We arrived at the party thirty minutes late. Natalia briefed us about how we were going to walk in. The queen wanted to piss off her mother and draw attention to herself.

Not that she doesn't already I mean she's stunning. In a platonic way! I shook my head ridding myself of the thoughts. Something I find myself doing quite often around her.

Taking a deep breath Natalia and I walk inside the ballroom side by side as the plan. She stoped at the door entrance while I kept on walking.

Jaleena soon replaced me. I walked past all the turned heads finding my way to River. He didn't notice me standing behind, him due to the fact of him being furious at Natalia. She had strict orders from her mother and disrespected them. He storms off towards the princess and I'm left in the dust of the storming fury.

I look around me. All the pretty faces, extravagant ball gowns, it all screamed money. Something I know little about. I get lost in the crowd of people.  I don't belong here never did. I wasn't brought up in this world of extravagance and affairs. I was allowed to enter.

I remember the day I was allowed like it was yesterday.

I was in eighth grade. River was a freshman, he already had his hard bad boy exterior- the reason I fell for him. I for whatever reason it was, had all the same classes as Natalia.

The bell had run signaling the end of school. I slowly packed my bag dreading going home even at this age. Home wasn't home like others knew it to be.

Natalia had her usual flock of girls surrounding her at all time. She hadn't even known my name before her brother acknowledged me, but before he acknowledged me he of course had to save me.

I was walking home, it was lightly misting. The sky was a dark grey color and every now and then a loud clap of thunder would be heard. Despite the mist I still trudged home slowly.

My black oversized hoodie was sopping wet by the time I got home. Opening my front door I drop my book bag silently by the front door, then peel off the hoodie and let it fall to the floor with a loud smack.

"Jane is that you?!"

"Yes mother."

She comes out from the kitchen, "you look awful look at you! You could have called me for a ride home you know."

I nod my head. Sure I could have, but he wouldn't like that, "it's okay mom."

"Ben,s working late tonight so it's just you and I for dinner tonight." She walked over and picks up my hoodie that is had dis guarded on the ground. 

I wanted to smile at the good news, but knew better. I didn't want to upset her. Instead of saying anything I nod my head and walk down the hall to my room.

My closet sized room wasn't much. Just a twin sized mattress that sat on the floor with pretty pink floral sheets.  The sheets were the nicest thing I owned at the time. My mom had picked them out for me years ago.

Before Ben.

I take a seat on my mattress and pick up one of the library books that sat in a stack next to it. My only escape at the time being my books I read. Little did I know in a few short hours I'd meet a boy who'd turn my entire life around.

Ben got home as mom and I were picking up for dinner as she had said. We had spaghetti and plate had been waiting for him in the microwave. Whenever he walks into the kitchen I wanted nothing more than to escape.

"I got the rest of this honey. Go to your room and do homework," my mom dismissed me.

I silently thanked her and turned to escape the room.

"Be a doll and warm up my plate before you leave." Ben blocks the doorway. He towers over me at 5"11 with his beer belly peeking out the bottom of his disgusting white wife beater. He worked in a car garage at the time so he always smelled like oil and gasoline.

Doing as I told I warm up the plate of food. I impatiently wait as the microwave hums it's tune; warming up the food.

The beep of it being done makes me jump for joy. Taking it out of the microwave I place it in front of him and go to walk out of the kitchen.

"You dumb little bitch! Are you trying to poison me!?" I hadn't made it past the living room before I hear his roaring voice.

My eyes widen in fear and I quickly look around for an escape. I hear a chair fall in the kitchen followed by my moms voice.

"What? What is it honey?! What happened?"

"That stupid little bitch you have for a daughter put something in my door. I'm sure of it!"

"Wait, stop Ben let's talk about this!"

I knew he was coming for me, so I made a dash for the front door. Throwing it open I see that it had began to pour again. I didn't have any hoodie on. Just my jeans and an oversized shirt.

"Where do you think your going?"  He charged for me.

I yelp and run out the door out into the rain. I'm immediately drenched. Not thinking, and just wanting to get away from him I run down the path of our house and out into the street where I'm caught like a deer out in headlights in front of a car that almost didn't stop.

I looked at the person inside the car but couldn't see them because of the tint. But it was too nice a car to be in our neighborhood.

I looked back towards my house to see Ben walking back inside already forgetting about me. I sighed in relief.

"Hey, are you okay?" The person had gotten out of their car and was now starring at me.

I nod my head, "yeah I'm I'm fine!" I had to yell to heard above the sound of the falling rain.

"Do you live here?" He pointed with his head towards my house.

I nod my head and wrap my arms around myself.

He starred at me. Studying me, "how about you get in the car to warm up? I'm on my way to pick up my sister. I'm sure you'd like her, although she is a bit much."

I stared at him for a minute. Go with this complete stranger or go back inside that house with him?

"Yeah. Umm okay," I mean he seemed nice enough.

I shook my head coming out of a daze as someone touches my wrist. I turn to see Sam. I smiled.

"Didn't think I'd be seeing you here, stranger," he was first to speak.

"The feeling is mutual," of course Sam would be here. He's always been near the siblings since the very beginning.

"Did you come here with Natalia?"

"Well I was supposed to, but don't tell Jaleena."

Sam smirked. I knew his true intentions. Behind the smiles, flirty jokes, and laughing. All a show to get inside my pants. If I were any other girl it might have worked, but I'm Rivers girl.

Everyone knew it.

"Well since you here, might as well ask for a dance?" He held out his hand for me. I looked around then slyly took his hand in mine. What did I have to loose, and it's just a dance.

Sam swiped me off to the dance floor. I'll admit I have two left feet, so I let him lead. In the rush of everything I forgot about Natalia. The girl who everyone tried to pond me off to.

She stood by the still door for a second her eyes met mine, and they sparked with something. Jealousy? No, it couldn't be she's with Jaleena. I turned my attention back to Sam as he pulled me closer to him.

The song ended seconds later and I took this time to flee. Sam is cute and all, but no spark I don't like him and never will. As I avoided Sam I looked around the ball room for River. Finding him by Natalia. He had Camille by his side.

The blonde goddess is everything I am not. It is foolish to think someone like me would ever, could ever, be with someone like River. I make my towards him he smiles over at me as I reach them.

"Was that Sam you were just dancing with?"

I roll my eyes, "What, surprised I would dance with someone like him?"

With River I had a tong only with him though. The need to witty and impulsive just kinda happens around him. I was also just able to be myself.

"Yes!" He laughed as I hand just proved his point, "you also can't dance. You have two left feet. How many times did you step on him?" He winked and I playfully slapped his shoulder.

"That's why I let him lead," I looked down with a big smile on my face.

I think finally hit me. As I stood here joking with him as I am. I couldn't imagine dating River. He's like a brother to me. Being an only child and all I could use a big over protective brother because that's what he did. Protect me.

"Any way weren't you supposed to come in with Natalia?"

"I don't think she's very found of me," I looked over at the ice queen. She stands next to Jaleena a group of girls surrounded them probably founding over their dresses.

"But do you like her?" I questioningly looked up at River.

"I guess she's grown on me. She doesn't hate me as much as she did when we first met," do I like Natalia? She's to much for my soul, but did I like her? Did I like like her?

River smirked at me as if knowing my inner thoughts.

"Is she as you would say to much for your soul?"

I laugh, "Are you reading my thoughts?"

He shrugged, "Maybe. Or maybe I can just read your expressions."

"Babe, let's go dance!" Camille whisked River off to the dance floor without another word. I laughed at the two. River seems different since Camille. Happier like he has a purpose.

I longingly look after the two. He's found his purpose so, what's mine?

Happy New Years ! 🥳🥂