I'm No Cinderella

Chapter 11

Did I just hear correctly? Did my past just materialize in front of me? I looked at the guy sitting opposite me as bits and pieces of the puzzle started to come together. No wonder he looked familiar and no wonder he sounded familiar too. He can’t be can he? Oh, but he is. But why couldn’t I recognize him earlier? Is it because he used to have a really horrible haircut in camp? Or that had braces and talked different. He is my first ever boyfriend from music camp – he’s the Kevin that I had a short relationship with. He’s my first kiss. Oh my god, I clasped my hand over my mouth and stole a glance at Ryan. What will he think? He seemed to be staring stonily at Kevin or Sean or whatever it is his name is.

“But I don’t understand,” I said, finally able to speak, “Your name. I thought it was Kevin Guy or something.”

“No, Sam,” he said, chuckling, “It’s Kevin Sean Gregory – not guy – where’d you get that from?”

“I don’t remember your last name,” I said as he chuckled again.

“My friends call me Sean,” he said, “Oh my god; I can’t believe I’m seeing you again after all these years.”

“Were you guy’s friends?” Ryan asked suspiciously – his face a mask of indifference. I could feel the heat emanating from him. I can’t tell him the truth, can I? Can I?

“Yes, we were,” Sean said as I looked at him. I hope he doesn’t blurt out the truth to Ryan.

“Yeah,” I said, nodding my head and looking at Ryan cautiously, “We were quite close friends and well, we lost contact after all these years.”

As long as I can keep our history a secret, I will not have Ryan think lowly of me. If it was any other guy I wouldn’t mind letting him know that I dated them, but not his own best friend. It would be weird, and I don’t want them discussing about me.

“Yeah, those were great days,” Sean said dreamily, leaning his face on the palm of his hand and looking at me, “Did quite a number of things I’m proud of and a number I regret too.”

I hope he didn’t mean he regretted dating me. Well, it doesn’t matter anyway. What matters now is Ryan and the fact that he seemed to be watching Sean intently. Please don’t blurt out anything, Sean.

“So what have you been doing all these years?”  Sean said as I blew a silent breath of relief. I guess he must have forgotten about our kiss and relationship. I started to relax.

              “Not much,” I said, “After camp I went to college, and then I got a job at a book shop for a few years before finally getting a job at Lucas & Richardson Publication.”

              “Oh, you’re working for Ryan now?”

              “Yes,” I said, looking at Ryan and smiling. He smiled back at me as I feel my heart glow.

              “Well, that’s good,” Sean said as he finally dug in his food. I looked at Ryan as he looked at me. He placed his arm on the table, cradling his head and looking my way. I started to feel my heart fluttering again. He’s doing it again – he’s making me feel like a school girl again. I smiled and looked down as he reached his other hand and held mine under the table. What’s actually going on here? Why am I condoning his act? Why don’t I just pull my hand away? He ran his thumb over mine, making my breath hitch in my throat. Does he like me too?

              Suddenly Sean cleared his throat as both Ryan and I jumped in our seats and looked at him. Ryan quickly let go of my hand and sat up straight as Sean gave us knowing looks. I felt my face flush as I looked at my wrist watch.