Not good for you

23;

"Why don't we tell Heddy what her first impression was like when we met her?" Leigh suggested.

We sat in the living room, having just finished eating the caramel cake. My stomach was full, and I was on the couch with Seeley and Leigh while the others found comfortable seats wherever they could. I felt my cheeks flush and buried my face in my hands. I hated hearing stories about me. I never liked it when Mom and I ran into someone we knew while we were shopping, and she kept going on about what I was like as a child.

"No," I said without hesitation, and everyone laughed.

"I think that's a great idea," Seeley teased me, and I glared at him.

"I don't remember asking you."

"Good thing you don't need to ask me for anything." He winked at me, and I turned away before the effect his words had on me became visible to the others.

"I second that idea," Casen chimed in. "I'd like to embarrass Heddy with a few things."

"And I'd like to strangle you while you're asleep." My eyes met his, and a grin split his face.

"Kinky, I love it."

I shook my head, and Leigh leaned forward to take a sip of champagne.

"I'll start then," Leigh said, clearing her throat. "On the first day of freshman year, when we had to introduce ourselves, and I was next, I began to feel dizzy. Back then, I wasn't a very good speaker in front of almost thirty people. I stood up, but no voice came out of me. My legs started shaking, and everything became blurry, so I ran out of the room to puke because I was nervous as hell. I heard the class laughing and making fun of me while I dashed to the restroom. A few minutes later, I heard someone come in, and I didn't even dare to say a word until Heddy reassured me that she was chill and not there to make fun of me. She stayed with me until I felt better, helped me clean up, and walked me back to the classroom. I decided that day I'd harass that kind and helpful girl until the end of my life."

They laughed as I smiled at the memories flooding my mind. Four years ago, I wouldn't have thought Leigh, terrified to speak in front of many people, would become someone who'd perform theatrics at school. It took her a while, but she overcame her fear and brought out the best in herself. I can still remember how young and lost we were, but we fought our way through everything together. And I was happy that she was part of many memories.

"It's my turn." Austin raised his hand and crossed his legs. "It was probably October or November of freshman year. One of the teachers kept me back because they wanted to lecture me about my grades dropping so suddenly. At first, I didn't know what was happening. I left the school when almost everyone was gone to get my bike. Heddy was hanging out with one of the seniors and was likely learning how to drive."

"Oh, God, no..." I buried my face into my hands because I remembered that day as if it had happened only a few hours ago.

"Oh, God, yes." Austin narrowed his eyes at me. "Anyway, just when I was a few feet away from my bike, a car suddenly slammed into it. It didn't damage it as much as I expected because I could still use it, but I remember being in shock at first, standing there while Heddy started apologizing, which only made me angrier. I made a note to myself that one day, I'd get back at her for that. You know, I kept avoiding her, and she tried her best to make it up to me. She made me cookies or bought me chocolate. Little did she know that I forgave her two days later; I only kept acting like I hadn't so she would make me more cookies."

I gasped in horror while the others burst into laughter. To this day, I believed Austin was furious that I almost broke his bike by accident, but now that I understand his perspective on the situation, I feel betrayed and left out.