{19}

Chapter 19: (Olivia's POV) We were walking around, mingling with people much older than us, people my grandparents' age, as well as my parents' and I'm surprised to say, old people, are much more interesting than us teenagers. It's because they've got stories to tell. "What time is it?" I asked, both of us taking a seat at a table. "It's only 10 o'clock, the party ends after midnight," he sighed, leaning back in his seat. "What are we expected to do until then? Just mingle through the night?" I chuckled. "We're supposed to dance if you couldn't tell from all the swaying couples around here," he laughed. "Then why aren't we dancing?" I asked. "Cause we were mingling with the handful of people who aren't dancing, normally the ones that are too old to dance," he answered. "Well, we're nobody's grandparents just yet, stand up," I said, putting my clutch on the table and lifting my dress as I stood up so I wouldn't step on it. "I don't dance, babe," he shook his head, looking up at me. "Now you do, babe," I said mockingly. "Stand up," I ordered. "No," he shook his head. "Get up, Ethan." "Make me," he smirked. "I can just go dance with someone else, but what impression does that give, Miles?" I grinned. "To Justin, to Annabelle, to your parents, and to every person who we've talked to as the lovely couple we are?" I asked. He stared at me, gnawing on his bottom lip. "Come on, bellboy, oh, I missed that nickname," I said, sticking my hand out for him to take. "I didn't," he said, grabbing my hand and standing up. "Awe, look your parents are dancing too. Let's dance like them," I chuckled, both of us finding a spot. "My dad doesn't know how to dance, watch him nearly step on my mom's foot right about- there we go," he chuckled, watching his parents. "Then let's not dance like your parents," I smiled. "Hmm, let's not," he nodded. He grabbed my hands and pulled me closer before putting his arms around my waist. "Can we get drinks after this?" I asked, putting my arms around his neck. "No, I can't drink while my parents are here," he shook his head. "But I can," I shrugged. "No, you can't. They like you, don't ruin it," he said. "Okay," I sighed, slumping my shoulders exaggeratedly. He let go of my waist and spun me around three times before pulling me closer again. "What time is it?" I asked again. "It's been three minutes since you last asked me that, time isn't gonna speed up," he smiled. "One can only dream," I shrugged. He chuckled, shaking his head. I grinned and then realized I was staring so I started looking around, noticing the people. And noticing Justin glowering at the back of Ethan's head. I rolled my eyes, turning my attention back to Ethan. "I can feel his glare at the back of my head," he said. "Hmm, I can see it," I replied, "I don't understand him. Oh, look. Now she's glowering at me," I scoffed. "Then don't look, just ignore it," he suggested. "I kind of want to glower back," I mumbled. "Don't," he rolled his eyes, grabbing my chin and having me look at him instead. He turned us around so I couldn't see them anymore and we continued dancing. "I can't slow dance the night away," he sighed. "You have to try," I shrugged. "I'm hungry, they haven't even served dinner yet," he whined. "Sit tight, bellboy," I chuckled, brushing his hair out of his eyes. After the song ended, we both called it quits on the dancing because slow dancing can only be so entertaining. "I'm gonna go to the bathroom, I'll be right back," I said. He went to our table, I headed for the bathroom. Once I got out of the stall, I saw Annabelle coming into the bathroom. "For god's sake," I mumbled under my breath, deciding to just ignore her and headed to the sink to wash my hands and then get out of here. "Olivia, right?" she asked. As if she didn't know my name. "Yeah," I nodded with a smile, "I'm sorry, I don't remember your name," I replied. She dropped the fake smile and said, "Annabelle." Like the haunted doll. Maybe it's named after her or something. "Oh, right. You're Justin's girlfriend," I nodded. "And you're Ethan's," she retorted. "Yes, I am," I said while washing my hands. "So, how are things going for you two? I mean, I don't want to be rude but, he doesn't seem very happy, I'm just concerned for him," she said, standing at the sink beside mine. "I'd say he seems happier than he did with you, but that's all right. Opinions vary, right?" I smiled as fakely as I possibly could. "Oh, I don't know, he doesn't seem all that satisfied to me," she smirked. "Then maybe you could ask him how satisfied he really is. I'm sure that'll ease your concerns. Just out of curiosity, does Justin know how worried you are for your ex-boyfriend? Or is that a secret you plan to keep?" I asked, turning the water off and grabbing a paper towel, drying my hands, and tossing it in the trash. She opened her mouth to say something, probably snappier than a chihuahua but I was out. "Enjoy the night," I grinned before opening the door and walking out. "She is the most annoying freaking chihuahua, haunted doll Annabelle looking barbie I have ever seen," I mumbled under my breath in frustration while I walked to the table. I sat down with a huff, putting my head down on the table. "What happened to you?" he asked. "Annabelle happened," I mumbled, still not lifting my head. "I thought I told you to ignore them," he said. "That's a little hard to do when she decides it's a bright idea to have a chat in the ladies room," I groaned. I heard him sigh before he grabbed the edge of my chair and pulled it closer to his. He poked my side and I lifted my head, looking at him blankly. "Ignorance is bliss, my love. They're serving dinner," he nodded to the buffet that was now open by the bar. I stood up to go get dinner with him but he sat me back down. "I'll just get it for you, take a breath," he nodded. "Thanks," I smiled. "Anytime," he replied. I sat there, fidgeting with my phone, while he went and got us dinner. "Where'd your boyfriend go, Liv?" I looked up and saw Justin standing in front of me. "Why are you asking, Justin?" I sighed. I really can't get a break from barbie and ken. "Just curious," he shrugged. "Well, curiosity killed the cat. Go find your girlfriend, please. Just leave me alone," I huffed, rolling my eyes. "Why so hostile?" he sneered, walking over to Ethan's chair. "Seat's taken," I said, putting my clutch down on it. He grabbed my clutch and put it on the table. "Now it's not," he smirked. I turned, putting my legs on the chair. "Seat's still taken." I glared up at him. "Now shoo, little Justin," I sang, "Your girlfriend's looking for you," I nodded to the buffet where I caught Annabella staring. "Toodles," I waved, smiling fakely. He rolled his eyes and left. I put my legs down, mumbling curses under my breath. "I got you spaghetti, garlic bread, and iced tea because no drinks," he said, putting the plate down in front of me. "This is what they have?" I asked. "The rest is seafood and I know you don't like seafood, I don't either, so it's spaghetti, meatballs, and garlic bread for us," he said. "How do you know I don't like seafood?" I questioned, narrowing my eyes at him. "I noticed," he shrugged, "You didn't have it at the last party either. You never have seafood at any of these parties, I figured you don't like it." "Awe, you notice me," I teased, holding my chin in my palm. "It's hard not to notice you," he mumbled. "That's how much you hated me?" I chuckled. "No, that's how pretty you are," he scoffed. He froze, realizing what he said and I froze too, comprehending what he said. "You wanna act like you never said that?" "Yeah." "Okay," I nodded. "Do you want more garlic bread?" he asked. "No thanks, I'm good," I smiled. "Okay," he sighed. "Don't freak out, you can call me pretty," I cleared my throat. He looked up at me, his eyes clicking into place with mine. "I call you hot in my head all the time," I shrugged. Instantly regretting what I said but someone needs to lighten the mood. There's too much tension between us now. "You do?" he asked, extremely surprised. I nodded, "Yeah. All the time," I shrugged, scoffing in an attempt to act nonchalant. "Right," he said slowly, looking at me weirdly. "Can we leave after this? I don't wanna stick around till midnight," I sighed, running my hand through my hair. "Yes, please," he huffed. . . . . Chapter 19