RIGHT

Chapter 10

Weren't they friends?

I had noticed between Holden and Aiden there was not a fraction of bonding. Naturally, I grew strong and eager interested to know more about Aiden but didn't yearn to offend Holden so I didn't question him further.

"No Holden, it wasn't his fault. It was Ava's, no one can control others' actions even though it seems like they can." I wasn't defending Aiden rather I was professing the truth. Aiden was nowhere at the fault for what happened yesterday.

His face hardened.

"Sometimes they can," he said coldly.

Now conversation doesn't seem like it's about yesterday night. I think he was addressing some different topic.

"What are you talking about?" I asked eyeing his clenched jaw and cold demeanor.

He closed his eyes and opened them again; a smile graced his face.

"Nothing, do you want to eat something?" he asked deviating our conservation to another topic.

"Yes, I am starving." And before we could proceed to tame our hunger Grace waddled in.

"Emerald girl, see what I brought for you." She displayed the bag in her hand which I reckoned was a bag containing the food.

Holden and I looked at each other and laughed.

"What is there to laugh," rolling her eyes, she sat on the bed.

"Nothing."

We pounced on food like we were famished for the whole year. At least something good happened to me, even trivial like Grace bringing food.

The week passed in vague due to all the college work. Most of the time Grace was out either going to a party or fast asleep, the group hasn't been a bother lately. No traces of Aiden could be discovered, not in class, not here, after that night.

"Get up Emerald," Grace demanded, on Friday night.

"What? Why?" I inquired, lifting my eyebrows in the disturbance. I was watching a movie on my laptop as I had nothing to do.

"Don't you get bored hunching here the whole day? You even not enjoyed the last party and you won't come to another also," she playfully accused me.

It was true she asked me to accompany her to the party several times but each time the offer was declined by me and the reason behind it was simple, I didn't want the repetition of the last party.

"What can I say, I am a couch potato." I quipped.

"So, couch potato, I won't listen to a word of protest from your side, you are going to be spruce up and coming with me and Holden to the pub which is downtown," she stated firmly.

Without giving me any opportunity, she grabs clothes from her small cupboard and started getting ready.

"Grace, listen I don't want to go." my voice held uncertainty.

"Emerald, you will have fun it will be just you, me, Holden, and Warren." Wearing on pair of shorts, she continued, " I promise, I won't even drink more than one shot, just come."

When she said that, all my worries vanished. They were people whom I was comfortable with, perhaps not thoroughly but still and I can't sit here and be scared of something which is beyond my control. Honestly, I didn't want any confrontation with Ava after that day in the café.

Grace staying away from alcohol was the next best possible thing, I appreciate how for me, to a great extent she was going.

"Okay and don't hold yourself back from drinking because of me." I smiled and she let out squealed and hugged me.