Five

The party was in full swing a half an hour later. The guys had given me the impression they'd invited a few close friends, turns out they must be pretty close to half of their school. The place was packed with sweaty teenagers holding red cups, and music was blaring. It's a good thing people didn't live close enough up here to file noise complaints.

Olivia wasn't here yet, which I should have figured. She's always late, but she should be here soon, I hoped.

Josh and I haven't spoken much since he'd gotten here. He was busy hiding the breakables, setting out snacks, and dragging kegs in from his car. Sam and Danny were telling me how Josh was really protective of them, but he knew they'd be partying and getting drunk in high school regardless. That's why he preferred to provide their alcohol and help with parties at their house, staying (mostly) sober to keep an eye on everyone. I thought it was sweet. I was leaning against the wall in a corner in the living room swirling my drink in my solo cup when Sam approached me.

"Having fun?" He smiled softly. He'd put his long hair into a low bun at some point. It suited him. It showed off his face.

I met his eyes, "Yeah. I really like all of you guys, you make me feel welcome."

I wondered if that was a weird thing to say out loud, but something told me I shouldn't have to worry about saying "weird" things around them. I had this feeling they'd always understand.

"We like you, too," he said, nudging my arm. "And you're always going to be welcome here."

I spotted Olivia across the room. She couldn't have been here long, or if she had I didn't notice, and she already looked drunk.

"Olivia!" I called her over and she stumbled up to us, mascara smeared and her tank top strap hanging limply down her arm. "This is Sam, one of Josh's brothers."

"Sam," she said, "you're pretty."

He chuckled, shaking her hand, "Thank you?"

She whispered to me, "He's pretty." Then someone called to her from the kitchen and she left us alone again. I guess she was making friends just fine. I probably wouldn't see her for the rest of the night.

"I guess she thinks you're pretty," I laughed, "She's a really great girl, though. She can just get a little wild." I may as well try to hook her up.

"Well, I think you're pretty," Sam said.

I was a little taken aback, I didn't know what to say. He knew why I was here, who I was here for. He saw my facial expression and immediately retracted.

"Oh god," he squinted and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I shouldn't have said that. I'm drunk."

"It's okay, I-," I started but was cut off by a hand on my shoulder. Josh.

"Hey, you look pretty," he ran his hand down my arm, giving me chills.

I glanced at Sam. He was biting his bottom lip with his eyebrows raised. We made eye contact before he walked away. I don't know why it upset me when he did.

I adverted my attention back to Josh. "Thank you. Not too bad yourself."

I wondered if he'd been drinking. I hadn't had enough to have any effect yet, and this was probably going to be the best time we could be alone without me drunkenly doing something embarrassing in front of him.

"Let me take you somewhere quiet," he said. I felt his hand brush mine and then somehow our fingers intertwined.

I just nodded and let him lead me through the living room, out a sliding glass door, and into the backyard. It was illuminated with string lights that lit the space just enough to see. We walked to the center of the yard. I looked up, a full moon and a black sky sprinkled with stars.

"I love the moon," I said, mesmerized by the view.

"We can lay in the hammock and look at it, if you want to," he offered, motioning toward a hammock tied between two trees I hadn't noticed.

"Okay," I agreed. He got in it first and then I lied beside him. The entire sides of our bodies were touching each other, making my heart race. He took my hand again.

"So, tell me your story, Kate," he squeezed my hand.

Keeping my eyes on the moon, I started, "Well, I've lived in Colorado my entire life in the same house with my parents until my dad died when I was fourteen. Now it's just me and my mom, but mostly just me because she works a lot."

"I'm sorry about your dad." I could feel him looking at me, but I kept my eyes fixed upward.

"Thank you," I said quickly and brushed off the topic. It was still hard for me to talk about, even as briefly as I had. "Anyways, um, I've spent a lot of time outside. I know the woods around here within a five mile radius like the back of my hand. I like to read and draw and paint. I'm in college for environmental science, but I'm not exactly sure if that's what I want to do. I'm not sure about anything."

"It's okay to not be sure," he said. "Hell, not being sure is better than being twenty-one and having failed too many times to count pursuing what you love."

"And what is it that you love?"

"Film. I make films. My parents support me and everything, that's why I still live at home. They're all about creativity and being happy with what you do. So they support me. But it's hard to keep going when you're getting nowhere."

"That's amazing, Josh, truly. Don't give up on that, okay? Promise." I held up a pink and he took it with his.

"Promise."

And while our pinkies were still connected, we kissed, and it was electric. It was everything and nothing like I had imagined. I knew it'd be amazing but I couldn't fathom it would hold so much feeling. He placed his hand on my cheek and slid it down my neck and to my waist and I let my free hand wander through his hair. And then he pulled back and it was over, leaving me wanting more.

"That was..." he started. "...wow."

"I agree," I said, nuzzling into his neck and wrapping my arm around his torso. I could definitely get used to this, I thought. There was only one other thing I was thinking about in that moment, and I really wish I hadn't been.

//author's note:I couldn't help but get a little love triangle going. I wasn't planning on it but oh well!Also, I'm thinking this is going to be about ten chapters, if anyone was wondering.