As I was finishing my makeup, Tracy knocked, then breezed in without waiting for an invitation.
“You look stunning, babe,” she said, her tone brimming with genuine admiration.
Tracy and I had become friends only a few months prior, yet it felt like a lifetime. Anyone observing us would swear we’d known each other since childhood.
“Thank you. You're sizzling. Come on, we need to make heads turn.”
I glanced in the mirror, almost not recognizing the woman staring back. I favored jeans and simple tops. Though raised in affluence, I’d never flaunted luxury brands or exposed skin. The reflection was different—refined, confident. I liked her. I needed to remind everyone, including myself, exactly who I was. I grabbed my long black coat and stepped out into the night.
***
Thirty minutes later, we arrived at the party. To say I was impressed would be the understatement of the year. Security in uniform, expensive sports cars lined the driveway, and the house itself was almost entirely glass, perched atop a mountain. The furniture inside? Enough to feed a country. I knew Taylor was wealthy, but this was a revelation—a glimpse into the sheer scale of his family’s fortune.
The music throbbed, the liquor flowed, and the lights pulsed with energy. It felt meticulously planned, orchestrated by a professional.
Within fifteen minutes, Tracy had vanished with some guy, leaving me to navigate the party alone. I braced myself for the stares of my classmates. Some didn’t recognize me, accustomed to my usual understated style. The attention was a mix—lustful glances from boys, and outright hostility from girls who seemed to resent my apparent overdressing.
I sighed, feeling hopelessly unprepared.
What *did* one do at a party? How did one behave? These were questions I should have considered before arriving.
Why was this my first party? Because my father wouldn’t allow it. My brother and I were kept on a tight leash, shielded from anything that might tarnish the family image. He valued his reputation, his business partnerships, and wouldn’t tolerate anything frivolous or scandalous. We’d been drilled with these values since childhood. Only after turning eighteen did he relax his grip, but those ingrained principles made deviation difficult. I’d agreed to this party as a last-ditch effort to experience the “high school experience” before graduation. But judging by the current situation, I wouldn’t be attending another party again.
I was going to kill Tracey for abandoning me.
“You made it,” a gorgeous, gravelly voice said from behind me.
I turned to see Taylor.
I flashed him a bright smile, grateful for a familiar face. “Yeah, of course.” I pushed a strand of hair behind my ear. I saw it—and I think I *felt* it—the moment he inhaled sharply.
A little something else I hadn’t disclosed: he’d confessed his crush on me at his desk. I hadn’t taken him seriously. Why would he choose me? I was the most boring girl in school. It had to be a bet, a prank.
“You look… uhm, you look incredible,” he stammered.
I smiled. “Thank you, Stone. You don’t look too bad yourself.” I complimented him, watching his face light up.
“I—” he started, but was interrupted by someone calling his name.
“I’m sorry, give me a minute.” He excused himself, leaving me alone once more.
Great. Alone again.
I decided to head to the bar. I downed two shots before ordering a gin and tonic.
This house was breathtaking. I needed to explore.
I started walking, trusting that even a touch wouldn’t reveal how expensive everything was. As I ventured deeper, I prayed I wouldn’t get lost. But the biggest question on my mind was: how could Taylor host a party in a place like this? If this were my house, and I returned to find a bunch of drunk teenagers wreaking havoc, I’d lose my mind. He must have the most relaxed parents ever.
Lost in thought, I bumped into someone.
“Oh, I’m so sor—” I began, looking up at the person I’d collided with.
Jason.
He looked down—emerald eyes met mine, and he smiled. “Paige West.”
I’d carried that name for eighteen years, but it never sounded like *that*.
“Enjoying the party?” he asked.
Jason Blake was talking to me.
“Yeah, it’s pretty cool. I was actually taking a tour of the house.” I managed to say without my voice betraying the fact that my heart was hammering against my ribs.
“Damn.” He said softly, slowly looking me up and down before taking my hand and twirling me around. The sudden movement flushed my cheeks.
He seemed… as if I’d stolen his breath.
“You look… amazing.” He said again.
Again, I blushed. “Thank you.”
“I didn’t know you could look like this.” He said, his voice laced with admiration.
“I was nervous about coming. I didn’t know how to dress for a party. I guess I overdressed.” I confessed, feeling my nerves escalate.
“Nonsense.” He took a step closer, drawing me into a face-to-face embrace. “You look gorgeous.”
Again, I stood there, a stupid tomato. He smiled and spoke. “I have somewhere to show you.”
We walked to an opening, a rooftop. A pool shimmered under the stars, and the view… all the stars and beautiful houses blended into one. It took my breath away.
“You like it?” He asked, bringing me back to reality.
“Uhm, yeah, of course. It’s breathtaking. How did you even find this place?” I asked, still admiring my surroundings.
“Taylor is my best friend. This is basically my second home.”
I chuckled.
“What? You don’t believe me?”
I turned and smiled, showing my teeth. “I just don’t understand how you guys even became friends.”
He feigned hurt, clutching his chest. “What’s that supposed to mean, Miss West?”
I laughed. “You’re so… edgy and dark, while Tay is sweet and soft. Basically every girl’s dream.”
“Is he yours?” He asked, stepping closer, closing the space between us.
“I—I”
My heart was racing, threatening to win a Gallardo race.
He pressed his forehead against mine. “Because if he was, you wouldn’t have him chase you.” He traced circles on my left cheek with his thumb.
I finally found the courage to look up at him and green eyes mesmerized me and I found myself lost in them.
He grabbed my hair and ran his hand in it still being as gentle as ever, his eyes on me and me trying to control my breathing.
As he was standing there, looking down at me, I looked everywhere but him until he grabbed my chin and made me look at him.
“He is patient, I’m not. When i want something, i get it.”
I finally got the courage to look up at him and green eyes mesmerized me and I found myself lost in them.
And like he could read my mind, he connected his lips with mine. He was slow and gentle and my heart did a back flip. He chuckled but soon continued with his assault on my lips.
His hands were around my waist and my hands around his neck. It doesn't get better than this.
We were in that position for what felt like forever until he broke the kiss.
His green eyes on my blue ones. He then tacked away my hair behind my ear but what he said after that blew my fucken mind.
"Tell Taylor that someone else will polish the diamond from now on." He said before he left me on the roof.
Holy shit!
What the fuck just happened?!
Okay I know what happened but... Did it really happen??
Uhm...Jason Blake just claimed you as his. I think.
After taking a deep breath and collecting my shit, I then went back to the party to get Tracey so we can get out of here.
I went down to the second floor and I bumped into Taylor. Yet again.
Shit. I don't know why, but all of a sudden this wave of guilt washed over me.
Before he could say a word, a girl who looked very attractive with blond hair and mini dress grabbed him and basically had him on the wall.
I used this opportunity to get the hell out of the floor and find Trace.
I finally found her somewhere around the kitchen, which took me about 15 minutes to find, and she was making out with some blond haired guy. No, not making out. More like swallowing each other. Yeah that's the right term.
"Trace!" She moaned into this guys mouth and he only grabbed her closer to him.
They were upsetting my stomach.
She then broke away from the kiss. "What is it babe you alright?" She asked while the drunk guy was giving her neck kisses.
"We need to leave like right now." I replied.
"But we just got here." she said whining.
"Yeah..." someone said from behind me then they wrapped their hands around my waist.
Jason kissed me once, and spent just a couple of minutes with me, but I somehow recognized not only his voice, but scent as well as touch.
Tracey wanted to say something but she was too drunk, so she went back to swallowing the guy.
"Come on, let’s dance." he said.
"Oh I uhm, I can't dance." I said nervously. "To a slow song."
"Come on, I’ll teach you. Just follow my lead okay?"
"Okay."
As i prepare to embarrass the poor guy...
He then grabbed my hand and we stepped on the dance floor.
He took my hands and placed them around his neck and his hands came around my waist and we slowly moved left and right.
I felt like I was in a different world. I felt so warm in his arms, and safe? I felt like nothing would ever ruin this moment.
He then twirled me around but this time my back was against his front. And like his hands were a safety belt, they immediately returned to my waist.
I could hear the sound of his heart beat, and it was in sync with mine. It was as if we were one.
A couple of other people surrounded us, but it felt like just Jason and I.
He spun me around and I was looking at him again. "You's beautiful." he says, and I just melt in his arms.
And at the moment, the music changed to a more paced tempo.
He dragged me all the way to the bar and ordered us some shots.
He took one down then looked at me. "Well, come on."
I grabbed a shot then looked at him.
You know what, fuck it.
I then downed the shot and Jason couldn't be happier.
Two down, eight to go.