3

(RORY’S POV)

For the fifth time tonight, I caught Todd watching me from the corner of his eyes. This time around, he was not fast enough to tear his eyes away and a blush crept to his cheeks as he chuckled roughly.

Omg! Is he blushing?

“You look gorgeous, Candy.” He said turning his eyes now back to the road.

“Thank you.” I said and nodded at him. “So do you.”

I thought for a moment and then chuckled nervously. “I mean, you look really good.”

Todd laughed just as we drove in to a large mansions sprawling with carpeted grass and perfectly trimmed hedges.

Loud music was blaring loudly from the house and I eyes the place warily wondering if I did the right thing by coming.

Todd’s warm hand reached for mine and I gasped softly in response.

“Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you.” He assured me with a warm smile that made my insides swoon.

Then he came out of the car and opened the door for me taking my hand in his as he led me to the door.

Kids were skating around while some were sprawled on the grass. It was such a commotion and we had not even gotten inside yet.

I gasped and held on to Todd’s arm when a boy with a skate board stopped in front of us.

“What the hell dude?” Todd glared at his friend and basketball team mate, Laurel.

Laurel eyed me for a moment and then a goofy grin settled on his face.

“Well, I’ll be damned! I was wondering who this foxy chick was. Heyyyy Rory!”

He cooed at me.

“Hi Laurel.” I said shyly under his gaze.

“Stop being a creep!” Todd snapped at him as we all started to walk up the front porch.

“She just looks so good. I never knew Rory had such a hot-“ his words fell dead when Todd glared at him again.

“I don’t want to get noticed getting in.” Todd hissed as we let ourselves in through the front door.

“Todd O’Connor in the building!” Someone shouted with speakers and a loud whipping erupted in the crowded house.

“Too late!” Laurel sneered.

I was confused as I looked around at everyone. Why were they so many people in this space? It was so crowded and it smelled strongly of alcohol and Marijuana.

I also noticed the stares I was getting. Some guys were ogling at me and some girls were giving me nasty stares. A lot of people seemed to be trying to talk to Todd.

It was all quite a lot.

“Come on, Candy let’s get you a drink.” Todd said putting a protective arm around me that did a lot of things to my tummy and head.

“Yeah come on Candy.” Laurel echoed teasingly.

“Don’t call her that, idiot.” Todd snapped at him.

He led me to a kitchen and shut the door behind us drowning the noise.

“She looks terrified!” Laurel teased.

“Leave her alone. It’s her first party.” Todd said smiling warmly at me.

“Obviously!” Laurel teased. “She looks like she was thrown in a mad house.”

“Are you okay? Do you want to leave?” Todd asked leaning closer to my face.

I try my best to maintain my eyes on his eyes even though that too is giving me a tough time.

I shake my head at him. “No, it’s fine. I’m fine.”

Todd tugged my chin gently and then helped me on to a seat.

“Okay Candy-“ laurel said but when Todd glared at him, he corrected himself as he headed for the large fridge. “Rory! What would you like to drink? Light cocktail, heavy cocktail, red wine, beer, vodka….”

“Well, I can try….”

“She’ll have Juice.” Todd interrupted and I narrowed my eyes at him.

“I can try-“ I was starting to speak when someone walked in to the kitchen and I felt my stomach sink to the bottom.

Leslie Williams.

She wore a mini leather skirt over a tiny black silk top and her blonde layered hair looked perfectly styled. I eyed her perfect model like body and couldn’t help the jealousy that crawled in.

Leslie was scrutinising me as well. Her eyes flashed over my body angrilly and then she relaxed when it settled on my face.

“Oh! It’s Rory.” She said with a dry laugh. “I heard you came in with some new bitch in town and I almost threw a fit. Hi Rory!” She flashed a smile at me.

“Hi Leslie.” I greeted back.

Leslie and I were not friends at all. To be honest , I did not like her and i promise it was not because I was jealous, it was because of how mean she was to people around.

But she was never mean to me. I guess it’s because of my friendship with Todd.

To be honest, I don’t think she cares an inch about me. She knows I don’t stand a chance with Todd and so she sees me as unimportant.

“Don’t tell me, the break up is what is bringing you here. I heard about the Nerdy gossip.” She said her eyes glinting in mischief and mockery.

I felt ashamed and looked down at my hands.

“What do you want Leslie?” Todd growled angrilly.

“For us to talk baby.” She said in a flattering voice.

“Yeah, I’m busy right now.” Todd said and he turned to me but I shook my head.

“I’m fine with Laurel.” I said.

“But I don’t-“

“Just go. I’ll be okay, I promise.” I said biting my lower lip.

Todd’s eyes sank in to mine as if trying to read me.

“Come on, she said it’s fine.” Leslie said hooking her arm around Todd and pulled him away.

“I’ll be right back.” Todd promised giving my hand a squeeze before he got dragged away. “And no alcohol!” He called before leaving the kitchen.

“Right! Of course.” Laurel said in a sing song voice. Then he wriggled his eyebrows at me. “Except you want some?”

Before I could even give an answer, he said. “Just joking. Todd will kill me. Here you go.” He placed a glass of fruit juice before me and two filled shot glasses beside it. “That‘s for Todd.”

“Thank you, Laurel.” I said holding the glass of juice in my hand then I looked up at him with a guilty smile. “Can I have a straw?”

“Of course.” He said and turned around.

I glanced around the kitchen and then noticed the now opened door. My heart stopped beating and my breath hitched in my throat as my eyes landed on a couple.

It was Jason and he was kissing the girl I saw him with in school earlier. His hands were on her ass and he was gripping her firmly.

I felt sick, like I had been punched to my stomach.

I never even knew he came to parties. Or kissed like that! Am I reallly that boring?

Without thinking, feeling my head bombarded with thoughts, I hurriedly dropped the juice and downed the content of one of the shot glasses . I was just about to reach for the other, ignoring the burn in my throat when Laurel turned around.

“Here you go, Rory.” He said giving me the straw and then he froze. “What the fuck?”