The moment we all reached the hall,
I felt out of place. First, the hall was crowded and loud. You couldn't walk without almost bumping into someone and secondly, my boyfriend wasn't here. I already texted him and told the party would start by 8 pm. I couldn't help when anxiety kicked in, what if he didn't show up? No, I couldn't afford any pessimistic thoughts. I just decided to send him a text.
Mabel offered me a drink while she moved around with Claire dragging me along as they socialized with people I didn't know.
It was 30 mins into the party already and there was still no sign of George.
"Did you tell your boyfriend what time he is expected to be here?" Mabel asked in a hushed voice.
"I did," I said.
"It's a bit late already, did he tell you why he's delaying?"
"He hasn't replied my texts"
"You tried calling him?"
"Yeah, it didn't go through"
"Alright then, maybe he got caught up with some emergency, I mean you did say he's a detective right?"
"Yes"
The three of them went on to meet the remaining group seated at one corner.
"I still haven't seen your boyfriend Gracie," Mari said, arms crossed.
"He's a bit occupied at the moment"
She scoffed. "I see that's what you guys are dating these days"
"Mari" Claire gasped. "Do you always have to be such an ass? That was uncalled for"
"She's right Mari, I'm pretty sure something serious came up, you know he's a detective"
"You're all really daft, like I said, I know this whole boyfriend thing is all a lie, and this event will prove it, till then, y'all should just keep on being stupid, I'm out of here" she countered then left.
"I don't know what exactly is wrong with her," Chloe said, sighing.
I could feel tears prickling at the back of my eyes, so I dropped my gaze, pretending to adjust my dress.
"No one move" Claire said dramatically "there's a hottie coming our way, he looks like he's lost though" she said snickering.
Everyone looked, including me, it was as though our gaze called to him, his eyes found me in the crowd then he waved and made his way over.
"Seems like he's waving at us" Mabel said thoughtfully.
He walked closer, calm and unhurried, while my pulse climbed with every step he took. The space between us suddenly felt too small.
"Hello everyone" he said the moment he got close to us. Everyone stared, including me. "I'm really sorry babe, I didn't mean to show up late, an emergency came up" he said apologetically.
The noise around us dipped, like someone had turned the volume down. A few heads turned our way, eyes flicking from his face to mine. My heart thudded painfully in my chest.
"Uhh…. It's fine actually" I replied.
"Gracie" Mabel hissed, tapping my arm, "is this anyway to talk to your boyfriend? And you didn't even bother introducing us"
"Uhh… I'm sorry I'll do that now, George, this is Mabel my friend and roommate, this is Claire, this is Chloe and this is Zara" I paused. "Everyone this is George, my boyfriend"
"Hi George" they all said in unison.
"Ohh my God Gracie, you didn't tell us he was such a hottie" Claire squealed.
"Ohh please, don't flatter me too much," he said, scratching his neck awkwardly.
"Claire's right, Gracie didn't say anything about a boyfriend until yesterday" Mabel said smiling. "I don't know what she was being shy about when her man is obviously handsome"
"Thank you for the compliment but please ease up on it a bit, and I would like to apologize on her behalf, I'm pretty sure you guys must have noticed she doesn't talk much in general" he said smiling.
God he had this boyish charm and he was pulling the ladies in so easily.
"Hmm… you're right," Chloe said.
"I'll quickly go and call Mari, she needs to see him" Claire said then left.
"Would you guys like some drinks or something, or maybe sit somewhere?" George said.
"Yeah sure, we have a VIP room at the back," Mabel said.
"Jesus, stop dragging me Claire" Mari's voice floated annoyed as they came into view.
Claire came to stand in front of them happily.
"George, meet Mari, Mari meet George, Gracie's boyfriend" Claire introduced happily. "Told you she wasn't lying"
"Hi Mari, I didn't know Gracie had more friends, it's really nice to meet you all" he said.
"I haven't seen your face around here, and I know everyone's faces in this town," Mari said skeptically.
"Well…. I just moved here from New York, actually, I'm a detective, currently working on a case here" he said smoothly.
"A detective? That is so cool" Claire said.
"I see…. And you and Gracie have been dating since… when?" She asked again.
He looked towards me, like he was trying to communicate with his eyes.
Shit. I didn't give him any details.
He paused. Then cleared his throat.
"Well….. we've known for a while now, I only just made my intentions clear a few months ago," he said smiling.
Then stared at me for approval. I gave him a smile.
Wow…he was good.
Mari's face scrunched in annoyance.
"If you guys have known each other for that-"
"Enough Mari, we suggested she brings her boyfriend, and she has, he's not here to be interrogated by you" Mabel said annoyed "come on everyone, let's go to our room please"
Mari huffed as Claire smiled and skipped happily as they all went on, George walked slowly behind, I slowed paced to reach close to him.
"Thank you so much," I whispered.
He only smiled as they walked on.
The noise muted as they stepped into the VIP room.
"Welcome to our wonderful abode, Mr detective" Claire said.
"Thank you miss Claire, I do hope there are no incriminating things in this room, or I'll have to turn you guys in to the police" he said, matching her energy perfectly.
Claire and George seemed to hit it off more, although Mabel and Chloe chimed in also, Zara just sat and listened, while Mari stayed across the room, eyes glued to her phone.
"What do you think Gracie?" Claire's voice cut into my thoughts.
"huh?"
"Christ Gracie, you weren't even listening were you? And what in God's name are you doing over there"
She said then stood up and walked towards her.
"I know you both do and say nasty things in private, we all do the same, so there's no need to start being all shy in public" she giggled then pulled me up and dragged me towards them.
"I'm actually good over there Claire"
"Ohh please" she said then pushed me to an empty seat closer to George. "You sit there, I know you're dying to be close to him" she giggled again then winked.
I could feel George stiffen as I did, the moment we came into contact.
This girl always gave me mixed feelings, sometimes I loved her, but times like these, I hated her.
"So… we're going on a couples trip to New York, since Mr. Detective here said he had some work to do there next month, I was thinking we could all go, have fun, and, Mr. Detective gets to do his work, what do you think?"
"Well…. That'll be nice but-"
"No buts, we're all going to have so much fun, and besides George already accepted"
I turned to look at George, he looked at me apologetically.
"Alright then"
"Yay" Claire clapped her hands while jumping up. "I'll make the arrangements immediately" she said then got on her phone.
"You both seem awfully stiff, I've never seen couples act the way you both do, it's so funny" Chloe said smiling.
"Well they do look cute together, just awkward, it's like watching two teenagers on a prom date" Mabel commented.
"They're calling the end of the event with a song, y'all should get your asses to the hall" Mira said then walked out.
"I guess we head out," Zara said, then stood up and walked out.
Everyone followed and we came to the hall, the lights were dimmed low, giving the whole room a soft glow.
Music was being played and couples went towards the dance floor.
"Come let's dance," Claire said, pulling George onto the dance floor. He looked at me as if asking for help. I just stared back and laughed.
"I say he passed, or what do you think Chloe" Mabel asked.
"If she doesn't go for him, Claire sure as hell would go for him" Chloe joked.
"She has Daniel already, and you know Claire's a natural enthusiast" Mabel said amused.
"Well I say he's cool" Chloe said. "I mean, sure they act awkwardly for couples, but since he had to wait after months of knowing her to say his feelings, I'm guessing he's somewhat shy, same with Gracie, but they do compliment each other very well, so I'd say they're good" Chloe finished.
"Gracie," Claire called while she and George walked towards them."Come on and dance, this is the last song"
"I'm good," I said back.
"What do you mean you're good, go on a d dance with him" Mabel chastised, and pushed me, I stumbled and fell right into his arms. He also looked surprised at the sudden impact.
"Uhh… you don't need to dance if you don't want to" I said nervously.
"The night is almost over, this should be the last thing to seal the plan and make them believe fully" he said.
"Well…. I'm a bad dancer"
"I'm good enough for both of us" he replied smiling.
And took me to the dance floor.
His left arm encircled around my waist, while the other entwined with my fingers, the contact felt so foreign but accepted. And while I struggled not to look up, I couldn't help myself when my gaze met his. Up close, his dark blue eyes looked like the stormy seas as waves crashed above the surface, while strong arms held me steady almost as if making sure I did not drown.
"You look beautiful," he commented.
"Claire did my make up for me, she's so sweet"
"Yeah, she's a handful," he replied, smiling.
"Thanks for showing up," I said.
"Can't ignore a damsel in distress now can I?" He said amused and laughed.
A smile tugged at my lips subconsciously. And as the night carried on I had this sinking feeling that this wasn't going to stay just one night.