So, I am finally attempting a multi-chapter story. I am still refining my writing style, as my usual writing consists of a reflection of a single memory. I do admit, I got a lot of plot ideas from a book I read, although this is mostly to exercise my writing, as my plot ideas don't tend to be extensively captivating.

I don't own any of the below. Hope you enjoy reading.

"Who's the girl in the dark blue dress?"

"Her? That's Rachelle Roth."

"Do you know her?"

"Pssh...Do I know her? We've only gone to school together since kindergarten."

"Where's she been?"

"She moved to the city."

The first man took a moment to ponder this fact as he watched Rachelle Roth from across the room. She had this way of moving that was just so subtly sexy. She wasn't trying, not in the damndest, it was just her natural way of moving. Quite the contrary actually, as her movements suggested something more along the lines of a 'fuck off' attitude.

Despite this, the man was intrigued. His curiosity had been piqued, and he generally wasn't one for denying his curiosity. In fact, he was quite known for getting whatever it was he had currently set his sights on. And currently, that just so happened to be Rachelle Roth.

"So why'd she leave?" he asked.

"That story is one you might not believe. It was shocking to everyone.

"Wow, such a way with words you have. Totally not redundant at all. But back to my subject of interest, just try me."

The man lowered his voice to share one of the biggest events that had ever happened in their small town of Jump.

Across the room, Rachelle was startled out of her reverie by a sudden burst of laughter. How rude, she thought, noting that it had come from two men whispering on the other side of the room. She took into account who it was that was whispering and concluded that they must be making crude remarks. She'd known Victor Stone for just about her whole life and she knew he would show no hesitation making inappropriate comments, despite that they were in a country club in a formal celebration for a wedding couple. And though she didn't know the tall red-headed man to which he was whispering, she could only assume that if he was talking to Victor, then he was just as bad.

She made her way to the buffet, if not for any reason to have an excuse for not being sociable. She tried to avoid eye contact as she made her way through the line, but her efforts turned fruitless when an old neighbor of hers started talking to her as if they were old friends, as if Rachelle hadn't left town under the circumstances she had. Obviously not getting the point, Ms. Mayeye asked an irritated Rachelle about her parents. She just about strangled Ms. Mayeye while trying to tell her that they were just fine. For a second, Rachelle almost did when Ms. Mayeye casually remarked, "Oh, really? I heard that they weren't doing so well after – well, you know."

Lucky for Ms. Mayeye that the bride-to-be, Kori Anders, approached Rachelle for help just then, "Oh Rachelle, I think my make-up could use a little touching up. Do you think you could help me? You know how bad I am with make-up." As Kori dragged Rachelle off, she called back an apology to Ms. Mayeye for interrupting, "but it was completely necessary," she assured.

As soon as they had disappeared around the corner, Rachelle laughed. "You know I'm worse with make-up than you are. Thanks a lot, though." Kori laughed along, "How could I not rescue you? I want you to enjoy your time back here, and too much time with Ms. Mayeye would definitely be counterproductive. Oh and by the way, I just wanted to thank you for coming. I know you would probably never set foot in this town again if you had it your way and I appreciate that you did, if not for anything else but this."

"Oh Kori, you know I would never miss this for the world, no matter what anyone says about me and even if I have to endure the gossip fiends like Ms. Mayeye. I just can't help but wonder – well, nothing. I'm happy for you."

"Rach, you know I can read you better than anyone. You were just wondering why I would want to get married again. It's just…Richard is great. He really loves me and I'm crazy about him. Redmond Xavier was a mistake. I see that now. When the going got tough, he turned to drugs or women. But this isn't a repeat mistake. Richard is right for me, I just know it."

"I sure hope so. And I believe you; it's just hard to believe after realizing how close I came to being stuck in a marriage."

"Speaking of which, have you – um, seen him?"

"Azar, no. I'm hoping to avoid seeing him. I'm guessing that he's still married to Terra."

"Yeah, but I heard –"

"I don't want to know," she cut her friend off. "I'm not going to be like the cotton-candied brain gossipers around here, sniffing around for any trace of a scandal."

"Well, I know. But, I mean, they hardly had to go sniffing around for gossip after what you did. I mean, people were bound to talk. Everyone was curious; nobody had ever done anything like that before. Anyways, sorry I brought it up. And I think I should probably be returning to the party; don't want anyone to miss me."

"You're right," laughed Rachelle. "If you don't get back in their soon, they're going to think I corrupted you and that you might follow my lead." Rachelle hoped that by laughing at the situation, she could rid Kori of any anxiety she felt at bringing up the situation in the first place.

As soon as they re-entered the hall, Richard had come up to take Kori to meet some of his business partners, politely excusing them both. On her way back to her spot at the table, she caught a glimpse of the dessert table and on a whim, decided that she would take dessert. After all, at a time like this, she felt she needed one. She passed by a carrot cake, a cheese cake, and some pudding before spotting the truffles. She took two and found a spot at an empty table at which to consume her truffles in relative solitude.

She didn't pop the whole thing in her mouth, but instead bit it straight down the middle, relishing the taste of the chocolate and caramel. She waited until she had swallowed all of it, before taking the other half into her mouth, savoring it with the same pointed concentration that had gone into the first half. She bit the next one in the same way, although this one had peanut butter in it. The peanut butter was a welcome taste in comparison to the caramel of the previous truffle, because it helped to balance the sweetness.

From across the room, the man with red hair was watching her, enjoying the sight almost as much as she was enjoying the taste. Victor could easily read his friend and questioned, "Are you still watching her?"

"Of course. She really is something. Purple-haired girls aren't easy to ignore. God, I can't wait to take her to bed."

"Not that one. She has quite the reputation: cold as fuckin' ice, man. No joke."

"Well, I welcome the challenge. We all know that the sweetest tasting fruit are usually the most forbidden."

"Look, I know you're good with the ladies, but…this one's different. She won't crack. In fact, I'm so sure of it I'll even make a bet with you."

"Oh? Even better: a wager. Name your terms."

I win, I want a new car tool. A good one, too. You won' t need to worry about what will happen if you win, since you won't, but as a sign of good faith, I'll offer you a case of whiskey if you do."

Roy Harper made his way across the room with all the ease in the world. He approached Rachelle from behind, since her back was turned to the majority of the party and commented, "I enjoyed the way you ate your truffles." His voice, which almost always drew shivers from members of the fairer sex, didn't quite succeed this time.

Rachelle could admit that she had been thrown off for a moment, but only for a moment. She surveyed the man for a moment before replying icily, "I really don't care what you enjoy." From what she could see, the man was attractive: flaming red hair and green eyes to die for. But that didn't make a difference. She wasn't about to give in just because he looked nice. She knew all too well how men were: the moment they could get you to bed, they disappeared. Well, she wasn't one of those small town girls that were so flattered by his attention that she would give herself up to him, something he was about to find out.

"Come dance with me." He'd purposely made the request as a statement and not a question as to not give her a chance to refuse.

Rachelle was annoyed, but refused to show it. "No." Simple and flat. It was all she gave him, she offered no reason. After all, she thought, I don't have to justify myself to the likes of him. To further get the message across, she began to walk towards the door.

Amused by her calm rejection, he took it with a smile. "Now that's not very nice."

"Well, I never said I was nice. If you made that assumption, then that's your problem, not mine. Now, if you'll excuse me, I was just leaving."

"Allow me to walk you out. Parking lots can be very dangerous at this time of night."

"I'm fine. Besides, it's barely nine o'clock. It's hardly night." She exited, hoping Kori would forgive her for leaving without saying good night and headed towards her car.

"Oh? So does that mean you're accustomed to being out late at night? I forgot you're a city girl now, right Rachelle?

For a slight second, her calm demeanor was thrown off, but she quickly regained it to reply, "I'm sorry, Mr. – whoever you are, but I don't know what Victor must have told you, but I prefer my privacy. Good-bye." She opened her car door, but was prevented from shutting it when the read-headed man stepped into the doorway.

"How rude of me. It's Mr. Harper. Roy Harper, but you can just call me Roy."

She was all too aware of his face looming closer to hers every passing second. She turned her head away, "Don't" when he got so close she feared he might kiss her.

"Just getting a closer look. Anyways, I bid you good night. See you around." With that, he turned and walked back towards the country club.

As she sped out of the parking lot, she silently cursed him. "How rude a man. I hope I don't see him again."

I hope you enjoyed reading and remember that I am always open to suggestions about things you may have liked or disliked or things you think will help me improve. :) Thanks for reading.