Andria's pov:
The Blackwood mansion loomed ahead, its grandeur impossible to ignore. The gate was massive, its iron bars intricately designed with crystal accents that shimmered under the soft glow of the streetlights. We pulled up to the entrance, the sound of the car's tires crunching on the gravel driveway adding to the weight of anticipation in the air. This wasn't just a casual visit. This was an event.
"Wow," Xander muttered, adjusting his jacket as we stepped out of the car. "They really went all out for this one."
I rolled my eyes at him. "It's just a party, Xander. Calm down."
Talia and Henry, already bouncing with excitement, couldn't wait to get inside. "I bet there's cake!" Talia squealed, tugging on my sleeve. "I hope they have chocolate!"
"Don't get your hopes up, kiddo," I teased her, giving her a playful nudge. "Let's get inside first."
As we walked toward the entrance, the door swung open, and Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood greeted us with wide smiles. "Knight family, it's so wonderful to see you!" Mr. Blackwood boomed, his handshake firm as he pulled Dad into a hearty hug.
"Likewise, John," Dad said, returning the embrace. "You've done a great job here. Looks like a fantastic evening."
Their smiles were infectious, and we all exchanged pleasantries, catching up after not seeing each other for a while. Mrs. Blackwood, elegant as always, pulled me into a warm hug. "Andria, it's so lovely to see you growing into such a beautiful young woman."
"Thank you, Mrs. Blackwood," I replied with a polite smile, feeling a bit shy under her gaze.
Then, there was Molly.
Molly Blackwood, their 14-year-old daughter, walked up to us with a poised expression, although the air around her seemed to say she'd rather be anywhere but here. She was tall for her age, with sleek dark hair and sharp features that demanded attention—whether she wanted to or not. Her eyes briefly scanned the group before settling on me. There was no warmth in her gaze, just a cool, detached observation.
"Hi," Molly said, her voice polite but clearly uninterested in engaging. "You all look… nice." Her tone made it sound more like a formality than a compliment, and I couldn't tell whether she was complimenting us or just going through the motions.
I gave a smile in return, not sure what else to say. "Thanks, Molly."
She gave a nod and then walked off, her figure disappearing into the crowd.
Xander, however, was already looking around, his eyes scanning the room as he nodded to a few familiar faces. And that's when I saw him. Ryder Blackwood.
I had barely recognized him at first. The boy I remembered from years ago had changed completely. His features had become sharper, more defined—his jawline prominent, and his shoulders wider, as though he'd been sculpted by time itself. His hair, once dark and messy, was now a striking shade of blonde, tousled in that effortless "rockstar" way.
Xander noticed him too and didn't waste a second before heading over. "Yo, Ryder! Long time no see, man," Xander called out, grinning as he slapped him on the shoulder.
Ryder turned to face him, a wide smile spreading across his face. "Xander! Good to see you, man. It's been way too long." They clasped hands and exchanged a few quick words—talk of football, of course. They'd always shared a love for the game, their friendly rivalry never quite fading.
But it was the way Ryder's gaze shifted after that, lingering just a bit longer on me, that made my stomach flip. His eyes. Those familiar brown eyes. They stared at me for a moment, just long enough for my breath to catch in my throat.
I had to blink, telling myself it was nothing. Maybe I was imagining it, or maybe he was just seeing how much I'd changed. He'd always been so focused on Xander when we were younger, barely even acknowledging my presence. I could almost hear the echo of those memories—of Ryder completely ignoring me at family gatherings, talking only to Xander, not even sparing a second glance in my direction.
But now… now, it was different. His eyes didn't look past me. They lingered, like he was trying to figure something out.
I quickly shook my head, brushing off the thought. "You're imagining things, Andria," I muttered under my breath.
"So, Ryder," Xander said, nudging him with a grin. "Tell me, man, how's QB4 been doing? I heard you guys are killing it on the charts."
Ryder gave a playful smirk, shrugging. "We're trying. You know how it is." He sounded humble, but his pride shone through. "We're back from tour, and the fans are crazy. It's been non-stop. But it's all worth it." His smile grew wider, his eyes lighting up at the mention of the band. "We've got some new tracks dropping soon."
Xander slapped him on the back, laughing. "I'm telling you, you're going to be bigger than you already are. It's crazy how fast things are moving for you."
Ryder chuckled, clearly at ease with Xander. The way they joked around reminded me of their childhood friendship, and I couldn't help but feel like a part of me was missing out. I used to be close to both of them, but somehow, the years had put distance between us.
Ryder's gaze flickered back to me, and I caught him staring for a second longer than expected before he quickly turned his attention back to Xander. Was it just me, or was there a hint of recognition in his eyes?
I shook off the feeling, trying to focus on the conversation at hand.
"So," Xander said with a grin, "what's this whole party about? I thought it was a small gathering for family and friends."
Ryder laughed, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Well, when your parents are this proud of you, they want to throw a huge celebration. Honestly, I didn't expect so many people either, but my parents insisted. They were like, 'Ryder, you're not just our son—you're a star!'" He rolled his eyes playfully. "This is their way of showing off, I guess."
I had to laugh at his joking tone, but the truth was, it was becoming clear this wasn't just a family get-together. It felt like something more—something bigger was happening tonight, and I couldn't quite shake the feeling that it had everything to do with Ryder's success.
As the night went on, the energy around me seemed to shift. People mingled and laughed, but my thoughts kept returning to the strange tension in the air. I couldn't help but wonder if this was just a party or something else entirely.
And then, once again, I found myself questioning the way Ryder looked at me. His gaze was intense, something I hadn't expected. Did he remember me? Was I still just the girl who had been invisible in his world all those years ago?
i got bored so I pulled my phone out of my pocket and dialed Mona's number, hoping for some distraction. The party was starting to feel like a blur, and I needed to talk to someone who wasn't stuck in awkward conversations with parents or playing catch-up with the Blackwoods. "Hey!" Mona answered, her voice instantly bright and cheerful. "What's up? You sound like you need to vent." I let out a long breath. "Yeah, kind of. I'm just... bored. Everyone's off doing their own thing. Xander's with Ryder, talking football and whatever else. My parents are deep in conversation with the Blackwoods. And Talia and Henry? They're with Molly, talking about... who knows what." Mona snickered on the other end. "Well, at least they're entertained. But hey, you can do this, girl. Get in there and make some friends, or at least enjoy the free drinks." I rolled my eyes, though Mona couldn't see me. "Yeah, yeah. I'll try. But guess what? I had no idea Ryder Blackwood was part of this whole family friend thing." There was a long pause on the line, and I could practically hear Mona's mind racing. Then, she squealed into the phone, and I almost had to pull the phone away from my ear. "Wait, WHAT? Did you just say Ryder Blackwood? THE Ryder Blackwood? The Ryder Blackwood from QB4?" I laughed, my cheeks warming slightly. "Yeah, that's the one. He's grown up so much since I last saw him. I didn't even recognize him at first." Mona was practically vibrating on the other end of the call. "Girl, you have no idea how lucky you are! I mean, QB4 is huge right now! They've been on tour, and his band is everywhere! I can't believe you're at a party with him right now!" I couldn't help but chuckle at her excitement. "Yeah, I guess. It's just so weird. When we were younger, he barely even looked at me. It was always Xander he talked to, and now... I don't know, it just feels different." Mona didn't waste any time. "Different? Girl, he probably noticed how hot you've become! Seriously, I need you to do me a favor—" I cut her off, my brows furrowing. "What are you talking about?" She was practically begging now. "You have to get his autograph! I swear, if you don't get me his autograph, I might actually die. Ryder Blackwood, Andria! Please, I'm begging you! I can't believe he's actually part of your family circle! How did you not know this sooner?" I burst out laughing at Mona's over-the-top enthusiasm. "Mona, calm down! I don't even think he knows I exist, and you want me to get his autograph?" She wasn't having any of it. "Come on, just do it for me! You're at the party, right? He's probably going to be all friendly and casual with you now that you're older. You've got to talk to him! Get that autograph, girl!" I rolled my eyes, smiling despite myself. "I'll try, okay? But no promises." Mona didn't seem convinced. "I'm counting on you, Andria! If you manage to get it, I'll literally worship the ground you walk on." I couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, alright. I'll see what I can do, but no guarantees. I'm not some... autograph collector." Mona gasped dramatically. "Oh, you totally are now. You just don't know it yet! Keep me posted, okay? I'm dying to know everything!" After a few more minutes of lighthearted teasing and some more of Mona's chatter about how amazing this party sounded, I ended the call. I stood there for a moment, thinking about what she'd said. Ryder Blackwood. The guy who had always ignored me when we were younger, who now seemed to look at me differently. Could it really be nothing, like I'd tried to convince myself? Or was there something more to it? I shook my head, trying to push the thoughts out of my mind as I made my way back to the party. I was feeling pressed, needing to escape the loud hum of the party for a moment. The drinks had caught up with me, and I quickly asked one of the waiters for directions to the restroom. He gave me a polite smile and pointed me down the hallway, which I followed gratefully. Inside the stall, I quickly did what I had to do, the quiet of the restroom offering me a brief, much-needed respite from the noise of the party. As I washed my hands, I glanced at my reflection in the mirror. I barely recognized the person staring back at me. Gone was the shy, awkward girl I used to be. I was different now. The years had changed me in ways that were still settling in. When I stepped out of the stall and back into the hallway, I wasn't really paying attention to where I was going. The silence around me was calming, and before I knew it, I found myself standing in front of a massive art room, its walls lined with abstract paintings, portraits, and vibrant landscapes. I wandered in, taking in the artwork, the rich colors drawing me in. It was peaceful in here, away from the music and the chatter. But the tranquility didn't last long. A voice behind me suddenly broke the silence. "What are you doing here?"