To The Stars | JJK

Chapter 8.

Grace

I finally got a text from Ali. I was about to lose it because of Maya and Jimin. Can't they see they're not alone?

Coming here tonight isn't like I expected. I never imagined I would be crammed into a booth with the school's most popular guys.

I definitely didn't expect to see him again.

When I leave the table, I realise they truly are the hottest guys in this bar. 

None of the others even compare... well almost none.

I'm still hoping Blake might be here.

Ali throws her hands around me when she sees me, and we almost stumble to the ground. Thankfully, someone catches us before we can.

"We can't have our beautiful ladies falling, now can we?" says a familiar voice and I'm stopped in my tracks for a second.

No way. No friking way.

"Mikey!" I yell and jump into his arms.

"Hey, babe." he says into my ear, his happiness matching mine.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, still trying to comprehend he's actually here.

Mike is one of my favourite people in the world. I was overjoyed when I heard he was going to study at Blueside too. 

He has always been my favourite cousin and I his. We were inseparable since we were children. But he had to move away because of my uncle's job when we were 15.

He transferred from Blue Side in September. Mike's so smart he got a scholarship at MIT. We were together when he got the news. I can't put into words how proud I am of him.

"I came to see my favourite girls." I roll my eyes at his response. He's probably on his way to see his parents. 

"Ali, hey," another male voice says from behind Mike.

Wait a second... I recognise that voice too.

Blake.

Oh no, no, no. I'm not prepared for this.

I can already feel my palms getting sweatier and my nerves tingling.

Why am I always so nervous around guys I like?

Why can't I be like Maya or Becky? Why is it so easy for them?

Mike notices my change in behaviour and comes close and hugs me around my back.

As much as I appreciate his support right now, I'm also a bit worried Blake could read it the wrong way.

I shake that thought off. Of course I'm thankful to my friend, and I shouldn't imagine things that might not even be there.

"Oh, hi Blake," Ali says back casually, "enjoying the party?"

"Yeah, the music is surprisingly good today," Blake replies.

The music today is awful. It's too loud, the playlist has no theme, and the overall song choices are just bad.

A first ping of doubt rises in my stomach.

But am I judging him too quickly?

He starts a conversation with Ali about something that happened in their dorm.

And I get a second ping.

What kind of dude doesn't even introduce himself to people standing next to him?

Mike notices this too and pulls me closer and whispers in my ear, "You like this guy?"

I look up to meet his eyes, "I don't know."