Simulated Love (2024)

Chapter 7 Continued...

Elijah

On that Sunday evening, I went out with Maggie and Evan to a bar downtown. The vibrant city lights illuminated the busy streets. Lively chatter and the clinking of glasses filled the air.

Maggie seemed more excited about Evan being there than I which was good because she didn't try to hook me up with random guys for once.

As the sound of their conversation drifted towards me, I stood at the dartboard, aiming my darts with precision. With each throw, the sharp thud echoed through the room. In my mind, I imagined each dart piercing Dean's stupid ass face.

"Are you serious?" Maggie was still in awe after hearing Evan's craziest thing he had ever done story.

Evan, fueled by his third shot and second drink, was talkative that night. "I know, I know," he continued, his voice slightly slurred. "I, Mr. Good boy Evan, actually smashed his windows and didn't get expelled. I almost did, though. But being the excellent student that I was, I shifted the blame onto someone else."

Maggie chuckled, taking a sip of her cocktail. "All because he tried to give you a D," she said, shaking her head.

"Yeah, it was stupid," Evan admitted. "That teacher hated me. I kept telling him that karma was coming, but it wasn't happening fast enough. So, I had to take matters into my own hands. Evan leaned in closer. "Anyway, what's the craziest thing you've ever done?" he asked.

"Nothing like that. I'm not a crazy bitch," she said as she took another sip of her cocktail.

Just then, the sound of my dart hitting the board caught their attention.

"Hey, Elijah, come sit with us," Evan said, gesturing towards the empty seats beside them.

"Yeah, you've been throwing darts at that board like a serial killer."

"Just trying to not think about work, but man I'm still pissed."

"Come sit. Have another drinky drink," Maggie said.

"Yeah, come blow off some steam with your pals."

"Please don't say that shit again, Evan," I said.

He held up his shot. "Noted," he said before he took another shot.

I threw one last dart at the board and sat next to Maggie.

"Atta boy," she exclaimed as she poured me a shot.

I took it back and chased it with my water. "I wish I was going on vacation with you."

"Honey, I need it. A girls' trip is needed after working with men all day."

I sighed.

"You're not included in that, though. I wish you were coming too. I'll make sure to bring you back something."

I smiled and leaned into her. "That would be nice. Make sure you send me photos every day. Update me like I'm your boyfriend."

"Aww, my little baby," she cooed, her hand gently rubbing my head like I was her puppy.

As I took in her affection, I noticed Evan's eyes shifting past me, his expression dropping completely. "Oh shit," he said.

Maggie and I turned around and saw Dean, walking in with a group of guys from our job. The room suddenly filled with the sound multiple conversations overlapping.

"What the hell are they doing here?" Evan asked. "I didn't get a text about an outing."

"Probably because you were sticking up for me. You are now an outsider, Evan."

"You guys are cooler anyway."

The last person who entered was unfamiliar to me. He was tall and had a slim build with a timidness to him. He had dark, curtain-like bangs that drew attention to his glasses and partially hid his face.

"Chase?"

I thought I was tripping at first, but I wasn't.

It was Chase.