Her Bet

chapter 30

Laria

The afternoon light streamed through the window, painting the walls with warm shades of gold. We sat cross-legged on the plush blue carpet of my room, surrounded by a gentle chaos of mismatched pillows and fashion magazines. The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted in from the kitchen, mingling with the soft fragrance of vanilla candles that flickered on the windowsill.

The air between us felt thick, laden with words unspoken and history cloaked in silence.

“I’m glad you came,” I  said, my voice wavering slightly.

“Me too,” she replied, “I didn’t know if I could.”

I nodded, my gaze dropping to the magazine as if searching for the right words.

“I’m sorry, Laria. What I did…I took something away from you that I can never give back. I was reckless, and I regret it every day.”

I felt my heart constrict at the truth of Pip’s words.

  “I know,” I  said, my voice calmer than I felt. “But it wasn’t your fault , as you said....you were intoxicated. And I of all people know what that can do to someone."

“It was a mistake,” Pip emphasized, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “One that changed everything. I would give anything to take it back.”

For a moment, silence enveloped us ,wrapping around our fragile truths. I felt the weight of my own anger dissipating, replaced by something resembling empathy. I had spent so long refusing to forgive Pip, yet here we were, confronting the wreckage together.

“You said...,” I  finally spoke up. “that you were drunk, did Cole-"

"No ...." She cuts me off with a small smile." It didn't seem like he knew . He was as clueless as me when I woke up . He even had a nosebleed, I'm guessing it's from his drugs but....he was really confused . It was just a mess because no one said a word . I ran out immediately even with the migraine I had . "

"I spoke to Jess and she said something that brought me back to reality . Do you think I'm not a good friend?"

"Did Jess say that ?"

"We solved it . "

"Oh. I...I don't think you're a bad friend. Its just sometimes you tend to not care about anything after you've got what you've wanted . It's a bit selfish at times but it's not something to hold a grudge against."

"Thank you . I didn't realise I made you two feel that way . I'm sorry though . I've been trying to change there and there but I know it's going to be a long rollercoaster."

Pip chuckles and I smile .

"Oh , what about Danton?"

"What about him ?"

"Are you two-"

"I thought I told you it's over . Forever . "

"So you went back to him despite your one time rule?"

"Are you teasing me?"

"It's just a question. Of course if you don't want to answer it it's ok."

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Does Jess know ?"

"No , you think I should tell her?"

"If we want to start over I think you should."

"I will do that ."

......

Danton

The candle flickered gently in the dimly lit dining room, casting warm shadows against the walls adorned with family photographs. The aroma of roasted chicken and mashed potatoes wafted through the air, mingling with the faintest hint of lavender from the centerpiece. I sat at the dinner table, an uneasy knot forming in my stomach as I  poked at my food.