I couldn't believe I was doing this shit.

I wanted to see Reid and that was the only reason I was here. I'd given up trying to pretend to be a party person once I left college. I'd put a mask on for as long as I could and then I graduated and I put myself first.

I didn't like people so I avoided them. I hated crowded places so I avoided them. Social conversations made my skin itch so I just didn't do it.

Now the few times I'd been forced to go to a party I made sure I had Jake by my side. I didn't do any of this shit without him.

But yet here I was at some stupid going away party without Jake.

I had Reid though. He was here and I felt a sliver of comfort. It didn't fix it all but he'd done his best to take over as much of the conversations as he could.

"I bought you some of your bitch beer." Cass passed me a can.

"I'm so glad you're moving away." I snatched the can from her with a frown.

Cass was annoying and didn't seem to have a filter but a lot of people would say similar things about me. I actually liked her despite her rudeness. I'd never tell her that though.

"Don't be bitter because Reid likes me better." She laughed.

I could argue with her but instead I bit my tongue. Jake always told me to be nice to people and I didn't usually listen but these were Reid's friends. I didn't want to mess this up.

Luckily Cass got easily distracted and she moved her attention to someone else. There was a good amount of people lingering around, most of them I didn't know. That fact had me on edge, in a way that was uncomfortable.

"There you are." Reid beamed as I rejoined him where he was chatting with Connor and Jetson.

"Did Cass really throw this party to get us drunk so she could force us to pack her things up?" Connor gestured to the corner where there was a stack of boxes.

"Luckily you have a clear mind and can tell her no for all of us." Jet leaned into his side with a grin.

Connor was sober and sometimes it still surprised me to see him when I saw him with clear eyes and he spoke without that familiar slur. I was proud of him especially now as he stood here surrounded by alcohol and he proved just how far he'd come.

"I'm not doing any manual labor for her." I frowned.

"I can't believe she's moving." Reid said and I could see the sadness in his eyes.

I felt a tinge in my chest. He was taking Cass leaving hard. He wasn't saying it out loud but I could tell he was missing her already. Cass had quickly become one of his best friends. I didn't like seeing him upset.

I did what I could and wrapped myself around him trying to comfort him in the best way I could. At least the best way I could with all these people around. I wanted to kiss him, to hold him as close to me as I could but I didn't really want to do that in a room full of people.

"Hey guys!" I turned to see the last people I thought I would.

"Cal? Dom? What are you doing here?" I blinked as I stared at my old roommate and his boyfriend stood in front of me.

"Cass invited us." Callum said joining us.

"I didn't even know you knew Cass." Connor said.

"We met her at your grad party, she's cool we've been helping her with her move." Dom explained.

"You made it." Cass appeared again throwing her arms around Callum like she'd known him forever.

"Wouldn't miss it." Cal smiled.

"I wish you weren't gay." She groaned pulling away from Cal with a frown.

"How many times do I have to tell you to stop flirting with my boyfriend?" Dom said but I could tell he wasn't being serious.

"You can keep saying it but I don't listen to what men tell me to do." She just shrugged.

I could feel myself slipping. I didn't want to be here. I felt overwhelmed by the conversation and the amount of people here. I didn't feel like I fit in here and I wanted to run.

I didn't move.

I was here for Reid.

These were his friends.

They were my friends.

I felt a hand link with mine and I did my best to let it ground me. Reid made me feel better but still my stomach twisted slightly.

I didn't even realize I'd zoned out until nothing that was being said made sense anymore. I'd obviously missed something.

"I can't believe this. You only met him once." Connor just shook his head at Cass.

"He's your friend not an axe murderer. It's not the first time I'd moved for someone I just met and honestly probably won't be the last." Cass seemed very unbothered even though her words were slightly worrying.

"How you are still alive and not kidnapped in a basement is shocking." Jetson muttered.

"You got to stop watching all those crime documentaries, you know they give you nightmares." Connor told his boyfriend.

"Give me nightmares? Really? We both know you're the one who made me check all the locks before we went to bed and then clung to me like a koala." Jetson eyed Connor.

"Not my fault you're so cuddly." Connor tried to defend himself.

"Can we get back to the part where Cass moved her whole life to be close to Cal and Dom, two people she met once?" Reid interrupted his friends.

"Dom has good taste in music and Callum is cute. What did you expect me to do?" Cass defended herself.

I knew I was losing it when I didn't find Cass's words totally unreasonable. Cass was intense and I wasn't shocked that she'd made friends and then decided to go move to be closer to them.

I did my best to try to focus on what was going on. I didn't bother to try to be apart of the conversation. I knew if I did all the wrong things would come out of my mouth. But I felt grounded as Reid kept holding my hand.

I was here with him and every time he looked over at me and that smile spread across his face I felt myself relax slightly.

I'd do this a thousand times if it meant Reid would keep smiling at me like that. I was pretty sure I'd do anything for him.

I was in deep and it didn't even scare me. I would happily stand by his side for however long as he'd let me.

But just like I was willing to do anything for Reid I should have known he was right there with me. I'd go to parties for him but he wouldn't force me through that.

"Let's go somewhere quieter." He said softly in my ear.

I felt relaxation take over me, it was pure relief at his words.

I didn't think I'd ever find this. I'd ever find someone like Reid. Someone to see every part of me and not even flinch. He liked it all and I found myself not even bothering to try to change a single thing for him.

I was Adam and he liked me for it.

A/n:

I'm not crying..... okay maybe I am. This is the last chapter, I just have the epilogue left and then I'm done with this book.

I'll just cry my eyes out forever.

Anyways I hope you enjoyed this chapter and this story. I love you all and all the support you've given this book. 

Thank you for reading!

-Cora Leigh