estella thought she had the perfect life, the perfect friends and the perfect boyfriend that was from a fairy tale movie who she thought she would married and live happily ever after. unfortunately on prom night her fantasies was crushed by a sudd...
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matt fidgeted with the bouquet of lilies, the delicate white petals a stark contrast to the nervous flutter in his chest. valentine's day was a week away, and luke was bouncing off the walls with excitement about their double date. matt, however, was feeling a knot of anxiety tighten in his stomach.
'dude, relax,' luke said, catching matt's worried gaze. 'it's not like it's a big deal. you and estella dated, like, months ago, right? we've all moved on.'
matt knew luke was right, but a shiver of unease ran down his spine. he had dated estella for two years, and while he tried to end it amicably, it had been a painful break-up for both of them. seeing her again, especially in this context, felt like re-opening an old wound.
estella and bella were the best of friends, and luke, ever the charmer, had snagged estella's heart pretty quickly. they had always joked about a double date, but matt had never entertained the idea. now, with valentine's day looming, he was caught between wanting to spend the evening with his girlfriend, bella, and the lingering awkwardness of seeing estella.
'what if she brings up old times?' matt asked the air, his voice barely a whisper.
'dude, she's with bella. she's got a whole other person to talk to,' luke reassured him, grabbing a beer from the fridge. 'besides, it's been months. you're over it, right?'
matt knew luke was right, but it was harder said than done. he had never truly gotten over estella. he still found himself thinking about her from time to time, wondering what could have been.
the following week was a blur of nervous anticipation. matt found himself calling bella more often, seeking reassurance from her loving presence. he even tried to imagine the evening with estella, preparing himself for any possible awkwardness.
"come on, estella, it'll be fun!" luke pleaded, his eyes wide and earnest. he was perched on the edge of her couch, his usual nonchalant air replaced with an almost desperate eagerness. "just one night. think of it as closure."
estella stared at him, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. "closure? you call this closure? a double date with my ex-boyfriend and my ex-best friend?"
"it's not a double date," luke corrected, "it's a four-person dinner. you and matt, bella and i. we'll be the perfect distraction from any awkwardness."
estella scoffed. "you're kidding, right? you think a four-person dinner with matt and bella, who haven't spoken in months because of their fight over me, will be 'perfect'? it'll be a disaster, luke, a disaster!"
luke sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. "look, estella, i know you don't trust me, but i think this could be good. you both still love each other, you both love bella for different reasons. and who knows, maybe this can be the start of a fresh beginning for all of you."
