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Lola stood at the edge of the living room, her eyes scanning the crowded apartment. The space she and Elowen had shared for the past two years felt unfamiliar tonight, transformed by the presence of so many people. Fairy lights strung along the walls cast a soft, golden glow, highlighting the faces of former classmates, some of whom she hadn't seen since they left school. The air was thick with the scent of perfume, wine, and the faint trace of Elowen's favourite vanilla candles. Laughter and chatter filled the room, a cacophony of voices blending into a single, undulating hum.
It was strange seeing everyone again. Time had changed them—some more than others. Reuben, who used to sit behind her in math, quiet and lanky, was now a broad-shouldered man with a confidence that would put Mick Jagger's to shame. Maisie, who had always been on the fringes of the Sixth Form social circle now commanded the attention of a small group, animatedly recounting some story. Lola had heard she was a lawyer now. Lola couldn't decide if she found it comforting or disconcerting that despite the changes, some things remained the same. The cliques, the easy familiarity, the unspoken hierarchies—they were all still there, just dressed up in adult clothes.
Elowen was in her element, moving through the crowd with the ease of someone who knew exactly where she belonged. Her laughter rang out, bright and infectious, as she caught up with old friends. She had dressed the part, too, in a gorgeous vintage jumpsuit paired with bold red lipstick that made her look both effortlessly cool and slightly untouchable. Lola watched as her best friend flitted from group to group, offering drinks, making introductions, and generally ensuring that everyone was having a good time.
But despite the warmth of the apartment and the familiar faces, Lola couldn't shake the unease that had settled in her chest. She smiled and made small talk, but her mind kept wandering back to the tabloids, to the headlines that had screamed at her from her phone and on newsstands just days ago. The words they had used to describe her - bloodsucker, fame fucker - still echoed in her head, no matter how hard she tried to push them away. But what hurt more than the words was Alex's silence. He hadn't called, hadn't texted, hadn't even sent a message to Miles to give to Elowen to give to her. Nothing.
She had tried to convince herself that he was just busy, that he'd reach out when he could, but the longer the silence stretched, the harder it became to believe it. She couldn't help but wonder if the tabloids were right—maybe she wasn't good enough for him, maybe she had just been a fling after his real love, Alexa, and maybe he had finally realised that too. Worse, maybe he always knew.
"Lola!" Elowen's voice cut through her thoughts, pulling her back to the present. Her friend appeared beside her, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Where've you been hiding? We've got more people coming, and I need my co-host!"
