Ryder Jacobs has just moved to Orlando from the Gold Coast.
Alyx Young has been hiding a secret for the past 2 years.
After meeting each other at a party, there is no question that they have a connection.
The question is - will she let him in?
'It's not the future you're afraid of, it's repeating the past that makes you anxious.'
Alyx POV
I ran my hands through my perfectly straightened dark brown hair once again. "Alyx! Come on, We're going to be late." My best friend whined from downstairs. This was my first party in two years. They weren't really my thing. I heard footsteps getting louder. Then someone started banging on my door. I glanced once more time at my reflection before opening my door to a very impatient Melanie.
"Two hours! Honey, I know this is your first party in like a gazillion years, but the party started at seven. It is currently 8:30!" she yelled at me.
Rolling my eyes, I walked past her and started down the stairs. Suddenly, I felt her arm grab mine. "Wait, you need earrings." She strutted back into my room and I rolled my eyes. When she came back out, she was holding a pair of blue rose earring. It was a 16th birthday present from my parents. She gave them to me and I put them in.
When we walked down the stairs, my mum stopped us. "Oh you look so beautiful." She gushed. I crossed my arms as she began taking photos of us. Yeah, she's that type of parent. After about twenty photos, I confiscated her phone.
"Have fun girls!" she called out as Melanie and I walked towards her car. Of course, it wasn't really her car. Her parents didn't really trust her, so they gave her a chauffeur. Just because they could.
To be honest, if I was as rich as they were, I would probably do the same. Also, Melanie is really bad at driving. I have no idea how she got her licence. One time, she was driving and I swear we hit three trees. We were only on the road for half an hour.
Once we were in the car, she started going on about Josh Richards. I just nodded my head and pretended I knew what she was talking about. She then looked at me expectantly. Shit. Did she ask me a question? What should I say? "Umm, whose party is it?" When in doubt, always answer a question with a question.
She smiled at me like a proud teacher, "Well, I think its Hunter's party. But I got told that he was throwing the party for his friend who just got here from Australia. I hope he's going to our school. How cool would that be?" It was starting again. For the next ten minutes, she went on about how hot Australian boys were and went back to nodding at her. She probably would have gone on for longer, but we got to the party.
There were a lot of teenagers littered over the front lawn. They probably stunk of liquor too. Yep. They reeked of the stuff. I never drank because I couldn't bear the thought of becoming dependant on alcohol. That and the things people do when they're drunk have traumatised me. Some of the people on the front lawn were even passed out.
We sidestepped them and pushed through the door. "CONNIE!" Someone shouted, referring to Melanie's last name, Conway. I saw the platinum blond head of Melanie's friend James. She was actually really popular, but for some reason, she decided to stick with me. And I am forever grateful to her because I'm not exactly a likeable person.
"Hey Alyx. I don't think I've seen you at a party before." James nodded to me, draping his arm over Melanie. I forced a tight smile.
"They aren't really my scene, but Mel dragged me here." It wasn't exactly a lie. She did kept asking me to go with her and it was getting annoying, so I said that I would to shut her up. My friend can talk for ages. Melanie looked at me and instantly I got what she meant. "I'll just go get a drink."
I left the two and left to try to find the kitchen. Stumbling through the house, I avoided people as I went. It wasn't easy. There were people everywhere, dancing, drinking, talking and....other things. In a few short minutes, I was reminded of why I didn't go to parties.
Soon, I gave up on finding the kitchen, so I found a spot on the wall to lean against. Why did I agree to come to this party? My introverted ass was beginning to feel very uncomfortable. By then, I had no idea where Melanie was, who she was with, or how much she had drunk.
I groaned inwardly as the music started pounding in my head. This was great. Now I had a headache. I told myself that I was never going to a party ever again. No matter how many times Melanie pestered me; I wasn't going to break again. There is such a thing as learning from your mistakes.
Speaking about mistakes, I thought about my favourite sport in the world, boxing . Although, I did it more for self-defense than the sport itself. Normally, I went to the boxing gym twice a week. The next time would be in a few days. Not to brag, but I was one of the best fighters. Mainly because my coach would make me fight against the new guys.
They all had one thing in common: they underestimated me. As soon as they realized that I was actually pretty good, it was too late. Like that Johanna Mason girl in the Hunger Games.
After standing on the sidelines for about half an hour, I told myself to go be social.
"Go talk to people." I told myself
"People are annoying." I countered.
"I know, but you already put so much work into getting here."
"So?"
"You can't just stand here."
"Watch me."
In the end, I pulled myself into the crowd, very hesitantly. I made my way through throngs of sweaty, hormonal teenagers and cringed to myself. Did these people know what they looked like? Finally, I found the kitchen. Geez this house was big. This Hunter kid must be loaded. He was probably one of the popular people too.
I don't really care.
There were so many different types of drinks. I smelt all of them to check which didn't have alcohol. Taking one that I thought had water, I make my way back through the people, while trying not to spill anything. Then someone bumped into me.
I found myself sprawled across the floor, with the contents of my drink spilled beside me. Thankfully not on me. When I looked up, I found myself staring into a pair of green eyes. The boy in front on me held out his hand for me. "Thanks." I mumbled as I stood up. Miley Cyrus' Party in the USA was playing.
He looked confused for a second and then smiled at me. Of course he had to have perfect white teeth. "Sorry, I didn't see you. If you want, I can get you another drink." His voice. It was different. Fuck. This was the Australian guy. Why did the universe hate me?
"It's okay thanks." I did a quick 180 and went to find Melanie. I was so ready to leave this party.
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A/N: Hi guys, this is my first real story and if you liked it, please vote, comment and follow and add it to your reading list. I will read every single comment and this story will be updating at least once every week.
Question: Do you think Katniss should have ended up with Gale or Peeta?
Song for this chapter: 'Party in the USA' by Miley Cyrus
