Even though I got absolutely no sleep last night, I feel refreshed. Probably because I know I'm going to see Christian in a matter of hours. After thinking about all the negativity last night, I decided to walk in to that birthday party like I owned the place, with my head held high and go right for what I want.

Christian. My man.

Do I sound like a stalker? Oh. Have I turned into one of the fifteen? A stalker? I can't help but think back to five years ago when I first met him and I was invisible to every guy around me. Christian made me feel sexy and powerful – like I could do anything.

I decide to ignore my subconscious, evil bitch; all I do is doubt myself when she's around. I take my time getting ready for the party, its 10 am and it starts at two. I shave, shower, and spritz. Elliot and Kate have already left so I am going to be walking in by myself. Hell, I don't even know if he will be there when I get there! I need to calm down somehow.

I walk to the kitchen with my heels in my hand and lean against the counter while I put them on. Standing up straight I look into the mirror directly in front of me. Well, well, well... Little Ana Steele is all grown up. I look amazing! What I see is a women staring back at me who looks like she's been primping herself this way since she was sixteen.

I grab my bag and head out the door to get into my rental car, it's a Mercedes SUV and it drives amazingly. I plug in my iPod and load up a playlist before backing out of the driveway.

Get out. Go inside. Smile. Get out. Go inside. Smile. Get out. Go inside. Smile. You can do this...

I open my car door and walk the path of doom up to the front door; I don't know why I am so worried about seeing Grace and Carrick. I just saw them yesterday and they were amazing as usual. I knock on the door and wait, and wait, and wait...

"Ana!" Oh, Mia. She jumps at me and of course I am so small and she is so tall that we stumble backwards but only by a little bit. "Ana I have missed you so much! I cannot believe you are here!" she says as she hugs me again.

"Mia, you know I wouldn't miss another party. I'm pretty sure the second I opened the invite you called me to make sure I got it! I have missed you too though. We definitely need to hang out while I am in town!"

"Definitely." She takes my hand and leads me into the house and left into the living room. Where it looks like almost everyone has arrived. "Come on, everyone is here." When she says that I get a little bummed because I don't see Christian nor do I feel that electricity we had whenever in the same room with each other. Uh oh, that is probably a sign right there.

I see Kate talking with Grace but Mia decides to pull me in the opposite direction into the kitchen, "What do you want to drink? We have everything."

"Uh. Wine? If you have it that is," I say with a giggle.

As she pours me a glass of wine I couldn't help but notice the decorations set up in the back yard. "Mia, do you mind if I go say hi to your parents, are they outside?"

"Yeah, might as well do it now before all Dads boring friends get here from the law firm!" She says while making her way back into the sitting area.

The party is in full swing an hour and half later and there is still no sign of Christian. No one has even brought him up and I don't want to be the ex-girlfriend who asked about him. All of a sudden a bang comes from the stage and the band announces that they are going to start preforming soon. I turn around to scale the party of who I know and don't know and that's when I see him, standing there looking drop dead gorgeous in dark jeans and a white button up shirt. His sleeves are rolled up to his elbows and hit top two buttons are unbuttoned.

Oh. My. God.

He's staring at me. My mouth falls open and I turn around immediately retreating into the house for some more wine. Or maybe even some water. No, wine – definitely. Something to get my body back on to track; wait… isn't this what I want? No. Not here. Not yet. Later maybe, but not in front of everyone.

As I weave through the crowd trying to find an appropriate entrance I get turned around by strong arms - looking up to not find molten grey eyes but Ethan's staring down at me.

"Ana banana! You weren't even going to say hi to me!?" Not even a second after he has finished his sentence I jump up to hug him and he catches me. Spinning me around so I can see the whole party and stopping where my direct eye line falls on Christian. Who is still watching me and I can see from here that his jaw is tight and his fists are clenched together.

"Ethan, I have missed you so much! How have you been?" He still has yet to put me down; he squeezes me one more time than sets me on my feet. When I look up at him he has the biggest smile on his face which makes mine even bigger.

"I've been great! I cannot believe you came, Mia mentioned you were coming but I didn't think in a million years you would actually show up."

Why does everyone think I wouldn't come to something I was invited too?

"That's great Ethan, I am so happy for you! Listen I have to run to the bathroom so when I get back we can catch up okay." I turn around and make my way to the house making sure to sneak a glance back over my shoulder at Christian. Although I can't seem to locate him, where did he go? I get inside with no more interruptions and of course there is someone in the downstairs bathroom so now I have to walk up stairs.

Once I am out of the bathroom and half way down the hall, I get pulled gently into a room with the lights off. It isn't dark in the room and I can clearly feel that it is Christian who did this. I mean, this is his bedroom he pulled me into. My body is turned towards the wall and he is standing right behind me rubbing his hands up and down my arms to calm my chill bumps. We don't say anything to each other, I hear him smell my hair and run his nose over my shoulder.

"...Christian," is all I can get out right now; my voice sounds broken and just above a whisper. His touch on my body is doing other things to me and it is so hard to think. Finally he stops and I can feel his arms go down to my waist and he turns me around so I am facing him and looks me dead in the eye.

Okay, since everyone begged me so nicely - I am uploading this chapter early. I was going to upload it tonight but now you'll just get the one after this one (which will be longer - I swear!). You guys are AWESOME! Like, freaking amazing! I love you all for viewing my story! I appreciate it so much! Remember to leave a REVIEW because that is what keeps me going! I want to know what you guys are thinking of my story so always, always, always leave a REVIEW! I decided to leave this chapter like I did because of the anticipation factor, I would give you guys a hint as to whats happening next but, that would be telling...

xoxo,

madss