Amelia

December 31st

"Are you sure we should be pre-gaming before we get there? We're pretty lightweight." I watched Chloe pour the shots.

"You need to relax, and this will help." Chloe shot me a look before placing the glass in front of me, "Did you download Tinder like I said?"

"Yes." I rolled my eyes, twisting the glass around by my fingertips.

"Then what are you waiting for? Get to swiping!" She shook her head in disbelief.

I sighed, moving my books to the side to lean on the counter, "Where's Jason, anyway? Picking up lunch shouldn't take two hours."

Chloe looked at the stove's clock, "He should be here any moment." Her eyes flickered to mine before darting away. She moved around the counter to sit beside me as I finished my profile, and began going through the guys. Too small. Left. Too rugged. Left. Too buff. Left.

"You're not going to give any of them a chance?" I glanced at Chloe watching me, from over my shoulder.

"I didn't like any of them."

"Mel, come on. Tinder is about hooking up, you're probably not going to find your dream guy on there." She paused, letting out an exasperated sigh, "Remember what you said? This year is going to be different for you." Chloe' hands held her hips like a mother.

When I didn't respond, her face softened and she added, "I can make you another shot if you want?"

"No. No thank you. I think I should be the designated driver for the night." I muttered, my fingertips circling the rim of the shot glass. Chloe rolled her eyes, grinning.

We turned to the door at the sound of strong knocks. "I'll get it!" Chloe pranced to the door,

"Jason!" Chloe's voice echoed through the rental apartment. I ignored the commotion by the door and continued swiping through my new suggestions on Tinder. Left. Left. Left. Pause. Hm.

"I think you should swipe right." I jumped at the deep whisper behind me, taking a double-take at the intruder. His smile was genuine, revealing a dimple on his right cheek. His light eyes were crinkled, and warm- friendly, I would say. Warm butterflies invaded my stomach, and I wasn't sure if I liked being under his attention or not.

I glanced down at the phone, confused for a few moments. His profile pictures did not do him justice. My thumb hesitated before I swiped right and set the phone down. I watched him with a smile. He looked familiar, but I couldn't pinpoint it.

"Ryan, but- I'm sure you got that by now." He jutted his chin toward my phone.

I nodded, "Amelia. Everyone calls me Mel."

My gaze shifted to Jason entering with Chloe tucked under his arm, "You started without us?" Jason teased, giving me and my shot glass a nod of recognition.

"I only took one, and Mel hasn't even touched hers yet." Chloe puckered her lips in disappointment. She pushed my untouched shot glass closer to me, and slid Ryan and Jason theirs.

"Come on, M&M, it's one shot." Jason grinned.

"M&M?" Ryan turned to me, his brows furrowed.

"Mel McNamara. He thinks it's so clever." I shook my head.

"It's cute." Ryan smiled, "I'll take it with you." Ryan added, lifting his shot glass and settling on the bar stool next to me.

I snorted, "One shot would hit me much faster than you." I rose an eyebrow, as I glanced over his physique. He'd probably need at least 3 shots per my one, based off of his body size.

Jason laughed, "Stop analyzing everything, Mel." I glanced over at him, before looking at Chloe. It's funny how just one look could tell you everything. She reminded me of our conversation with a single eyebrow risen and a challenging look.

I'd told her I'd open up to new experiences, and I guess one shot wouldn't get me drunk. I lifted the glass, and Ryan and I clinked glasses, "Cheers." Ryan's eyes traveled to my lips as I replied, "Cheers." The tequila burned a trail down my throat, mustering up a few follow-up coughs.

"Not so bad, right?" The corner of Ryan's lips quirked up, bringing me to smile in return.

"I'm not so sure." I chuckled.

"Are you ladies ready?" Jason slid his glass towards the sink, glancing between Chloe and I.

"Almost." Chloe nodded.

"I'm ready." I added.

Ryan turned to me, grabbing my attention, but before he could speak, Jason clapped a hand on his shoulder, "Alright, while Chloe finishes up, tell me about the girls. How fine are they?" Jason led Ryan to the couch.

"I don't know- fine?" Ryan shrugged, "Honestly, the dating scene is horrible, especially for engineers. You have to make an effort to socialize, and even then- they're just not my type. The parties are what everyone raves about, though."

"Where do you go?" I butted in awkwardly, trying to add myself to the conversation.

Ryan shifted on the couch to look at me, "UC Berkeley." He paused, smiling at my reaction, "I know, my parents almost had a heart attack too. They took it too personal. Their only son leaving to the opposite coast to get a degree." He paused again, and I could hear the honesty in his tone. "I just- wanted something different."

"I get it." I replied, sharing an understanding nod with him.

Our gaze broke when Jason added, "Dude, you gotta invite me over some time. I bet they throw some damn good house parties." I forgot he was even here.

"Haven't been to that many. I'm riding on a scholarship so I can't afford to screw up in any classes."

"You sound like Mel. Chloe and I try pulling her out of her books, but she keeps talking about how this is her last semester." Jason frowned at me.

"Well, I wouldn't go with you or Chloe either. You two have been wild since high school." Ryan and Jason shared a laugh. Jason glanced at me, I shook my head with my brows knit, as I nodded to Ryan.

"Mel, you do know that Ryan went to West Essex High too, right?" Jason grinned.

Ryan glanced my way, as I tilted my head looking between them. He looked familiar- and then, it dawned on me. "We had AP bio together!" My lips fell agape in a smile as I took Ryan in. Ryan Blackwood.

He chuckled, showing his slim dimples, "And AP calc."

"You look different." I tilted my head, before adding, "Good different." I smiled, hoping the heat in my cheeks didn't show.

"Alright! Let's get out of here!" Chloe called as she came into the living room.

"It's just us four?" I asked, glancing at Jason.

Chloe nodded, biting back a smirk. I frowned, and stale-faced her. This was a set up.

"You alright, Mel?" Jason grinned.

"Yeah. We should go before we can't get a good view." I hopped off the counter stool and grabbed my purse and coat.

Chloe and I walked in front of the guys, and I decided to figure out what was going on. "Why didn't you tell me Jason was bringing a friend?"

"So you can back out? He's a nice guy, Mel."

"I know he is, we had two classes together. I wouldn't have backed out if we had a group going, but it's just us four. This feels like you planned this."

"Maybe I did." Chloe shrugged, not bothering to look at me, "When's the last time you kissed someone?"

I gaped, "Does that really matter?"

"Yes, it does. Go talk to him." Chloe called, "Jason, come here."

I sighed into the cold air, as I trailed behind to let Jason catch up to Chloe. Ryan smiled as he caught up with me.

"So, do you miss the weather in California, yet?" I teased lightly as my breath formed a foggy cloud.

"No way. It's always raining in Cal, and it's so humid. I miss North Caldwell a lot during the semester; the weather, the people." He explained as we jogged down the steps and into the subway.

As predicted, the subways were packed, and I could only be grateful that we hadn't chosen a rental apartment closer to the city. Those must've been over capacity. We managed to squeeze into a subway car. Ryan and Jason stood by the doors, blocking the doorway, and Chloe and I had our backs to the mob cluster of other travelers.

A hand brushed my back, and my attention snapped behind me to try and see who it was. "You're not going to figure out who touched you." Chloe chuckled beside me. I frowned, and Jason let out a chuckle.

"Do you want to switch?" Ryan straightened, glancing over me to the bumping bodies. I nodded, "Yes, please."

"She doesn't like people touching her." Jason explained, holding Chloe closer than before.

"It has something to do with her love language." Chloe teased as Ryan and I switched. The space near the door was by far better in terms of people than where Ryan now stood.

"What's that?"

"Don't get her started." Chloe grinned.

"Everyone has a love language. There's five of them- words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, and physical touch."

"Hers is physical touch." Chloe added in.

"It's not like it's weird. Touching is an intimate thing."

"I agree." Ryan nodded, "What does the languages mean though?"

"It just means it's how you feel loved or appreciated best." I shrugged lightly, feeling a blush at his unwavering interest and attention.

"Well, I'm going to say mine is acts of service and physical touch." Jason added, his eyes raking down Chloe's body.

"I'm probably somewhere between physical touch and quality time." Ryan added.

"Mine is definitely receiving gifts." Chloe grinned.

"Well you keep servicing me, and I'll keep giving you gifts." Jason murmured as he leant down to Chloe and they began making out.

My eyes wandered over the overloaded train, and to a woman staring at me. I gave a tight lipped smile, which she didn't bother returning, and continued with her soulless stare.

Ryan followed my line of sight before he captured my attention with his chuckle, "We're not in Caldwell, anymore."

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