It Was You All Along

1.

Catherine sat down a cup of Earl Grey tea in front of her friend, Jane, who was currently chatting away with her boyfriend, Levi.

"Thanks Cat! So, have you finally decided to come to our going-away party?" Jane said softly, picking up the cup to take a sip of the hot beverage. "Yeah! Come on Cat, you have to go! You don't know when the next time we'll see you again." Levi added to his girlfriend's comment. Catherine sighs, 'Were they really going to force her to go to this thing?'

"You two do know I don't do social events...plus, I won't know anyone that's invited!" She exclaimed and sat down across from the two lovers. Jane pouted with exaggeration and Levi cut in before Jane could start whining. "My buddy set up the party, he's only going to invite people Jane and I know! Don't worry about it." He said and Jane nodded, both of them looking pleadingly at Catherine.

Catherine huffed and gave them a look of defeat, "Fine fine! But when we're at the airport, you're buying me lunch!" Jane squealed with joy at her response and Levi smiled.

"Oh Cat-kins! You won't regret this!" Jane shouted, hugging the other female tightly.

~

Around 8 PM, Levi's house was filled with strangers and people Catherine barely knew. She wasn't one to complain, it wasn't her going-away party after all. She was leaning against the wall, avoiding the heat of the crowd. She wasn't the party type, it made her uncomfortable and she preferred sitting at home with a nice book and a warm cup of whatever she felt like brewing that day. At least the music wasn't too loud and she could day dream of her house in peace. Just then, Catherine was pulled out of her thoughts with a tug at her arm. She looked over to see Jane, locked arms with Levi and now Cat herself.

"Come meet some of Levi's friends!" Jane said with a smile and Catherine groaned. They were always trying to hook her up with someone, now one of Levi's friends? Not that she was saying Levi was a bad person, but you can never assume that just because the person is nice that they are friends with nice people. "Is that really necessary?" She asked, not excited at all. Both Levi and Jane nodded and dragged her over to the living room area.

"Hey guys! This is a good friend of mine! Her name is Catherine. Be nice and say 'Hi!'" Levi announced to a small group of guys.

They all stood up and introduced themselves one by one.

"I'm Dajan. Nice to meet you."

"The name's Carter. The pleasure's mine."

"I'm Daniel, I hope we can get along."

They all seemed like nice people, except for one of them. He was still sat down, looking at his phone with no intention of speaking. The three guys excused themselves to go get a drink. It left Levi, Jane, Catherine and Mr. 'I-Rather-Be-On-My-Phone'.

"Actually, this is perfect!" Levi said, turned to Cat. "He's the only one of my friends that are single!" Catherine scoffed and looked away. "I'm not interested..plus, he doesn't seem too..friendly." Catherine said quietly and Jane poked her side. "He's just shy! Introduce yourself!"

Levi walked over to the guy, whispering and pointing towards Catherine. He didn't look thrilled to whatever Levi was saying. "Well, Jane and I are going to go meet with the other guest! Yao, keep her company!" And with that, they walked off.

Catherine decided to sit next to this Yao guy, but not too close to avoid any awkwardness. The air was so thick, you could cut through it. Yao hadn't looked up from his phone or showed any signs of trying to be friendly.

'What an asshole...' Catherine thought, looking down at her lap. She decided to speak up.

"S-So, your name is Yao, right?" She said softly, in the kindest voice she could muster.

No response.

On the inside, she wanted to take his phone and chuck it out the window. But she kept her anger inside and spoke up again. "I'm Catherine...Catherine Tard--.." She was cut off, Yao had put his hand up near her face so she would stop talking.

"Hold up, I'm trying to read and your annoying voice isn't helping." That made her blood boil, she was being annoying?!

"S-Sorry.." She really wanted to give him a piece of her mind, but she wasn't trying to ruin this party for her friends.

~

The party was finally over, she could go home and sleep. She didn't tell Jane or Levi about how rude Yao was. Speaking of him, after telling her to shut up he continued to ignore her. She gave up after an hour, excusing herself to the bathroom. She really just went home, any longer and she would've tried to choke him.

'At least that's the last of him I'll see.'

But was she wrong. So wrong.