Chapter 5: Strangers (Alex's POV) It was now the next morning. Saturday morning. No cafe. It's a family breakfast on the weekends, which means it's really just me and dad. Mom is usually in her own world, working on paintings. I went downstairs, still in my pajamas after freshening up in the bathroom and slid down the railing, landing on my feet. "Hey," I smiled while walking up and sitting at the counter. "Hey, kiddo," he offered a smile while finishing up the omelettes. "Did you have fun last night?" he asked. "Yeah, it was great," I replied while sliding the salt from one hand to the other. "So, who exactly is the boy?" he questioned. "We go to school together and he's at the cafe every morning," I shrugged. "So, you're friends?" I shook my head, "We're strangers." One night of talking and dancing doesn't make us friends. We're still strangers. I had breakfast with my dad that morning and then he headed off to work. He starts late on Saturdays and takes Sundays off. I went back to my room where my phone was ringing. I answered and pressed it to my ear, "Hello?" "Be ready by seven, there's a party tonight. Jake is driving us," she stated. "Hannah, what?" I laughed. "Party tonight, at Connor Lewis' house. Be ready by seven. We'll pick you up," she repeated. "And if I don't wanna go?" I asked. "No choice, babe. See you tonight," she said before hanging up. Well then, party at seven. ◆:*:◇:*:◆:*:◇:*:◆ Now, hours later, it's seven. I'm dressed, ready, waiting for the car while I sit in my living room. I left a note on the counter for my dad and a minute or two later she texted me that they were outside so I left. "Hey," I said while climbing in the backseat. "Hey," they said in sync. I'd never say it to her, but I don't think they should be together. They're too alike. Have too much in common. I don't have high hopes. He drove us to Connor's house. Connor is Carter's best friend and that's all I really know about him. I have a few classes with him but we've never spoken apart from 'excuse me and hellos.' He parked the car and we hopped out. I tugged at the hem of my dress, trying to make it longer as we entered the house that had music bouncing off of its walls. I glanced at the people walking in and out of the place. The girls were all decked up whereas I was wearing a simple white sundress with lace at the bottom and my hair up in a bun. Oh well. We went inside and the two of them split up, Hannah reassuring me that if I need anything, all I gotta do is drop her a text. I headed into the kitchen to grab something to drink. I didn't want alcohol, not too much of it anyway. I saw Carter in the kitchen talking to a few of the guys from the team. They were standing by the fridge, and I wasn't sure if I should say something or not. I headed to the fridge first where I grabbed a sealed bottle of water, hearing the guys mumbled about me, questioning who I was, who I came with, if I was single, and how I looked. I rolled my eyes and kept to myself before walking out of there and finding a spot on the couch. This is why I'm not a party person. ◆:*:◇:*:◆:*:◇:*:◆ It's very boring just sitting there with chaos and music and adrenaline buzzing all around you. I stood up and headed to the kitchen to get an actual drink this time. Carter was still standing there. I opened the fridge and grabbed a beer bottle and a cup. "Can we open that for you?" one of the guys asked. "That's okay, I can open a beer bottle," I smiled while grabbing the opener before taking the cap off and pouring some out. "Okay, Miss Independent, who are you here with?" someone asked. Carter stood there listening but he wasn't looking, he was staring off into space, acting like nothing was happening. "Does it bother you?" I asked. "Why so rude? Boyfriend dump you?" I scoffed and rolled my eyes, turning around to leave. "Well, of course he would." "No shit. Right Carter?" I didn't stop or turn around but I stalled enough, acting as if I was looking for someone. "Right, a guy would be stupid to stay with her," he scoffed. I rolled my eyes and shook my head, of course he's just like them. I tossed the cup with the beer remaining untouched before making my way through the crowd. While I was pushing past the dancing people, feeling angry and humiliated, someone grabbed my wrist. I turned around and saw Connor. "Hi, I'm Connor," he smiled. "Alex," I replied. "Can I dance with you?" he offered. At least some people are nice in this city. "Yeah," I smiled, letting him lead us to the floor. Connor was nice. Really nice. He made great conversation with me, he was funny, he wasn't trying too hard or being too touchy. I danced with him for a long time before my legs started giving out. "Can I get you a drink?" he offered. "That's okay, I'll just get some air," I smiled. "Where'd you learn to dance like that?" he asked. Of course, I know how to dance. I'm not that much of a priss. I just said I didn't know how to dance last night because I've never done the whole fancy parties with important people-thing. I know how to dance, all right. "Like what?" I asked while letting my hair down, running my fingers through it. "Like that," he said, giving me a pointed look. I shrugged with a chuckle before excusing myself and heading to the kitchen where the backyard was near. I walked in there still laughing at a stupid joke he made while running my hand through my hair. That smile fell when I saw Carter standing there. He pushed himself off the wall and began making his way to me. I went through the backyard quickly before tipping my head over and retying my hair. I looked up to see him standing in front of me. "Hey," he said. "Can I help you?" I asked in confusion. "I didn't mean what I said. The guys were there and I just… I'm sorry," he sighed. "You didn't mean it when you said a guy would be stupid to stay with me? Right, okay," I nodded while the wind blew as a light breeze. "I really didn't, I just said it," he replied. "Carter, you don't know me and I don't know you. You're free to say whatever you want about me," I shrugged. I wasn't taking it so lightly, it was obviously hurtful, but it was more aggravating because he knows nothing about me so how can he say that? How can he even think it? I know people think I keep to myself and I'm quiet and blah blah blah, but I will not take anybody's shit like that. "Yeah, but what I said was wrong. If I don't know you then I shouldn't go around saying things like that. I'm so sorry," he pleaded. "Apology not accepted," I shrugged before turning around and heading back inside. I saw Hannah and I was about to head over and ask to leave but he caught me in the middle of the dance floor. How was anyone supposed to get through this ocean of a crowd, it's impossible. "Look, I'm sorry," he said while swaying slightly so we wouldn't have people bumping into us. "I don't care," I replied, placing my hands on his chest to push him away but his grip around my waist was too tight. The music began picking up, subconsciously so did both of our movements and paces. "I'm trying to apologize here," he mumbled, his hips moving with mine. "And I'm trying to tell you to leave me alone." What I wanted to say was: I'm trying to tell you to fuck off. But let's be nice, no need to get nasty. "But I-" This is just getting annoying now. It's hot in here, it's stuffy, everyone is either annoying or rude and I'm pissed off. "I don't care," I said slowly, standing on my toes to whisper it. "We're strangers, right? Maybe it's best if we keep it that way," I continued, my hips not following the orders my head was giving while my body pressed into his. We were too close. Our bodies too in sync. Way too close. I was grinding against Carter Reed. If that's not an emerency that I should step away from immediately, then what is? "Strangers don't have to apologize to each other. Goodbye, stranger." I slipped out of his grip and headed for the front door immediately. Not that I had a ride, not that I was going to walk either. So I planned on sitting out there until Jake and Hannah stumbled out. Who stumbled out instead was Carter. "God's sake," I mumbled. "You can dance like that?!" he asked, seeming awfully shocked. I laughed humorlessly and his stupidity. That's what catches his attention? "Yes, I can dance. There's a lot more that I can do, Carter. But you don't know me, and you won't get to either." . . . . . Chapter five