John Hughes Movie

Chapter 28

Lara Jean

I stepped out of the Uber and smoothed out my pink and blue floral dress. I looked up at Harper's. The place had become a bit of a safe haven for us. Memories of times spent with Peter flooded my brain. I could feel his body close to mine if I concentrated enough. I missed him. I missed him so much.

I had been isolating in my apartment for the past three days. Three days of hoping he'd show up at my doorstep and beg for me back. Three days of not wanting to leave my house unless he came back. But for three days, there had been radio silence from him. Not a text, not a call, not a check of my location. I felt lost without him. He had become such a party of my architecture. He was the columns that made me hold my head higher. What am I supposed to do if he's really gone?

At least I knew I would see him tonight. It was Chris's unofficial birthday party. She hated being the center of attention, but a certain "not boyfriend" insisted on throwing her a party. Trevor had been planning it for weeks. Peter would show up to support him. Peter was someone who showed up for his friends. I walked in the door and the familiar scent knocked me out, thick with beer and Axe body spray. Gotta love a true college bar.

I saw them in taking over our usual corner. Trevor really went all out. He got balloons and streamers hung from the ceiling. Chris told me they had been going on more dates, but insisted they weren't in a relationship. I never assumed it was this kind of serious, but I was happy to be proven wrong. My heart tightening thinking about how happy Chris must be. She was the person who supported everyone else. She deserved the world. She deserved someone who loved her so much it hurt. I'm so glad Trevor's puppy dog charm made her happy.

I wish I could be feeling happier myself right now. I stopped and took a deep breath before joining them. I wanted to be the happy girl they knew. I wanted to not let what happened with Peter effect Chris's day.

"LARA JEAN!" Trevor yelled and elicited cheers from the rest of our friends.

"Hi." I sucked in a sharp breath and gave him a quick hug. I scanned the area for Peter. Not a curly haired man in sight. Shit. Maybe he'd be coming in a bit. No use freaking out... yet.

"Are you okay?" He looked at me deeply. Concern and guilt filled his gaze. I hated this look. I hated people feeling bad for me. "Thank you for telling me to go check on him."

I faked a smile. I don't think I even knew the answer to how I was feeling. "Is he coming?"

Trevor looked around at our friends and bit his lip. It's like he didn't want to tell me. "I don't think so." He saw me wilt into myself. "I'm sorry, LJ."

I nodded and tried to regain any ounce of confidence I once had. He was avoiding me. He really wanted things to be done. I was just trying to keep my emotions in check. "That's...uh..."

"THERE SHE IS! MY BEST FRIEND!" Chis ran to me and wrapped me in a hug while she all but sang to me. She was wearing a dress. She never wore a dress unless it was the specialist of occasions. Her dark blonde hair was down and wavy. I know she did it, but it looked so natural. Her wine stain lips were in a permanent smile.

I needed to be happy for her. I couldn't bring the mood down on her birthday. "Happy Birthday beautiful!" I gave her a hearty kiss on the cheek. "How are you doing sunshine?"

She smiled wildly at me. "This is a lot." Her words slightly slurred, the perfect amount for the birthday girl.

"Someone must really like you." I nudged her and watched Trevor hold court with his lacrosse teammates. My stomach was in knots knowing in any other situation that Peter would be there too. Our eyes would meet across the table and everything would be back to normal. Everything would be okay.