Going the Distance ✔️

Chapter nineteen.

The day before the party, I met Xanthe in the cafeteria for lunch. She was eating an apple and doing her Math homework before fifth period. I took a seat next to her and I took a sip of water, looking around the room to see everyone in their original spots.

I swallowed, smiling. "So, there's this Halloween party at Cameron's house tomorrow night and Liam and I are going. You should come with us."

Xanthe paused doing her homework, swallowed the remaining piece of apple she had in her mouth and looked at me with wide eyes. "Cameron as in Cameron Jensen, the guy I have a huge crush on?"

I nodded. "Yeah, it'll be fun."

She shook her head instantly, giving me a hard no. "I don't think so, I don't go to parties, especially ones that my brother goes to."

My facial expression dropped. "Why not? It'll give you a chance to speak to Cameron and dress up into something completely different."

"He has a girlfriend," she reminded me, "and since when did you and my brother get so close anyway?"

I tapped my finger on the counter, swallowing. "Um, we're not. He just invited me and I wanted to get the high school experience before I leave and a party is the experience, right?"

She shrugged. "I guess so."

"So, what do you say?" I asked. "I will ditch Liam for you if that makes you feel any better. I'm sure he has other friends to hang out with and we can meet new people, have a few innocent drinks and have fun."

She still didn't look too sure. "Olivia might be there. Cameron used to go to our old school, remember? Plus, I don't have anything to wear for Halloween. Unless you count the princess gown my mom made for me when I was seven."

"There's a chance Olivia won't be there and even if she is, there will be heaps of people so you won't even see her," I tried to reassure her, "and we can go to the store after school to pick something out and maybe you and Liam will get along." I smiled brightly.

She snorted a laugh, not believing anything I just said. "Never going to happen."

"Is that still a yes?" I asked, hoping she would agree because going to a party with Liam would be very unpredictable.

She thought for a moment and looked over at Cameron, who had his arm around his girlfriend. "I guess I could make an appearance."

Just as she agreed, Liam walked into the cafeteria and came over to our table which was very unusual. "Liam, what a surprise." I said with a smile.

"Yeah, yeah," he mumbled, "don't get used to it."

I pushed my glasses up the bridge of my nose before continuing. "Xanthe is going to come with us to the party."

"What!?" Liam almost yelled, glaring at Xanthe.

"I know you hate each other, but you guys are siblings, twins actually so you should just leave the past behind you and get along." I said with a smile, happy with my little speech.

Xanthe leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. "Tell that to the person who cheated on my former best friend."

"Maybe she would still be your best friend if you kept your mouth shut." Liam growled, never looking away from his sister who was glaring back.

"Guys!" They dropped their gazes to look at me. "Just stop. We are all going to the party and Liam is driving so let's just all get along for my sake."

Liam's face turned soft. "Okay, Lou." He said and he left our table to meet up with his other friends.

"Woah," Xanthe said, "how the heck did you get to his soft side and who even knew he had one?"