Ava
We arrive a little later than everyone because the Fox's mansion is far out. We leave Noah to pack the car and walk towards the front door in silence. The stench of alcohol and loud chatter assaults my senses as soon as we step through the door. Loud music blares from speakers, and I instantly feel the need to have a drink.
Every head towards us as we stand there looking around. Contrary to Lexie's guess, most of the people are dressed like actual teenagers in a house party. I can only point out a few people who are overdressed like us.
Lexie doesn't seem to notice this as she looks around with a wide grin on her face.
I'm not surprised when a few seconds later, Lisa Sawyer approaches us, her arms open for a hug. Lexie untangles her hand from mine and hugs her affectionately. I only managea light, cordial hug, feeling uncomfortable with the attention.
Despite Lexie's referral to the other students as rich kids, Lexie is actually one of them. She's the only daughter of ine of the most influential families in Valesca, hence her friendship with 'the' Lisa Sawyer.
Lisa is some sort of a celebrity in our school, and every girl wants to be her friend. Well every girl except weird me. Their parents gad anchored them to form a friendship over the years an it actually worked.
According to Lexie, Lisa isn't stuck-up like most people assume. I'd never been close enough to confirm that but I honestly don't care.
Lisa compliments our outfits with a genuine smile as Noah walks up to us.
"Hey," she acknowledges him and Noah nods in response. Noah and I don't come from wealthy families, but you could never tell. Noah is confident and doesn't seem to care about Lexie's status in Valesca. His intelligence and athletic build has always worked in his favor and he's never been easily intimidated. Lexie loves him for that.
As for me, I'm just detached from all that and going through highschool to get by. I'm not the smartest in the room and I'm anything but athletic, but I'm authentic and completely focused on the things that I want. How I fit in with the rich and influential is still a mystery to me, but Lexie had once told me that most rich kids are what their parents want and my authenticity is what draws them to me.
"Let's go take shots with Chris over there," Lisa suggests and we follow her gaze to where Chris and Reagan seem to be in a competition of chugging beer.
"Whooh!" Chris smacks Reagan on the back when he finishes before him, making the latter choke on his beer and caugh violently. The others laugh and I smile.
Chris acknowledges us with a sweeping glance then orders shots for all of us.
I can feel eyes on me since I stepped into the room, but I don't bother looking because I know if I do, my confidence might falter and I'm not ready for that. You can never show weakness to the rich. I try to ignore the feeling of an intense gaze, but I can't seem to shrug it off so I look around nonchalantly.
My eyes sweep the small groups of people until they land on a lone figure leaning against a wall.
Ethan freaking Lovett stares back at me with an intensity that makes me squirm. I take in his appearance and I'm surprised at how out of place he seems. While some of us are dressed over the top, Ethan is casually dressed in slacks and a white polo. The outfit is simple, but he still manages to look like a model on a runway. His black, shoulder length is combed back, not a single strand out of place. His hands are crossed over his chest, giving him a relaxed look. He's the perfect mix of simple and elegant.
My gaze trails back to his deep set, gray eyes, and I feel drawn in. God, how can an eighteen year old like me look so enthralling. I can feel my neck start to heat up so I look away, a subconscious frown on my face.
Chris throws his arm over my shoulder, drawing me back my attention back to the present. He hands me a glass and we all down our drinks in unison. My throat burns, but I already want more. Chris seems to read my mind and pours everyone another round. By the third round, my body is buzzing with heat.
My gaze instinctively searches for Ethan, but he's no longer standing at his previous spot. I force myself not to look around for him.
"Where's Alexa by the way? I haven't seen her around," Lisa asks Noah.
"Oh, she's somewhere… there," he spots her across the room, chatting animatedly with some girls I don't recognize.
Chris returns the attention back to him as he grabs mine and Lisa's wrists. "Come, let's play a game," he says, dragging us to the center of the room. He climbs on one table and Lisa chuckles with a shake of his head.
It's a stupid game where four or five people balance on one leg, downing shots until one of them falls. It's always been my go-to game when I want to get dead drunk, but I've never done it on a table.
Lisa follows her brother, and I can't hide the surprise on my face. I haven't been around her much, but I would've never thought she has this side to her. But I guess her being Chris's twin should already tell.
"Come on," she stretches her hand to me and I grab it, climbing on the table next to her. Lexie and Reagan follow suit.
"Noah?" Lexie calls out, but Noah shakes his head at her, seemingly amused.
"I'm driving."
Chris asks him to get shots for us and the game starts. Everyone turns to us, cheering us on loudly.
Reagan is the first one to fall and we all laugh loudly. Thirty minutes have barely passed and I can already feel my head buzzing. I'm not a lightweight drinker so that says a lot.
Lisa and Lexie are next to fall, but Ethan and Noah catch them before they hit the floor.
Chris glances at me and I want to say something to him but I feel myself sway. I stretch my arms to hold onto something to minimize the impact of the family, but I land in Ethan's arms before I even have time to react.
"Woohoo!" Chris pumps a fist in the air and everyone cheers, distracting them and me, momentarily, from the fact that Ethan Lovett is carrying me in his arms.
He gently sets me down and I avoid looking at his face. I try to push him away when I feel bile rising in my throat but his arm is wrapped firmly around my waist.
I manage to push him off a little bit late and I hear collective gasps as I throw up on his shoes.