My story starts with a small, laid back party at my house. Just my friends and my roommates' friends are invited. It's been about a year and a half since I moved out of my parents' house and I'm almost legal drinking age (yay). I'm excited for tonight because Jay, the guy I've been unofficially talking to, is coming. It'll be the first time we'll really get to spend time together in a while.

I look in the mirror to finish my mascara and check to make sure my long blonde hair is still straight. It's been getting lighter as summer approaches; it's on the way to becoming bleach blonde, just not there yet. I head downstairs to wait to greet the guests. After a while everyone is here and the party gets started.

I keep talking to my friends with Jay beside me, we haven't gotten much time alone. He doesn't seem too happy right now. I wonder what's up with him. Later on I realize that he disappeared, so I ask around and I am told that he's out sitting on the porch. I walk outside and see him sitting on one of the couches, looking upset.

"Mind if I join you?" I ask quietly. He looks into my green eyes for a moment before nodding. So I take a seat next to him. I look out across the yard then look back him. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No." He sighs. "I just didn't think you'd pay so little attention to me tonight," he pauses then continues, "Especially when I thought we had something and we have so little time before I go home for the summer."

"Of course I want to spend time with you, but I am a host at this party. I have to talk to other people." Then I blush, "so you think we have something?" I look at Jay. He has dark brown hair, it might be black but I can't tell since its night, and chocolate colored eyes. He looks then but he's actually lean.

He smiles at me, "Yes, I like you, but who wouldn't?" He looks away, "You're sweet, smart, and beautiful. I'd like to go out with you."

I give him a hug and he wraps his arms around me giving me butterflies. We've been friend for a year but this hug is different. It's heated. And I notice we are standing. When did we stand up? We sit back down on the couch and I snuggle up to him, he puts his arm around my waist. But I jump away when I hear the door open. Damon and Alice step out and ask if the can join us. They sit on the couch across from us. Soon there is quite a few people from the party out here.

Damon and I have been friends for almost as long as I've been in this house but we were never close and didn't talk much. However, every time he looks at me I feel warm and tingly. I feel like he's supposed to be in my life. I catch him looking at me and Jay, who still has his arm around me, through my peripheral vison. It seems like the warmth from his smile isn't there right now. I try not to let it get to me, instead I keep talking, but I can tell something is bothering him. So I get up while Jay is occupied and I tap Damon inconspicuously on my way inside, hoping he'll follow.

After I'm inside turn a corner into an empty room and lean against the wall to as I for Damon to come inside. I hear the door and I grab his hand as he is about to walk by. I pull him around the corner to face me.

"What's wrong, Damon?" I ask sternly but I can hear the concern in my voice. "I can tell something is bothering you. Your smile doesn't have the warmth it normally does." I watch him carefully.

"It's nothing." He says as he sees the worry in me.

"You really think I'm going to let you walk away with that as your answer?" I question him. "Tell me the truth, I just want to help."

"I don't want to worry you, I never have. It's just things aren't going well between me and Alice right now, that's all." He smiles weakly at me.

I'm still not sure if I believe him but I'm not going to push him since he's upset. "Ok." I say as I take his hand, "Just know that I am here for you and I'll help in any way that I can." I squeeze his and look into his pretty blue eyes, hoping he understand what I can't put into words. We stay like that, looking into each other eyes from a few minutes.

I walk away slowly and go back outside. I take my seat next to Jay and his arm goes back around with a gentle squeeze. Not long after I've joined the conversation, Damon comes out and sits next to Alice again. We glance at each other a few times. I don't notice Jay taking sideways glances at me and Damon, his smile faulting for a moment. However, I watch as he leaves, looking a little frustrated.

I follow him, knowing by the walk he walked away that he was upset. I can't find him and I realize that he is good at disappearing. I start searching the house and I find him in one of the empty bedrooms, sitting on the bed.

"What is it this time?" I ask, concerned but slightly agitated.

He stands up and looks away. "I get that this is a party and you are the host. But walking away to have a private conversation with other guys? I'm not ok with that." His words spill out in an angry rush as he looks at me.

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to hurt you or cause you to doubt me. He's my friend, and he's having problems with his girlfriend. We're just friends, I was worried about him. But I like you. I want to be with you." I say earnestly, stepping closer to him and looking him in the eyes.

He takes the last step to fill the space between us and looks deeply at me briefly. Then in one fluid motion, he cups my face with his hands and kisses me. I thought the hug from earlier was heated, this kiss is hot. One that could escalate too quickly if someone isn't careful. I kiss him back till it feels like I can't breathe then pull away slowly, looking at him.

"Look, I am really sorry for all the interruptions tonight. But if you stay after the party you can have me all to yourself. We can hang out as late as you want." I smile at him.

He agreed to that and we went back to enjoy the party with our friends. The rest of the night flies by smoothly. Everyone had a great time that I know of, most of them were laughing until they cried.

So I hug my friends goodbye as they leave to go to their own homes for the night. Jay stays behind. One of his friends offers him a ride home that he declines because he has his truck here. I smile as the last guests leave. My roommates go upstairs to go to bed. We sit outside to talk for a little while.