The Best Mistakes

9. Nolan

"Do you have any plans tonight?" I asked Asher. Coming back from holidays should feel refreshing but it doesn't when you had to become an unpaid worker in your Dad's company. I definitely needed a recharge from all the work load I've carried until yesterday. I liked working in my Dad's Company not because I am going to inherit it, but because I genuinely like it.

"Yup, Ruby arrived this morning. We're going on a date,” Asher's lips curved upwards. “Oh, it's been so long!" He whined and I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, a week's a long time- Oww!" I earned a pillow hit from Asher. He threw a glare my way and engrossed himself in his phone again. God, he was whipped for her. For them, even a day apart must feel like a year.

Asher's now off the list. Next is Jake. He must probably be studying but I am sure he also needs a break. And if he refuses, I know how to convince him.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•

I was waiting outside my apartment for Jake. It took an impressive amount of persuading for him to leave his books and come out. He said he'd pick me up and then we'd make the plans. Classes were starting in two days, so I needed to make the most of the remaining days.

After a few minutes of waiting, Jake arrived and I hopped in the passenger seat of his car.

Before Jake could start driving, we heard a loud voice calling out to us from the outside. "Hey Guys, wait for me!" Asher ran towards us while waving waving his hand. Jake and I exchanged confused glances and then watched Asher as he plopped himself on the back seat, huffing. He was going with us? Didn't he have a date with ruby?

Jake asked the question out loud, while I just stared at him with raised eyebrows. Asher nodded, still catching his breath. “Ruby can't make it. So, I thought why don't I join you guys?"

"Seriously, Asher? You're joining us because Ruby dumped you? Tch tch," I said with a disgusted expression. I liked to tease him using Ruby, he gives more plausible reactions that way.

Asher was breathing normally now. His eyes narrowed and palm flew before my face to stop me. "FYI, she didn't dump me. She said she needs to be there, something like girl code, maybe-"

"Who's hurt?" Jake cut him off abruptly. His voice sounded concerned. I've never seen him this worked up over Asher's words. In fact, he never bothers to show concern.

"What? How do you know?" Asher asked Jake as we both were staring at him. I was confused, with both what Asher said and Jake's reaction.

"Girl code is like the bro code but in the female version," Jake explained, hurriedly.

"Who's hurt?" This time, I asked desperately. All sorts of thoughts, good and bad, crossed my mind. What if she's hurt? Nah, it was not possible, but she was clumsy. God, she gets in trouble easily. I always wondered how she survived so far with her clumsy ass. But my trail of thoughts got interrupted by Asher's voice.

"No one's hurt and will you both stop, please. If it were serious, she would've told me and not handle everything by herself. So have a little faith in them." He tried to convince us but anyone could tell by just one glance, that he wasn't convinced himself. He was worried and after hearing him, we were too. But I don't know why?

After a moment, a combined sigh was heard followed by a small thud. We all dropped at the same time with our heads hung low. No one believes her words.

"Why are you sighing?" Jake asked while slumped on the wheel. His forehead, covered in creases.

"Just because," I said, also dropped in front.

I didn't know why I was even worried, Asher and Jake had reasons to do so. It's not like I had my girlfriend or a girl I like very much there. None of them weren't even my friends.

But one thing I knew was that I was thinking about Kayra. She was my only nemesis. And to be honest, life without her would be boring. I tried to reason my worries and feelings towards her. Yeah, that is why I must be worrying. Without any type of weird feelings involved.

I glanced at my dark phone screen. No texts. Nothing. It's been five days since she last texted. I really hope she's not in some serious problem. No, she should not be in any problem in the first place.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•

I still haven't heard back from Kayra.  Even after using all the provocations I could think of, she didn't text me back, hell, not even read them. I was getting frustrated by every minute. However, Asher said Ruby told him everything's fine. But I wouldn't believe it unless I saw her for myself.

We were sitting in the college cafeteria, where we all usually sat. It was the time when none of us had classes and we gathered here for lunch. I knew she'd come here because no matter what, she never misses college. She was an ambitious woman who prioritised her dreams and studies. I always hated it, that I had to see her again and put up with her nasty personality but for once I was glad of her habit.

"By the way, the new year's party is at the Hydes club. You guys are in, right?" Asher asked, diverting my attention from my phone.

The answer was fucking obvious, of course we are. Who misses a New year's party? Even the solitary Jake wouldn't miss it. Jake and I both hummed in unison. Typical Jake, always reading those architecture books. He was never tired of watching and studying those. In fact, he wasn't even interested in us.

I glanced back at the door from time to time, paying no attention to Asher's chatter. He just speaks nonsense about the same stuff.

"The girls are also coming. Let's make-"

My head snapped towards Asher and my body instinctively leaned forward, "Wait, everyone is coming?" I asked, cutting him off. What he said was absurd? I must've heard wrong.

He passed me a weird glance before leaning backwards. "Yup."

"Even Kayra?"

He nodded but before I could ask him further, small murmurs started around us. I looked up to see Jake waving with a slight blush. I realized they were here. She was here. I looked back over my shoulder and an instant wave of shock hit me.

Was that her? Kayra Mehta? Holy shit!

Something was definitely up.