Page 71 of The List of Things

That doesn’t mean I’ll ever stop prying or trying to get her to have sex with Lawson again. He’s hot, and she’s hotter. They’d be unstoppable together.

Once Sienna pulls up to the boys’ apartment complex the two of us make our way through the building, and to their front door. I can already hear music on the other side. I look at Sienna, and she smiles, opening the door. There are plenty of people crammed inside the apartment, and I scan the groups of people, my eyes inevitably finding Bellamy, who’s already found me. He’s moving toward me before I’ve fully made it through the door. Sienna is moving away, probably to find Lawson or a drink. Bellamy wraps his empty hand around me, snaking it around my lower back. He squeezes me tight, and I hug him back, pulling away so I can look at him.

“A party?”

“Not a normal party,” He turns me toward everything and everyone.

They’re all wearing nicer clothes, sparkly dresses, and heels. Everyone also has tacky New Year’s Eve gear, all probably from the past New Year’s that happened months ago.

There are decorations and balloons, and on the TV I even spot a rerun of the ball drop from this past year, playing for everyone. I look at Bellamy, almost in shock at the effort he’s put into this. I’m not sure why I’m surprised. He’s gone above and beyond for every single thing we’ve done, but this is just... It’s perfect.

“Bell…” I turn back, looking at everything again.

He threw a party for me... He sent out a dress code. He did it all for me, and my heart is turning to mush. This is not helping me and the butterflies in my chest.

“Happy New Year's Eve Ryn,” He leans down, his hand holding onto my hip as he stands behind me.

He tilts his head around me, and kisses my cheek, making me laugh, “Do you want a drink?”

“Always.”

We both walk to his kitchen. My stomach gets hot thinking about the last time I was in this kitchen.

Our first kiss.

I shake my head, and he reaches into his fridge, getting me a seltzer. He opens it for me and passes it over. He stands in front of me and pats the counter, the one I’d sat on before. I use one hand to push myself up on the countertop, and he stands in front of me, his eyes locked on me.

“You look really good tonight Ryn,” He takes a sip of his drink.

“So do you...” I tell him, my eyes focusing on the black short sleeve button up he wears.

It’s left partially open, showing off his chest as usual. He wears black pants that fit his legs well, and Converse like always. His fingers are clad with rings like they always are, and his hair is a perfect mess. I take his hand that rests by his side, and I pull him forward, closer to me. He stands between my legs now as I sit on the counter. I set my drink down, and dangle my arms over his shoulders, and around the back of his neck.

“Did I do good?” He asks and I smile with closed lips, his hazy grin showing me he already knows he did good, he just wants me to say it.

“You did amazing... You’re the best fake boyfriend I could ask for.”

He laughs, his eyes diverting from me as he takes a sip of his drink.

“And you’re the best fake girlfriend I could ask for,” He speaks casually.

My eyes catch in the corner of the room. I see Leah standing there, surrounded by her cheerleader friends. Her eyes are on me until she sees me looking at her. She looks away quickly, pretending she wasn’t staring. My stomach sinks at the sight of her. Questions ripping through my brain.

“Why is she here?”

He whips his head around, looking over his shoulder quickly as if he doesn’t know who I’m talking about.

“I’m not really sure. Why? Are you jealous?” He’s joking so I laugh despite the anger burning in my chest.

I personally don’t find anything about his ex funny besides her fantasies and make believe she’s created in her head.

“Not in the slightest. She’s just got daggers in her eyes. She’s staring at me.”

He leans in closer to me. The uneasy feeling in my stomach isn’t one I feel like sharing. He’s told me before he’s not using me to make her jealous. He’s said it, and I should believe him, right?

“Let her,” He whispers and kisses me. His lips are warm, he’s warm.

Always, and I know he was trying to make me feel better but the thought of her here leaves my stomach sinking.

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