Rachel is standing over by the sweetheart table, watching as her now-husband walks around talking to their guests. She smiles as he animatedly flails his hands in conversation, captivating people around him and making them laugh in return. For the rest of her life, she can look forward to listening to his stories and going on wild adventures with him, and she wouldn't trade that for the world.
Seeing him surrounded by her family and closest friends overwhelms her. This is her husband, her family now. When they first started dating, all those years ago, she would have never thought they would end up here. She saw Andre as nothing more than a brief college fling, someone that could distract her from the heavy workload and home sickness. He was fun, silly...everything she needed in a distraction. Then all of a sudden, he became much more. As she takes a seat and looks around the reception space, Rachel thinks back on the day she realized she wanted Andre to be a more permanent part of her life.
Rachel walks down the hall towards apartment 9F. From a distance she can hear loud music playing and gets excited to join the party. Her roommate's boyfriend invited her to come to his friend's party and, not wanting to stay in and study like she probably should, she decided to go. Besides, Andre agreed to meet her there and she couldn't pass up the opportunity to spend time with him. Their "relationship" has been on going for a few weeks now and she can't say she hates having someone around to go out for lunch with and have the occasional make out sessions.
Her roommate Clara jokes teases her about Andre being her boyfriend, but Rachel knows better. She spent her four high school years in a relationship that ended up being more trouble than it was worth. Now, she is in college. A single, college girl just looking to have some fun. She's not about to give up her new single-hood just yet.
As she enters the apartment, she is met with a bustling crowd of fellow college students. Some are engaged in conversation, enjoying the probably illegal beers in their hand. She recognizes a few faces from classes she's in and nods in acknowledgment. She looks around the apartment and smiles at its blatancy. This is exactly what she expected it to look like. More spacious than a door, but just as lacking in the furniture department. The two couches are the only furniture she spots besides the long beer pong table that has been set up in the middle of the room. The walls are decorated with posters ranging from The Doors to Tupac. The lights are dimmed and an obnoxious strobe light changes from red to blue to green in a corner.
Rachel starts walking around the crowded place in search of Andre. It's past 10:30 and he said he would be there by ten. She dodges the occasional drunk and is distracted for a few minutes by a couple arguing by the kitchen.
"Rachel" she hears someone yell behind her and turns her attention from the couple. She sees Tori waving at her just a few feet away and she starts walking towards her.
"Hi Tori" she says once she's finally reached her new friend. A few weeks ago, Andre invited Rachel to meet his best friend. She agreed and was fully prepared to endure a few hours of guy talk and inside jokes she didn't understand. To her surprise, and admittedly initial disappointment, she was introduced to a pretty brunette. While at first receptive of Tori, as she spent the next few hours with her and Andre, her discomfort subsided and she liked the girl. She was let in on their private jokes and wild high school antics. She had been relieved when Tori spoke of her boyfriend and how crazy she was about him. Ever since, both girls have began building a friendship that is independent to their relationships with Andre.
"When did you get here?" Tori asks her friend, trying to be heard over the music.
"Not too long ago. Maybe ten, fifteen minutes" Rachel replies, leaning closer towards Tori so as to not have to yell.
Tori nods her head and offers her already opened beer can to Rachel. Rachel shakes her head politely at her and watches as Tori shrugs her shoulders and takes a long sip of the liquid. She can't help but feel a little bad for her. Just a few days ago Tori's relationship with Beck ended due to distance and while Tori put up a strong front, Rachel knows she's devastated. You can't be so nonchalant after breaking up with someone you love as much as Tori loves Beck. The smiles and constant socializing and partying are surely methods of distractions to keep her mind off her ex boyfriend.
"Have you seen Andre?" Rachel asks Tori, hoping she can point her to him.
"Yeah, he should be over by the radio, he's been playing DJ since we got here" Tori responds and begins swaying her head from side to side to the music.
"Okay, I'm going to go say hi, I'll be right back" Rachel tells her friend who waves her off and continues dancing and drinking.
It takes mere seconds to cross the room and there he is, exactly where Tori said he would be. Rachel stops for a moment and watches as he grabs hold of the Ipod and starts searching the library of songs, trying to find the next tune. He nods and as the current song starts fading out, he quickly presses play and an upbeat tempo fills the room and sends everyone into a cheering frenzy. Andre smirks at their reaction and turns to turn the volume up.
Impressed by his ability to entertain others, she walks over to him.
"I think you should start charging for your services" she says smiling at him.
"Hey," he says excitedly, stepping towards her and embracing her immediately.
"Hey yourself. You make a good DJ" she compliments him once more.
"What can I say, I live to entertain" he replies, slightly bowing his head to stress his point. "What took you so long?" he asks her, turning the focus back to her.
"I was picking out what to wear" she says as she turns to look at the small crowd that has gathered in a corner to dance.
"Trying to look good for me I see" he says jokingly which makes her look back at him. Andre laughs at the slight blush on her cheeks.
"No...hush" she replies, laughing. Sure it had taken an extra twenty minutes to set her hair just the right way, but it had nothing to do with him. At all.
"Dance with me" Andre says suddenly, extending out his hand for her to take.
"That's very demanding don't you think?" she asks teasingly but still puts her hand in his.
"I'm a demanding man when I know what I want" he responds as he leads her out to the floor where several more people have gathered to dance.
"Oh so you want me huh?" Rachel says and before she gets a response, Andre twirls her around and once she is facing him again, he pulls her closer so their faces are just a few centimeters apart.
"Absolutely" he says, his voice low as raspy, making Rachel unable to breathe evenly once the words reach her ear. Her eyes instantly glaze over with lust and she has an urge to bring their lips together, but she doesn't get the chance to because he's quickly spinning her once more and smiling at her surprised expression.
Despite the missed opportunity, she relishes in the slight intimacy they are finally having and, even though they are still far from establishing an exclusive relationship, they can both agree that his affirmation has made things a bit more serious.
Several hours pass in which they continue dancing, drink a few beers and talk to a few people. Several times throughout the night Andre holds her hand, something he's never done before, and she can't deny to liking it. It shows that while she's technically not his girlfriend, he isn't afraid to let people know they are together.
A few minutes after one, Rachel is talking to a girl who is in her biology class when Andre, who stepped away for a moment, approaches her.
"Hey, Tori is pretty drunk right now. I'm going to take her home, do you want me to walk you to your place?" he whispers in her ear so no one else would hear.
"No, I'm going to stay a little while longer. My roommate's here so I'll leave with her" Rachel replies, a little disappointed.
"I'm sorry. I wish I could stay but she's taking the break up pretty hard and I want to be there for her" Andre says, hoping Rachel understands.
"Don't apologize. I think it's amazing that you're there for your friend."
"I'll make it up to you, I promise" he says and just as she's about to reply, he leans forward and kisses her. The kiss is soft, quick but effective. As he steps back just a few seconds later, he smirks as she flutters her eyes open and a small smile forms on her lips. "I'll call you tomorrow" he says.
Rachel nods her head and watches as he goes over to the other side of the room to collect Tori and both leave the party.
"Earth to Mrs. Harris" her husband says bringing her back to reality, his hands waving up and down in front of her face.
"Sorry, what?" she replies quickly.
"I said what are you doing?" he says laughing.
"Oh, nothing just soaking everything in. It's incredible isn't it?" she says, taking another moment to look around the room at her reception.
"It is. You're incredible" he says and walks closer towards her. Rachel smiles as her husband approaches her and wraps his arms around her waist.
"You're sweet" she replies and looks into his eyes. Andre places a peck on her lips.
"I love you" he says. The words warm her heart and just as she's about to say them back, the strong smell of alcohol fills her nostrils. She furrows her brows and before she can ask him how many drinks he's had, he tells her they should go cut the cake, steps away from her and starts walking towards the cake.
Rachel watches as he slightly stumbles slightly along the way. As much as she wants to question him about his drinking, a part of her tells her to let it go for now. Putting on her best smile, she follows him across the room where her guests are waiting.
Author's Note: Next chapter will be bori-centric with a surprise guest we haven't heard from yet. Can you guess who that will be?