PROMISE

TWENTY: Hide and Seek

AMANDA

THERE'S NO TURNING back now.

"Sure." I giggled nervously placing my hand in Keith's outstretched one. I ignored the grunt coming from the direction I knew Kyle was in. Sometimes his jealousy really confused me.

He didn't want me but hated it when  someone showed even an inkling of feelings for me. I wasn't blind. I knew exactly what I was seeing.

Keith slowly pulled me into the throng of writhing bodies. He seemed to be more nervous than I was. But for obviously different reasons. With a genuine smile, I placed both my hands on his shoulders.

"Jesus. You're really tense. Try to relax okay. Are you always this nervous around women?" I asked curiously, trying to cut the tension between us. He chuckled placing both his palms on my waist. I tried not to tense at his touch. His hands were all nice and warm even through my dress but I couldn't help picturing a certain person touching me instead.

"Only around the ones I like." I had known that Keith liked me to some degree but it didn't mean I was ready to hear it. I just didn't know how I would react just yet. I hated how I was stringing him along and using him but I did like him. As a friend.

Wanting to change the subject, I cleared my throat and steered the conversation from anything concerning the two of us.

"So...what made you become a doctor?" He smiled fondly.

"Actually, it was because of my dad..."

*******

"Look who it is? My runaway Amanda." Jason whispered behind me and I spun around with the largest smile on my face.

"Jason! You're still here." I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him into a huge hug. He chortled returning the hug with as much fervour.

"Yeah. And you would have known that if you hadn't vanished on me." We both pulled away and I had to admit he looked good in the suit he dorned. Weird but good nonetheless.

"I'm really sorry. Something came up." I said hoping it was enough to convince him. I felt Keith shifting uncomfortably behind me before he shuffled around to stand besides me.

The hairs at the back of my neck stood on edge as I felt Kyle's heated gaze burning into my back. It had been almost impossible dancing and not notice the women he was gathering around him all night long.

"Or you mean someone." He knew. Great. I rolled my eyes swatting his arm.

"What are you doing here anyway?" I asked him. He nodded towards Kyle's direction.

"I came with him. He didn't want me to leave him all alone. Poor thing just can't live without me." I giggled knowing fully well everything he spewed was total nonsense and total lies. Jason always over exaggerated when it came to his relationship with his brother. It had been like that during their childhood. It seemed it had stuck with him. Keith coughed bringing our attention back to him.

I inwardly groaned.

I have to stop forgetting about him.

Jason seemed to really notice him for the first time.

"Oh hey man. How's it going?" Jason reached out his fist and they fist bumped.