That Was Then, This Is Now

Part 24

Did Faith just friend zone me on national television? I'm so happy for her that she's won and all that she's achieved, I just can't believe she's used the opportunity to tell me and everyone else that we're friends. Buddies, pals, compadres. Awesome. Would just like to state for the record that I am happy that we're friends and that I'll easily take it over not being in contact at all, I just though after everything this last week and a bit we were getting close again. I should've listened to my mom. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to feel disappointed or if that's an over reaction to an unrealistic dream. The last few awards are given out and I'm to busy mulling over the Faith situation in my mind to pay much attention. She returns to her seat and gives me a big smile. I return it, she is contagious.
"So, Tim are you and Faith coming to the after party with us?" Nicole leans over to ask me.
"Um... I was just gonna head home." I say but she starts raising her eyebrows at me and jiggling her head. "But..." I start and she smiles widely, "how about Faith? You wanna hit an after party with me?" I ask her.
"Sure, that sounds great." She says happily.
I look over at Nicole who seems very happy with herself. "Y'all can ride with us." She states.
Once the award ceremony is all wrapped up faith and I head out with Nicole and Keith. We arrive at the venue and get out. Cameras are flashing and the whole paparazzi zone is frantic at the sight of all four of us. This is going to be a long walk down the carpets.

Faith POV
The after party is so much fun! Martina is here, Reba is here, Nicole is here, Blakes new girlfriend is here and she is super fun! Us gals are dancing up a storm, letting lose and having fun. After a solid hour on the dance floor we go to get some drinks and find a table for the 5 of us.
"Y'all country gals know how to thrown down!" Says Gwen taking a sip from her drink.
"Oh yeah, we learnt from the best." Says Martina nodding at Reba.
"I have a question though. Are all the country men bad at dancing? Is that why they just play pool and darts?" She laughs.
"Oh yes, John is an awful dancer. He's doing us all a favour." Says Martina.
"Keith as well." Laughs Nicole. "Mick Jagger with two left feet." We all laugh her comment, mostly because we've all seen Keith try to dance and that's very accurate.
"Mine too. Actually I don't think he's very good at pool or darts either." Says Reba taking another sip of wine.
I look around the group and realise that it's my turn to say something about my partners dancing except I don't have one, so I stay quiet. I could say something about Tim and how he can't dance without getting his thumbs out, but he's not my country man anymore. I think everyone else notices this too as they try to move the conversation on quickly.
"Faith you text me in the week saying you didn't know what to get your brother for his wedding. Do you end up finding something?" Says Martina. I asked her since she's so good with all that sort of stuff.
"Mmh yes, I did. Tim helped me find something." I say. They're some of my best friends and support my decisions but the surprise and shock on their faces is visable, except for Gwen who has no clue what's going on.
"Um? Sorry? What?" Says Nicole.
"Yeah, and I'm taking him as my plus one to the wedding." I say laughing. Its funny how things work out. Mid-laugh Reba pulls out her wallet and hands a 20 dollar bill to Martina.
"Uhhh?" I say confused.
"I bet her that y'all were doing this whole publicity thing for real. She said it was completely fake." Martina explains taking the cash.
"I didn't say completely fake but I just meant that you would be hating it and not being sincere." She explains. "But you wouldn't screw with your brothers wedding and just take someone for the press, so..." I look at Gwen who looks as confused as person can possibly be.
"Oh Gwen. I'm so sorry to throw into this madness." I say to her.
"Oh, this is nothing!" She laughs. "Katy v Taylor. Way worse." We're all laughing now. "Since I'm new, can I just ask, do you like Tim?" I hear Nicole groan next to me.
"I hate her answer to this question." She says.
"She hates that I don't know." I laugh. "Nicole's life has no grey area and she finds it incomprehensible that I do not understand my own feelings." I laugh.
"Actors." Says Reba across the table.
"Oh." Says Gwen, I can see she still doesn't know what's going on but this is a story with many twists and turns, not just something you quickly explain at an after party.
"At the end of the day I care about Tim very much. He's a dear friend. And once upon a time I loved him with my whole heart. It's hard to explain but I'll always care for him, just maybe not in the same way as before."

Hey y'all! Sorry for being gone so long! Hope this makes up for it :)