The Party, Track 1

Jay's POV:

I finally went to bed around 2am. They wouldn't let me sleep, but then I always did love opening my presents.
It's the big day today and I'm freshly showered and dressed in my all black outfit. Shock. Just some formal pants and a posh looking shirt.

"You ready?"
I walk up to my bedroom door and open it to reveal my mother wearing a beaming smile. She looks so proud of me. It's cute but I don't get why, it's just the day I was born.
"Yeah." I give her the best smile I can and follow her down the hallway. She's leading me to the 'surprise' party downstairs with a whole load of people I shouldn't know about.

Mum tries to distract me,
"I was thinking I'd get a few photos of yo-

"SUPRISE!"

There were so many faces piled into our living room. All so happy and excited to see me. I spotted my sisters, a few of my friends and... Georgia.

Fahmeen's POV:

I could've cried watching my brother walk down the stairs, with that embarrassed face he was trying to hide. It was funny but I just couldn't believe he was 21. He looked so much more older today, all dressed up in his fancy threads.
"Thanks guys." He says, approaching guests as he walks through the crowd. It was easy for me to see past the confident front he had. But he looked relieved as he joined his group of friends.

My sister really did invite as many people as she could. The house was full, and eventually the garden would take its share. Sam made an amazing looking party. There wasn't a specific theme for once, it was relaxed. The food spread was amazing. The garden would host barbecued meats with various sides. A few that caught my eye were the buttered corn ready to be grilled and the fresh, homemade slaw.

"Hiya babe." Aston walked up to Georgia, kissing her cheek. She blushed and I took a few seconds appreciating her beauty. Her long brown hair was left in soft waves and we both wore cream coloured summer dresses. My own hair was in a messy bun and I wore my favourite black strappy heels.
"Looking gorgeous, ladies." He winks and I just smile at him. Always the charmer.

I look around, everybody is buzzing and there's music booming in each room through to outside. But I'm waiting for him. Speaking of the handsome devil, he strolls in scanning the crowd. I have to bite my lip and check him out discreetly. He's wearing his denim shirt open with a white t shirt underneath and some dark trousers. His hair is tied away in a ponytail and he looks so casual it hurts. I wish I could just go up to him but I stay in my spot, hoping he'd find me. He does. Those green eyes stop at mine and there's a noisy crowd between us. He unashamedly stares and he's noticed my hair up, he's never seen it like that before. His eyes soften as they find their way back to my face. I just smile, I feel butterflies in my stomach from being in the same room as him once again.

Our moment gets interrupted as my mother approaches him, welcoming him to the party I assume. I leave them to it as he looks invested in their conversation and wander who to saddle up next to. On second thought, I'd rather get acquainted with the food.

Emilio's POV:

I was standing with Shania wrapped around me. We were in the corner of the garden and I had a couple of my friends with me including Zane. He was currently trying to spike the drinks, as this was an alcohol free party.

Always up to mischief.

I shake my head at him and untangle myself from Shania.
"Where are you going?" She rolls her eyes, irritated at the loss of me.
"Getting a drink. Want one?"
"I do." She flashes a smirk and then her voice mixes into the ones around me as I walk away.

I'm approaching the long garden table, there was an impressive array of drinks and snacks out here. I popped a few salted peanuts and smacked the back of Zane's head.
"Stop."

He turns around, the initial shock at being caught replaced by relief.
"It's only you." He clutches his chest.
"You're not exactly discreet, are you?" I glance around at the people swarming around us. Zane shrugs and goes back to it. I snatch the whiskey flask and shove it into my back pocket.
"Bad dog." I wink and walk away, ignoring his pissed off face.

I'm guilty and amused as I bump into Fahmeen.
"Fancy seeing you here?" I steady her and stare hard at the douche bag brushing close behind her.
"I know, my own brother's birthday party. Crazy."
She giggles, taking a sip of her drink. I watch as her soft lips touch the mouth of the clear cup. I gulp and suddenly feel very thirsty.

"Oh sorry, where's my hospitality. Would you like a drink?" She smiles, already walking away. I follow her and we end up at the garden table. Zane's disappeared thankfully. I exhale my relief and take the cup from her hand.
"Thanks." I make sure to brush her fingers and she looks at our contact. She blinks a few times and then looks up to politely smile at me.
"Enjoy the party." She says quietly and I watch her disappear into the crowd.

Rolf's POV:

I just left Susan, she went to chat amongst her own friends. Looking around, I was met with smiles from my own students and curious and flirty stares from unfamiliar women.
"Good to see you again, sir."

It's the douchebag from the London trip, I couldn't remember his name to be honest. I think he notices. He sticks out his hand. I leave it a few seconds but eventually shake it. And he nods at me.
"Zane." He tells me his name, I didn't really care.
"Who invited you?" He asks, raising his eyebrow and drink.
I grit my teeth and smile.
"Susan did as I'm familiar with her daughter."
I leave it at that and walk away, with Zane scoffing behind me.

"Hi Professor."
"Oh hi sir!"
"What's up, Professor?" I could recognise Joey anywhere. I chuckle meeting his goofy smile and wave back.

I sigh as I end up in the garden, grabbing a drink. I taste it and it's fruity. I realise there's no beers or anything of that kind. In a way I was glad. I wasn't much of a drinker and I didn't particularly want to party with a house full of my own drunk students.

"Hi."
I'm smiling just hearing her voice. I turn and am faced with the most radiant face of them all. We can't seem to stop our smiles and I can't hold back my staring. She just shakes her head.

Fahmeen's POV:

"We should go somewhere more private." He says into my ear. Someone pushes me from behind and I'm not mad as it's into Rolf. His arm comes around me.
"Watch it, idiot." He barks and the young guy looks sorry and embarrassed.
"Let's go." I whisper and he looks down at me and smirks.

I carve our way through the crowd, into the house intending to find somewhere for just the two of us. I figured it's time to get the party started.

Jay's POV:

"Your sister did a great job, man." Adrian slaps my shoulder. He was my closest friend, I met him in Italy for one of my courses abroad. Yes, he was Italian.

"Yeah, it's her thing. Thanks for coming guys. Really. You made it bearable." I chuckle, glancing at my circle of friends.
"I did good, didn't I?" Sam strolls up besides me, very pleased with herself. I see the way Adrian looks at her. He's besotted, the idiot. Couldn't take his eyes off her the moment (I regrettably) introduced them. He thinks he's discreet but...

"We were just saying. By the way shouldn't someone get the barbecue started?" I suggest, wanting her to go.
"Yes someone should." She wasn't going to do it and she was waiting for any offers. And of course she'd get one.
"I could." Adrian quickly offers, his eyes bright looking between me and my sister. I roll my eyes and wait for her answer.

"Great, follow me." She says clueless to his attention. Like a fool he follows her, embarrassingly smiling at me on the way. I narrow my eyes at him and just turn around. I find Georgia and... Aston. She's laughing at something he says. Funny guy.

He leads her into the house and I find myself getting agitated. Not sure why. Maybe because the party seems suddenly boring.

Fahmeen's POV:
I'm walking down the hallway upstairs, luckily nobody's here.
"I'm thinking my room's too risky." I whisper. I hear no response and look behind me. He's not there.
Hmm.
"Ango?" I whisper loudly. Got to be careful.
I start searching the rooms. Not in that one. Nope. Nada.
Finally I come to the empty closet. I turn the door knob and open.

"Boo." He says and pulls me in.