Chapter Seventeen

                                    

                                          
Gabriel's party had already started by the time Cecily, Charlotte and I arrived. The week had gone by quickly and I wasn't sure how it was already Friday night. I had been living in London for almost a month now and it seemed crazy to me that that much time had already passed. I watched as Charlotte bounded off, spotting her boyfriend Henry, and I smiled at them. Charlotte and Henry were very in love and it made me feel really happy for her. I knew that they would get married one day. 
                          
Cecily and I weaved though the crowds of people and I did not miss the way they turned to stare at us. Cecily and I had matched our outfits, as we always had done when we had been younger. I was dressed in a short light pink slip dress and Cecily was wearing a matching pale blue one. It was similar to the one I had worn to the party at our house, a few weeks ago. It was safe to say that Cecily and I loved slip dresses. It had been this way since we were children, however, Cecily's colour was always light blue and mine was always light pink.
                          
The two of us found Gabriel and Rupert sitting in the living room and both boys turned their heads to look at us. Rupert's green eyes widened when he saw me and I blushed and took a seat down next to him. He looked very attractive in his light wash denim jacket and black jeans; I ran my eyes over him briefly.
                          
"You look really nice, Tessa." Rupert smiled at me. "You're easily the prettiest girl here tonight."
                          
I blushed and swatted at him. "You flatter me way too much. You look even better than me."
                          
Rupert scoffed and shook his head. "No way."
                          
I giggled and he grinned down at me. I wondered when Rupert would ask me to be his girlfriend but I also didn't want to rush our relationship. I knew that he would ask me when the time was right, and for now I was satisfied at where we were at. I hopped up then, walking over to the table in the corner of the room and grabbing Rupert and I a cooler. I didn't want to drink very much but I did want to get a little tipsy. I grabbed the two cans and spun around -- and collided straight into someone, my face hitting their chest. I knew who it was before they even said a word. I think I would know him anywhere. 
                          
"Already drunk, Tess?" Will drawled lazily. 
                          
I stepped back and glared up at him, trying not to notice how attractive he looked. Will was dressed in tight black jeans, like Rupert, but he was wearing a white button up shirt. It was rolled up to his elbows and he had left the top few buttons open, revealing a bit of his chest. I swallowed hard; there was no denying that he looked absolutely breathtaking. Will was staring down at me as well, I realized, his blue eyes running over my body. My cheeks heated but I found that for once, I wasn't angry or annoyed by his action. I couldn't believe it but I actually liked that he was looking at me like that. God, I was sick. 
                          
"No." I replied in a clipped tone. "I saw Tatiana a few minutes ago. I'm sure she'll be dying for you to hook up with her sooner or later."
                          
Will smirked. "No need to sound so bitter, Tess. I don't want Tatiana."
                          
I rolled my eyes but didn't reply to his claim, knowing that it wasn't worth it. Will's eyes were looking up and down my body once again and heat rose to my cheeks.
                          
"You look..." He trailed off, staring at my body.
                          
"Yes?" I raised an eyebrow.
                          
Will seemed to snap out of whatever trance he had been in, his cool demeanour returning. "You look different."
                          
His tone was rude and I only rolled my eyes and walked away from him. I went back to Rupert and everyone else, and Will joined us a moment later along with Jace. Jace had brought his girlfriend, Clary, who was a short girl with bright red hair, and Cecily and I spoke with her for a few minutes. Jace and Will took a seat then, Clary going off somewhere with Charlotte, and I went to take a seat then too. To my surprise, Rupert slid his hand around my waist and pulled me down so I was sitting in his lap. Rupert held a small mocking grin on his face, however he wasn't looking at me, he was looking at Will. Will, on the other hand, was watching us with a bit of disgust and disinterest.