Falling

Chapter 5

Margaux’s POV

The party is already loud before we even reach the front door.

Music bouncing off the walls. People spill across the house holding all types of liquor in red party cups. Couples making out on the staircase. Colourful club like lights dancing off the ceiling.

My stomach immediately twists.

Maybe this was a mistake.

I feel so out of place, I can spot some people I know from drama class but very few. Dean of course is rather familiar. He looks completely at home. He is probably greeted by a hundred people as we break our way through the crowd.

A few of them, no doubt show the same expression. They are confused as to why we are being seen at a party together. I don’t blame them, hell even I don’t know!

“What happened to all that confidence from ten minutes ago?” Dean asks as he starts pouring us a drink.

I glare at him.

“It died.”

“Tragic.”

“I’m serious.”

“So am I. We should hold a funeral.”

I roll my eyes.

Somehow he always knows exactly what to say when I’m spiraling.

Dean hands me a sealed can of beer instead of the cup he just poured into.

“And this?”

“Cans are safer.” He says with a soft smile.

“Let’s establish some rules here babydoll. Don’t leave your drink unattended, leave it somewhere trusted or finish it. Don’t wonder off with strangers. Got it?”

I raise my eyebrows “This isn’t my first party, you know! And no I won’t leave it unattended I will leave it with you!”

“Well that is somewhere trusted indeed.” Dean jokes.

I roll my eyes.

“Do I look okay?” I nervously fish for Dean’s approval.

“If you’re asking if I would tap that, then yes I would!”

There it is, cocky as always.

"Gosh, you’re unbelievable!"

"And yet you keep voluntarily spending time with me."

"Debatable!"

"Denial. Cute."

Before I can think of another comeback a blonde girl practically materialises out of nowhere and throws her arms around Dean’s neck.

"Dean" she squeals his name like she is annoucing the winner of a game show.

"Lexi." he laughs awkwardly.

Lexi.

Tall, pretty, blonde, tiny dress, perfect makeup, and enough confidence to make everyone else in the room disappear.

Exactly the kind of girl I can imagine Dean surrounding himself with.

She kisses his cheek and her eyes finally land on me.

For a split second confusion flushes across her face.

"Oh."

Just one word.

But somehow it says everything.

Dean notices immediately

"Lexi this is Margaux. Margaux, Lexi."

"Intresting." her eyes flicker between us.

"Didn’t know you were bringing dates now."

I nearly choke on my drink.

“We’re not - ”

“My date?” Dean interrupts.

He shrugs.

“Depends. Are you buying me dinner later, babydoll?”

I elbow him in the ribs.

He laughs while Lexi’s smile tightens.

“Well,” she says. “There’s a bunch of us heading upstairs. You should come.”

Dean shakes his head.

“I’m good.”

“You sure?”

“Positive.”

Lexi blinks.

She clearly isn’t used to hearing no.

“Well… if you change your mind…”

“I won’t.”

“We’ll see.”

She leaves with a forced laugh.

I stare at him.

“You just rejected her.”

Dean looks confused.

“Yeah?”

“She’s gorgeous.”

“And?”

“And nothing!”

“Exactly.”

He takes a sip of his drink while his gaze is still set on the party. I can’t help but wonder why he wouldn’t take the bait and go with her. She is totally his type.

“You know this will one hundred percent cost you your reputation of the hottest f**k boy?”

“Hottest?” Dean gives a cheeky smile. “Come on say it again babydoll!”

“Shut up!”

“Make me.”

Heat creeps into my cheeks. All of a sudden I feel nervous. My stomach does a twist and I can hear myself gulping. I feel tingles in parts of my body I didn’t know existed.

“Dean!”

“Kidding. Relax.”

A familiar voice suddenly cuts through the music.

“Margaux!”

I turn around.

Noah.

He’s standing a few feet away, hands shoved into his pockets and looking unfairly handsome in a black sweater.

And smiling at me.

Actually smiling.

“Hey.” He says.

I swear my heart forgets how to function.

“You made it!”

He pushes through the crowd to get to me and Dean. Dean notices the change in my entire personality immediately.

Because of course he does.

He leans close and whispers dramatically,

“Oh no.”

I elbow him again.

“Ow!”

“Behave.”

Dean grins.

“Never.”

Noah chuckles.

“Am I interrupting something?”

“No.” I answer a little too quickly.

“Yes.” Dean says at exactly the same time.

I glare at him then focus my gaze back on Noah.

“You aren’t interrupting at all.” I assure Noah.

I can feel Dean staring me down and Noah still holds an uncertain expression.

Noah gives a nervous chuckle.

“You maybe want to dance?” Noah asks.

My heart is beating in my throat.

Every coherent thought leaves my brain.

“Yes.”

Too fast.

Way too fast.

Noah smiles.

And for some reason, I glance at Dean.

He catches it.

Something soft flickers in his eyes before his usual grin returns.

“Go.”

“What?”

“Go. Have fun.”

“You sure?”

“Babydoll, to see you dance terribly would make my year.”

I laugh.

“Fine. Here’s my drink, guard it with your life!” I instruct Dean.

“I got you!” He winks.

As Noah and I start making our way through the crowd, I glance over my shoulder one last time.

Dean is still standing there.

Smiling.

But this time it doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

And for some reason…

That bothers me more than it should.

Siren sounds by Tate MaRae starts playing.

Noah’s thumbs dig into my waist, his hands are lingering around my hips. Every light squeeze feels like electricity shooting through my body.

Noah squeezes my hand.

Just a little.

But it’s enough to completely short-circuit my brain.

His thumb brushes lightly against my fingers, absent-mindedly, like he doesn’t even realize he’s doing it.

And somehow that tiny gesture feels infinitely more dangerous than anything else tonight.

The room around us fades.

The music.

The people.

Everything.

It’s just Noah.

And he’s looking at me.

Not past me.

Not distracted.

Looking.

His eyes flick down to my mouth for half a second before returning to my eyes.

A tiny movement.

But I notice.

Unfortunately for my sanity, I notice everything.

The little scar above his eyebrow.

The way his hair curls slightly near the ends.

The softness in his expression.

The warmth of his hand around mine.

And suddenly, I’m very aware of how close we are.

Too close.

Not close enough.

And God help me.

That smile.

Noah spins me again, slower this time.

When I come back toward him, I stumble slightly in my heels.

His arm immediately tightens around my waist.

Strong.

Steady.

My breath catches.

Neither of us moves.

His hand is still there.

My hand is still on his shoulder.

And suddenly we’re standing much closer than before.

Close enough that I can feel the warmth radiating from him.

Close enough that I can smell his cologne.

Close enough that if I lean forward…

No.

Absolutely not.

His eyes search mine.

And for a second -

Neither of us says anything.

The teasing smile disappears from his face.

And something softer takes its place.

Something that makes my heart beat so hard I swear he must hear it.

“Margaux?” he says quietly.

“Hm?”

“You’re beautiful.”

My entire body freezes.

Not because he’s flirting.

Not because he’s joking.

But because he says it so simply.

My heart practically leaps into my throat.

His voice is almost shy.

“I just thought you should know.”

Nobody has ever looked at me the way Noah is looking at me right now.

Like I’m something precious.

Something worth paying attention to.

And suddenly I can’t remember how breathing works.

His gaze flickers down again.

My breath catches.

He’s thinking about it too.

I know he is.

And judging by the way his chest rises, so does he.

But instead of closing the distance, Noah smiles softly.

The sweetest smile I’ve ever seen.

And rests his forehead lightly against mine.

Not a kiss.

Not quite.

But somehow infinitely more intimate.

I close my eyes.

And for one perfect second -

Everything feels still.

Until -

“OH, COME ON!”

I jump.

Noah nearly laughs himself to death.

Across the room, Luke is dramatically booing us.

“You two are making the rest of us look lonely!”

The entire room erupts into laughter.

I bury my face in Noah’s chest in embarrassment.

And to my horror -

He wraps an arm around me and laughs too.

Deep and warm and beautiful.

“Sorry, Luke!” Noah calls.

“We’ll try to be uglier!”

Everyone laughs again.

But when I finally look up,

My eyes find Dean.

He's leaning against the kitchen counter.

Red cup in one hand. My drink in the other, black button-down rolled up to his forearms, revealing the defined muscles that disappeared beneath the fabric.

The colorful lights caught on the silver chain around his neck and highlighted the messy dark hair that always looked like he’d run his hands through it one too many times.

And annoyingly -

unfairly -

he looked really good.

He is surrounded with people. Lexi is talking beside him.Someone else is trying to pull him into another drinking game.

He should be laughing.

Flirting.

Collecting phone numbers.

Doing Dean things.

Instead,

He's watching us.

Not in a creepy way.

Not angry.

Not even upset.

Just…

Watching.

And somehow his expression is unreadable.

Our eyes meet.

For one second.

Two.

Then Dean notices me noticing him.

His mouth curves into his usual grin, the one that made it impossible to tell whether he was completely fine or breaking his own heart.

He raises his cup in a little salute, the picture of effortless confidence.

Like he hadn’t been watching us at all.

His fingers tightened around the can I had handed him earlier.

Still guarding it.

Even though I’d forgotten all about it.

Like the smile on his face wasn’t just a little too practiced.

And then,

to my complete surprise -

Noah squeezes my hand.

Just a little.

And suddenly my entire brain forgets how to function.

Unfortunately…

Across the room.

Dean's smile disappears.

Just for a second.

But I see it.

And for some reason…

The look on his face stays with me long after the song ends.