The car ride back to my house was silent and awkward. The weight of everything that had happened hung heavy in the air, creating an uncomfortable tension that none of us knew how to break. I glanced at Eve a few times, but she stared out the window, lost in her thoughts. Caleigh was in the back, head down, and the rest of the group remained equally quiet.
When we finally pulled up to my house, the silence continued as everyone grabbed their bags and made their way inside. They all waited for their families or parents to come pick them up, the atmosphere thick with unspoken words and lingering hurt.
As we stepped into the living room, we were met with an unexpected surprise. My mom had flown out one of her old friends from New York, Ana. Standing beside Ana was a drop-dead gorgeous, masc named Avery. It was immediately clear she was here for the girls, she had confident demeanor and magnetic presence turning heads.
Avery and her Mom greeted us warmly, but I could already feel my jealousy rising as Avery's eyes lingered on Eve a bit too long. Avery had always been a natural flirt, and her attention toward Eve was no different. I couldn't help but feel a bit of possessiveness.
"Hey, everyone!" Ana said cheerfully, oblivious to the tension in the room. "This is Avery, my daughter. I thought it would be fun to surprise you all."
Avery smiled, her eyes scanning the room before landing on Eve. "Nice to meet you all," she said, her voice smooth and captivating. "I've heard a lot about you."
Eve smiled back, clearly intrigued. I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. Determined to keep Avery away from Eve, I stepped in between them.
"Hey, Avery," I said, forcing a smile. "Why don't you come help me with something in the kitchen?"
Avery raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Sure, lead the way."
As we walked to the kitchen, I could feel Eve's eyes on my back. I tried to push the jealousy aside, but it gnawed at me. I couldn't let someone else come between us, not after everything we had been through.
In the kitchen, I busied myself with making snacks, trying to keep my emotions in check. Avery leaned against the counter, watching me with a curious expression.
"So, what's the deal with you and Eve?" Avery asked, her tone casual but probing.
I paused, my hands trembling slightly. "We're... close," I said, choosing my words carefully. "We've been through a lot together."
Avery nodded, a knowing look in her eyes. "I see. Well, just so you know, your Mom talks about Eve a lot. She seems like a great person."
"She is," I replied, my voice a bit sharper than I intended. "And I don't want anyone messing with that."
Avery held up her hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I'm not here to cause trouble. Just here to have a good time."
I nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed by my outburst. "Sorry, it's just... things have been complicated lately."
"No worries," Avery said, her tone understanding. "I get it. Relationships can be tough."
We returned to the living room, where the atmosphere had lightened slightly with the arrival of our unexpected guests. I kept a close eye on Eve and Avery, ready to intervene if necessary.
As the evening wore on, I realized that my jealousy was not just about Avery but about my fear of losing Eve. I needed to trust her and our relationship. It wasn't easy, but I knew it was the only way to move forward.
In the end, the night turned out better than expected. Ana's presence and Avery's charm brought a bit of levity to the tense atmosphere. And as we all sat around, sharing stories and laughter, I felt a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, things would be okay.
