so I took one out and lit it up. Despite all the health problems thi could bring, a kick of nicotene would help calm down the unquenchable thirst I felt. 

It was something that started not long after I stopped drinking and over time this feeling became bearable, but sometimes I couldn't handle it.

So when Zoella, who was also outside (something I had failed to notice) walked up to me and said "With every packet of smokes you buy you are giving money to a killing factory but by smoking them you are also killing yourself," I was shocked, and then angry because who was she to judge?

Luckily I was refrained from responding as Chris came outside calling us over. Talk about timing, I had promised John to behave and little miss perfect was making it a bit hard.

Leila and John were about to make an announcement. But of course that announcement started with the slow dancing where John danced with Leila, and then slowly couples started going onto the dance flooor, and since I was best man, I was obluged to go. 

Of course, as best ma I would have to dance with the maid of honor, who to my luck, was Zoella.

She was a great dancer and I wondered why she hadn't been on the dance floor, I looked like a fool dancing with her, I was concentrating hard on not trying to step on her which isn't as easy as it sounds.

"Hey thanks for not stepping on me" Zoella joked and I cracked a small smile because despite that comment she made outside she looked radiant in the crimson dress she wore which she had pointed out earlier matched my tie.

It then occurred to me that Leila was trying to pair us up, doing some match making and I honestly had no idea how to feel because while Zoella was a beautiful women, she was infuriating

Once the dancing was done, Leila's father started off with a heartwarming speech about John and how he was welcomed to the family. When he finished everyone clapped (or intended to, most of them were drunk anyways).