180 Degrees- Completed

Chapter Twenty Three

I looked up at the sky for a few seconds. Knowing I needed to go back in there and face the issue at hand. He didn't even know you Vee. Nothing has to change. It's fine. I walked back in, downing my drink as I moved back to the kitchen, pouring myself a drink. I knew James was around close by. I could hear him and his friends shouting someone to chug their drink. Probably best he doesn't see me pouring a drink that's more vodka than coke. God knows I'm going to need it to get through tonight.  

I took another deep breath and put my head back, taking my jacket off and putting it under what I knew was James' before going back to the room with the girls. 

"You okay?" I laughed and they all turned to face me. I swallowed and cleared my throat. 

"OSCAR EDWARDS." He turned his head, looking straight at me. I gave him a soft smile and he turned around fully, trying to work out how he knew me. I didn't even look like the same person anymore. I looked back at Caz and Eve who both looked as concerned as one another. "Him and Penny broke up so he moved schools." Their faces dropped and I nodded, drinking from my cup and pulling a face at how strong it was.

"Shit. He's coming over." Half of the group scattered, leaving just the volley ball girls, me, Caz and Eve. 

"I recognise you." I looked up at him as I stood how I had been before I noticed him. Keep oozing that confidence. Make him regret not noticing you. 

"You will do." I nodded. 

"Where from?" Eve stepped back, standing side by side with Caz as they watched a slow motion car crash. 

"Nah, I'll let you guess." 

"At least give me a clue." I smirked. 

"I know Penny." His face dropped. So it was true. "I also know about all the shitty things she used to do behind your back but no one could say anything." 

"Everyone really knew about that?" 

"Everyone." I nodded, sipping from my cup. Drink so you can't remember this. Or your dead. Either or is preferable right now. I felt my phone buzzing in my my bag, pulling it out and handing it to Eve. "Can you tell Izzy I'm busy and I'll call her back later please?" She nodded, taking my phone outside. 

"Penny and Izzy? Wait. You were on the team too?" Caz let out a loud laugh beside me and he looked at her for a second then back to me. "Eden?" 

"The one and only." I bowed, standing up straight. 

"You look different now." I smirked. 

"Yeah getting away from Penny does that to you." I rolled my eyes. "Why are you here anyway? I thought you chose Stanford?" I tilted my head. "Trouble in paradise?" He crossed his arms, looking me up and down. 

"We broke up." 

"Oh. Now that is a shame." I stood up straight. I'd seen this look in his eyes before. It was how he used to look at her. Completely lost in her. "Don't look at me like that." 

"Like what?" 

"Like you know who I am." 

"I do." 

"No you don't you didn't even know my name when I was literally with your little bitch of a girlfriend every day. You didn't give a damn then and the only reason you care now is because I'm a familiar face in a crowded room." 

"Evans-" 

"Do you even know my first name Ozzy ?" I watched him cringe at the nickname. "You know I spent 4 years with the biggest crush on you, watching from the side lines as she twirled her hair and you fell right into her lap. And now here I am, you're begging for my attention and honestly, I'd rather put it somewhere productive. Best of luck with the team. Well done for putting you future above a girl. I was actually disappointed when you didn't." I turned and down the last of my cup, taking my phone from Eve as I left. 

I walked down the room to James, lifting his arm and putting it over my shoulder. He took my cup from me, refilling it a little more sensibly than I had. I could see Edwards' stood in the hallway with a few of his friends, looking at me, talking about me. Trying to work out what happened. 

"Are you okay?" James whispered in my ear and I just leaned back against him. My phone was on the side, Izzy's number ringing pretty much continuously. He looked at it then me. I just turned it to silent and flipped it over so  couldn't see it. "What happened?" 

"Nothing, I'm fine don't worry." I sipped from my cup as the volleyball girls came over, I stared at them, telling them not to dare say a word to James. He could tell something was going on, the mood between us all had changed completely.

Then something I never thought would happen happened. 

"Avery." I turned my head and he stood there. "I'm sorry. I didn't know." James' arm moved down to my waist.  "You were right, I was a prick back then and it's not fair for me to waltz in here when obviously you've got a whole dynamic. I'm not going to miss all these parties but I'll keep out of your way. I'm sorry if I hurt you, it wasn't my intention." I rolled my eyes at him and he almost smiled. "If it helps, she did get what she deserved at Stanford. Not what she wanted. It's like you jinxed her at graduation. That's what she kept saying anyway." I smiled. "Why does she hate you so much?" 

I stared at him, not sure if I should answer or not. It could just cause trouble but it would get it off my chest and maybe I would feel better, be able to heal a little bit of my inner child by saying I did tell him.  He sighed and turned to walk away. 

"Because she was scared I was going to shoot my shot and she'd loose you." He turned back around and held his hands up as he walked backwards. 

"And yet she lost me anyway. Worked out great for everyone didn't it." I snickered and he turned around, walking out the front door. 

"Who was that?" James spoke in my ear as I stared in the spaced Oz had been stood before hand.

"No one."