I Won't Ever Hide Alone

Chapter 9: Twenty-One

Julian was parked outside of the bar that Lori was having her 21st birthday party at. He was stalling. He knew he was going to have to finally meet all these people that are super important to her and he was going to have to meet them as, Julian, the boyfriend that's never kissed his girlfriend. He knows they're all going to be judging him as soon as he walks in that door. How could he blame them? It's been a month they've been together now, and they've done nothing more than hug with cheek kisses. He knew it was bothering Lori too. It wasn't normal and he knew it.

He watched as people were walking in, laughing and talking. He wished Kara would talk to him. He was sitting in his car instead of inside where he was supposed to be. He knew she would have said something to convince him to go in or better yet, she would have accompanied him. It would make things so much easier. He had sent Kara a couple texts in the last week to see how she was, but he didn't hear back. It's not the first time they've fought and she wouldn't reply to him. It didn't stop him from trying though.

Julian took out his phone and decided to send her another text.

Julian: Hey. I'll be at Bar Luis if you want to come by and talk. It's Lori's birthday. I miss you.

He put his phone away. Feeling a bit ridiculous. He took one last deep breath, grabbed Lori's gift, and got out. Once he got inside the bar, he easily spotted Lori and her friends. She looked so beautiful and he felt like scum. She deserved better and he couldn't get over that thought.

He walked over to her with his right hand behind his back. He stood directly behind her and slid his left arm around her waist. She jumped and turned around. As soon as she realized it was him, a huge smile spread across her face and she gave him a giant hug. He could tell she was already drunk.

"Yay! You made it!" Lori excitedely shouted over the music blaring.

"Well, of course, Darling! Am I your boyfriend?" Julian smiled.

"Yes!" She laughed.

"Then of course I'm gonna be here!" He ran his hand through her Auburn hair. She rested her face on his hand and admired him.

"I have something for you." He said.

"You do?" She chirped.

Julian smiled and nodded as he brought her gift out from hiding behind his back.

She looked like she was about to cry. "Oh my god, Julian!!" She raved.

It was a bouquet of her favorite flowers, Carnations, and a little box was connected to the bouquet. Lori smelled the flowers first. She loved them because they lasted a really long time and came in all sorts of colors. Then she opened the box. It was a silver chained necklace with her birthstone on it.

"This is so beautiful!" She immediately handed the necklace to him, spun around, and lifted her hair so he could put it on.

He did as she wanted. Once it was on, she turned around and looked down at it.

"You look gorgeous." He complimented.

She smiled up at him, but he could see the sadness all of a sudden in her eyes. He grabbed her hand and led her outside where the music wasn't blaring in their ears.

It was another nice summer night. Both Lori and Julian loved summer the most. Once they got outside, he let her hand go and gazed at her.

"Why are you sad, Lori?" He abruptly asked.

"I'm not." She tried to defend herself.

He grabbed for both her hands and held them. "Yes you are." He smiled, "I can tell when you're upset you know. It's all in your eyes and did I not tell you I was good at reading people?"