Beauty Queen in Tears

I must've changed only a hundred times. For some reason everything I put on just didn't look good. I either looked like I was trying too hard or just didn't care enough. After second guessing myself into a migraine I just went with my first option. I twirled around a few times in front of Anna's bedroom mirror. I wore a black skin tight dress from H&M and it stopped a couple inches above my knees. I threw on a black bomber jacket and wore my trusty high top Converse. It was basic enough to say 'hey, I'm not too stressed out about this' but also put together. I let out a long breath, trembling hands tying my hair up in a high ponytail.

The sound of my excited footsteps echoed throughout the otherwise silent house. I snatched the glass tray of baked ziti off of the kitchen counter only to set it back down. Anna went overboard, once again, with 'dinner'. Was she trying to feed an army? Either way, it worked out in my favor. I wouldn't look like a complete asshole showing up to a kickback with empty hands.

I was pacing back and forth without realizing it. Fingers pinching at my cheeks as I tried to calm myself down. After the phone call with Victor, I intended to take a short nap but that didn't happen. I was far too anxious with what was to come. "Get a hold of yourself, Syd," I mumbled angrily. What in the hell was wrong with me? This was a guy I had not seen much of. Much less outside of the comfort of Anna's house. Yet why was I so infatuated with him? I could literally count on both hands how many conversations we had shared.

However, that was all my fault.

I pushed and pushed... It came as a surprise that he was still willing to try with me.

I didn't even realize the moment I stopped resisting so strongly.

I was snapped out of my thoughts by the sound of a car pulling up the driveway; my phone vibrating from the couch. With wide eyes I raced towards it, noticing Vic's name pop up on the caller ID. I answered without another moment's hesitation.

"Hm?" Smooth, Sydney.

"I'm outside. Get your cute butt out here." I could literally hear the smirk he wore on his face.
"Yeah, whatever." I bit my lip subconsciously and hung up.

It was all a blur as I picked up my purse and jammed my phone inside along with my set of keys. I waltzed back into the kitchen for the ziti and headed straight for the door. I took one last look at myself in the mirror hung by the door and sucked in a deep breath.

Here goes nothing.

It was dark outside, but not because of the impending nighttime. It was just another crappy day. With a sigh, I carefully made my way over to the passenger side of his car. He leaned over the center console to open the door for me, and I was instantly greeted with his smile.

His huge, goofy, gut-wrenching smile.

"Hey, butthead." I placed the glass tray on my lap and buckled in.

"Does that make you Beavis?" Vic asked with a smirk, eyes glued to the rearview mirror as he backed out of the driveway.

I could only shrug as I leaned back in my seat, eyes drifting shut.

"You look amazing, by the way."

I could feel my cheeks heating up, eyes slowly drifting over to him to admire the way he was so nonchalant about it. My heart was busy doing flips and he was so... preoccupied with the road, as if complimenting me wasn't a big deal.

It made me feel as though he was... sincere.

I only smiled and went back to daydreaming.

I could bask in this sort of silence. I felt comfortable and safe for some unknown reason. Even more so when I felt his weathered hand wrap around mine. I felt like I reverted back to being a teenage girl, eyes wide as I glanced over at him, expecting some sort of explanation. Instead, I was met with his smug smile, eyes still glued on the road ahead of us.

I only chuckled softly, head hitting the headrest behind me as my eyes drifted out of the window. He squeezed my hand moments later, pulling into a neighborhood of duplexes. "We've arrived at la casa de Victor." He mumbled, struggling to find a parking space.

I sat up to stare at him, "you said it was a small get together..."

He parked on the curb near what I assumed was his unit. There were people littered all over the lawn, all holding some sort of alcoholic beverage. Past the open wooden fence, I could see even more people in the backyard and smoke from what I assumed was a grill.

"I don't recall saying that." He shut the engine off and exited the car in a haste, rounding around the front to open my door for me. I raised an eyebrow at him, no time to argue as he grabbed the tray from my lap. "After you, m'lady."

I rolled my eyes playfully and stepped out, eyes quick to scan my surroundings. Based on the people loitering the lawn... I was dressed accordingly. Thank God, I hadn't gone with one of my fancier outfit choices. I would've stuck out like a sore thumb.

He grabbed my hand, displaying a sense of urgency as he tugged me up the path to his home. His door was wide open, people crowding around the front entrance, decent enough to smoke outside. I tried to scope the place out as best I could. His place was cozy, put together as though a woman was in charge of decorating. Victor lead me into the kitchen, where he placed the tray of food down and peeled back the tinfoil. There were trays and cooking ware covering all of his counters, the party was definitely not going to run out of food.

"Help yourself," he commented once he noticed how I was staring.

"I already ate." I lied, knowing that I would only puke it back up if I did consume something. My stomach was still doing that 'ah, you're nervous' thing.

He nodded, "want me to introduce you to some people?"

I shrugged in response.

Victor lead me around his house, introducing me to friends and acquaintances. I was beginning to lose count of how many times he was unsure of what to introduce me as. Friend? What a downplay. Girl I like? Childish. Instead, he just went with Sydney. The more faces I saw the more out of place I was beginning to feel. Here I was, being drug around by a guy I (maybe?) had feelings for, surrounded by HIS friends and family. It all felt way too familiar.

I tugged on his arm upon realizing that I hadn't seen Jaime yet.

"Vic, where's Jaime?"

This time he shrugged in response, scratching at the back of his neck before he had an 'aha!' moment. "He had a date with some girl."

It took everything in me not to freak out right then and there. I grinned widely, only to elicit a confused expression from Victor. With no more interruptions he lead me out to his backyard, it was a decent size but looked a lot smaller due to how many people were lounging around.

I felt like a bit of an asshole. Glued to his side when he should've been able to freely go around and mingle like your average party host. However, judging from the dreamy look on his face... I figured he wouldn't wanna be anywhere else. We were standing around the grill with his brother Mike, making mindless conversation as we nodded along to whatever song was flowing through the speakers settled in his living room.

At some point while talking about sports teams with Mike, Victor had disappeared, and like clockwork once I turned back to Mike... he was gone as well.

I stood near the now barren grill with my knees pressed tightly together, fingers cradling a half drunken bottle of Heineken. I suppose someone must've sensed how awkward I felt, moseying over to shove their hand out at me.

"Gerry, I work for the guys. I do merch for them on tour."

I smiled in relief, hand stretched out to shake theirs. "I met you briefly at Anna's house once. I'm Sydney."

He opened his mouth to speak, only to get beaten by someone trying to get his attention from across the yard. Gerry told me he'd be right back, only to disappear into thin air. I sighed, downing the rest of my beer and heading back inside. Maybe there was a corner I could hide in where no one could see me.

I found myself wandering down the hallway, definitely past the point of no return. Wasn't it bad manners to go too far into someone's house while at a party? I couldn't help myself... stopping every once in a while to laugh and stare at family pictures hanging on the wall. Feeling like I was invading Victor's privacy, I turned on my heel to head back into the living room... only for someone to grab my wrist and tug my into what I assumed was a bedroom.

I opened my mouth, ready to cuss someone out when Vic shut the door behind me.

"Sorry, I disappeared. People were touching my shit and I got nervous something expensive would 'mysteriously' disappear." He chuckled and shoved his hands into his pockets.
I glanced around the room, obviously his room, a smirk settled on my features. I wrapped my arms around myself and plopped down on his bed, admiring the way my body sunk in. "Your house is super cozy."

"Thanks. My mom decorated it."

I couldn't stop myself from laughing out loud. Comfortably content with his answer. I was sure I would've been jealous had he revealed an ex-girlfriend decorated instead.

I sat up, teeth chewing at the inside of my cheek. Suddenly I didn't know what to say to him as he leaned against his dresser. I was at a loss for words but not in a bad way... I was just happy to be in his presence. It was that simple.

"Sydney."

I snapped out of my daze to look over at him. "Yeah?"

"I really wanna kiss you right now."

I could feel my heart attempt to leap out of my chest, voice wavering as I replied with a "then do it, pussy." He took his sweet time in walking the short three feet over to me, hands resting on either side of his bed as his face hovered near mine. I was almost frozen in place, eyelids fluttering in anticipation. He was so close... I could feel his breath on my lips, nose bumping into mine...

...only for someone to knock at the door.

He groaned out loud, quick to go see what the hell the person on the other side of the door wanted. Victor pulled the door open a tiny bit and stuck his head out, groaning once more as he opened it all the way. He turned back to look at me, "someone accidentally set my couch on fire... but don't worry, they also put it out." He explained with faux enthusiasm.

"Way to see the bright side in every situation." I got up from his bed and grabbed his hand. "Let's go look at the damage, lover boy." I gave him a tiny kiss on the cheek and tugged him back down the hallway.

Notes

okaaaay so this story was originally written on mibba back in 2014. this chapter right here was written a couple of days ago while the rest of the story is about two years old... which means it was on hiatus for like ever. so honestly a lot of the stuff i originally planned for it... is forgotten. i genuinely don't remember the direction i initially wanted. BUT i have some new ideas and i hope to god that it all works out and actually flows decently. fingers crossed.