You tried helping Emma and set up but you spent way more time checking your watch than being useful. Josh was supposed to come straight after work but as far as you knew, he'd gotten off an hour ago. You were nervous about so many people being in your house after the last party you'd been to ended so badly. You just wanted him with you. You were filling up bowls of chips when there was a knock at the door, you dropped the bag in Emma's hands and rushed to the door.
You opened it to a smiling Tayler and his stunning date. You took a deep breath and thought to yourself Well, here we go. You forced a smile to greet them:
"You made it! Come in!!"
It wasn't that you were upset Tayler showed. You were just destined to be disappointed by anyone who wasn't Josh. You didn't know how you would get through this night without him.
Tayler: "Are we the first ones here?"
You: "Someone has to be first, come in."
You smiled as you adressed his date:
"If only he was this early at work."
You both laughed at the awkward, cheesy joke. She put her hand out and introduced herself:
"Hi. I'm Azra."
You shook her hand while leaning in for a proper half-hug and then pointed over to the dining room:
"Lots of drinks and snacks in there. Help yourself."
She moved with all the confidence to back just how strikingly beautiful she was. She made herself at home, striking up a conversation with Emma in the dining room. Emma was such an outgoing hostess. She talked and laughed with such life. You used to be that way too. It made you sad just to think about. Lately so much had changed. Just greeting the first guests at the door had been mentally exhausting. If you thought you could get away with hiding the rest of the night in your room, you would have.
Tayler leaned closer and asked:
"Are you sure this is still cool?"
You laughed and warned:
"Yeah, it's cool. As long as she doesn't make my life miserable like the last one."
Tayler: "No, this one is painfully nice. Seriously so smart and sweet and just-"
You finished his sentence:
"Gorgeous?"
Tayler: "Definitely gorgeous."
The awkward moment was interrupted by Bryce piling in behind Tayler with an arm full of bottles. He announced:
"It's a good night to party!"
Emma took some of the bottles from his armful but he stopped to use his free arm and wrap it around her waist, pulling her in for a kiss that would rival any rom-com.
Tayler: "Are they always this sickeningly cute?"
You couldn't help but smile:
"Literally always."
You were busy filling the ice bin now that the party had filled out with a dozen or so guests. Most of them you barely knew from the last party you went to at Bryce's house. Your nerves were already on their way to shot but you told yourself if you had to have just one drink in order to lower your anxiety level then you would.
When you heard the door open again, you looked up and made eye contact with exactly who you were waiting for and couldn't help but let your sour look melt into a smile. He was still taking his jacket off when Nessa piled in behind him. You hadn't really settled whether you were cool with her being invited but you just so desperately wanted to have a good night.
Josh walked up with a huge grin. He pulled his hand out from behind his back and handed a single long-stemmed rose and apologized:
"Sorry I'm late. I got caught up at work."
You took the flower and placed a sweet peck on his lips. You were holding back the emotional waterfall that had been brewing under the surface all evening but it was getting harder and harder. You just wanted one night... One night to feel like your old self again. You were so sick and tired of being the damaged one.
When you pulled away, he saw that you were looking over his shoulder. He turned to follow your glance and immediately scrambled to explain:
"I did invite her but we did NOT come together. She just happened to show up at the same time as I did. I promise."
You reached into the cabinet for a thin vase and reassured him:
"I promise, it's okay."
Josh: "Lemme go grab us both a drink."
You: "That's exactly what I need."
Bryce came up behind you and handed you the scissors to trim the leaves off the rose. You were shocked that your friendship hadn't become weird the closer he got to your best friend. They were so happy and yet he still just appeared out of nowhere like a real homie literally every time you needed him most with small gestures that were just exactly what you needed in that moment.
Bryce: "My boy showed up tonight, ya know?"
You furrowed your brow, totally confused as he continued:
"He's like- totally single."
You: "I'm not, you know that."
He motioned towards Nessa and offered:
"I can introduce them if you want."
You sighed in relief and leaned your head against his shoulder:
"You are the literal best, Bryce."
Bryce patted your head and laughed:
"I gotchu, girl."
You watched as he approached his friend and gestured towards Nessa. They quickly weeded through the party crowd and made their way up to her so Bryce could make the introductions.
BRYCE INVITES A FRIEND... WHO IS IT? (CAN'T BE ANYONE WE'VE MET BEFORE IN THE STORY)