𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐈𝐧 𝐌𝐞 | 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐭 #𝟏

CHAPTER 7: Roses & Champagne

Alexandra

"Is it giving, I only accept roses and champagne or I'll do it in an alleyway for some spare change?" Jasmine poses in front of us, trying to get an opinion on her outfit. Her chest is covered in a black lace top that stops right at her belly button, showing off the piercing she got behind her parents' backs in middle school. Skinny low-rise jeans complete the rest of her outfit. Jasmine goes on to say that you never know when you're going to meet your soulmate (or Jason Mendoza), so it's always best to be prepared.

"A little bit of both, but in a good way," I smack Lucas on the head.

"You look stunning, Jas," I say. We just got back from dinner half an hour ago and are supposed to meet up with the rest of the group soon. Lucas is currently in his plaid PJ pants and a rainbow kitty shirt, still debating whether he wants to go out with us or not. I sit on Jas's bed wearing my light-wash jeans and my favorite blue baby doll top. My braids are down instead of in a ponytail so my head can lay comfortably at the movies.

The steam that comes out of my head after leaving Matthew is definitely visible. It's like as the days go on, his attitude rots more. He's like cake—well, not cake; I love cake. He's like asparagus. All I want to think about now is how nice of a time we're going to have at the movies. Jas and I did a lot back home, but that was always just between the two of us. I don't know how to be myself around anyone else. I've never had to.

"Okay, fine, you guys are giving me FOMO," he stands up and starts pulling his pants down.

Jas and I immediately turn the other way while shielding our eyes. "LUCAS," we both shriek.

"Um, what's wrong?" I hear him shuffle around in his drawer.

"You can't just take off your pants like that," he pulls something up. "All done!" He's now dressed in the exact same rainbow kitty shirt and a pair of black shorts.

There's a knock on the door that I attend to. "Hey guys," I usher in Olivia and Isa. Olivia wears a short white skirt and a floral top, while Isa has on a pair of baggy jeans and an oversized T-shirt. Jas goes back to her desk to add the finishing touches to her makeup, while Lucas explains the last episode he watched of Real Housewives of Atlanta to Isa.

Olivia sits next to me on the bed. "Are you excited to be getting out of this dump?" I let out a laugh, but this place is actually kind of nice. I never went on vacations as a kid, but I like to imagine this is what a hotel would feel like.

She lets out a sigh as she adjusts her bangs. "Do you think it's still too late to convince Matthew to come?"

Most definitely.

"It's not even the fact that I'm totally in love with him; I also feel bad. He's always on his own. He walks on campus by himself, eats lunch by himself. Even at his own parties, he's always wandering around by himself. He's probably locked up in his room right now." A sorrowful look crosses her face, as if this is just the saddest thing ever.

There's absolutely no way anyone can convince me to feel sorry for him, but it's true. The only time I see him with people is when he's torturing me or tackling players on the field. It's not surprising, though—the more you push people away, the less they'll want to be around you. Matthew seems to be doing just fine on his own.

-

Micheal leaves campus earlier to rent a car since the mall where the theater is located is more than a 30-minute walk. He texts me to let me know he has arrived, and we make our way to the parking lot to meet him. We pack into the car and begin our long-awaited journey. I wave goodbye as we drive away from the campus I have already become so used to.