CHAPTER III
Last Impressions"Alex," Octavia says as she walks past him and into the house, "Where's Aiden?"
I'm hesitant to follow her, I haven't exactly been invited in. I don't want to seem rude or presumptuous as to just walk in like Octavia did but at the same time it IS cold out here and I don't want to lose Octavia, though she already seems to have forgotten about me. The dark haired guy -Alexander- however, sees me even if I don't want him to and signals for me to follow inside. Thankful, I smile politely and avoid his gaze as I move to stand behind where Octavia now stood.
"He's...preoccupied at this moment in time," Alexander replies awkwardly, this is definitely a cover-up. Aiden's up to something. Aiden was Octavia's ex-boyfriend, whom she dated for around 4 months -which was a long time for Octavia- and at one point she seemed pretty serious about him. She even took his virginity, which to her was no big deal it seemed, but when she told me I acutely remember freaking out. I have about the sexual experience of a teaspoon.
"Who's your friend?" he continues, looking me up and down, definitely making me uncomfortable. I squirm under his gaze.
"Oh right," and she finally remembers, point Octavia, "Alex, this is November"
She gives me the eye that tells me to look up, drop my hands and stop acting weird. I make an effort.
"Erm...Hi" I say, my voice not quite as steady as I would like it to be but I do manage to meet his gaze and strain a smile. I liked the emerald tone of his eyes, I always wished I had green eyes.
"November...unusual name," he replied in an amused tone. God, was my name really that funny? He reaches out his hand towards me. Oh God. Oh no. Shaking hands? I didn't think people our age did that. I can't just ignore it, can I? No that would be rude.
I reach my hand out to meet his, I can see it quaking slightly and hope he hasn't noticed. Then his hand is in mine, his grasp firm as he shakes it politely before dropping it back to my side.
"Interesting costume, what are you?" he asks.
"A Shadowhunter" I reply, he just stares at me, "It's a-"
"Oh, I know, don't worry. I just didn't think I'd meet anybody dressed as one tonight"
Well this night just took an interesting turn, this is the first time I haven't had to explain what a Shadowhunter is.
"All my friends mock me for my interest in the books" Alexander says shyly, embarrassed at admitting his interest, though he shouldn't be, I understand the feeling. Could this be what I think it is? Is it possible that he is the enigmatic and ever-illusive, fanboy? Alexander looks down and shuffles his feet awkwardly, his arm stretching around to rub his neck. Is he nervous? No, impossible.
"I understand" I chime in, wanting him to know I sympathise with him and there's no need to be embarrassed about it, especially not with me. He neck snapped hesitantly up so that his eyes met mine, and in them I see relief and unexpected joy. A smile plays at the edge of his lips and he laughs, which takes me completely by surprise. His laugh is charming, almost a giggle and throws me off guard. Aren't guys meant to have, I don't know, deeper, manlier laughs?
"Wow, your the first person I've met who hasn't laughed at me for that?
"Why would I laugh?" I reply, confused. His features suddenly set, and then he's staring at me with the utmost severity.
"Because it's a girl series, it's wrong for me to like it" I can see the hurt in his eyes, a pain I knew too well. Whoever did this. Whoever made him believe that should be ashamed of themselves. No one should feel that they have to hide who they are, what they like. No one should have the power to make Alexander feel ashamed for what he likes. I feel anger begin to simmer at the pit of my stomach and my eyes begin to glint dangerously. This is not good, when I get angry, I get confident.
"It is not and whoever told you that is wrong." I work hard to keep the anger from edging my voice, but however I had said it seemed to amuse Alexander. I watched his eyes as the hurt swept away, and they now danced playfully with delight at my anger.
It is only then that I realised the situation that I was in. I was talking to a boy, an unknown boy and I hadn't embarrassed myself completely yet. But I had to be careful, I was bordering on dangerous territory that I hadn't crossed before and if I didn't compose myself I would mess things up for sure. But, what now?
"Well, November," What does he find so funny about my name? "Would you like me to show you around?" He asks hopefully.
"Actually I..." I turn my head back, looking find Octavia's bored face. My stomach plunges instantly to the floor and my heart followed, any form of confidence I had collected smashing to irrecoverable shards as it fell to the floor with them. Anxiety rushed back to by in a raging torrent as I looked, and saw that she was gone.