1969 | a.u. a.i

1

Grace's P.O.V

I need to stop having Mary Lou drag me to these college parties. Because now I'm all alone in the living room, where the music is blaring. Dj puts on The Temptations, the room roars with cheers at the song. 1969 is going to be a year. I'm standing in the corner of the room, wondering where my best friend went.

After wondering for so long, I decide to leave. I push through the bodies dancing on the dance floor. Saying 'excuse me' loud enough to get through the crowd. A few give me glares for disturbing their precious time. I finally make it out of the sweaty bodies, bumping into somebody. I gasp, when the cold liquid goes down my shirt.

I look at my appearance and I see brown from the strangers drink that was spilt on me. I roll my eyes annoyed for not being more careful. The whiskey smell hitting my nose. Great. Without looking up I say, "I'm sorry. I'm such a klutz." Wiping the excess liquid off my arms. I hear a chuckle. Finally, I look up and was met with green eyes. My eyes widen at the person.

I swallow the lump I have in my throat. I check out his appearance quickly. He's wearing white high top All Star Converse shoes, with his denim jeans rolled at the end with a black belt holding his pants on his waist, with a white t shirt tucked into the pants, with a black leather jacket. His hair was dirty blonde with long curls cover his head.

He's handsome. He gives me a smile revealing dimples, "No worries darling. It was my fault. I didn't see where I was going." His Australian accent thick. I was taken aback. An outsider. Huh? I give him a half smile, "I can get you another one." I offered. He shakes his head, "I've been drinking since I got here. I guess this was meant to happen so I can stop." He smiles.

He puts his hands in his jean pockets, his eyes roaming the room. I guess it's my cue to leave. "It was nice chatting with-" I was cut off with a guy bumping into me. "Watch where you going, n*gger." He slurred, with a glare on his face. I open my mouth to say something but the stranger, grabs the drunken frat boy his shirt bringing him to his face.

"What did you just call her?" He growls at the boy. My eyes widen at his sudden rage. The frat boy not being fazed but his question. "A n*gger. That's what she is." He laughs. My stomach flips when I see the emotion change in the strangers green eyes. Next thing I knew, they were on the floor with the stranger on top throwing blows at the drunken frat boy.

The crowd cheers to keep the fight going, my eyes widen when I saw blood pouring from the frats lip and nose. I grab the stranger by his leather jacket and pulled him off. "That's enough!" I yell at him, struggling to get him off. After a few more blows, he gets off the hurt frat boy.

Without a word, he grabs me by my hand and drags me out of the building. The cold January air hits my warm skin. "Where are we going?" I ask, following behind the stranger. "Anywhere but here." He simply says. I take my hand out his grip and stopped walking. He turns and looks at me. "What is your name?" I finally asked.

He sighs, "Ashton. And yours?" he asks with a raised eyebrow and a smirk placed on his lips. I cross my arms over my chest. "Grace." I simply say. "A beautiful name for a beautiful girl." he compliments. I gasp at his words. Heat rises to my face. I clear my throat looking away from his eyes. Silence became between us.

I was the one who broke the silence, "I have to get home. It's getting late." I shifted my weight on my feet. He nods in understanding. "Can I walk you home? So you can get there safely." he asks, with wary eyes. I smile. I nod, walking towards my house with him walking beside me. The walk to my house we had small conversations.

He's moved down here just a month ago from Australia to start something new. He's 22. He's really chill. I stop in front of my house. "Well we're here. Thanks for walking me home." I thanked him. He smiles, "You're welcome." Once again we're in silence. "Are you okay?" he asks, breaking the silence. I looked at him with confusion.

"For what that guy called you at the party?" He asks, rubbing the back of his neck uncomfortably at the situation that happened earlier in the night. I shrugged my shoulders. "I'm used to pricks like that. Nothing new." I tell him, avoiding eye contact. "Why did you react the way that you did?" I ask, finally looking up at him.

He gives me a hard gaze, "Because it's not right." I nod at his answer. "Well it was nice meeting you, Ashton, but this gal is tired." I tell him, opening my gate. He gives me toothy smile, "Goodnight Grace. I'll see you around." He waves. I wave back and went into my warm house.