We were both young when I first saw you

-Taylor Swift

"You'll be fine, right?"

"Yes, I'll come home before 12, alright?"

"Okay, please be safe. Call me if you need anything. You know your way?"

I smiled, "Two years apart won't make me forget my home, Uncle Mase."

It had been three days since I moved. It still felt surreal, the fact that I was back here was still hard to digest. I'd only met Bridget in these three days, and that too because she had hounded on the door until Uncle Mason had opened up, then marched up to me and enveloped me in a hug.

That was the exact moment I realized this was home.

It was her birthday today. I didn't know how I felt about being swarmed by hormonal teenagers while my best friend got drunk. Parties had never been my thing, but Bridget never seemed to understand that simple fact. Instead, she used to drag me to every single frat party ever being thrown and get shitfaced drunk. I knew she won't let me make excuses for tonight.

I didn't know how much had changed since the last time I'd been here. Bri and I didn't talk about that much. I also didn't know if I did want things to change or be just the way they were. I especially did not want to be the 'new girl', but I also didn't want old memories to surface.

I wanted a fresh start.

And for that, I had realized, I needed a change. A change from everything, including myself. So I'd gone to the salon the first day of my being back and got my hair dyed blonde. Ash white blonde. Uncle Mason couldn't recognize me for 5 seconds straight. I'd always been a brunette. But with blue eyes, blonde seemed to match. For the first time in my life, I liked change.

So the new Amelia won't make any excuses or would not try to pull herself out of this. This was a challenge, a way to test the new me, and I had to take it. I had an urge to look at myself for the last time, to see the kind of change I'd done to myself, but I stepped out of the house before I could overthink any of this.

The dress I'd chosen was a deep black one, down till the middle of my thighs, with a plunging V-neck and backless bodice. So not me, but perfect for the new me. The black dress made my hair stand out, shining in the night sky.

My blue Ford Figo had arrived two days before I had. Uncle Mason had checked the tires and gas, saying it was fine. I got in, taking a deep breath, clasping the steering but not starting the car.

"You can do this." I chanted to myself. "You've changed now A, you can do this."

The engine roared as I drove out of the driveway and made my way over to The Galaxy. For as long as I could remember, The Galaxy had been the only standing bar in this town that attracted attention. It always used to be packed, with youngsters and teenagers and even adults. And if I did remember correctly, there had been a time when I absolutely hated that place. But then again, this is the new me we're talking about, the one who likes change.

The Galaxy was nothing like it had been before. The entryway was a shining golden and silver rather than the previous purple and black. It used to look Gothic before, now it looked like an actual classic bar. The bouncer standing just in front of the gate was bulky, with tattoos covering most of his body, his hands folded on his chest making the muscles bulge. When I went over to stand in front of him, I felt small under his gaze.

Then the voice in my brain reminded me who I was now, so I raised my chin and looked him directly in the eyes. "Amelia Parker, I'm here for Bridget Adams."

He gave me a once over, then nodded his head and stamped my wrist, motioning me to go inside. I glanced at the stamp covering my wrist as I made my way inside. The interior was changed as well, and I had to squint my eyes, but nowhere could I find the wild red locks of my best friend. And then she appeared in front of me out of thin air, giggling and bursting in fits. I smiled, shaking my head as I made my way over to the corner most booth.

Her eyes sparkled when she saw me, then she looked down at my dress. Her mouth hung open, eyes widening. I grinned, winking at her in the process. For some unknown reason, I liked her reaction. When she continued gaping at me, I clicked my fingers in front of her face.

"Close your mouth birthday girl."

She blinked, once, twice, then her mouth turned into a grin. "You look hot babe. You're so getting laid tonight."

I scrunched my eyebrows, "I'm here for you, not for some one night stand."

"Yeah, yeah." With a flick of her wrist, she passed a glass to me. "Drink up."

Then the next half hour was spent in introductions. I was reintroduced to a lot of people I'd already known, and they had been thrilled to see I was back. This town had changed, the people had changed. Everyone was more mature now, and there were these easy conversations. I was also introduced to many new people. Bridget sure knew almost half the town.

She was telling me about her summer holiday in Paris when a muscled arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her into a flushed body. I looked up to find the owner, meeting blue eyes, lighter than mine, though he wasn't looking at me. He was looking down at my best friend as if there was no one else in the room, as if she was the only one.

Someday I wanted someone to look at me like that.

Ah! The famous Dean Hathaway. I'd heard only stories about him on phone, so many stories that I already knew a lot about him for the first meet. He'd moved here the same year I'd left, so I'd never really got a chance to meet him in person. I'd seen him, sure, I'd also talked to him on video chats with Bri, but now looking at him, I understood why Bri was so attracted to him at first sight.

"Happy birthday princess." He whispered and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. I felt myself smile.

Then his blue eyes met my blue ones, and he grinned. Pulling me into a bear hug, he said, "It's so good to finally meet you. You have no idea how long I've wanted to meet my girl's other half."

I laughed. "I hope it doesn't make you jealous."

His grin widened, looking wicked. "It makes me a lot of things."

Bridget slapped his arm, "Behave, don't scare her away."

My phone chimed inside my purse. It was Uncle Mason, telling me that he was going out for dinner, reminding me to be back by 12. I rolled my eyes, he was a very persistent guy. I texted him back, saying I would be back before 12.

"Dude have you seen that chick? Damn, she-"

I looked up from my phone, and I suddenly felt my heart twisting in my chest, beating thrice its original speed. My phone would have cluttered to the ground had I not maintained a death grip on it. My breath came out as short pants, my lungs feeling as if they'd been filled with water instead of oxygen.

He had the greenest eyes I'd ever seen. Green like the forest, surrounded by thick eyelashes, long enough to curl at the ends. His plump lips were open, so pink, as if to say something, but he wasn't saying anything. A tight black tee was stretched across his chiseled chest, nerves bulging on his arms. A lock of his brown hair fell into his eyes, and I had to clench my fists to stop myself from pushing them back.

He was gorgeous, so absolutely stunning that it left me raw, craving for something so deep I couldn't understand.

And the only thing running in my head was, 'Boy, I'm in trouble.'

Fuck.

Fuck.

Fuck.

I was captivated, so fucking enchanted. I'd never seen someone like her. Her black strapless dress was clinging to her body as if worshiping it, her blonde hair flowing down her waist in waves. The golden lights were highlighting her cheekbones, and when I gazed down at her lips, I wanted nothing more than to grab her and place my mouth on hers.

God, she was beautiful.

"You were saying?" Dean nudged my side, smirking when he noticed me looking at her.

Stupid asshole.

I cleared my throat and this seemed to snap her out of her trance as well. She looked to her side, her face hiding behind her hair. I glanced at Dean, hoping he'd get the message. His smirk widened as he grabbed Bridget by her waist and hauled her to the other side of the room, giving me a thumbs in the process.

I looked at her again, but she wasn't looking at me. She was looking everywhere except me. That seemed to give me confidence, the fact that she was affected by me.

"Hey," I said.

Her head whipped to my side, her blue eyes widening a bit, enough to tell me she was surprised. "Hi."

"I'm Theo." I gave her my hand.

She looked down at it, as if contemplating, then shook her head. "Amelia. It's nice to meet you."

Amelia.

Amelia.

Her name fit her perfectly.

When she placed her hand in my outstretched one, I lifted it up to brush my lips on it. She raised an eyebrow, but remained composed. Damn, a tough cookie. Most girls would have fallen at my feet by this time.

She's not like most girls, idiot. You'd already established that fact.

"How come I've never seen you around?" I asked her as she made her way over to the bar. I followed like a lost puppy.

"Well, I just moved three days back."

"Oh, welcome, I guess. This is a nice place." Fuck, I sound like a girl.

"Yeah it is." She nodded. I saw a distant look in her eyes, something I couldn't comprehend.

"I could show you around sometime."

She looked at me, her lips turning up, "We'll see about that."

Before I could say something else, I saw the wild red locks bouncing, as the owner made her way over to us, an annoyed look on her face.

Damn you Bridget, always cock blocking me.

"I see you've already met the womanizer."

After a second, I realized she wasn't talking to me.

Amelia laughed, "I guess I have."

"Shut the fuck up Cat."

Amelia raised an eyebrow, looking between the two of us.

"I have told you to not call me that." Bridget groaned, "Babe why are you talking to this stupid person over here?"

"Well-"

"No, I'll tell you what we're going to do." Bridget said, pulling her hand so that she got up. "We're going to get drunk bitch!"

*

Yipeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I literally wrote this one in like an hour. And so let the journey begin. Sit back tight with your seat belts on, cause we're 'going on a ride'.

Please do comment and vote.

And tell me how'd you like the first chapter. Temme Temm

-Rish