𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝

Chapter 10 - Nocturnal Disappearance

"The basis of optimism is sheer terror."
― Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray

Alice

    – What ? I blurt, confused by this sudden decision, especially one that is taken by his supposed girlfriend. Isn't he supposed to walk her home ? Why would he do that ?

    – My boyfriend is coming to pick me up, and it's late. I don't think you should walk home alone in London.

    I frown just as Orion nods. I watch them together, my gaze jumping from Lana to the guys beside her, and I'm pretty sure I'm missing a piece of the puzzle here. Orion seems to notice my confusion, because he quickly explains :

    – Lana is my cousin. She just moved here with her boyfriend two months ago, so I'm kind of showing her around town, making her meet my friends... That's why I brought her here today.

    Oh. I immediately feel stupid.

    Of course Orion didn't bring his brand new girlfriend to our party planning reunion to brag or make me jealous, and of course I was mad at a girl I didn't even know, and who is actually from his family. Good job, Alice.

    And now I cannot help but feel bad for her, because I really was hating for nothing. Lana seems so sweet, kind, and everything that I'm not. The worst is that she's trying to help me, without having any idea of the amount of times I called her "bitch" in my head before that.

    I immediately decide to redeem myself, because otherwise, I'll feel terrible until the end of time. This girl deserves a warm welcome here, and friends, other than her boyfriend and cousin. So I take the matter in hand.

    - Oh... Well, welcome, Lana. I didn't know you were new here. Aren't you following the same classes as me ?

    She nods, smiling, seeming happy that I have noticed, and with each passing second I feel worse and worse. I only noticed the fact that she was with me because I saw her with Orion, which is terrible. The only thing I can do now is to make it up to her, even though she has no idea what's going on in my mind.

    – Yes ! I saw you the other day, Orion told me we were in the same classes, I was really excited about that because he told me a lot about you.

    Orion seems as surprised as me to hear that, and then he passes a hand through his dark hair, nervous. I smile, really wanting to know what he told her about me.

    – Did he now ? I ask, looking at him.

    Lana nods, not seeming to notice anything. Then a car arrives and parks right next to us. The girl smiles at both of us, heading towards the passenger's side, and as she's about to leave, another idea to redeem myself appears to me.

    – Lana ?

    – Yes ?

    – Since you're new and you only know Orion around here, it seems, would you want to go out with me someday ? We could go get coffee and then walk around the city, if you want.

    Her face brightens up, and a huge smile appears on her lips. There you go, this is exactly the reaction I wanted. I feel much better now.

    – Of course, thank you !
    I return her smile and then she says goodbye to both of us, before hoping in the car and disappearing in the night. When I turn back to Orion, he's looking at me, frowning, something in his eyes I cannot quite comprehend.