The party was everything I imagined. The house it was being held in was gigantic and beautiful and all decorated for the party. It was winter but that awkward time before Christmas where people looked at you funny if you decorated too early. But the hosts compensated by covering the house in dazzling white and sparkles and fake snow and the result was fantastic. I couldn't stop staring at everything and Eli had to keep poking me to get my attention. I know he says now that I looked so natural there but really I was just trying to get through tonight. I would have fallen over or something if Eli hadn't been holding me up.

But I did have to say one thing: I think I was pretty awesome. Sure I was nervous but, looking back, I kind of crushed it. Somehow I was fitting in with all these intellectuals and scientists and it was pretty awesome. Before I had been feeling pretty crappy because I still hadn't found a job and I had no idea what I was doing but impressing these people had made me feel so much better.

Not to mention what was going on with Eli. Ever since he had picked me up I had felt a sort of energy between us and as the party went on I felt it even more. I had known Eli for years, years, and we had spent so much of that time just circling each other and tonight it seemed like that was going to end. Nothing had been said before yet but I could sense that something was about to happen. We had had moments that weren't exactly moments people had when they were friends, but I had never felt this way before. Something was coming. Was this the night that Eli and I would stop being friends and become something more? There was no way to know for sure.

"It's going pretty well."

"As far as I can tell."

"You'll be getting your residency in no time."

"You think so?"

"I know so."

"Well now that that's settled, want to get out of here?"

"What?"

"Come on, let's go. There's no reason to hang around here."

"Except for the fact that it's early and you're expected to at least listen to all the toasts. What's gotten into you?"

"Nothing. I'm just giving in to the mood of the night..."

"Well get into another mood because we can't leave yet."

"But I'm so bored!"

"Don't whine, it's not attractive."

"So I'm attractive at other times?"

"Totally. You're a complete dream boat, now get off of me."

"Someday, Julie, you will not push me away but instead pull me closer."

"I highly doubt that."

"I don't. Now, come on, if you insist on staying here we might as well go ahead and mingle. I want to get this over with as soon as possible."

"All right, let's get going. I can't have my date wallowing in a corner."

"Your date, huh? I like the sound of that."

"Well when I look this good of course you do."

"That must be it. You know, I could get used to this."

"Get used to what? Going to these parties?"

"I guess. But mostly having you be my date to these things."

"I think I could get used to being your date."

"Do you think that you could get used to something else?"

"Like what."

"Like you becoming my-"

"Mr. Masters? Could I talk to you for a second?"

"Um, I was just about to... Could I talk to you in a minute?"

"No, don't worry about it. We'll talk later, okay?"

"I don't want to interrupt."

"You aren't, it's fine. Go ahead, I'm going to go get a drink."

"But, I-"

"No buts, mister. I'll be over by the bar when you're done, all right?"

"Okay. Don't go running off anywhere."

"I promise, I won't. Go impress people."

"I'll try. If I can impress you I can impress anyone."

"And you've almost impressed me so these guys should be easy."

"See you in a minute."

"Not a second longer, I won't be able to stand it."

~~~

The next couple of chapters should be very very interesting...