Never an Optimist

Chapter One

Two months had passed since Liam broke my heart, but I was doing better. Or at least I told myself I was doing better. It's hard to move on when you're not the one who lost feelings, but that's life, and I intended to move onto bigger and better things. Some of those things being other guys.

Unfortunately I wasn't the most extroverted person and would much rather spend time watching Netflix than partying, or simply going outside my apartment. But alas, I was friends with people who partied non-stop and always begged me to come out with them. During my time of recovery, emotional recovery that is, I had begun to hangout with specific people more often. One of those people being Kylie, we had been friends for a while but over the last month we had gotten closer and spent a lot of time together. She was the one who always bugged me about going out to parties and clubs and such.

And eventually I caved.

•••

It was a Friday night, and although I'd much rather spend the night eating popcorn and watching a movie, Kylie convinced me to go to a party. She said it was her sister's friend's party, so I shouldn't worry about it being super sketchy or anything. She also texted me and told me just to dress casual. I was grateful for that because her and I both knew I had no idea what to wear. The time approached the hour that Kylie was going to pick me up at and I began to panic as I shifted through my closet and dresser draws trying desperately to find something to wear.

I finally settled on ripped jeans and a flannel, unbuttoned just low enough to prove I do actually have some cleavage. Even though I didn't party I still knew what guys wanted. Just as I was sliding on my black Vans my phone buzzed with a text from Kylie saying she was here. I tucked my phone into my back pocket, grabbed my purse and my keys and jogged down the stairs and out of my apartment, making sure to lock the door behind me.

I gave a small smile before opening up the door and climbing inside Kylie's old truck. It had been passed down to her but she loved it all the same.

"Hey. This is okay right?" I said and gestured to my outfit, hoping it met her approval.

"Yup, lookin good." She gave me a wink and put her truck into drive, pulling out into the road. "I gotta stop and get some beer for myself and a buddy." She added, letting me know I had the opportunity to buy some as well if I pleased. Once we got to the liquor store I decided to get a small bottle of wine, but I made sure it had a twisty cap so I could drink it as I pleased. Content with our purchases we climbed back into the pickup and headed off to the party.

•••

Upon reaching our destination my stomach started to feel queasy. What if Liam was there? I hadn't seen him since we broke up and I prayed I could keep the streak going a little longer. I climbed out of the truck, purse over my shoulder and wine in hand.

Kylie lead us up to the door, gave a couple knocks and went inside, closing the door behind me afterwards. We quickly took our shoes off and I found what seemed like a safe place for me to leave my purse. We made our way over to a group of people surrounding a table. At each end there were two people competing in a game a beer pong, and they looked to be taking it quite seriously. We found an empty chair on the outskirts of the group and settled onto it, both of us slightly squished but not bothering to look for a second chair.

I took this opportunity to open my wine and take a sip of it, getting myself used to the taste and slight burn it left in my throat. After I few more sips though the burn was gone and I found myself starting to become more relaxed.

And then he showed up.

I should've known Liam would be here, why wouldn't he, he didn't have a hockey game this weekend so he was free to party. I hated that I still knew his schedule but it was marked in my calendar from a month before so I knew we'd be able to hangout.