Chapter Four - The Invite

The Invite

I blink in surprise, staring at the charming face in front of me.

"A party?" I ask.

He smiles, dimples forming on his handsome face. Leaning against my locker he crosses his arms, his hazel eyes twinkling. "Yea. You want to go?"

"With you?" I blurt.

He chuckles, raising his brows. "Well, yea."

I stare at him. He can't be serious.

Noah Maxfield is the most popular senior in school. And it isn't hard to see why. His light blonde hair is curly and boyish, his face always smiling and full of charm. Tall and athletic from years playing football he's the towns high school hero, the angel boy with the perfect arm.

Girls like me just didn't get asked out by boys like him. "For real?"

His smile widens. "For real. I've noticed you watching me."

I blush. I doubt there's a girl at this school who didn't gush over Noah. I hate that I'm one of them. As much as I try to deny it, deep down I have basic needs just like everyone else. And Noah is the complete package, even I can't avoid the attraction.

"Oh..." I breathe, embarrassed to have been caught. "But...aren't you dating Sarah Young?" Noah and Sarah have been dating since sophomore year. The last thing I need is to make an even bigger enemy of the queen.

He shrugs. "Nah, that's over."

"I'm sorry," I say awkwardly.

"It's no biggy. We're still friends." Noah doesn't sound at all upset, a soft smile still tugging at his lips.

"Oh..."

"You like me don't you?" Noah asks expectantly. Reaching up he brushes a lock of hair away from my eyes. "I think you're really cute. Even if you are a bit dorky," he adds with amusement.

Blushing, I drop my gaze. "Yea, I guess."

"So, you'll go?"

Before I can answer the last bell rings. The hall fills with students, laughing and chattering loudly. As they walk by I can feel their eyes on me, clearly shocked to see the loner girl talking to Mr. Popular.

Out of the corner of my eye I see the queen bee herself walking down the hall. Spotting us her eyes narrow. She strides up to us confidently, wrapping her arm around Noah's bicep. "Hey, Noah, what's up?"

He gives her a small smile. "Hey, I was just asking Abigail to the party tonight."

Sarah raises her brows in interest, her cold grey eyes focusing on me. I suddenly feel like a bug under the microscope. "Really?" she asks.

I wait nervously for her reaction.

To my surprise she cocks her head with a smile. "That's cool. You should totally come and hang with us."

Okay, I didn't expect that. "What?" I blurt.

She shocks me further by stating, "Listen, I'm really sorry about yesterday. I'm a total bitch when I'm high."

Sarah Freaking Young was apologizing to me? Did hell just freeze over?

I shrug, trying to pass it off. "Uh...it's okay..."

"So, you'll go right? It's going to be epic," she claims enthusiastically.

Distrust.

Sarah has never been nice to me before. I can't help but feel like this is a trap.

Noah clears his throat, drawing my attention. "I'd really like you to go." He gives me a breathtaking grin, his blue eyes soft and pleading.

Well, crap. How can I say no to that?

I shrug. "Umm...yea, I guess I can go."

"Awesome!" Sarah claps her hands with excitement. "We're meeting up around eight. It's at the quarry so bring your bikini."

Bikini?

It's the middle of autumn...

I watch Sarah flounce away happily, a little baffled at this sudden acceptance. She meets up with Amber, who's hair is perfectly straight and sleek today. As the two of them walk away Amber gives me a worried look before offering a small smile and bowing her head.

Weak.

Ignoring the snide remark of my conscience I ask Noah, "Is she serious about the bikini?"

Noah chuckles. "Yea. It's like a tradition to jump into the water."

"Sounds cold," I remark stupidly.

"Don't worry," Noah takes a step closer, "I'll make sure to warm you up."

I flush, little butterflies in my stomach. It's odd. There's no doubt I'm attracted to Noah. Who wouldn't be? What confuses me is the feelings I have for him are nothing compared to what I felt yesterday in the woods.

Not even close.

"Okay..."

Noah smirks. "You're so cute." Shaking his head with amusement he tweaks my hair. "See you later, Abby."

"See ya," I squeak.

I watch Noah join up with a group of jocks from the football team. Taking a deep breath, I stuff my books into my bag and shut my locker.

A party?

Ambling down the school hallway I chew on my lip, mulling over if I should really go or not. It's not like they will miss me if I don't show...

Deception.

The nagging voice in my head might be right. What if this is a trick? I know my classmates look down on me. I'm the odd one out, always by myself. I eat lunch alone. I study alone. I live alone.

I suppose it doesn't help that I never bothered to make friends in the two years since I moved here.

Lonely. That's what my life is.

Lonely, but safe.

I don't mind socializing in a meaningless 'nice weather we're having today' way. It's the sharing that bothers me. People like to talk about themselves, about their lives, which meant I was obligated to do the same. It involved a level of trust. And if they turned on you...

I'm better off by myself.

A student with thick glasses and light blonde hair stumbles by me, his arms carrying a stack of books. He nearly trips over his own feet, catching himself at the last moment and glancing around with flushed cheeks to make sure no one else noticed. When his gaze hits mine he gives me a sheepish smile. I smile back with a shrug.

Maybe I'm over thinking it? Maybe it's time for me to...make friends. And a party did sound enticing.

Zipping my jacket, I head outside. I'm not scheduled to work at the library today but I stop by anyway to check out a book. Serenity is in the back office. She barely acknowledges me as I enter, talking in hushed tones to another woman with a curvy figure and short black hair. I recognize her as the owner of an herbal shop down the street, Beth Summers.

In a small town everybody knows everybody.

With my book in hand I walk up to the counter to check it out myself, giving Beth and Serenity a small smile. Beth smiles back just as Serenity closes the office door, shutting me out.

Odd.

I wonder if Serenity is still upset over the stranger from yesterday. If this is a race thing I hope Beth doesn't share those same views.

Checking out my book, The Once and Future King, I head home. I've read it a dozen times, but I'm in the mood for something fanciful.

As I walk my eyes unconsciously dart around me, looking for any signs of the man I met in the woods. I can't get him out of my head and I desperately want to see him again, even if it's just to look.

Taking a deep breath, I bow my head. I'm such a loser. Loser with a capital L. Just one little act of kindness and I'm acting like some love struck teenager.

But it wasn't just that, there's something about him, something that pulls to me. I even dreamed of him last night. My face heats at the memory. I've never had a dream like that before. It was hot, intense...erotic.

I shudder, forcing the dream from my head. I was grateful for the reprieve from my usual nightmares, but the dream left me feeling strange....achy and unsatisfied.

I didn't like that feeling.

Keeping my head down I reach home without any sign of him or the stranger from the bookstore. My apartment is still freezing. On top of that there is a nasty note from my landlord informing me I'm two days late on the rent. I grit my teeth in anger, he knows I get paid at the end of the week.

Crumpling up the nasty note I debate burning it for warmth before tossing it into the trash. Then I take a hot shower, grateful that at least something is working in my apartment.

As soon as I leave the shower the cold air assaults me. Shivering I dry my hair, debating on how I should wear it to this party...not that I've decided to go...

Do not go.

And why not? I'm tired of being alone. I'm tired of having no one to talk to.

I should go to this party, get out, let loose. It's been a long time since I had some fun.

No.

Rolling my eyes, I ignore the tiny voice, wondering if everyone's conscience is this annoying. The fact that I occasionally talk back certainly doesn't help.

Screw it. I'm going.

My decision made I search the pile of clean clothes on my bed for something to wear.

Were they serious about the bikini?

Gnawing on my lip I decide to roll with it. Digging through my underwear drawer I pull out the white bikini stuffed way in the back. I've never worn this thing outside of the store but what the hell?

Tonight I'm going to let loose.

Slipping my bikini on I frown, cupping my hands over my boobs. Or lack thereof. It's amazing how flat chested I am given that the rest me is curvy as hell. It's like god decided to put everything into my ass. As an added insult he made me short. Like wicked short. Just over five feet short. I need a stepping stool just to reach the top cupboards in the kitchen.

Oh, well. I can't change my body.

Shrugging, I dress in a pair of skinny jeans and a baggy flannel shirt. Pulling on my jacket I wrap a knitted scarf around my neck and slip on a pair of flats. It should be warm enough.

Killing time, I clean up my apartment, which meant picking my clothes up off the floor and loading the dishwasher. Then I curl up in bed with my book and surround myself with knights and magic.

As I read a bubbly excitement starts to build in my stomach. I'm actually looking forward to this. Me, Abigail Williams, excited about a party.

On top of that I was asked out by Noah Maxfield. Never in a million years did I expect that to happen. It's like I went to sleep last night and woke up in another universe.

It's been so long since I felt like this and I realize that bubbly feeling is happiness. I'm happy that Noah asked me. I'm happy to be invited out with my peers.

I'm happy if just for one night I don't have to sit alone in my apartment huddled under my covers.

This night might just be life changing.