A Ticket to Heartbreak

Chapter 2: Party Favors

The crowd nauseated me.

I haven't always been one for socializing, even when I had the chance. I'd admittedly been invited to a reasonable number of high school parties (courtesy of being Dana's friend) but the few Dana managed to force me to attend never ended well.

The last one I went to ended in tears, after losing my brand new phone I used half my whole life's savings to buy. I have no idea if I dropped it carelessly or someone nipped it but I never saw it again. My mum had a big fit because in the first place, she insisted on me returning the phone and getting a cheaper one. I had a big argument with her because I had every right to the phone. It was my money from all my part time jobs and savings, not hers.

Then less than a month, it gets lost at a party.

However, despite the bad memories, here I was again at a party, in one of Dana's outfits she forced me to wear. If this wasn't all part of getting Colin Morelli's fan sign ticket, I would have kicked Dana out my house the moment she suggested this her brilliant 'plan'.

"You know what to do right?" Dana said loudly over the music and I gave her a serious stink eye, wondering if the hear of a demon was actually occupying where her human heart was supposed to be. Then again, I should ask myself that too for agreeing to this.

"All for the ticket." I murmured to myself, then felt nauseous as I thought about what I agreed to. "I need to find a bathroom."

I barely heard Dana's questions as I zapped toward an unknown direction in search of a bathroom.

Kingsley Don's house was huge, and I honestly had no idea how I was going to find a specific person here but here we are. I finally found an unlocked door which was miraculously empty when I found the switch and turned on the lights. It was a plain looking room and was probably a guest room. I tried another door in the room and found myself in a bathroom with a large mirror on the wall. It smelled of Irish Springs.

I stood over the sink counter, supporting my weight by leaning on it as I stared into the mirror.

The makeup actually looked good on me, but with how caked it was combined with the flimsy tube and jacket without a bra and distressed bum shorts I wore, I gave off an image I never imagined on myself.

Was it worth it? All for a rare fan sign ticket?

Dana had told me to "live". That I would regret not "letting loose" at this age.

If living meant trying to seduce a guy with a girlfriend and most definitely losing my virginity in the process, I think I'd rather die.

It all was scary to me.

I heard the room's door open and click shut and I leaned off the counter, alert and fully aware I was alone in here without a phone and whoever was out there could be an aggressive, drunk teen.

After a while of listening and hearing nothing, I cautiously made my way out of the ensuite.

For a while, I didn't see anyone but then a figure sitting on the floor beside the bed caught my eyes. I could recognize those messy, black locks anywhere.

Joshua Riviere didn't seem to hear me coming out of the bathroom and I was thankful for that. Just as I was about to quietly make my way out to go tell Dana to f**k the ticket and I wasn't doing this anymore, Joshua released a big sigh then took a swig out a can of beer I hadn't noticed.

Looking a bit longer changed the initial aura. He looked sad. Very sad. And I had this urge to go scoop him into my arms and reassure him that everything would be fine. However, the reminder that this was the person I was originally going to try to seduce for a ticket crashed on me and I felt unbearable shame.

"Are you just going to stand there and watch me?" Joshua suddenly spoke and I started, shocked that he was aware of my presence. He pointed at something and I looked to see a tall mirror attached to the wardrobe opposite him. Our eyes met in the mirror, grey clashing with brown.

"I was just about to leave." I almost stuttered. Without another word, I strode to the door, managing not to trip over the black boots I was wearing.When I tried to open the door, it didn't budge.

"Don't bother," Joshua spoke up and I turned to find him holding up a key. "Didn't want horny rabbits to walk in here. I need some quiet."

I suddenly felt self conscious. About my outfit. My makeup. My hair. My very existence.

"Can I leave then?" I asked, trying not to sound desperate. The fact I was alone in here with Joshua Riviere, not to sound cliche but the hottest, most desired guy in my school made me feel very aware of everything in a bad way.

Joshua looked me in the eye, his voice a whisper. "Can you stay?"

The vulnerability in his words took the air out of me and I was at loss on what to do next. Leave and let the sadness he showed haunt me forever? Stay and be all sweaty and guilty around him as I recall the evil plan I wanted to go through with.

"There's a drink, if you want." He raised an unopened can of beer and there was this shy, adorable smile on his face that made me make my decision right there and then.

I found myself walking toward him, sitting beside him on the floor. He handed me the can of beer and I accepted it, not planning on opening it and just feeling the coolness against my palms.

Joshua reached back and pulled the duvet off the bed and throwing it over my legs. "You look uncomfortable, here."

His thoughtfulness made my heart race against my chest and I saw a very different side of Joshua Riviere. Now I understood why Emily Sanchez, his girlfriend, was so possessive over him.

I pulled the duvet higher up, hoping the highlight Dana packed on my face would hide the blush I could feel creeping up."Thank you."

We stayed in silence for a while and for need of something to do with my hands, I opened the can of beer and took a very bitter swig, scrunching up my face. This was horrible! How do people drink this?

I heard a chuckle and turned to see Joshua pinning his lips, an obvious attempt to stop laughing. "First time drinking beer?"

It was embarrassing, so I denied it as I took another painful swig. "Nope."

"Liar." Joshua chuckled, throwing his head back on the bed. His hair spilled around his head, some strands falling into his eyes. "I don't like liars."

He meant to be playful, but I could hear the hurt in his voice as he said that.

"Are you... okay?" I asked then felt stupid. "Definitely not, you obviously are not fine. I shouldn't have asked that."

He smiled, turning his head to look at me, hair spilling to the side. "You've made me smile more than once in a short period."

I flushed, not really knowing how to respond to that so I took another swig of beer. I could feel myself getting tipsy.

Joshua raised his head from the bed, sitting straighter. "I'm about to do something."

I blinked. "Huh?"

"And I'll blame it on the alcohol in my system." He continued.

"I don't understand, what are you--"

The next thing I felt was Joshua's cold lips on mine.

Time stopped.