Twice in a Lifetime \\ KELLIC

11

**Four Years Ago**

Vic's POV:

God, it felt good going out to the city clubs. It wasn't very often we got away from campus, but when we did, we made the most of it. I downed a congratulatory shot with my friends Ashton, Ryan and Cassie. Ryan and Cass had just gotten engaged and we were out to celebrate.

"Barely twenty-one and already getting tied down," I said to Ryan after Cass excused herself to go to the bathroom.

"Calm down, we're only engaged, and trust me it's gonna be a long engagement so don't expect the torture to begin for a few years," Ryan said jokingly.

"Looks like someone's got a pain kink," I teased.

"Oh be nice, Vic. It'll be you one day," Ashton said.

I snorted and shook my head, "I don't think so."

"What, you're never gonna get married?" he asked.

"Why? Are you suddenly planning on settling down one day?" I deflected the question. The last thing I wanted to talk about right now was me being in a serious relationship considering the only one I ever had just ended.

"I don't know, it might be nice one day," Ashton said.

"Seriously?" I asked.

"Seriously. I can see it all now. I'll find a nice guy, move back home, maybe buy that old rickety house,"

"That dump?" I interrupted.

"Hey, it's not a dump, it's a fixer-upper. Anyway, I'll do the house up, maybe adopt a kid or two, get a cat, and have crazy uncle Vic over on weekends," he said.

"I'll be miles away, thank you very much," I said.

"Nope, I don't think so. You're stuck with me until the day I die, bud," he said.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head at him. He had his whole life mapped out. But me? I was going to set sail and see the world. I would never let anyone tie me down. Not anymore.

"I didn't think you were going to drink much tonight," I said to Ashton as he ordered another round.

"Finals aren't for a couple days. I think we can let loose for a bit. You with me, Ryan?" Ashton asked.

"Hell yeah, I'm with you!" Ryan exclaimed.

I rolled my eyes and turned away from the two of them. I was a partier just as much as those two were, it was just that recently I wasn't feeling up to it. Instead, I looked out at all the dancing bodies.

"So when are you two finally gonna get together?" I heard Ryan ask.

As if on cue, Ashton and I laughed in unison. That was a comment we got often, from everyone. Friends or family, or even strangers, it didn't matter who, they all thought Ashton and I should be together. They had no idea just how wrong they were.

"It'd be like incest," I answered.

"Totally gross," Ashton said.

I didn't let his comment bother me. He was just like a brother. I wasn't too focused on their conversation now anyway. My eyes had landed on a boy not too far away from us. He was one of those people that even if you didn't know them, you couldn't tear your gaze away.

Perhaps it was how he smiled so brightly, or maybe it was the way he danced with such a free spirit. Either way, I watched him in amusement. He was with some people who I guess were his friends and he was wearing a sash saying 'birthday girl'. I guess they couldn't find a birthday boy one, or maybe he liked being called a girl. Who knows.