One of the Good Ones ✓

Ringing in the New Year with a Bang

"Why did I let you talk me into this?" I ask nervously as I pulled on my sparkly dress.

"Because they've been asking to meet you for ages and I think tonight is the perfect excuse for that." Chris says as he pulls me along, up his friend, Zach's driveway. My anxiety was spiking and I was trying to find an escape route. "Hey, hey." Chris says, pulling my attention back to him. "It's ok. You can do this. And I won't leave your side all night." He says before opening the door and announcing our arrival.

"Oh my gosh! You're finally here." A woman screams and runs up to Chris, hugging him. I stand back awkwardly, pulling at my clothes to try and appear that I wasn't feeling out of place. "I feel like I hardly see you anymore."

"I've just been busy, you know how it is when I'm in town." He says sheepishly.

"And your new friend hasn't been helping matters." She says and laughs but I can tell it isn't quite as funny as she's making it out to be.

"Right." Chris says, realizing he hasn't introduced us yet. "Tara, this is Lexi. Lexi, this is Tara, one of my oldest friends."

"Yep! Been around since before the beginning." She says and again, my flight or fight instincts are going haywire.

"It's nice to meet you." I say, still slightly panicked. She just smiles at me but it doesn't meet her eyes.

"Everyone's here and they're dying to see you." She says, grabbing Chris and pulling him along, away from me. I stand there awkwardly before following.

"Hey guys! Look who decided to come." Tara says while giving me a look that I can only describe as drop dead.

🥂🥂🥂

I spent most of the night in a corner, with barely any interaction but because Chris was my ride, I was stuck. He wasn't doing it intentionally. It seemed like any time he would try to make his way over to me, Tara would find another reason to pull him away.

By 11:30 I had had enough and I grabbed my phone and texted Scott.

Me:
Hey, I hate to ask this but do you think you could come pick me up?

Scott:
Sure. Where are you?

Me:
Umm... Zach's house? Chris drove me so I have no idea

Scott:
Got it! I'll be there in like 10

Me:
Thank you! I owe you big!

I grab my coat and head outside to wait. "Not much of a party girl?" I turn around to see I've been joined by Chris's friend Jon.

"Am I horrible for saying that it didn't seem I was needed?" I ask cautiously.

"Don't worry about Tara. She's always like this when Chris has someone new in his life. Especially a new girlfriend."

I start stuttering. "Oh, Chris and I... we're not like that. We're just friends."

"So you're not seeing anyone?" By this point Scott had arrived and was waiting for me.

"Umm... no, definitely not."

"Could I take you out sometime?" Scott has gotten out of the car now and is standing there with his mouth open.

"Hey, I've been looking for you everywhere." Chris says as he comes outside and sees me, Scott and Jon in the driveway. "What's going on? Where are you going?"

"Umm... I had Scott come pick me up. I need to get home to Moose. And I didn't want to bother you, you seemed like you were having a good time." I say before turning back to Jon. "Yeah I'd like that. How does Tuesday sound?"

"That works for me. I can pick you up after work?"

"How do you know where I work?" I mask my panic with a laugh.

"This one wouldn't shut up about it." Jon says, pointing over his shoulder to Chris. I turn to look at Chris and I can't read the look on his face.

"Ahh. That'll work though. I'll see you then." I say before following Scott back to the car. We're silent for half of the drive.

"So that was... awkward." Scott says as we pull up outside my house.

"How so?"

"Did you not see Chris's face when Jon asked you out?"

"Yeah, but it didn't seem like it was anything." I say, confused. He looks like he wants to say something but decides against it. "What is it Scott?"

"God, he's going to kill me for telling you this. But Chris likes you."

"Yeah, I like him too."

"No, Lexi. Chris... Chris is in love with you."