The large, upper-middle-class home was packed tighter than a sardine can; full of sweaty, drunk teenagers ready to get their party on. Grating noise that some would describe as music pumped through the bass-filled speakers of an expensive sound system. Liquor flowed freely, and tables were filled with red plastic cups stereotypically seen at these types of gatherings. You weren't really the type that liked these kinds of parties, but you were new in town, and you were desperate to make friends. Your parents thought that a party would be a great way to get to know some of the kids you go to school with, so reluctantly, you went with a girl you had only just met a few days ago on your first day of classes. She was nice enough, but could be a bit much if you hung out with her for too long. Most of the time, peace and quiet was more your speed. It didn't take long for the girl to leave you to your own devices, opting to find that cute guy from your English class so she could flirt the night away, and possibly score his number. While you agreed that he was a decent looking guy, he really wasn't your type.
While you were lost in your thoughts, a young man approached you, and introduced himself.
"Hey, I'm Zach, Zach Dempsey. I don't think I've seen you around before; you new here?"
"H-hello, my name is -"
Before you could finish your sentance, an average height blonde with a broad frame approached you and Zach.
"Well, well Dempsey. Not bad at all! Who's your little friend?"
The guy wore a smarmy smirk plastered to his face, and eyed you up and down in a lecherous manner, making you even more uncomfortable than you already were, if that were even possible. Frankly, he gave you the creeps.
"Come on, Bryce, don't start with her already..."
"Just havin' a little fun, Zachy, no need to get all worked up." Just then, Bryce spotted a couple of the cheerleaders, eyeing them the way he had you just now. He turned to you and Zach. "I think I'll leave you two lovebirds alone."
Bryce clapped his hand on Zach's shoulder and gave you a wink before striding towards the ovbiously spiked fruit punch on the kitchen counter. This Bryce guy was putting off some seriously nasty vibes, and you didn't like him one bit. Zach seemed alright though.
Seeing the look on your face, Zach turned back to you.
"Don't mind him, he can be a real ass sometimes. So as you were saying, your name is...?"
You gave Zach your name, and the two of you headed towards the sliding glass doors to get some fresh air, deciding that the room had become far too stuffy. That, and you wanted to save what was left of your hearing. The two of you stepped onto the back porch, and into the cool autumn evening.
"So, what brings you to Crestmont?"
"My parents moved here for work. I got dragged along for the ride." You let out a nervous giggle, hoping silently that you wouldn't mess this up. Conversation was never your strong suit.
It seemed your small talk attepmts went over well, because as the night wore on, you and Zach were inseperable, giggling off in your own little bubble.
"So I said to Justin, 'Dude, that was weak!' and he gets so mad that he turns around, grabs the ball from my hand, runs to the other side of the court, and makes the sickest trick-shot I've ever seen. Your jaw would have dropped if you had seen it."
You continued to slowly sip on your drink as you talked to Zach. You smiled the whole time, laughing and talking effortlessly, as if you had been freinds with the basketball star for years. There was just something about him that allowed you to tear down the walls, brick by brick. You slipped into comfortable silence, and form a moment it looked like Zach was going to make a move.
Zach looked at his empty cup. "I'm going to go get a refill. Did you want anything?"
You were broken from your revierie and looked at your own near empty cup. There was maybe another quick swallow of liquid left in it.
" Um, yeah, I could do with another drink."
Subconciously, Zach grabbed your hand and led you to the kitchen. As the pair of you passed the other members of the basketball team, wolf whistles could be heard peircing through the din of music.
"Oh Shit! Look at Dempsey and the new chick. Get it, Dempsey!" Monty called.
Zach responded with a Well-placed Middle finger.
"Go to hell, de la Cruz."
The guys turned back to each other, smirking and snickering like heyenas.
Once in the kitchen, you turned to face your companion for the evening.
Are all of your friends so, uh..."
"Overzealous? Idiotic?" Zach offered.
" Yeah, that."
"Sometimes, but they' re good dudes."
"Good to know."
Once the two of you obtained your refills, you made your way back to the livingroom, where some of your fellow partygoers were setting up a game of pool. One of the girls called over to you and Zach.
"Zach, New Girl, next round's starting. You want in?"
"Sure." You turned to Zach, confidence radiating from your countenance.
Z ach merely quirked an eyebrow at you as you asked him to hold your phone, not wanting it to fall out of the shallow pockets of your skinny jeans. You skipped over to the table. The curvy, average height, brunette girl who had called you over introduced herself as Jasmine. She handed you a pool cue, and asked if you needed an explanation.
"I think I've got it under control, but thanks."
"Oh, she's confident... Alright, let's see what you got." Jasmine teased.
With that, the game was afoot!
You and Jasmine went toe to toe, matching each other's shots perfectly. Zach watched, impressed by your skill, and by how nice your ass looked as you bent over the table to hit the cue ball at a particular angle. Eventually, it came down to the final shot. Jasmine had missed, which meant that you would emerge victorious if you could sink this next shot. Sweat dripping From your brow, you leaned over the table once more, closing one eye and sticking out your tongue slightly. All of your focus was on the little white ball in front of you. Had you turned back at that particular moment, you would have seen Zach biting his lip nervously and clenching his fist, the anticipation building. The others in the room looked on with baited breath as you pulled the cue stick back ever so slightly, and then gave it a forceful shove, sending it into the cue ball, and sinking the 8 ball.
A cheer errupted from the crowd, and Jasmine shook your hand, the two of you congragulating each other on a match well played. Zach high fived you when you returned to his side, wide smile plastered on your face. He handed you back your phone, which you slipped back into you pocket.
"I did pretty good there, huh?" You jokingly boasted, winking at Zach.
"Not bad at all."
The rest of the night went swimingly. You and Zach played a few more rounds of pool with the group, and you exchanged phone numbers with Jasmine, having discovered that you shared history class together. Zach got you one last refill, of water that is, and the two of you continued to chat about various things.
As the party was winding down, Zach asked you if you needed a ride home. You agreed gratefully after seeing that the friend you came with had long since departed with that guy from English class. The two of you made your way to Zach's car and like the gentleman he is, he pulled the passenger door open for you.
"Your chariot awaits, Madame."
"Why thank you kind sir."
Zach drove you to your house, and parked by the curb. Before getting out, you turned to face each other.
"I had a great time tonight, Zach."
"So did I."
There was a palpable tension in the air as you gazed into each other's eyes. Zach's hand came up to cup your cheek, and you instinctively let your eyelids flutter shut. He leaned forward, closing his eyes as well, and your lips met in a gentle embrace. The two of you stayed like that for what seemed like hours until the sound of a car alarm yanked you back to reality. Startled, you turned back to see your younger brother snickering in the doorway at the sight of his handiwork.
"Sorry about that. My brother can be a bit of a troublemaker..."
"It's fine, I should probably get going anyway... Want me to walk you to the door?"
"I'm alright, but thank you. And again, thank you for tonight. I had a wonderful time."
"I'll, uh, see you Monday?"
"Definitely."
You exited the car and walked up the driveway to your house, a delerious smile playing across your lips. You turned and waved at Zach as he drove off, just as delighted in whatever this was that was forming between you two. You headed for your room and plopped on your bed, exhasuted from the evenings festivities. You began scrolling through your phone, looking for your best friend's phone number. You absolutely had to tell her about your righteous win at the pool table and about your new school's 'prince charming', Zach Dempsey. You were sure she'd want all the Sordid details of your little excursion this evening. As you made your way through the list of contacts, you stumbled upon a new name in your phone. There, plain as day in little black text was the name Zach Dempsey. Your eyesgrew wide as saucers as you stared incredulously at the bright screen. A squeal of delight escaped from your lips as you bolted up from your bed and began to dance around. Zach gave you his number! You couldn't believe your luck. Not only did you manage to socialize without it all going to hell, you got the chance to impress and kiss a great guy, and you got his number without even having to ask for it. Tonight was definitely one for the recordbooks.
You proceded to calm yourself enough to call your bestie and gush about all the excitement of the night.
"Oh my god, girl! That is amazing on so many levels. I'm so happy for you!"
"Thanks. I feel like this is the start of someting really special..."