finding you

seventy one

I immediately grab Ronnie's arm beside me and squeeze. Ashton cuts in, interrupting my moment of panic. 

"I'll be right back," he says before quickly running after Rhys. Ronnie is about to say something but I tug on her again. 

"What?" she turns to me. She hasn't seen Brooke yet, obviously.

"Look," I breathe. My eyes turn to Brooke, who is standing near the fire along with a crowd of people. She's laughing with a few girls I don't particularly recognize.

"What... wait, is that Brooke? When did she get here?"

I turn back to look at Ronnie. Her face has tightened into an expression that clearly shows her distaste for this girl. I randomly feel a sense of a pride from watching her. I'm happy I'm not the only one that hates her. I'm not crazy for thinking she's a horrible human being and that fact alone makes my feelings feel validated. I know how awful that makes me sound... I'm drunk, okay?

"Yes," I mutter. "I don't know. I just saw her right now."

"Why is she here? Fucking Nial."

"No way did Nial invite her. She probably just showed up. Rhys told me she wasn't invited."

Ronnie lifts an eyebrow at me. "Rhys told you that?"

I kind of nod. However, now that I think about what he actually said, I'm realizing he didn't exactly say those words. But, still, there's no way he would have known she would be here. He wouldn't have brought me here. "He said I wouldn't have to worry..."

"Well fuck us. Let's do another shot and head down there. We're not going to just let her ruin the night. Let's have fun anyway."

I groan at her like a petulant child. I don't want to go down there and pretend like Brooke didn't humiliate me in front of a crowd a month ago. She literally announced that I was a virgin and that I should choose someone a little gentler than Rhys to take my virginity. I shudder at the memory. A sudden surge of anger rushes through me and I swear I could punch her right here right now. Maybe I will tonight... if she asks for it. "I'd rather not, Ron."

Suddenly, it's Ronnie's turn to pout. "You have to, Theo! Don't you want to rub Rhys in her face? Oh my God. Please, for me, Theo. I beg you." She seems to be getting more and excited as she realizes what this means. "Can you imagine how priceless that would be? We need to go down there. Can I be the one to tell her? No, you should-"

"Ronnie, no! I can't do that. I don't think Rhys has even told anyone yet."

"So? Did he ask you to be his girlfriend yes or no?"

I hesitate but huff out my response. "Yes."

"Then it's public and official. He's officially your man and people need to know it! Especially people who are after your man. I'm talking about Brooke."

"I got that, thanks."

Maybe she is right. I need to stop feeling inferior to this girl. She has made my life hell enough in my past. Why on earth am I still letting her have this power over me? Plus, it would be priceless to witness her reaction when she finds out about me and Rhys.

"I just... don't want to be around her."

"Well it's a little late for that... oh no... look." Ronnie is pointing behind me and I turn back around to see Brooke. Nial and Rhys are now there, too. They are all talking like they are this klatch of friends who came to the party together. Anger washes over me. Not at Rhys, but at Brooke. How dare she come here and act as if she's friends with them? Can she not let us have one night without her interfering in some way?

Before I realize what I'm doing, I'm stalking down the sand dune and headed towards the fire. Ron is tailing behind me just as determined. I don't know what we're planning on doing, but if Brooke wants to hang out with Rhys, then she is going to have to hang out with me.

I make my way around the fire and slide in right next to Rhys. Before I can stop myself, I'm wrapping my arm from behind him. He immediately spins around, clearly unaware that I was right behind him.

"Hey," he gasps. He looks down at me before awkwardly glancing behind him. What is his deal? I guess it's probably because of Brooke. "What're you doing?"

"I came to see you," I hint a smile and press myself against him. Involuntarily, he steps back and out of my hold.

I raise my eyebrow in question at him, but his face is impassive. A pain fills my stomach at the rejection. It hurts. What is he doing? I look at Brooke behind him. I don't think she has seen me yet.

"Did you lose Ronnie?" he asks.

"No," I respond. The smile I had on me a second ago is completely gone. I feel panicked. 

Surely, this isn't what I think.