C3

After walking for a while, we met a group of people who ran up and greeted Julia. Skimming through them, they all looked nice and attractive like Julia and I can't help but feel insecure almost immediately. One boy that approached us kissed Julia. It must be her boyfriend that she spoke about.

"Guys, meet my roommate, Grace." She gestured towards me and everyone turned to look at me. By instinct, I looked down, my confidence fading but, I shook my head and pushed the thought at the back of my mind. So I glanced up and gave them a warm smile.

"Hi, "I waved and everyone smiled too and I immediately felt comfortable.

"I'm Christian, "A brown-haired boy in a black shirt and tight skinny jeans said as he reached his hand out to me politely. I accepted it and noticed the two big brown eyes staring at me. They looked beautiful even in the dim light, and his features came to view. He's attractive, his smile is warm and welcoming making him seem instantly likable and his features seemed to be sharp that it would've cut anyone if he wanted to. He was holding a beer in his other hand and his voice was deep and raspy but soothing.

"I'm Brianna, Bri, for short nice to meet you, "A curly-headed black girl waved her smile beautiful and bright. She was like Julia, petite and small, but she radiates confident and I appreciate her for that. She is attractive like everyone else in this group and her short skirt and tube top highlighted it. And her eyes were beautiful, green and beautiful.

"Justin, "the boy who had his arm around Julia's hips said as he waved towards me. He didn't smile, but he still had a welcoming look to him. He had a nose piercing, his blue eyes illuminated that too. He had the same fashion as Christian, only with a white shirt.

"I'm Ethan, nice to meet you Grace, "waved another boy, but this one looked different, he is still attractive but instead of your usual Auburn or brown hair, he had a blue head of hair making him stand out, though it was only the top of his head. He wore a black hoodie and some jeans and he looked chilled and I knew he is a fun guy to hang with. He must be.

"And I am your queen Danielle, but I prefer Dani, "one of the other guys said only he wasn't as much of a guy as the rest. He had a beautiful face of makeup on, flawless, and just stunning. His hair, beautifully groomed, and he had a purse in hand. Out of everyone, he has one of the most extra yet fabulous wears and I adored it. His voice is softer and feminine, but just as sweet as the others.

I laughed at his introduction, and so did everyone. They seemed nice and chill, and I honestly don't know what could be better.

I've had friends before obviously, but no one is a "friend, "every time a destructive thing happens, they run away, no one ever stays, so I learned not to get attached. As much as I hated it, I couldn't go on without friends so to keep some, I tend to just keep my problems to myself which, talking about it like that makes it sound so bad but it wasn't.

Back in Rhode Island, the friends I ever had pushed me away after they've had enough of me crying and complaining about my family and for a while, I felt stupid talking about that problem to anyone that I just settled in keeping them to myself and I got so used to it, I never even mentioned to my family. I didn't know just how toxic people were to me until the end of high school that I cut all ties with any friend one ever had and I couldn't be happier.

"Well, we gotta get going before the tables at Melanie's become full," Christian said. Everyone nodded and made our way to where ever that was, and I just followed them.

A shadow of doubt grazes upon me again thinking about how this could be a bad idea that I might regret later and thoughts of how they could make fun of me or push me away and think differently off me filled my head.

I felt an arm hook to mine, fortunately snapping me out of my deadly thoughts. It was Dani.

"So, girl, I noticed your skin is fab, what's the secret?" He said whilst we walked, arms hooked. I flushed at the compliment, it's rare for me to get those but instead of giving her a detailed comprehensive explanation of my embarrassing routine, I say with a confident shrug.

"Just don't give a damn about boys and bitches. "

"Amen, "Dani says, reaching for a high-five that I returned as the entire group bursts into laughter.

• • •

After a few minutes of walking and joking around, we finally reached an establishment that was true, as I suspected - a bar. Though usually, I would be nervous and just turn around after Julia had explained that it was a friendly hang out, I thought I might give in.

For a moment I worried about my mother and her reminders but also reminded myself that I am in control like she said and went in.

I was never a party girl. I don't go to parties. But like I've told myself before I left Rhode Island, I want to find myself and try unfamiliar things, baby steps. Maybe this is the first step?

The bar was black with flashing lights in almost every corner. It was loud as the bass of whatever song was playing boomed through the floor, so much so I could feel it thumping throughout my entire body. It was even louder because of the chatter and people laughing at who-knows-what, and I'm immediately overwhelmed. I guess there are a lot of places here that allowed underage drinking, huh?

"Not your thing huh?" Christian who I didn't notice was standing next to me said a grin playing on his lips as he got his hands in his pockets.

I looked around for a moment only to realize that I had been standing beside the door idle for quite a while since everyone else, comfortably seated in one booth on the other side of the black bar.

"No, not really, " I said rather too loudly, fighting with the music, and he chuckles.

"Don't worry, this place is safe, this is how bad it's gonna get, " he said taking a sip of his beer. I looked down in embarrassment as I had known I haven't done this those of thing, ever. Staying home was the best for me and this is new and I felt uncomfortable despite Christian's sweet reassurance.

He must've noticed my uncomfortable state, and he walks near me and I instinctively backed away, mentally slapping myself,

Come on Grace, he's nothing but sweet and your overthinking it.

He notices my reaction and immediately backed away too, rubbing a hand on the back of his neck.

"I was just gonna ask if you wanted a drink, I thought to shout wasn't so polite sorry!" He shouted through the music and I flushed. Why must I always make things awkward? And also, I was being confident around people and the smallest things seemed to pull me back.

"Sorry, it was an instinct can I just have a coke for now!" I shouted back, and he laughed in amusement. He nodded and told me to go to the group and wait there, and I thank him with a smile.

Moving through the crowd was one of the most tedious tasks I have ever done because I had to push sweaty people who were dancing away since my many excuses can't be inaudible and everyone seemed to be too intoxicated already. It was only six.

I reached the booth and immediately sat beside Dani instead of Julia since she seemed to have fun making out with Justin. "Yuck, " Dani cringes rolling his eyes at the couple and I chuckle before looking around.

I say booth, but it's more of a room. In the middle was a table, but space between the huge couch and the table was huge enough. It was like a lounge more than a booth, and it honestly surprised me. Christian was right, this wasn't as bad, I mean this room seemed to be a delightful place to hang out in since there were proper couches and a table and still enough room for people to just stand around.

Ethan and Brianna conversed to each other with Dani making remarks here and there, and I just stayed silent for a while like the awkward person I was. I played with my fingers like a tiny kid in a crowd and I felt tenser. My mind ran wild with thoughts of being left out and all those silly insignificant things that I recollected myself.

I shyly tapped Dani, who was busy talking about some tv show. He turned to me with a sweet smile, "Can you tell me where the restrooms are?" I asked, and he pointed outside the room before instructing, "If you walk out, turn left immediately, then another at the last corner." I gave him a thankful smile, and he patted my hand before I left the room.

I followed his instructions, almost bumping into everyone who stumbled upon the hallway. But as I come nearer the restrooms, the chatter slowly dies down with fewer people around me.

I finally reached the last corner, and I sighed in relief as I reached down to the handle of the ladies' restroom.

"They're locked." Said a deep and chilling voice from behind me just as I pushed the door and sure enough, it's locked. "Oh, " was all that I said before sucking a breath in.

"There are open ones upstairs." Said the same voice and somehow, it intimidated me. I didn't know why, and I didn't know who he is, but I was sure intimidated.

I turned around with pretend confidence and found a boy sitting by the third step of the staircase. It was very dark that all I could make of him was his powerful physique and his white sneakers. His face was dimly lit but was still too dark to see and I got taken over by intimidation over by curiosity but I moved past it. In my case, I'm sure he could see me as I was under the low lights that lead to the restrooms.

"Thanks, " I said and made my way up passing him by, thankful he hadn't blocked my way.

"Have I seen you before?" He asked aloud making me turn around halfway through the stairs only to see him still sat the same, facing away from me not caring if I could've just gone past him and he's talking to the air but I answered him anyway, "I just got here so I doubt it, "I then hastily walked away up to the second floor, not wanting to get asked any more questions by this random guy who seemed to enjoy being just that much of an enigma.

Thankfully, the restrooms were just by the top of the stairs and I quickly entered, my mind not filled with the doubtfulness but changed for the curiosity about the boy at the stairs and I knew I was in for the worse. Curiosity always seemed to be my best and worst trait.

After finishing fixing myself, absolutely forgetting the actual reason I went there in the first place, I made my way back down to the room where the loud music boomed and the dancefloor half-full from the last time I saw it.

How long was I gone?

I shook my head to myself thinking about how insane this was, but I pushed it back. As I entered the room again, the louder chatter and the added crowd took aback me. I frowned at the sight for a bit but quickly smiled when I met my eyes, met Christian who had two drinks in hand. "Oh, finally, guys, please meet-" Christian began, quickly cut off by someone.

"Waverly, " A familiar chilling voice scoffed and my eyes widened in surprise. No one knows that's my second name, not in this group at least. My swift turn followed my gasp to where the voice came from and I found a guy with a smug look on his face holding up my ID towards my face.

"My God, Chase, can you be polite for once?" Said Dani who seemed to be just annoyed as I was.

"No, my name is Grace. No one calls me that." I said, annoyance clear in my voice as I snatched my ID from his hands as the thought of how he got it crossed my mind. He must have snatched it out of my pocket as soon as I entered.

He raised one of his eyes brows as his eyes flashed with amusement just as his lips tugged into a smirk and I stared up at a pair of threatening, cold, and cunning ocean eyes. The devil's ocean eyes, it seemed.