One Way or Another (PM to join)

[AnnieD]

"Oh Alyssa, you should get out more..."​

At least, that's what my friend, Natalie, would always tell me. She wasn't too far off during her rants; I hardly ever left the house. My parents, being absolute hardcore conservative people, had me homeschool as they were afraid of the outside world affecting me during my teenage years. They never told me this was the reason, mind you, however I have always suspected it. In fact, the only reason as to why I even had Natalie as a friend is because we kept in touch since elementary school.

Now nineteen years old, I was able to get myself into college out of the state. My parents tried to convince me to stay within the confines of our town, or even within Kansas, but I was convinced that the greatest course of action were to go to New York and experience the world as Natalie would often tell me. I was planning to major in law, so I knew that my best friend would obviously be disappointed, as my free time would be devoted into getting the best possible grades I could get. Or at least, that's how I pictured my future.

Funny how life works out.

It was my first week and everything seem relatively easy. Granted, I was nervous to even leave my dorm room, however Natalie was persistant and somehow got me to show up at the first party of the year, located in the very same building we resided in.

Now, I never had much experience with other people, even less with boys, but men were practically drooling all over me. Maybe it was my sheltered history, but the attention was pretty nice. Though after about half an hour, I had lost complete track of Natalie.

"Oh, this is just fantastic." I told myself sarcastically.


(Reserved for graybios )

 

[AnnieD]

(Bump!)

 

[graybios]

"Alex, no matter what you do, go through life like its your last day."​

It was my mantra. I lived by this quote. My grandfather gave me this life lesson on his deathbed and it hasn't disappointed me yet. I grew up with a positive attitude about everything and its helped me every step of the way.

I grew up in sunny South Florida and, with all the beaches nearby, I had to be in shape. I wasn't Mr.Popular back in high school but I was a good-looking swimmer, and I still am. But even with the seemingly never ending happiness of Florida, it got old fast. I just wanted to leave and be free. My parents wanted me to go to their alma mater, the University of Florida. But I had plans of my own. I decided to go for a college in New York to study law. I didn't expect to but it was the best choice with the greatest payoff I could find. I haven't regretted the choice at all.

Now a sophomore, college life was back into full swing only a week into the new semester. I managed to get myself into this party and was glad to see that there were many more good-looking freshman girls to add to the great world of college.

About half an hour into this party, I saw a gorgeous girl looking lost. Maybe its just me and I'm a bit of a mushball but I fell hard for her instantly. So with as much courage I could muster, I walked up to her, gave my best smile and said simply, "Hey."

 

[AnnieD]

Damn it, just where was Natalie? I swear, if I didn't know any better, I would say that she did this in purpose. She was always the type to take matters in her own hands and her philosophy was that you couldn't swim unless pushed into the water. And that's exactly what she did to me. Wanting me to socialize, she simply brought me to a huge party and gave me the slip ten minutes in!

"Hey"

I turned my head to see a rather handsome man, roughly about my age standing next to me. I didn't even see where he came from but then again, keeping track of just about anybody was near impossible in this room.

"Um...hi." I reply, not knowing what to say exactly. At this moment, I was already planning the idea of revenge towards Natalie. Just what was she thinking?

Nervous and feeling as if it was my obligation to carry on conversation, I say: "So, nice party huh?"

 

[graybios]

"Looks like it. I was just hoping to meet someone new tonight," I said.

I figured if I came off as confident rather as cocky I might have a shot with this girl. She looked a bit nervous so I tried to be as calm as I could but, in reality, my stomach was doing more flips than a dolphin in a aquarium. Seeing as she was looking around a bit, to get her attention, I said, "My name is Alex."

 

[AnnieD]

Every second I stayed at this party, the more I realized that I simply did not fit in. Every individual here seemed to know exactly what to do, what to talk about and yet I didn't have a clue. Not to mention, tensions were already seemingly high to some, as there was a shoving match going on to the far right of the room, where people were chanting different names, completely inaudible from here, due to the blasting music.

Oh damn, I forgot that I was talking to someone.

"My name is Alex."

"Oh I'm sorry." I say, not wanting to seem rude "I'm Alyssa, pleasure to meet you." I then add, extending my hand to this stranger. That's what people do right?

 

[graybios]

"I'm Alyssa, pleasure to meet you."

I barely heard these words when she extended her hand to me for a handshake. It was a little weird being offered a handshake at a party but playing along, I gripped the delicate hand firmly, just a little pressure, hopefully not enough to hurt her at all. Feeling that the conversation was going south, I decided to just be bold and ask, "You want to come and dance a bit? Its not a party unless you get jiggy on the dance floor."

Oh god, I thought. Did I really just say "get jiggy on the dance floor?" Feeling myself blush a little, I quickly added, "Only if you want to, of course."

I am such a dork sometimes.

 

[AnnieD]

A handshake could tell a lot of a person. A firm one would show confidence while a flimsey one would contrast. Well, this was told to me by my parents. And what did they know?

I checked my cellphone, waiting to see if Natalie left me a text message. Nope. Right when I was putting the device away, I heard Alex say: "You want to come and dance a bit? Its not a party unless you get jiggy on the dance floor."

A laugh managed to escape my lips. Did he just say jiggy? I was completely homeschooled and sheltered from the outside world, but even I wouldn't have said that. Well...he was pretty funny.

"I guess but I don't really know how to get jiggy." I said, hoping to get at least a chuckle from him. "I'm a terrible dancer."

 

[graybios]

"I doubt it," I said. "I'll bet you can't be worse than me when it comes to dancing."

Seeing that she decided to play along with my "jiggy" phrase, I decided that maybe I still had a chance.

"Come on then," I said, giving her an overly dramatic bow. Using my best British accent, I asked, "May I have this dance?" Giving her a wink.

 

[AnnieD]

"I doubt it, I'll bet you can't be worse than me when it comes to dancing."

"Oh, that's not a bet you'd want to take." I reply smiling. Okay well, maybe this wasn't so bad. After all, I could have ended up in worse company right? Laughing at his overdramatic bow, I hear him say with a wink "May I have this dance?"

I extend my hand and with a chuckle I say "You may.", though the moment he did take my hand, I say "But don't blame me if everyone thinks we're stupid."

 

[graybios]

"But don't blame me if everyone thinks we're stupid."

"Let everyone think what they want. I'm going to be dancing with a gorgeous girl with a great sense of humor," I said.

Leading her to the middle of the dance floor, a song with a heavy bass line begins. Everyone around us starts grinding on one another. Figuring I wouldn't have to make a fool out of myself by more or less dry hump,I give Alyssa a quick look and ask, "Do you?..." as I nod my head towards the mass of writhing bodies.

 

[AnnieD]

"Let everyone think what they want. I'm going to be dancing with a gorgeous girl with a great sense of humor."

I don't reply with words, but rather look at him with my brown eyes and smile. He leads me through the crowded room to the middle of the dance floor, when the heavy bass kicks in and everyone begins doing a dance that would have given my folks a heart attack.

"Do you?..." Alex says nodding towards the crowd of grinding individuals.

"No way." I say, as I look for a second at their direction. "I mean I never tried that before but..." I then add, feeling a bit tad uncomfortable about the whole scene.

 

[graybios]

"Hey, its fine. Don't worry."

I gently pull her arms up and around my neck and I put my hands on her hips.

"We'll do our own thing then. I hope you don't mind."

I stare into her brown eyes giving her my smile again.

 

[AnnieD]

I was surprised to see that instead of simply being frustrated and moving me off, that Alex simply brought my arms around his neck and assured me, as his hands held my hips:

"We'll do our own thing then. I hope you don't mind."

"Oh I don't mind at all." I say, looking up to him and smiling. Who knew that I would meet someone like him and not one of those guys Natalie always told me about?

 

[graybios]

Slowly swinging to my own rhythm, I looked at Alyssa and pulled her in a little closer. I was beginning to really fall for her and I was hoping a relationship would bloom. I hoped that she could give me a chance.

Seconds turned into minutes and the minutes became an hour. Still dancing to our rhythm, I glanced at a clock and noticed it was nearly midnight. "Hey," I said, " Do you want to go grab a bite with me?" As if on cue, my stomach rumbled and gurgled.

 

[AnnieD]

Time just flew by, with us simply staring at each others' eyes. I had no idea how much time had passed since we began dancing and quite frankly, I didn't really care. Our bodies close together, he asked "Hey, do you want to go grab a bite with me?" and just like that, his stomach rumbled. I, of course, couldn't help but laugh at that and said "Sure! I'm getting pretty hungry myself!"

Just then however, I felt my poket vibrate. "Sorry! I have to get this." I say, knowing full fell that it was Natalie. Instead of a phone call, however, it was a text message saying:

"Alyssa! One of us left the oven on and there's a small fire, help me put it out!"
Well...looks like I would slap her in the back of her head, but not for the reason I previously thought. "Sorry! My room mate managed to start a fire, this time of night.". Waving him off, I say "I'll take a raincheck on that bite to eat though!" before running off.

 

[graybios]

"Oh..." Feeling a little disappointed, I realized I didn't have a way to contact her. Following her out, I shouted at her, "Hey! What's your number?"

 

[AnnieD]

I was well along my way until I hear a familiar voice shout at me "Hey! What's your number?" I nearly smack myself on the head for forgetting such a detail. I mean, how else was I going to see him later? Quickly taking a marker I had in my pocket, I go up to him and scribble my number on his arm.

"There! Now you won't be able to forget." I say with a smile before waving off; "See you!"

 

[graybios]

Watching Alyssa walk off into the night made my heart heavy. But looking at the number on my arm I sensed a growing warm feeling in my chest. She's nothing like the other girls here. I though. She's worth the effort. With nothing to do, I walk to my dorm room, strip down to my boxers, and sleep. All the while dreaming of the new girl I just met.

 

[AnnieD]

I had planned, I gave a smack on Natalie's head, seeing how it wasn't such a big deal as she initially stated. Neverthless, I went to bed and began to thinnk about today's events. Soon enough, it was the morning and I crept out of my bed.

Oh god, I forgot that I have class today.

Quickly getting ready, I took a bath, brushed my hair, got dressed in a purple top and jeans. I had about twenty minutes to spare, so I ate breakfast, brushed my teeth and got out, not before spraying on some perfume, for good measure.

"Wait...what's my first class again?" I say, looking through my bag. I had my schedule somewhere in here.

 

[graybios]

Waking up in the morning was always the worst feeling. Getting up from bed, I put on a pair of jeans and grabbed a clean shirt from the closet. While I brushed my teeth, I checked the schedule from my desk I see that I have a Administrative Law class coming up soon. I decide, before class, to go grab a small bite to eat at the cafeteria. Walking out the door, I prepare for a long day ahead.

 

[AnnieD]

Administrative Law. Okay, that isn't too far off.

Putting the piece of paper away, I make my way to the classroom which would take me about five minutes. At first the hallways were pretty empty, seeing how I was pretty early, but as if there was a marathon going on, seemingly infinite amounts of student began to rush to their own classes. I barely am able to make out the room that I'm supposed to be in.

"Finally." I tell myself, looking into the near empty classroom. Knowing full well that its only a matter of time before more people show up, I make my way inside.

 

[graybios]

Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Where's the damn classroom? I was sprinting down the halls.

"I can't believe I'm late already," I said, thinking out loud. I walked into the classroom and found it was nearly empty.

What the... I looked around the classroom and saw Alyssa. Looks like my day just got a whole lot better.

"Hey there beautiful," I said walking up to her.

 

[AnnieD]

"Hey there beautiful," I hear someone tell me. I swear, if its some random guy, I don't know what I'll do. Luckily, as I turn my head, its no one else but Alex. "Oh hi Alex!" I say in a happy tone. "What are you doing here? You're taking law too?" I then add, knowing that maybe he's in the same program as me.

 

[graybios]

"Yeah, I'm majoring in law. I didn't expect you to be a law student since you're all shy and..." My voice trails off as I run out of things to say.

"Anyways you wanna take a seat with me? We got a good selection here." giving Alyssa my best car salesman voice.

"You see there's this wonderful seat right up front. Great view but maybe it's not in your price range. We also have this great seat farther up. You get a better view of what's going on down below but its slightly off center. And you can get it for the low, low price of a date with me."

Clearing my throat, I say normally, "How 'bout it? A date with a guy you just met not 12 hours ago."

Maybe she'll say yes. She's gotta.