Until She Was Gone

Chapter 7 | the twin brother

Sylvia's POV

 It was past 1 when we returned back to the dorms. I was always a night person and still could wake up pretty early in the morning, whereas Rebecca immediately collapsed on her bed. She had drunk quite an amount tonight so I was doubtful she would be attending the early classes tomorrow. I took some time changing and washing my face before going to bed. Thoughts were jumbling my head and I seemed to be spinning in a void of memories.

Brady's coming in grade 4. Me realizing I had a crush on him. Nova and I squealing about him. His hand touching mine while passing homework.

But he didn't remember. And I didn't blame him. It wasn't his responsibility to recall every one of the students from his middle school. 

Nonetheless, I felt annoyed. Mostly to myself, I didn't want feelings to pop up again. 

Not that I had anything against him or feelings, just that him and feelings should never be together again. It would do me absolutely no good. The same thing would repeat. I would be obsessed, I would reject every other guy, and...I won't live the way I wanted to here.

 I had let go. And it had to stay that way.

The next morning was hectic for both me and Rebecca. Turns out, I wasn't so good at waking up early after a long night. Oh well. We almost missed half of our first class which was a bummer. But the teachers didn't say anything. Perhaps they knew how long we had all stayed up. It seemed like the professors were pretty chill here. I liked it already.

My second class was English after which we had a pretty long break for lunch and all. The campus had a big cafe already situated within it, so there was no going out this time. 

While I ate lunch and waited for Rebecca to join me, I decided to call Nova again. She probably just forgot yesterday. I rang her and she picked up.

" Heyy" I said. I heard some static noise. Then I heard her voice,

" Hey Lia. Can I call you back? I'm pretty busy. Love Ya"

 And the beep sounded. I looked at my phone incredulously. What the hell was going on with her? . I understood she was busy, but seriously, the whole day? I shook my head. It wasn't her fault. She really could be busy. Or it was just the natural process of friends fading away? The thought made me shiver.

Rebecca returned to my table with a boy. A good-looking one to say the least. Well well, she didn't tell me she had a boyfriend. I raised an eyebrow at her. She shook her head and laughed.

" It's not what you think you idiot." she said.

I looked at the boy properly. He had blond hair, green eyes which were lighter than mine, and a fairly light complexion. He was slender but didn't seem to be the athletic type. Like Brady. No. You're gonna need to stop thinking about him in everything Lia. I smiled at the guy and he grinned back. Rebecca sat across from me and also pulled a chair out for the blonde guy. He stuck out his arm.

" Hey, My name is Austin. Austin Ashford. What's Yours, darling?" he said rather flirtatiously. I almost groaned. I was in deep shit. I suddenly realized that the curve of his jaw was similar, and the dimples, they stood out more. The Ashford brothers were both here. If I hadn't believed it last night when Isabelle told me, now it was confirmed. Because I had him sitting before me. GREAT. I tried to slow my heart rate as I told him,

" Sylvia." I didn't bother telling him my last name. It was weird. His brows furrowed as he took in my crisp and short response. His cocky grin returned again though,

" The girl at the party weren't you? Ahhhh, such a seductress. What year are you?" Red started to tinge my cheeks when he said seductress.

" Freshman" I said, a little softer this time. Austin was a charming man for sure. He kept that grin, which, I admit looked hot.

" Me too darling. I guess we'll have to spend some time together now won't we?" he winked. I couldn't hold in my laughter anymore. I laughed and smirked. Oh I could play too, darling.

" Sure, Austin," I said. Saying his name after years felt a little weird on the tongue. But things could always start over again. It wasn't middle school anymore. He now knew that I existed. He was flirting with me. An Ashford brother... was flirting with me. It felt like a dream. Both of them in the same college as mine. Maybe that said something. I refused to believe it had anything to do with the other brother. So Austin it was.

We three talked a little bit. I immediately realized Austin's reputation. It was really the same as before. Except now it was much more of a playboy. He was a nice man. And he would never mean to break another's heart. I knew it from the way he talked. It was just that nothing ever lasted for him. Rebecca told me that they had been a thing before, for a week or so, but it had never worked out. Still, they were pretty good friends. I saw that. 

It sometimes got a bit  awkward on the table where we all didn't know what to say, but Austin always led it back to me being a seductress at the party. He must have been there. I laughed it off, but I had to admit it felt good having someone tell you that you're pretty. A boy. I never got that since I was known to be off limits. Only because I was infatuated. I never got anything because of that obsession. 

I was done with it, and now it was time to play back. I didn't care that he was a playboy. I decided that Austin was a hot man and he seemed to like me too. I didn't care if it didn't last. I just wanted that feeling. Of having a boyfriend. Of going on a date. 

Of a boy knowing that you existed.