False Confidence

No One Else

Azriel Huang

A large portion of my clothes were strewn about, multiple shirts slumping from their hangers with pants unfolded on the ottoman. I groaned heavily, slouching my posture from mere frustration. I had overcome many things these past few weeks, like learning to forgive my childhood friends, or healing from horrific wounds, yet who knew I would struggle this hard with picking out an outfit.

To give myself credit, it had been nearly two months since I had last gone out with my friends. I was very different back then but who knew all my troubles would cause me to short-circuit on something as simple as piecing together an outfit.  Eventually, I opted for a fitted black shirt, dark grey cargos and a dark jacket to brace against the cold.

Popping the silver studs into my ear nearly felt liberating. A new person who wore his pendant once more with matching earrings to pair. I hadn't worn them since before Alex, which felt like decades ago.

"You ready?" Aniya inquired impatiently, barging into my room with no attention to politeness. We had all easily slipped into old habits, after Aniya and Nora had come forth with their own sincere apologies. They barely gave me room to breathe, popping in with snacks or simply to converse. Although, I had realized that I used to need the constant interaction with them just to breathe, I supposed that it was different now.

"Gimme a sec, gotta get my shoes on." I muttered, irritation ringing in my voice. I choked the black converse, expertly lacing them in a quick fashion.

"Do you actually think inviting Sasha and Wren is a good idea? You know how Griffin feels about them.." Aniya questioned, arms crossed behind her back as she leaned against the couch. I ambulated towards the mirror beside my door, thankful for the layers.

"I'm really close with Sasha now—Wren is complicated but we are...friends. I think." I pondered, mainly to myself before continuing. "I just want us to get along, all of us." I elaborated mindlessly, readjusting the way my clothes sat on my body.

"Mhmm."

"Come to think of it, I never asked." Aniya began, a mischievous tone, heavy in her voice. I frowned as she neared, tracking her casual strides to my side. "Were you and Wren Brooke hooking up before he left?" She asked slyly, fighting a losing battle to keep the smarmy grin off her face. Lips twitching terribly and all.

Silence reigned, before heat flashed from gut all the way up to my face. I looked towards her with an expression of pure shock, mouth hanging open to reveal the silver tongue piercing. I promptly collected myself, my eyebrows furrowed in agitation.

"No, I have not! We're just friends!" I scoffed incredulously.

"Lies!" A voice screeched, Nora whipping through the doors with frivolous dramatics. I snorted humorously, slightly shaking my head at the pair.

"You guys used to flirt like no other! My hunch is never wrong." Nora insisted confidently, hands on her hips. 

"The man is bi-curious at the maximum, I would not go for that. Plus, he has a mate already." I huffed, starting to search around for my keys so not all of my attention was on the extremely embarrassing conversation.

"Like someone having a mate already has ever mattered to you." Aniya chuckled, tilting her head which caused the mass of glossy curls to shift to the opposite shoulder.

"I just am not attracted to him that way." I lied tightly, forcing a leisurely shrug of my shoulders. Nora only traded a suspicious glance with Aniya before they both fell into a fit of cackles. I offered up an unamused expression, grimacing at the both of them.