Chapter Twenty-Three
Sophie
This party is even more packed than the one at Julio’s.
When Axel and I got out of the car a short while ago, we just stood outside staring at the mansion.
It’s probably the largest one I’ve ever seen in my life.
A person can tell just by staring at it that Justin’s family is even wealthier than the other rich families at my school.
I was nervous because I thought Axel might feel out of place here, but he wore a humongous smile on his face, slid his hand into mine, and led me inside.
Again, I thought he would feel uncomfortable by the throngs of people and the loud music, but he continued to lead me inside, his eyes roving over every inch of the place like he’s never been in a mansion before. Maybe he hasn’t. I certainly hadn’t been until I attended some of these parties.
“Sorry about the loud music!” I yell. “Maybe we can find a private place to talk later.”
“What?” he calls back.
“The music. Sorry it’s so loud.”
He smiles. “Do you think only loud music plays at these kinds of parties? You should see the parties some of the kids at my school throw. I swear I lose my hearing every time.”
“No, thanks,” I say. “Parties really aren’t my thing. I prefer to stay home and read.”
He laughs softly. “Same. But it’s good to get out of the house sometimes, too. My parents are always on my case, claiming I look like a vampire because I’m not getting any sunlight.”
“Did you remind them it’s in the middle of winter and there’s barely any sun?”
“Oh my God, that’s genius. Why didn’t I think of that?”
“Because you’re not as awesome as me,” I joke.
“No one can ever be as awesome as you.”
Aw, that’s so sweet. I can’t help but blush.
“So what kind of snacks do they have at these kinds of parties?” he asks, his eyes settling on the refreshment tables.
“Well, at these kinds of parties, you don’t just get your usual snacks like potato chips, pretzels, and candies. You get gourmet snacks.”
I take hold of his arm and head to the refreshment tables. So the thing I’ve noticed at Julio’s party and this one is that most of the kids don’t seem to care for the food that is on the table. Like they’re not impressed or amazed like my friends and I were. I guess they’re used to it.
Axel’s eyes are wide as he takes in the gorgeous-looking pastries and high-end snacks. “I’ve only seen this sort of thing in the movies. And is that a chocolate fountain?”
“Don’t be afraid to load up.” I pass him a plate. “All this food will go to waste, anyway, unless they give it to charity.”
“Do they?” he asks as he slices a piece of ice cream cake and places it on this plate. Next, he gathers a 3D dish made out of pretzels.
“I hope so. I mean, that’s what I would do if I were rich.”
His hand freezes over a chocolate rum ball, and then he glances at me. “What do you mean if you were rich?”
I take a bite of my macaron and nearly sigh in pleasure because it’s so darn good. “If I were rich, I would give a lot of money to charity. I know people would claim it’s easy to say that now and I might not actually do it if I were rich, but I know I would.”
“Oh, I thought you were rich,” he says as he takes a bite from his cake. His eyes nearly fly off his face. “Holy…this is delicious.”
“Right? I’m stealing a bite.” I grab a fork and cut off a small piece. This time, I do sigh in pleasure because he’s right—it’s far beyond delicious.
“So how do you go to the academy if you’re not rich? I thought they only accept the elite.”
“Scholarship.”
He nods. “That makes sense. Do a lot of kids go there on scholarship or is it really hard to get one?”
“All my friends are on scholarship except for one. She found out a few months ago that she was the granddaughter of a rich man. But we’re a very small minority here. I’m sure you can get one,” I tell him with a smile. “You’re a great student.”
He thinks about it for a second. “I doubt my parents would want to send me away.”
“Maybe you wouldn’t have to dorm,” I suggest. “You only live half an hour away.”
My brain is now running rampant with the possibility of him attending my school. How awesome would it be to see him every day?
“The work is much harder, though, right?” he asks.
“Oh yeah. Super hard.”
“Hmm. Hard pass. I do enjoy school overall, but I don’t want it to be the center of my life.”
I gasp dramatically and press my hand to my chest. “School is not the center of your life?” I pretend to stab myself through my heart.
He chuckles. “Right. I’m talking to the best student at HBA. The one who breathes, eats, and drinks school.”
I give him a look. “Are you teasing me?”
“Only if you like being teased?”
“Hmm, I don’t know, actually,” I admit.
My friends always tease me about my books and how I’m always bringing up romance tropes, but friends are supposed to tease.
But then there’s Damian. I couldn’t tell in the beginning if he was teasing me or ridiculing me, but now that I know him better, I’m positive he was teasing me, too. Well, he is my friend.
I shake my head, pushing him out of my brain. Why am I thinking about him again?
When I snap back into it and look at Axel, he’s wearing a frown on his face. Like he’s bothered about something.
“Axel, is everything okay?”
“What?” His eyes spring to mine.
“You were frowning. Are you good?”
He offers me a reassuring smile. “Yeah, no worries. I just tasted something sour in the cake.” He pushes it aside and looks around. “Do you want to dance?”
I try not to groan. “Do we have to?”
“I need to see what it’s like to dance at a rich party.”
“I’m sure it’s the same as a regular party.”
“Well, I guess I’ll just have to get my groove on without you.” He dances a few steps toward the dance floor, throwing me a dazzling grin.
Ugh, he’s trying to entice me to join him. I purse my lips and shake my head. There’s absolutely nothing he can say or do that will change my mind.
His smile grows more dazzling. More charismatic. It not only makes his whole face light up in the most handsome way, but the energy around him lights up as well. Like, it makes me want to do nothing more than bask in his presence.
“Fine, but you owe me,” I tell him.
“I accept.”
He takes my hand and leads me to the dance floor.
Since the place is so packed, it’s almost impossible to find an empty area.
Some of the girls glance at Axel as we pass, their brows rising in surprise when they see my hand is interlocked with his.
I guess they’re wondering what a super good-looking guy is doing with a nerd like me?
I wish I could tell them that some people have beauty and brains, and a huge heart.
But honestly? I don’t give a darn what anyone thinks.
We finally find a somewhat empty area and start to dance. I guess I’m thankful to Carly for teaching me how to dance at Julio’s party. Now I don’t look like a loser just standing there when my date is dancing. I can’t say that I don’t look like a loser dancing period, though.
“This is fun!” he calls over the music.
“If you say so.”
“Come on! You’re great. I mean, you can move a little more, but you’re a great dancer.”
“Now I know you’re just trying to butter me up.”
He gives me a cheeky grin. “Is it working?”
“Maybe.”
He moves closer, placing his hand on my waist and dragging me closer to his body. I thought I would definitely feel the butterflies now, but nope. Not even a small flutter.
“You okay?” he asks. “You just got still. I can step away if you’re uncomfortable.”
“No, it’s totally cool,” I assure him.
We dance for a while and have a lot of fun together, but I still don’t feel anything. I’m trying not to panic, but I can’t help but wonder why my body doesn’t react to his. Does he feel anything when we’re close to each other or when we touch? I can’t really tell.
Maybe I just need time. Yeah, I’m sure that’s it.
But why do I feel something when Damian and I accidentally touch?
I shake my head again and shove him away. Then I smile at Axel and continue to have the time of my life.