Best part

Chapter 4

U Smile

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Cause whenever you smile, I smile
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Gabriella's POV

I tapped my fingers on the desk, lost in the rhythm of my music, and impatiently watched the clock, yearning for the bell to ring so I could escape to the comfort of my home. School had been a drag, and all I wanted was to relax, maybe play The Sims 4. As the bell finally rang, I swiftly grabbed my bag and rushed out of the classroom. Someone suddenly grabbed my arm, causing me to flinch and almost accidentally smack the person behind me. It was Matt.

"Sorry," he said.

"It's okay, just don't do it again," I replied, rubbing my arm. Random touches always made me uncomfortable, and I didn't know why.

I continued walking, and Matt fell in step beside me, looking a bit awkward with his hands in his pockets.

"Is there something you want to say?" I asked, curious.

He looked up, met my gaze, and said, "Oh, I wanted to ask if you'd like to go to a party with me tonight."

"A party?" I questioned, surprised that parties were already happening just four days into the new school year.

"Yeah, it's a back-to-school party hosted by my best friend Kaleb. Since you're new, I thought it would be cool if you came along," Matt explained.

I hesitated, as parties weren't typically my scene. I didn't want to be the buzzkill at Matt's friends party.

"Please," Matt pleaded, and he even pouted, making him look strangely adorable.

"Fine," I relented, realizing I might as well give it a shot. My Sims would have to wait.

"Yes!" Matt exclaimed, beaming. We both stopped in the parking lot, beside my car.

"But, I need to check with my parents first to see if I can actually go. You kind of invited me at the last minute," I said.

"Sorry about that; I meant to ask you sooner, but I was too nervous," Matt admitted, his shyness showing through his smile.

"Nervous? Why would you be nervous to ask me?" I wondered aloud. There was no reason to be scared about talking to me; I didn't bite.

"No reason," Matt replied quickly. "Just let me know if you can make it or not," he added before walking away.

"I will," I said as he departed.

Across the parking lot, I noticed Rico watching me. The moment our eyes met, he nodded and smiled. I nodded back, unable to suppress my own smile. Rico's smile had an irresistible charm, and I couldn't help but wonder if he'd be at the party too.

I got into my car and drove home, pondering the prospect of seeing Rico and Matt at the party. I'd always wanted to talk to Rico but had been too nervous, and Matt was the first person who made me actually consider going to a party.

When I arrived home, I found my mother on the couch watching the news. "Hi, honey," she greeted me.

"Hi, Mom," I replied, dropping my bag by the doorway and taking a seat beside her.

"Mom, can I ask you something?" I inquired.

"You just did," she teased, still focused on the TV.

"Mom, please," I pleaded.

"Okay, go ahead," she relented, turning her attention to me.

"There's this party I've been invited to. Can I go?" I asked.

"Who's going to be there?" she inquired.

"Nobody you know," I assured her.

"Where did you meet the people who invited you?"

"At school," I replied. Where else could I have met them? I hardly went out.

"Is your location on?" she asked.

"Yes, ma'am," I answered.

"I'll let you go to that party if you do a simple favor for me," she proposed.

"What's the favor?" I asked.

"I want you to come to the therapy sessions with me and your father," she explained.

"Deal," I agreed, excited to get my way. My mother laughed at my enthusiasm.

"You seem a bit too excited. Is there a boy or a girl you want to see there?" she teased.

"No, I'm just excited because it's been a while since I've been to a party," I said.

"Well, that's strange, considering you never get excited about parties," she pointed out.

"There's a first time for everything," I replied with a grin.

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I arrived at the party, my heart racing as though I were about to perform at a pep rally. I could hardly tell if it was excitement or nervousness. The thumping music emanated from the house, and I hesitated for a moment before entering. Inside, I spotted a group of guys playing beer pong in the dining room, a couple making out on a loveseat, and then, to my left, I saw the person I'd been hoping to see since I received the invitation: Rico.

He took a sip from his red cup, looked up, and smiled at me. I couldn't help but smile back. As he walked toward me, my heart did an excited flip. But just as he was about to reach me, someone blocked my view. It was Matt.

He grinned widely and gave me a warm hug, which I returned. "I'm so happy to see you!" he exclaimed.

"I'm happy to see you too," I said.

"Come on, take my hand. There's so much I want to show you," Matt suggested, offering his hand. In the back of my mind, I wondered if Rico was smiling at me or someone behind me. Maybe he wasn't even heading my way to talk. After all, I barely knew him.