An Inconvenient Attachment

Chapter 29

Alec pov
I have been hesitant to reach out to snob. After seeing her react like that. I feared something in the back of my head that I didn't want to admit to myself right now. So, for now, I'll just brush it off to the side.

Every summer at this exact date, there's always a huge gathering, bonfire, music and fireworks. Not loud partying music but rather a soft flow type of beat. It was a way to celebrate the end of summerbreak. It had that bittersweet atmosphere to it.

Ethan and Colin drove their cars with others to the other town while I rode my bike with snob.

The backdrop was filled with bittersweet melancholy with golden coloured sunset, little chatters at the beach and a huge bonfire pit in the middle. Music flowed softly with waves accompanying it.

Jess, Kyle, Ethan and his girlfriend popped out from his car. Colin and his girlfriend also got out from their's.

Kyle was looking around restlessly, "Wow, there's a lot of people. Remember how this used to be more of a small group thing?"

Jess laughed, "Yeah!" She paused, "Why do you look restless?"

Kyle didn't respond, he was looking around as if he was searching for something or someone. "Oh Cindy is here!" A bright smile formed on Kyle's face.

As he was about to leave, Jess quickly held onto his sleeve.

"What? Why? Cindy is–" She got cut off.

"It's okay. Cindy is not what she portrays herself as," he genuinely smiled at Jess.

Jess's grip on Kyle's sleeve faltered.

Upon the loose grip, he immediately darted toward Cindy.

I turned my attention back to Jess. She wore an unreadable expression. But somehow it felt like she was... hurt? Maybe shocked? Or both. There was an unexplainable storm brewing on her face.

Something soft brushed by my hand. My head quickly turned down to look at what it was only to see snob adorably hesitating to hold my hand. A smirk plastered onto my lips and I let that go on for a few more seconds.

And suddenly, I grab her hand. Her head snapped up, looking into my gaze with flushed cheeks. Or maybe something even more... held back excitement?

Colin and Delilah started taking out stuff from the back of their car. Delilah was struggling with her baggage and the grip I had on snob was released as she jogged over to her to help.

The girls were busy setting up beach mats and helping each other out. Kyle of course was out of sight. Ethan grabbed the remaining things from his car and settled it down on the mats.

Only Colin and I remained in the parking space.

"Hey," I called out standing next to him.

"Yo," he replied.

There was a paused silence between us.

"You're kinda dumb," he said it out of nowhere.

"What?" My eyebrows furrowed.

"You only realised you liked her after our fight no? The signs were pretty obvious on the outside." He huffed out a bitter laugh.

"And you? Liking someone when you're already in a committed relationship?"

"That– We weren't together yet. You know how my dad is. Delilah and I were forced to be together. We didn't even know each other well back then. When rumours got out about us, I didn't bother correcting anyone. You already know how I am as a person," he sighed.