I came home and threw my books onto the counter, not caring where they landed. I was stressed out because of school and tired because of a long day at work. But today was Friday, so I had a long weekend with no worries ahead of me.

As I was walking up the stairs to my room, I heard my mom call my name. I ran to the room she was in and asked why she called me.

"Yes?" I asked, annoyed.

"The Caniff's are throwing a party for the neighborhood tonight, just because. It starts in about an hour or so. " She informed me.

"Okay, I'll go get ready." I stated.

I ran up to my room to make myself presentable, maybe Jack was going to be there. I had liked Jack (G) for a while, but he was so out of my league. I don't know why I had even a spark of hope. He was popular, I was not. I'd rather go outside and play soccer or go to a rock concert, while he was more the beach and YouTube kinda guy.

I threw on some cute, grungy white jean shorts with a floral top and some faded pink vans. When I was finished doing my hair and light make-up, I checked my phone. I had gotten plenty of texts from a group chat with my friends.

One From Taylor (Caniff):
"Hey guys, anyone coming to my families party?"

From Jack J:
"Jack and I can't make it- have a long night in the studio tonight."

When I read the message, I was a little disappointed but not too disappointed because I still had Taylor to hang with, I mean he was my best friend.

It was time for the party, and I walked over to Taylor's with my brothers, Hayes and Nash.
As I opened the door, I was bombarded with screaming little kids and than dragged up to the playroom. Taylor walked into the playroom and greeted me, along with Hayes and Nash.

"Hey." he said.

"Let's play tag!!" one kid shouted.

"YESSS TAG!!" another one chimed in.

"I guess we're playing tag." I laughed at Taylor.

"I guess so." he laughed back.

As our game of tag started, I felt someone tug at my shirt when we were running around downstairs. I turned expecting it to be Taylor or One of the kids, but to my surprise it was my mom.

"Yes?" I asked.

"Look over there," she pointed to the couch, "that's the Caniff's cousin. His name is Matt," she winked at me.

"Stopppp. He looks boring anyway. Who sits on their phone on the couch at a party anyway?" I asked my mom because I was tired of her trying to set me up with guys, so I was making lame excuses to leave.

"Ok. Whatever you think, he's cute." She smiled and let me go.

"What was that about?" Taylor laughed suspiciously.

"Just my mom trying to hook me up with your cousin over there." I laughed.

"Ohh, I see the usual. Actually Matt's pretty cool, I didn't know he was here. Come here I'll introduce you." Taylor said.

"Ok." I said.

We walked over to where Matt was sitting and I became really awkward, I wasn't good around new, unfamiliar people. Nash noticed and walked up to me and informed me that we had to leave.

"Sorry!!" I called to Taylor, "I'll just have to meet him next time."

Taylor nodded and I gave him a hug and walked home. I turned my head and noticed Hayes smiling at his screen.

"Who are you texting?" I smirked at him. Expecting to him to be texting some girl, Hayes gets all the ladies.

"What? Oh. No, it's a guy his name is Josh. I met him at the Caniff's he's their cousin." Hayes told me.

I was slightly embarrassed that I put Hayes on the spot like that. But we laughed it off. When I got to my house, I changed into some sweatpants and a comfy "Jake Miller" tee-shirt. He was my favorite.

I laid in my bed and for some reason, I found my brain wandering over thoughts of Matt. I didn't even know him, but I had this sort of urge that I was supposed to.
-----------------------------------------------------
Hey guys, so this is a book called "Almost" (obviously) and it's a fanfiction about Matt. Hope you guys enjoy✌🏻️