The One in the Background | Completed

Chapter 8

"Mia! We only have 2 hours until the party starts!" Haley shouts as she bursts through my front door.

"I know, it's not gonna take that long, is it?" I ask.

"Maybe longer, I don't know, we have to hurry!" She yelled as she ran up the stairs and into my room.

"Okay, okay!" I shouted as I ran up after her.

~*~*~

"We did it Mia! The party starts in 10 minutes!" Haley cheered.

I was still a bit confused on how this all took 2 hours. We changed into our outfits, Haley loosely curled my hair, and added winged eyeliner and mascara because I'm not a fan of makeup. She curled her hair too, and she did a dark Smokey eye, topped with a nude lipstick.

"Yup, so are we going to be fashionably late, or on time?" I ask.

"Hm, I'm not sure. Is anyone home?"

"Well, I know my parents and Katie won't be back until later tomorrow night, but Ryan and Logan are probably still here."

"Then let's go see what they are going to do." As we head downstairs, she yells, "Hey boys! So what are you guys doing for the party?"

"Oh, we were just about to leave," Ryan says as we enter the living room, "do you girls want to ride with us?"

"Sure! Thanks." Haley replied.

"But we will need to take two cars because Logan will need his later." Ryan said, as me and Haley rolled our eyes.

"Okay, how about me and you, then Mia and Logan?" Haley said as she winked at me.

"Sounds good." Logan piped up, giving me a smile.

"Alright then, we'll see you guys there." Ryan said as we separated into our cars.

I shut the door of Logan's car, as he hops in the driver's seat.

"Hey Mia, I didn't get the chance to tell you how gorgeous you look tonight." Logan says honestly, throwing me a wink.

"Thanks." I said shyly, feeling my cheeks heat up.

"By the way, if you need anything, just come find me and I'll take care of it."

"Thanks Logan. I appreciate it."

"Good. I think you look beautiful," he said gazing at me.

"Thanks, you already said that. Please watch the road." I say worried for safety.

"Right," he said as he looked back to the road, "But you look so beautiful every day, not just today you know."

"I love the compliment, but you should be giving them to your girlfriend," I said as I looked out the window.

"But you deserve them way more." Logan said as he looked at me once more. I stayed silent as we pulled into the driveway. I heard loud noises coming from the house. There were already so many people here. I sighed a shaky breath. "Hey, Mia. You'll be okay. It's Joey's house. He won't let in any unwanted guests." He says as he touches my shoulder.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Here goes nothing." I said as I opened the door and stood by the car.

"I'm ready when you are," Logan said from the other side of the car. I gave him a nod and we slowly walked in.

"Mia! Hey!" I heard Haley shout as we walked in. As I started towards her, Logan stopped me.

"Have fun beautiful," he said as I smiled at him and walked to Haley.

"Hi! Have you found Joey yet?"

"No, I wanted to wait for you. I wanted to make sure you are all good first."

"I'm great. Go have fun," I shouted over the music. She gave me a 'you sure' look. I rolled my eyes and shooed her off with a smile. I walked around taking in everything. There was a dance floor in the front room, beer pong in the dining room, and food in the kitchen. People were lined against the walls making out, and I heard excited couples running up the stairs. I turned a corner, and my face hit a hard surface.

"Mia! I'm sorry. I didn't see you there, are you okay?" Leo asks.

"Yup, I'm fine Leo. Why do we always meet like this?"

"I have no clue. I feel bad for always hurting you." Leo says not meeting my eyes.

"What? No Leo, I'm perfectly fine. I didn't fall this time." I said with a small laugh.

"Yeah, I guess you're right" he said smiling down at me.

Just then, a loud commotion came up, and a circle was created on the dance floor. Leo and I walked over to see what was up.

"You are so f*****g annoying!" I hear Logan shout.

"What the f**k Logan? Where did this come from?" his girlfriend, Sarah, fired back.

"I've always felt this way, and you know it. I'm done with you!" he yelled.

"I thought you loved me! You tell me every night!" she screeched.

"Well, have you ever thought I did it to shut you up? You would not stop yelling at me to tell you 'I love you' back! It was all fake. I want a f*****g change!"

"f**k you Logan," she said just louder than a whisper, before smirking and strutting off.

Logan looked into the crowd that gathered and laid his eyes on me. A few seconds later, he walks the opposite way she did.

"Woah," Leo said from beside me.

"Woah is right," I said as I looked up at him.

Right before he could say anything else, he was interrupted, "Mia, follow me please," I looked behind me and saw Logan. I gave Leo an apologetic look, and he nodded and smiled at me. I smiled back before following Logan.

He led me to the backyard, where only a few people were gathered. "Hey, what's up?" I asked confused on why he led me here.

He just stared at me.

"Logan, are you okay? I saw what happened in there."

"We were never dating. She was just a toy I needed to get rid of." he said honestly.

"Well okay, then you should have done it a little nicer." I said looking down as I shuffled my feet in the grass.

"Mia, the only way she would understand is this way. Trust me, I've tried before."

"Um, okay."

"Good. And by the way I'm 150% over Sarah."

"And you're telling me this because. . ." I trail off.

"Because now I can flirt with you."

"Oh well, I'll have you know I'm a horrible flirter." I said as my cheeks turn red.

"That's fine." he smiled.

"Logan! I know that smile!" I heard Ryan shout.

"Oh s**t," Logan mumbled.

"Logan are you flirting with my sister?" Ryan asked as he approached us.

"Uh, yeah."

"Why?"

"She's amazing Ryan. She is so sweet and pretty."

"Logan. I know that you.."

I decided this was my cue to leave. I headed into the house and upstairs to use the bathroom. I found a clean one, and I locked the door once I knew I was alone. After I finished, I washed my hands, and headed out. To my right, I saw Sarah making out with some random guy. I shook my head and went back downstairs. I went to go watch beer pong because I was just that bored.

After about 30 minutes, I quit watching. I was about to fall asleep, so I decided to leave. I found Haley dancing with Joey. As cute as they were I decided to butt in.

"Hi Haley."

"Hey girl, what's up?" she asked still dancing.

"I'm tired and bored, so I'm just going to head home. You good here?" I ask.

"I'm perfect. I may stay the night too," she said smiling at Joey.

"And Mia, don't worry, no funny business." Joey said as he smiled down at Haley.

"You guys are too cute. I'm gonna leave. Bye guys, have fun!" I said as I turned around.

"Bye!" I heard them yell in unison.

I looked around to find someone to take me home.

"Hey Mia!" I heard a shout from behind me. I turned around.

"Oh hey Leo."

"You look a bit lost, can I help you?"

"Yeah, I'm a little tired, and I was looking for someone to take me home."

"I can, if you want me to."

"Yeah, that's great thanks."

"No problem, let me text Ryan."

"M'kay."

A couple minutes later, we were out the door and heading into the car.

"So, how was your night?" he asked as he pulled out of the driveway.

"It was fine. I was just a bit bored."

"Bored at a party? That's a new one." he said as he laughed.

I smiled as I stared out the window, until an unpleasant view came into my sight. I let out a loud gasp.

"You okay?"

I felt my breathing get faster, as memories came flooding back. Why is he here? I thought he was gone for good? My eyes pricked with water as I let out a shaky breath.