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Chapter Six

"Winter? What are you doing here?" Joshua asks.

"My mom got transferred here. You should know, everyone back home knew."

"Well I didn't."

There's just awkward silence after that. I have no idea what to say. I didn't think I would ever have to see Joshua ever again, yet here he is at a party in MY town.

I'm officially now going to accept that this is my new life. Joshua has no room in this new life. Why is he here?

"My parents work for the publishing firm. I guess we got moved to the same location." Joshua states as if I asked.

"Imagine that"

I hear someone clear their throat behind me. It's Cain.

"Hello I'm Cain, and you are?" Cain say formally.

"I'm Joshua, my friends call me Josh." Joshua answers shaking Cain's hand.

This is officially awkward, I want to be as far away from Joshua right now as possible.

As if sensing my discomfort Cain steps in to save the day, well my evening anyway.

"Well, nice to meet you." Cain says and then turns to me, "did you want to head outside?"

"Yes that would be nice."

As we're walking out I swear I could hear Joshua saying 'I still love you.'

Cain walks me to the back door and then opens it. There are only a couple of people out here.

"Who was that?" Cain asks me with a sort of impatience. I look down and he's got a strong hold on my arm.

"Just somebody that I used to know" I say trying to shrug off his grip, but it was useless. He held on just as tight as ever.

"He looked like more than that." Cain said frustratedly, "Did you date that guy? Was he good to you?"

"Yes we dated."

"Was he good to you?"

"I don't like talking about it."

Cain's eyes soften at this and he lets go of my arm. There's a red mark from where he held on so tight.

"Did you want to go back in?" Cain asks, obviously uncomfortable.

"No, not really." I answer, "you can go back if you want."

"No. I'll stay out here with you."

After we just sat there, for what seemed like hours, in complete silence, Mallorie came outside.

"Oh, hey. I was just looking for you Winter." Mallorie says, "There's someone who would like to speak with you."

"Just tell them to come out..."

"In private." Mallorie interrupts.

"Did you get their name?"

"His name's John or Jacob or.."

"Joshua." Cain answers for me.

I turn around to see Cain's face completely red and his fists clenched.

"Why don't you go see what this guy wants, and I'll calm Cain down." Mallorie says walking over to Cain.

As I'm leaving, I can't help but eavesdrop a little on what Mallorie is saying.

"This isn't like Heather."

Who the hell is Heather?