The thumping of music wasn't loud enough to overpower the deafening beat of my heart. Indeed, it was Aiden just as I thought, standing in front of us. He's changed a lot in so many different ways that I couldn't describe. For a moment I thought that I already forgot about his face but I can recognize how his amber eyes burn a different flame. I saw how his chiseled jaw clenched right after he spoke. My mind was racing that I almost failed to notice the person clinging on his side. Cassie, right. She's stunning with that bodycon red dress and her copper hair goes so well with her red lips. Her foxy green eyes share the same shade as the sea. I know for a fact that she's seeing someone else, but judging from how their hands are placed to one another they sure are dating.
And so, I once again put a smile on my face, pushing all the barging thoughts in the back of my mind, looking at my surroundings with blind eyes.
"Aiden, it's nice to see you here man." Kole said, straightening up.
"Yeah, it's been a while," Aiden returned the smile. "I can see a lot has changed," he said, looking at the rest of us.
"Sure did," Chadd replied, playfully waving his brows.
"Man, the pool and cues missed you!" Preston said, gesturing for them to play billiards.
"Later, Einstein," Kole leaned in and whispered.
There it goes. I watched as they got up and went to the pool tables. Kole held the cue and glanced at me with a large grin on his face, being too proud of himself. Aliz went with them but soon wandered off to the other groups of students in the tables while Cassie sat on a stool near the pool table, Aiden leaned on her, whispering and laughing.
"So, what was that," Hailey said, snapping her finger in front of my face.
"What was what?" I asked, resting my head on my hands.
"Did you see how he looked at you?"
"I didn't." I couldn't.
"I'm so sure he looked at you differently than the rest of us." Hailey said, shaking my arms.
"We all used to be really good friends." Not a day goes by without us hanging out after class at Chadd's home and the Central Grove. It was the highlight of every day that ever passes. We would talk for hours, play games, and do school requirements.
"Yes, but I always knew yours was different!"
"Well, I didn't." It was never something else and if it was things wouldn't be so different.
"Ugh. We should go there, Reese. Look at Cassie, what a leech."
"You're being mean. She looks very stunning."
"But not as stunning as you are!" Hailey frowned at me.
"You can go there, I'll follow later," I really don't mind. I've narrated this scenario in my mind long before it happens.
"You know I won't leave you, Reese."
"It's fine I promise. I'll follow you. I just have to check on Margot at the bar." I said, smiling at Hailey. "Now go there and find your man." We both got up and I hugged Hailey to assure her that it's fine. "I can handle it, Hails."
"Okay, I'll be there, waiting." Hailey said, before leaving.
I am confident that I'll be fine on my own. I just couldn't shake the thought that what if something happens when I get there and people would laugh at me? Although I want to spend more time with my friends tonight, I had no choice but to get up and go to the bar and stall time. Where else would I be? Maybe I could use a few drinks. After all, Margot's there so I'll be just fine.
