Despite growing up together, Catherine Simmons and Mattis Reed were never close.
Cat was inseparable from Mattis' younger sister, Chloé, while he was busy running around on the football field.
But when Cat's new dream drags her across the country du...
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I hug the walls of my house, scouting through the throngs of people for a flash of vivid red.
The twins decided to throw a 'good summer' rager in honor of exams ending, and most of campus has stacked on top of each other inside our albeit comfortably large house. I have a faint memory of Aran and me agreeing to put an end to the out-of-control parties...
That didn't happen, and next year I won't have him to help me out, so I'm screwed. I thought these things were invites-only.
I smile stilted at strangers and make excruciatingly awkward small talk with randos congratulating me on the spring game a few weeks ago, and all I want to do is find my fucking girlfriend.
It's a testament to the life-altering year I've had that on this last party before summer, I'm not paying any attention to the scantily clad girls around me, but instead scouring every inch of this house after my baby sister's best friend like a simpering fool.
But I'll be a simpering fool for her any day of the week.
I'm so caught up in my pursuit that I almost barrel into some poor brunette by the kitchen.
Fixing my face in an apologetic grimace, I glance down, looking straight into alarmed, amber eyes.
Dani steps back, brushing her hands down her skirt like she's ironing out invisible creases. "Sorry, Reed. I didn't see you there."
Her expression is guarded, scanning the room for an exit, and I want to kick myself for making her feel this way. Like I'm a wild animal to be wary of.
"No worries," I say, scratching my neck. Shit, how does one do this? "Uh, so how have you been?"
A cynical smile curls her lips, and as she straightens her shoulders, she looks more like Old Dani. "Reed, it's cool; I graduate in like a day, so we don't have to do whatever this is."
A pang of something like regret hits me. Dani is smart and witty and has the sharpest elbows of anyone I know, figuratively speaking. It's this year of forming relationships that aren't just with my teammates or girls I fuck that's making me realize that I could have been friends with Dani. She's probably a pretty good friend. Fierce.
I may have robbed myself of a great friendship because I was an idiot who thought people were only interested in me for my skills on the field or in the bedroom. Cat has shown me that I'm so much more, though.
But yeah, Dani graduates tomorrow, so it's too late.
"Right. Okay." My ears are hot, and I have the sudden instinct to flee. "Happy graduation then. And you know, good luck."
She nods slightly and mutters a thanks before turning and disappearing into the crowd.
That might just be the last time I see her.
Weird.
Shaking off the encounter, I finally manage to locate Cat. She's standing with her friends by the kitchen island, downing shots. I lean back against the wall, watching her from the other end of the room. I don't want to interrupt them yet. Just laying eyes on her has my pulse settling down and contentment course through me.
