𝐇𝐈𝐃𝐄| 𝐉.𝐁.

13: Hand holding

"Ya'll came. What's up queens?!" Ethan slurs as he wraps his arms around Taylor and I.

"Red?!" Ethan says with wide eyes.

"Yeah, it's me!" Red grins and Ethan hugs him.

"I'm so happy you decided to visit." He grins, letting him go.

"Actually, I'm staying. I'm coming back to East High!" Red grimaces.

"Yes! We need new additions to our squad!" Ethan squeals.

"Oh god." I groan and Taylor chuckles at me.

"So, where's your little boy toy?" Ethan smirks at me.

"He's coming soon and he's not my boy toy." I say, rolling my eyes.

"Sure, and I'm straight." Ethan says and Taylor and Red laugh, covering their mouths.

"Okay, let's just have fun and forget about boys for one night." I say.

"Agreed." The three say in unison and I nod.

"You guys want a drink?" Ethan offers.

"I'll take one." Taylor says.

"Me too." Red says.

"Lex?" Ethan says.

"I'm good. I don't drink." I say.

"Boo, you whore." Ethan pouts and we all burst into laughter.

"Where's Ryan?" Taylor asks.

"He's at some family dinner. He couldn't come." He frowns.

"Kayla and Laura?" I ask.

"Date night." He says and I nod.

"Tay, where's Lucas?" I ask her.

"He's watching his little brother since his parents are caught in long traffic." She says and I simply nod.

"Okay, we got that out of the way, tequila or vodka?" Ethan asks.

"I'll take vodka." Red says.

"Same." Taylor says and Ethan nods, pouring the alcohol in both cups.

"Lex?" Ethan offers.

"Water." I say and he chuckles.

"Poland Spring or Voss?" He asks and I think for a moment.

"Voss." I say.

"Coming right up." He chuckles and walks to the kitchen, grabbing a cold bottle from the fridge.

"Why don't you drink?" Red asks.

"Never appealed to me." I shrug and he nods, sipping his drink.

"I've never seen her drink anything except water and juice." Taylor chuckles.

"Not even soda?" Red questions.

"I hate it. Too much carbonation." I cringe and Ethan comes back over.

"Wow." Red breathes as Ethan hands me the water bottle.

"So, ya'll having a good time?" He asks.

"Once the vodka kicks in." Taylor says and I laugh.

I look up and meet a familiar pair of brown eyes.

It takes me a few seconds to realize that I'd seen him before.

"Oh my god." I mutter.

"What?" Red says.

"Shawn is here." I say, pushing some hair behind my ear.

"Oh shit." Red says, looking at him from afar.

"Oh shit, is right." I nervously huff, tightly clutching my water bottle.

"Why are you standing here for? Talk to him!" Red says, pushing me foward.

"O-okay." I stammer and slowly walk over to him.

"Hey." I say and he locks eyes with me.

"Hey, didn't think parties were your thing." He grins.

"What makes you think that? We only spoke for like forty five seconds." I chuckle.

"You don't really seem like a party girl." He says.

"Well, there's a lot of things you don't know about me." I grin and he smirks at me.

"Are you here by yourself?" He asks.

"No, I came with my friends. You?"

"Came here with a few friends too." He says and I simply nod.

"You want me to get you drink?" He asks.

"No, I'm good, thank you."

"You don't drink?" He asks, his eyes trailing down to the water bottle.

"No, it never appealed to me." I shrug and he nods.

"Different, I like it." He winks and I grin, looking down at my feet as I start to blush.

"Don't hide your blushing. It's cute." He says, picking my head up with his finger under my chin.

"I'm glad you're here." He says.

"I'm glad you're here too." I grin back, from ear to ear and we just admire each other for a few seconds.

"So, are you new at East High?" I ask, breaking the silence.

"Yeah, I started a few days ago." He says.

"How are you liking it?"

"Since you go there, I'm really liking it now." He says and my cheeks heat up once again.

"Are you always this charming?" I grimace at him.

"Only if I think that girl is worth being charmed over." He says and I playfully nudge him.

He nudges me back and I let out a laugh and his dimples show.

I then see the door open at the corner of my eye and I turn my head.

I lock into the same pair of dreamy brown eyes.

Josh. But also, holding a girl's hand.

Kacey Jacob's hand.

You have to be fucking kidding me.