HANNAH’S P.O.V.

The music blares through the speakers and I clutch onto Jessica’s arm tightly as we make our way through the crowded courtyard. My first inclination is to turn around and find a quiet place to sit, but last night I promised myself I would live my life for once and I can’t change my mind now. Besides, it’s my eighteenth birthday and Jessica seems really excited about going to this show. I know she’s just thrilled at the prospect of being with Louis without parental supervision, but I know they still want me there. Besides, I love the city even though I’ve never really experienced it fully. Maybe it’s the unknown that appeals to me so much. Jessica and I struggle to push through the noisy crowd and I try to focus on not losing her.


Jessica has been my best friend since I can remember. That’s how it is in Old Westbury. The people you grow up with are the people you will know forever. No one really moves into our village. Your family has either lived there for generations or you marry someone who’s family has. No one leaves either. Until dad.


“JESSICA CANTON!”


Our heads turn abruptly to find the owner of the familiar voice. Jessica escapes my grip the second she sees Louis, running enthusiastically into his embrace, almost knocking the beer out of his hand. I’m thankful he isn’t standing front and center, but off to the side of the stage a bit. It’s a little less crowded. Louis is another long-time friend, although we didn’t all start hanging out until we got into high school because he’s older by three years. He was a senior when Jess and I were freshmen, but in a small school like ours, the age gap wasn’t a big deal. Louis and Jessica have been inseparable since then. I can’t complain; they’ve never brought me along and ignored me like a third wheel and I’m very grateful for that. Louis has become the brother I never had and I really enjoyed being with the two of them. Louis notices me standing awkwardly to the side and releases Jessica, walking over to me and hugging me, well squeezing me really.


“Lou...Can’t...Breathe.”


He chuckles and finally lets go, walking back to Jess and snaking his arm around her waist. The bass literally shakes me and I feel like my heart is vibrating into my throat. Finally, it stops and the DJ starts to communicate with the audience. They yell in response and Louis nods for us to walk over toward the bar during the break. While we walk, Louis leaves small kisses on the side of Jessica’s head and I can’t help but to grin at the happy couple.


“Let’s go find Niall.”


My eyes shift to meet Jessica’s as Louis speaks those words and she grins sheepishly at me. I wasn’t informed that anyone was going to be here with us. It’s always just the three of us, unless they went alone. The expression on Jessica’s face told me she kept this information from me on purpose.


“Louis, who’s Niall?”


“Someone,” he glares at Jess before continuing, “was supposed to tell you about him.”


“Well, since no one did, care to explain?”


Ever since high school, they’ve played joint matchmaker and it got old really fast. Especially since they were terrible at it. The problem was that in a small town like Old Westbury, I already knew everyone. The few times I listened to them, it backfired. Derek was already dating someone, but waited a couple weeks to tell me. John told the entire Lacrosse team every detail of everything we did. Then, there was Harry. He was exactly who my parents wanted me to end up with, but we had nothing in common. I wasted a year pretending to care about the things he loved: cars, money, and status. We attended all of the galas and balls in Manhattan and all the girls were jealous. Little did they know I just wanted out. He thought that I should have been more proud to be with him. The breaking point was only a few months ago at my graduation. When I told him I wanted to take a break, he looked me dead in the eyes and dared to say the unthinkable, “Any girl here would be lucky to be with me.” That was it for me. Those words ring in my head every time I second guess my decision to leave him. I could care less what he says now; I want nothing to do with him.


Louis looks at me, eyes shifting to the bar and then back to me.


“Louis, who is he?”


“Just give him a chance. He’s not what you’re used to. He lives here in the city. He-”


Louis stops talking and takes a sip of his beer, looking behind me. Jessica follows his gaze and I know that this mystery man is approaching. I want so badly to turn and see him, but I tense up and continue to stare at Louis and Jessica instead.


Okay, Hannah. Just breathe. Remember, you’re here to have fun. There’s nothing wrong with meeting someone. It’s not like dad can disapprove of anything you do anymore. Mom will understand. Stop talking to yourself and look at him!


Before I can turn, a silky voice drowns out the ruckus around us.


“Hey, Louis. Jess. Sorry, I was trying to find my brother.”


He’s Irish. Based on how strong his accent is, I doubt he’s lived in New York long. He walks over and hugs Jessica briefly before turning to face me, his arms crossed apprehensively. He’s... well, he’s hot. In a different way. I don’t exactly know how to explain it. His hair is a little unkempt and his blue eyes shine like crystals. He looks delicate like porcelain, but rough and masculine at the same time. His eyes shift nervously as his foot taps to the beat of the music that has started to play again.


“Niall, this is Hannah. Hannah, Niall.”


He forces a grin and extends his hand to me. I take it as I examine his face more. Dimples form
on his cheeks, but the smile doesn’t reach his eyes.


“It’s nice to meet you.”


He speaks quietly and I can tell he feels almost as uncomfortable as I do in this environment. He looks like he fits in, but I can tell he’s just putting on a facade. He seems to have fooled everyone, but I notice it right away. Something in his eyes tell me he wants to leave just like I do. I pull my hand away and realize I haven’t said anything back to him.


“Nice to meet you, too. So, you live in the city?”


“Yeah, well not Manhattan. Brooklyn.”


“I’m jealous.”


“Why? Don’t you live in Westbury with these pricks?”


Louis nearly spits his beer out as he snickers. I can tell he’s kidding because he tightens his
lips, trying not to laugh at his own joke. I chuckle lightly and try to meet his gaze, but he keeps looking away anxiously.


“Yes, I do and I hate it more than anything.”


“Then leave.”


He says it matter-of-factly, finally restoring eye contact, and I can’t help but to laugh in response.


“You don’t leave Westbury.”


“Why?”


I feel my blood pressure rise and I feel a bit angry. Not at him. Just in general, though it should be at him. I just met him, why is he asking these prodding questions? Somehow, I know he isn’t trying to come off as rude, but he is. It’s actually... refreshing. My thoughts run wild and I can’t comprehend them. I try to formulate my response, but as I begin to speak, the crowd starts to scream loudly as the main act takes the stage. Once it dies down a little, Louis jumps up, wanting to rejoin the sea of people.


“Come on, guys! We can go smoke a jay in the back.”


I roll my eyes. He knows I don’t smoke, but apparently I’m the only one because Jessica and
Niall nod their heads and start to follow behind Louis. I exhale and roll my eyes before shuffling along to catch up. Once we find a place in the middle of a large group of people, Louis glances around before pulling out a small metal cigarette case. He takes out a neat, hand-rolled cigarette. If you don’t look closely, it looks like any old cigarette, but the second he lights it, the aroma gives it away. He places it between his lips and takes a long drag, holding it in as he passes the joint to Jessica. She does the same, but coughs loudly, thick smoke escaping her mouth. Louis pats her on the back and chuckles as she catches her breath and hands it off to Niall. He expertly breathes deeply and I see the paper burning away, quicker than would be expected. He holds the smoke in and hands the joint back to Louis. Before I can stop myself, I yell loudly over the music.


“Hey! What about me?”


Everyone’s eyes go wide and Niall blows the smoke out of his lungs before coughing lightly into his elbow. Louis looks at me in complete confusion and finally speaks.


“Really? You want to?”


Jessica reaches out and wraps one arm around my waist, pulling me closer to her.


“My baby is finally having fun! Give it to her!”


Louis tries to hand me the small nub that is left, but I’m afraid of burning myself. I don’t see a
place I can grasp on to.


“Here, Niall. Just shotgun her.”


What? What does that mean? He hands it off to Niall, who looks at Louis questioningly.


“Well, she wants to live a little! Just do it, Ni!”


I look at Louis and then at Jessica, both of them grinning excitedly with heavy eyes. I turn my gaze to Niall as he shrugs and places his fingers on his lips, breathing in even deeper than before. He nods to me and I suddenly start to realize what is going on. Before I can react, his free arm wraps around my waist and pulls me into his body as his lips crash into mine. I open my mouth slightly as my eyes flutter shut and he roughly presses his lips into mine, sealing it off so that the smoke cannot escape. He exhales slowly and I feel my lungs expand even though I’m not trying to breathe. I instinctively wrap my hands around his neck and brush my tongue along his upper lip. I feel him quiver a bit and as he starts to pull back, he pulls my bottom lip between his teeth, nibbling lightly before letting go. My eyes blink open rapidly and I almost forget about the smoke filling my lungs until it starts to burn and I start to choke and cough uncontrollably. After a couple minutes, the smoke is gone and I’m only coughing every now and then. I finally register what just happened. I kissed a complete stranger as he blew marijuana smoke into my mouth.

And even worse than that; it was the most enchanting moment of my life.

Notes

Okay, here is the first chapter <3 I hope you guys
like it!!! Please let me know what you think so I know whether I should continue writing it or not. :) xx I'm pretty excited to be writing this one, so I hope you enjoy it.