The dinner chatter had wound down. Everyone was down by many drinks, raising the question of how we would get home. Eddie had snuck out to meet his current girlfriend, apologizing and promising to make it up to me. Evan was trying his best with Honey's girl, who was engrossed in a conversation about nail polish with the ladies.
Emery and I sat awkwardly in front of each other. I waited for him to say something, but as the silence stretched on, I thought it was hopeless. I quietly stood and left the table, walking towards the exterior lounges. I heard him follow me.
I sat on one of the benches, and after some time, I felt him sit down beside me.
"How've you been?" I asked, expecting a response, which I got long later.
"Holding up."
"What do you mean by that?" I said, looking up at him.
"You know, so many things have changed as the years went by," he said, looking right at me, making me avert my gaze.
"You stopped writing to me."
"I was busy."
"With what? Your multiple girlfriends?" I huffed.
"That's none of your business, Chen."
"On a last-name basis, are we? What do you mean by 'none of my business'? The last time I checked, we told each other everything. You've changed so much that you don't even have time for one letter?"
"Well, times have changed, Lia, so maybe try to understand," he raised his voice.
"Wow, you could do better than that, you know," he said, turning to look at me.
"I don't get it," he continued, looking confused.
"Get what?" I asked, now facing him.
"Why do you even care? Like, until now, you weren't up my ass, so why now? To be honest, why are you even back?" I didn't expect that, and I could feel tears welling up in my eyes.
"You left in the middle and come back expecting everything to be normal? Like, how do-" he stopped as he realized, but it was too late. My tears were already streaming down my cheeks.
I stood up, feeling humiliated and overwhelmed by my emotions.
"LIA!" I heard him yell as I hurried away. How was I going to get home? I spotted my parents' car and immediately got in, turning it on. I could see him in the parking lot, but it was too late. I had already left.
Crying and driving is worse than drunk driving. I didn't drive far before I pulled over and immediately called my parents, making up some excuse for my sudden departure.
