Confidant

5) I Don't Mind

Jasper and I walk back in silence to the main party shortly after our little moment. I find myself feeling reluctant to leave the peaceful blissfulness, but I didn't want Jasper to know I was enjoying it that much, or keep him away from enjoying his time with his friends.

I notice the stares the both of us get when we come out of the dark together, some confused looks from Jasper's friends, some envious looks from the general female population and a mixture of confused and smug looks from my friends... well, Bri and Phil.

I wonder if they even noticed I was gone before this.

Jasper gives me a head tilt and a small smile as his goodbye and he departs from me, and it occurs to me that he isn't the best at departure. He never says goodbye before dismissing himself.

It feels almost like whiplash, how the calming and serene setting is quickly switched back to noise and alcohol-fueled excitement.

I watch Jasper walk off to his friends now with a cup in his hand, his usual facade back on as he nods in response to some of their questions.

He raises his eyebrow in surprise as Chris says something to him, and I watch him cough awkwardly before answering Chris.

I wonder if they're asking about me, what he is telling them?

My thoughts are put on hold as I'm almost tackled to the ground by a tipsy Brianna.

"Charlotte! You and Simone scored big tonight, was that Jasper fricking McKay?!"

"Shhh! Not so loud." I shush her, pulling her aside when I notice some curious glances.

"Don't shush me you minx! I didn't believe it when Jess told me she saw you and him getting all cozy in your car earlier this week-"

"Bri, it's nothing like that okay." I interrupt her.

"Oh please! Cozy car moments now romantic strolls on the-"

"There was nothing romantic about any of that." I try to explain.

But then I think about it and realize both scenarios are the definition of a romantic setting, it was just that our conversations at both times were... not so much.

My thoughts drift to the feeling of Jasper against me, and I realize that maybe it felt a little romantic.

"That's a blush I see!"

"Cause you're bamboozling me with embarrassing questions!" I defend, laughing awkwardly. "If anything was going to happen between me and Jasper, it would've happened a long time ago." I explain, and as soon as the words leave my mouth a bittersweet feeling washes over me as I realize their trueness. "We've become friends lately, and we wanted to talk, that's all."

And that's all it is right?

And this feeling I had is the need to support a friend going through something tough, I would feel the same urge to comfort any one of my other friends too.

There was nothing romantic about that embrace.

I find myself feeling relieved but slightly disappointed at my revelation.

"So suddenly you and McHandsome McKay over there are really good friends?" I can hear the unconvinced tone in her voice.

"Well, I wouldn't say good friends-"

"Good enough to ditch your best friends and take private strolls to 'God knows where'."

"Bri, you ditched me!" I laugh awkwardly. "And I promise you, if there was anything going on  I would've told you. Jasper is light-years out of my league."