Unexpected

[27] How a Heart Breaks

Hey guys! Sorry I haven't posted in forever... I've been a lot busier than I was expecting. Hope you like it regardless. Let me know what you think! Every little bit is always appreciated! Thank you. :)

Clara.

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There were only a few times in my life when I had been determined to find the truth about something. Maybe it was my mother's lawyer influence on me, but once I decided to get to the bottom of something, I did. Only, this time, when I finally did find out the truth I wished more than anything that I could take it back.

    After the benefit dinner, Katie insisted that we go to a party she knew about in Beverly Hills.

    "You know I don't like parties," I shook my head in protest.

    "C'mon, please? It's not like you have anything better to do."

    She was right, of course, but that didn't make me any more inclined. It was a Saturday night and I had nothing to do—what excuse could I come up with to get out of it? I could always say I didn't feel good, but would lying around my room worrying about Ryan and letting my imagination run wild about where he was really help me any? After a long moment I sighed and rolled my eyes.

    "Fine. But I'm not staying out all night."

   "Deal," Katie grinned. She gripped my hand, pulling me out the door with a little too much excitement. Kellan just laughed and followed behind us with a shake of his head.

    "Were you actually invited to this?" I asked sometime later, as we got out of our cars and looked up at the lavish house. The tell-tale signs of a party were everywhere. Drunken teenagers were wandering around, couples were making out, and the music was so loud it made my ribs hurt. I sent my friend a dubious look, but Katie just shrugged.

    "It's a high school party, Kodi. No one said anything about invitations."

    I rolled my eyes, letting out a deep breath. If I kept reminding myself I had to stop thinking about Ryan, then maybe I could get into the partying mood just a little. My feet and back were already starting to hurt from wearing heels so long and I stifled a small groan as the three of us walked through the front door. After I reassured Katie I would be fine on my own, she and Kellan disappeared into the crowd. I sighed and made my way through the dimly lit house aimlessly. I had a feeling that no matter what happened at one of these parties, I would never understand their appeal. There was a bar in one corner of a large, open room complete with a bar tender. Finding an empty stool, I sat down with a sigh.

    "What can I get you, darlin'?" The man asked with a friendly smile.

    "Just a pop, please."

    He quirked an eyebrow—as though he questioned why I was here—but nodded and said, "Alright."

    Despite my best efforts my thoughts were still on Ryan and suddenly I was imagining him at some junkie's house, getting drunk or possibly worse. My stomach twisted in a confusion of emotions.

    "On second thought—" The guy looked over his shoulder at me as I clenched my hands into fits on the counter. "Make that Jack and Coke."

    "You sure about that, sweetheart?"

    "Positive," I leveled his gaze, narrowing my eyes defiantly. I might not drink as a general rule, but that didn't mean I'd never had alcohol before.

    The bartender just shrugged and pulled down a glass. A moment later he sat it down in front of me and I took a sip. As I scanned the pulsating crowd of people around me my eye caught a familiar head of red hair. I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Of course Courtnee was here and looking like she belonged in a strip club. Honestly, how was that considered clothing? I was about to continue around the room when I realized that she wasn't the only one who looked familiar. It seemed like time slowed down, my breath hitching painfully in my throat as I recognized who she was dancing with. I would know that golden blond hair anywhere.