REMINISCENT

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: Dream Girl?(FINAL EDIT)

Song for the chapter: "Minefields" by Faouzia & John Legend

Ashley's POV
The beach was packed—music pounding from massive speakers, bodies swaying to the rhythm, and laughter mixing with the salty breeze. People were everywhere—dancing, drinking, shouting over the music.

I had to give Lisa some credit for this one. The turnout was insane. I honestly couldn't believe she'd managed to pull this off. Then again, it made sense—being the girlfriend of a professional athlete came with perks. She was known, connected, and clearly knew how to throw a party. She was basically like Emma... just on an international level.

A few minutes after we'd arrived, everyone had split off in different directions, chatting up people they knew—like they always did. At least, that's what Chanel had told me happens at parties; I usually avoided these scenes like the plague.

So here I was, parked on a stool at the makeshift bar, quietly sipping my Coke and people-watching.

"Ashley? Heyyyy!" a voice called, high-pitched and bubbly enough to slice through the music.

I turned, forcing a smile when I saw a redhead making her way toward me. "Hiii..."

"So... how are you enjoying the party?" she beamed, red lipstick making her teeth look almost unnaturally white.

"It's great!... uhh...?" I trailed off, fishing for a name.

"Lisa!" she replied in a duh tone.

Ohhh. Lisa. That Lisa. Oops "Oh, right—sorry. I've been drinking, must've slipped my mind," I lied with a nervous chuckle. "And yeah, it's... good to be here."

"Haa! Haven't we all," she giggled a little too brightly, but then her expression shifted. She leaned in slightly, eyes sweeping over me. "You know... you're a very pretty girl."

I tensed when her manicured red nail brushed a strand of hair from my face. "Oh, I—"

"You should lighten up," she cut me off smoothly, like she was giving me life advice. "Find a guy to mingle with. You've been sitting here alone since you got here." She tapped my cheek lightly, like she'd just handed me the secret to happiness.

Before I could respond, she downed the rest of her drink and bounced off toward the crowd, disappearing into the throng of dancers.

I exhaled slowly, her words echoing in my mind. She's right, I guess...

My eyes drifted back to the crowd, scanning lazily—until they landed on him.

Aiden.

He was talking to a girl.

She had curly hair like mine, only the ends were a lighter shade—sun-kissed, perfect. Her petite frame shimmered with droplets of water catching the party lights, skin a warm golden tone, likely from hours under the sun. Her bikini hugged her body in all the right places, the bottom piece of her bikini practically swallowed by her perfectly toned curves. Even from here, without clearly seeing her face, I could tell—she was stunning. Effortlessly, painfully gorgeous.

A sick, twisting feeling formed deep in my stomach.

They hugged—like they'd known each other forever. Her arms slipped easily around his neck, his wrapped firmly around her tiny waist. When they pulled apart, she leaned in, whispering something in his ear.

And the look in his eyes...

It made bile rise to my throat.

He laughed softly, shaking his head at whatever she'd said, but didn't step away. Her hand lingered on his chest, nails lightly tracing over his skin like she had every right to touch him.