Astray

4

I push open the door to the expensive coffee place. I walk inside and see the group sitting at our usual corner table. Sassy is texting someone on her phone, Stuart is fooling around with Ned and Spencer, Astrid and Paolo are talking, Roland is cheering for Stuart, Alastair is speaking to someone on the phone and Judy and Merrie are gushing over their nails.

"Hey guys." I casually say and sit down between Sassy and Alastair.
Their eyes flicker to me and they all greet back.

Roland's eyes perk up and he comes towards me. He kneels down besides me. Combing his fingers through his dark brown hair, he gives me a cute smile.

"How are you Lisa? Feeling better?" He asks as he places a hand on my fingers.
"Much better. You dropped me home yesterday right? Thanks a bunch." I smile back and he licks his lips before a twinkle appears in his eyes.

"So, about yesterday." He starts, looking really excited.
"What about yesterday?" I ask him. I'm not a lightweight, I do remember things after a drunk night. What is he hinting at?

"Don't you remember what happened yesterday? Between us?" He gestures with his hands.
I strain my mind. I don't even remember talking to Roland yesterday. He must've dropped me home, yes, but the last thing I remember is sitting down on the couch besides Sassy.

When his eyes register the confused expression on my face, his smile drops.
"You really don't remember?" He asks.
I smile, trying to lighten the dull atmosphere.
"No Rol, can you tell me what happened? You look so pale, did I do anything wrong?" I ask concerned, placing my other hand on his.

"Oh nothing. Take care okay." Disappointment is etched on his features and I feel so bad seeing him like this. What the hell happened yesterday? But before I can ask him, he has already walked off to his place.

"Lisa baby, you hit seven thousand followers on Instagram today! Congratulations!" Judy perks up from opposite me, flailing her manicured fingers around.
"And yesterday's outfit of the night picture got three thousand likes. Isn't that awesome?" Merrie pipes up too, her dark skin glistening beneath the lights.

"It did? Cool." I casually remark and their faces droop.
"I mean, I didn't check. But thanks for telling me. Love you guys." I smile and their happy mood comes back again.

"Yesterday Mark asked me out." Sassy announces with a smug grin.
"Whoa. Isn't he dating Vicky?" Astrid leans forward on the table, black hair framing her little face.

"I stole him." Sassy says haughtily and Astrid gives her a look of awe.
Meanwhile, Stuart starts to get up and move out.

"Stuart." Sassy coos sweetly, she's nice only to him. "Where are you going?"
"Ivy called me. I need to go." He says and starts to walk off briskly.
Sassy looks betrayed. "But you came here to see us. Can't you tell Ivy to wait?"

"She needs my help. It's an emeregency. I've gotta go." He says and walks off, without sparing any of us a second glance. I watch him as he sits on his motorbike and zooms off.

Stuart York is very attractive. With blue eyes and dimples, he is every girl's dream. Alastair Kerr is also handsome. Along with Roland Anderson. Dang it, each one of the guys here is. That is why they're here. Sassy doesn't associate with anyone who isn't up to her 'standards'.

I used to be the same. Shallow and judgemental. I don't know what led me to change. Getting into drugs or just the fact that somehow realization hit me. But I can't do anything about this now. It's too late.

"I don't know why he gives that girl so much of importance." Sassy grumbles under her breathe. Alastair, who has finally gotten off the phone, rolls his eyes.
"Ivy is his best friend. Someone who's been there for him when none of you were." He says and Sassy smirks at him.

"Look who's talking. Someone who pushed his own girlfriend to kill herself." She sneers and Alastair runs his fingers through his hair in exhaustion.
"Enough with that crap Sassy. It wasn't my fault." He warns her off almost gently, like he's trying to hold himself back.

Until a few months back, Alastair was dating a super hot girl everyone wanted from the neighbouring school, Pattinson High. During that time, Alastair, Sassy, Stuart, Roland and Audrey Cabot -the girl- were a group. According to what I know, Audrey and Alastair got into a violent fight one night which resulted into Audrey getting drunk and driving off. She died in the car accident that night and things changed after that.

They started hanging out with the cheerleaders and football players, considering Sassy is the head cheerleader and the three guys are in the team. We formed a group and whatever happened that night, is only known by them. Sassy, however, never fails to remind Alastair that Audrey died because of him.

"Of course it was. She was already drunk, you fought with her, she drank some more and stormed off after you yelled at her some more. If you wouldn't have been there that night, she would've been here with us." She slaps her hand against the table to emphasize her point.

"I don't get how this is his mistake." I say and Sassy gives me an odd glare. "I mean, isn't it Audrey's fault? She was the one driving." I point out.
"Alastair pushed her to do it. Why didn't he stop her? As a boyfriend, did he have no responsibility towards her?" She is almost shouting now and I feel bad for Alastair.

He sighs deeply, like it pains him to say anything else.
"I'm done with this. I'm leaving." He says and gets up, casually walking off.
"Stop!" Sassy yells but he doesn't listen, and he soon disappears between the increasing crowd.

"Great work Sassy." Spencer remarks and Sassy tries to calm herself.
She turns to face me. "Stop taking drugs Lisa."

"Are you saying this because you actually care for me or because it hurts the reputation of our group?" I ask her and she throws her blonde locks behind her before leaning closer to me.

"Nathaniel wouldn't like it, y'know?" She whispers and immediately, a shiver crawls down my spine. Because that is what Nathaniel Greene's name does to me.

"What do you mean?" I ask her, my breathing now haggard.
"He wanted to see you. And since he couldn't get to you through your phone, he asked me to tell you to meet him. So will you now stop smoking and drinking excessively, considering he'll never like it if you do?" She says and I close my eyes.

Sassy, however mean and cruel she might be, is a good friend. She understands and helps, even though it might be in her twisted little ways.

"I'll meet him right now." I say.
"Go." She smiles, a twinkle in her eyes.

I grin and leave, to meet my boyfriend.