Purpose Will Surface (Compete)

chapter seventeen

new year's eve came around like a normal day, not feeling like anything special to me. new years had been hard for me, each new year meaning another year since my parents had been gone. plus i had usually spent it alone, which never went down very well. this year tyler seemed excited about it, which was something new for me. it felt nice to be able to spend it with someone else, however, so maybe it was a little special.

"you know what, i'm a terrible person. i totally forgot josh is having a party tonight," tyler said, looking at his phone as we sat on the couch. i looked at him surprised, as i was severely unprepared. he looked at me with puppy dog eyes to try to make me forgive him for forgetting. "will you go with me?"

"yeah i'll come, it sounds fun actually. i have nothing to wear though," i said as i realized this, throwing my head in my hands. tyler giggled beside me, grabbing my hand.

"you look gorgeous in anything. it's nothing fancy, just a couple friends i believe," he said simply, looking at his phone again. i started to feel a little nervous about meeting more of their friends, not being used to attending social events.

i went upstairs to take a shower, wanting to give my hair some time to dry before i had to get ready. i stood in the hot water, rinsing out the last of my conditioner until i heard the door open and close. suddenly the shower door was opening and tyler was coming in, taking me completely by surprise.

"um, sir, can i help you?" i asked, laughing and still standing under the water stream. he smirked, his eyes traveling down my body, making me blush.

"as a matter of fact, yes," he said in a hot deep voice, suddenly pushing me against the shower wall.

he kissed me roughly, his skin hot against mine from the water. usually people hook up with someone on new year's eve night, but i guess for tyler and i it was in the late afternoon. i got out after we had some wild times in the shower, drying off and deciding to blow dry my hair. i didn't have as much time as originally planned, but i absolutely was not complaining. tyler finished up in the shower as i blew my hair, happy that would straighten it and give it volume for me so i wouldn't have to worry about doing much with it. i dug around in my closet and found a nicer cardigan hiding with my clothes. i threw it on with a nice t-shirt underneath and some jeans, deciding to put on some makeup as well. when i came out, tyler was wearing a cute button up and some skinny jeans. i messed with his collar and fluffing his hair, earning an eye roll and a laugh. i smiled and kissed him, booping his nose.

"you're so handsome," i said softly, making him blush. he kissed me again and we made our way over to josh's house, the anxiety growing a little as we got closer. we got there a little after it started, so there were some people there already.

we went in and were greeted by josh and jim, both wearing matching bow ties. i said a big "awwww!" and gave them both a hug. tyler and josh hugged as well, doing their little friendship handshake afterwards. i giggled as i watched, always amused by how they managed to remember the whole thing. we walked in and tyler introduced me to some of his friends, all of them nice as they greeted me. i decided to go into the kitchen and get myself a drink as tyler chatted, telling him i'd be right back. i walked in the kitchen and saw another guy standing there, giving him a polite smile as i poured myself some lemonade.

"i don't think i've seen you before," the guy said suddenly, holding out a hand. "i'm will."

"hi, i'm mel," i said, shaking his hand politely.

"you know josh?" he asked, taking a sip of his drink

"yeah, i'm here with tyler," i said, taking a sip of mine as well. he raised his eyebrows quickly.