I exhaled a shaky breath, mortified that this cute boy had to witness my semi-embarrassing moment. "N-No. Really, it's fine. I was just going to get myself a drink." "I'll lead the way then." An adorable grin curved his lips. He looked vaguely familiar. "I'm Troy." "Anna." I took his outstretched hand. It swallowed my smaller one. Troy tilted his head to the side, brown eyes narrowed and black hair sticking out in every direction. "Anna... as in Jodanna?" He knew my real name. For a split second, I wondered if he was someone I once knew. Against my better judgement, I nodded. "Yes." A blush tinged his cheeks. "Not to be a creep of anything, but we, uh, had AP history together last year." My shoulders sagged with relief. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize." His grin morphed into a full-blown beam as a teasing look entered his eyes. "No harm done. Pretty girls like you don't always notice guys like me." Heat flooded my face at the compliment and I ducked my head, shyly biting my lip. "Sorry. I was a little busy learning what year Columbus sailed the ocean in to pay any attention to my surroundings." This time, Troy bit his bottom lip and crossed his arms over his chest. I took a moment to peruse him, noticing just how cute he was. He had a lean built like an athlete and two or three inches on me, which was rare, since most guys were either my height or shorter. The dimples he was sporting gave him a babyish look but it was well masked by the stubble covering his jaw. "How about"-he uncrossed his arms, and drawled in a low voice - "I fix us a couple of drinks and you can tell me all about Columbus and his discoveries." I arched an eyebrow. "You were in that class. I'm sure you know about all his voyages." "True. But I'd like to hear them from you." Was he flirting with me? I ran my fingers through my blonde waves and gave him a secretive smile. "Lead the way then." Well damn me, because I was flirting right back. Troy released a husky chuckle and placed his hand on the small of my back. I let him guide me forward, through the mass of people. Some guys were working behind the bar, talking loudly with each other and making drinks for the partygoers. They all wore black Letterman jackets and I recognized them as the football players. The bar was as cramped as the dance floor but there was albeit more room and it was a lot more private - private enough for a conversation between two people. I found an empty spot at the edge of the mahogany counter top and leaned against it. "Stay put while I get us something to drink," Troy hushed, moving his hand until it splayed at the curve of my waist. "What will you have?" "Whatever you're having." I flicked the open collar of his navy blue button down. Troy followed the motion with his eyes before grinning like he'd won the lottery. He winked at me. "I'll be right back, Columbus." I couldn't contain the laughter that escaped my lips as I watched Troy's retreating back. Something about talking to him felt so light-hearted , so normal - something I hadn't experienced in awhile. I missed normal. I feel like I'd forgotten what it felt like to meet someone new, socialize, and do some harmless flirting. While Troy was gone, I busied myself with hunting the crowd for Layla. However, Gabby wasn't hard to find as she kept grinding the night away with some new random guy. His front was plastered to her back and he was running his hands all over her body. She was so enjoying it. I'd given up my search when my eyes roamed the room one last time for my other best friend. Until I connected gazes with Samuel Adams for what had to be the second time today. He was leaning against the side of the wall on the dance floor, looking all imposing and authoritative with his strong arms crossed over that broad chest. There was a girl next to him, talking, but he paid her little to no attention. His dark eyes were set on me. When I made the mistake of maintaining eye contact for a beat longer, he pushed off the wall, said something dismissive to the girl and walked. My way. Eyes still on me. Something about him had me feeling flustered. I inhaled a shuddering breath and pivoted around. For some annoying reason, my heart paced a fast rhythm against my rib cage. Not too far away from me, a can of Pepsi rested idle. One of the guys behind the counter must have seen me eyeing it, as he gently slid it down my way with a smirk. There was a tower of red party cups and I plucked one from the top, before popping open my drink and pouring the contents inside of it. Samuel's deep baritone carried out into the air. I closed my eyes for a brief moment as I took a two long gulps. Even going as far as letting my hair shield my face to create some type of barrier. He was talking with a friend at the bar as he neared. A second later, their conversation died. And that's when I felt warm fingertips skimming the length of my bare arm. My breath caught in my throat as he stepped behind me. A musky and woodsy scent washed over me. The warm body heat radiating off of him seeped through me. I held still as I felt him lean into me, hard muscles moulding to my soft curves. I was hyper aware of his presence, of his every move and breath. When his fingers touched my hand, which was gripping the furnished bar top, I decided to break the long silence that always seemed to flit whenever we were in each others' presences. I took another sip of my drink, without turning back to look at him. "Are you going to keep buying me drinks, or actually take the initiative to talk to me? This is getting old." "Don't know. You going to stick around long enough for a conversation between us, or do I have to keep chasing you down?"