Strangers

the Stranger

I first saw him at a party I wasn't even invited to. He leaned by one of the stand tables, looking as if he would rather be doing something else. His white shirt was casually rolled at the sleeves, but he was wearing a tie, loosely tangled and draped down his chest. I knew right away that he was one of those arrogant boys who thought no one was better than him. His long slender fingers that clasped the champagne flute lightly was telltale that he had not done a single strenous work in his life. He was probably a rich kid who had servants following him wherever he pleases.

A couple of girls were around him and he made it known that he was enjoying the attention - coz he knew damn well that he deserved it. Definitely not my type. I was interested in someone who had more depth. Nevertheless, he was stunning - that kind that you just can't take your eyes away from. His dirty brown hair carefully tousled around his chiseled face, his dreamy brown eyes, it all spelt trouble. I almost dropped my glass when he turned his head and stared at me. I quickly looked away, ashamed to have been caught staring. But heat continued to cover me, I could feel his eyes glued to me. And it made me feel electrified. I swallowed the champagne in quick gulps, allowing the froth to calm my nerves. Then I risked it one more time, and looked at him again.

He lowers his face a little, looking at me directly in the eyes. I swallowed. One side of his mouth lifted into a semblance of a smile. My heart crashed against my bone, and my pulse quickened in dangerous levels. me, I thought. I mentally shook myself, that did not come out right. As if things weren't intense enough, his gaze traveled downwards then returned to my face - I've never felt so exposed. I intentionally turned away, and focused my attention to my sister.

"You shouldn't have brought me here." I said.

She kept her eyes on the crowd, smiling to random people like a politician, "Calm down Luhan, no one will know we're party crashing unless you give them a reason to."

I gave her a death glare, Lily is my sister and I love her - but God she could be such a nightmare. But given her history, this was actually one of her tamer schemes. One time she told me she had bought us a new apartment, and so we moved and stayed there for about a week, only to realize that she did not actually rent the place, it just so happened to be empty, and she picked its lock. So this whole party crashing thing is minor - not worthy of alarm. Though it really pissed me off that she dragged me out of the house while I was studying for an exam just to crash some wedding reception party. She explained that it was the wedding of the year - apparently the wedding of some famous guy who invented a weird coffeemaker.

Just as I was about to ask Lily to leave, a girl of my age approached me,

"Friend of the groom?" she asked politely.

I stuttered, I didn't even know the name of the groom, "Yes."

She smiled. Please stop talking to me, please stop talking to me, I prayed. I didn't want to get caught and be thrown out like a beggar. I mentally cursed Lily. To my dismay, she went on, "How do you know him?"

"Relative." I blurted carelessly.

Confusion flashed across her face and I knew right away that I had given a wrong answer, "That's odd." She paused and searched my face, "I'm the groom's niece."

, I cursed inwardly. I suddenly felt lightheaded, I was going to get caught, and me and Lily will probably be shouted at and embarrassed to death. I panicked and started thinking if party crashing was a crime. Oh God, jail time. Siblings caught party crashing on the wedding of the year - I could almost hear the headline and the police sirens and the people whispering and-

"Please excuse me." I was able to let the words out before walking down the reception.

I pushed my way through the crowd of well-dressed men and women. And all I could notice were mouths and more mouths... chatting, eating, drinking, I thought I was having a panic attack. The noise echoed in my ear like a freaking explosion - I needed to get away before the groom's niece calls the police. I glanced at what seemed like an exit on the end of the hallway and checked my phone. I was about to call Lily when my phone rang,