**Chapter Eight**
Sunday came around and I was having a field day with Dillon. She hated every minute of my teasing, but this couldn’t be let up on. She made out with Dre! Someone she very much argues with every day. I was just disappointed that it happened on my bed. Other than that, deep down, it was obvious she liked him. Though she still tried to deny it.
“Stop it! You forget there was alcohol involved in this equation,” she tried to refute it. “I would never do that sober.”
I sipped my latte, not buying her bullshit. “Sure you wouldn’t, Dill. Just admit you like him.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t like him! I quite loathe his stupid face.” She drinks her coffee.
It was hard for her to accept her feelings for Dre. From what she told me last time, I guess that played a part. I just don’t understand what could be so bad that she can’t date him. They were both troublemakers back in high school, but I didn’t peg them to be that bad. There was something she knew that I’ll probably never know. I doubt it’ll change my opinion about Drew.
Overall, it was fun getting to tease her about last night. It wasn’t something either of us expected to happen. Leaving Cam and me to sit there while they had fun. If you could even call that fun. All of us hanging out together may become a common occurrence. We can all obviously handle it. Though Juliana I could do without.
Speaking of Juliana, she walked into the coffee house and immediately spotted us. I guess she felt we were friends now. That’s the last thing I would even consider this relationship. She was more tolerated because of who she dated. Other than that, we had nothing in common. From our style right down to her personality. She was very preppy and your typical girl. Dillon and I were nothing of the sort. She made great conversation, though. Sometimes.
Juliana spotted us, getting this smile on her face. Immediately, she walked over, sitting down. “No way. Who would’ve thought I would run into you guys?” She was always excited.
Dillon was friendly. That is her brother’s girlfriend. “Hi Julie, what’s up?” I can tell she didn’t really want her here.
“Since I’m here, why don’t we take an off-campus trip?” She suggested.
That actually piqued my interest. “Where to exactly?” I asked.
She thought for a moment before speaking again. “There’s this little boutique that I love close by here. I’ll drive.” A boutique?
Dillon and I agreed and headed out to the parking lot. To no one’s surprise, Juliana drove around in a Porsche. A freaking Porsche! The things this girl has got better and better. She makes it hard to compete with her the more I get to know about her life. Clearly, her family was very well off. I wonder what made her come to Western University. I’m sure there were a lot of other schools she qualified for.
We didn’t waste any time getting into her car to go to the boutique. Dillon called shotgun, so I was stuck in the backseat. However, the ride was smooth, and it barely felt like we were moving. I can’t drive, but my first car would definitely not be a Porsche. As nice as it is, this just didn’t fit my aesthetic. Then again, maybe this is what Drew likes. Maybe if I change myself, he’ll notice me more. God, what’s wrong with me?
Once we pulled up to the boutique, I couldn’t help but frown. This store didn’t look like anything in my style. It very much screamed everything about Juliana. I wasn’t mad about it, but if you’re gonna take people somewhere, at least make sure they like it too. Of course, she didn’t know us as well. Judging from our day-to-day outfits; she could’ve taken a wild guess.
To be nice, we indulged and went looking around the boutique with her. Apparently, she had a dress she needed to pick up, but looked around with us as well. Juliana thought we could buy something for the party this upcoming Saturday. Though none of it looked like anything I would wear. Especially not to this party. Juliana was good at convincing people to do things.
“This would be perfect for you and your figure.” She loved the dress more than I did.
Dillon crossed her arms with disgust. “I don’t think that’s going to work for her,” she knew me so well. “It’s hideous.”
Juliana disagreed. “Try it on. Everyone would drool over you.” Julie was insistent.
Seeing as I had nothing to lose, we headed over to the changing rooms. Putting the dress on felt weird. It was pretty long, stopping just a little past my knees. Not only was it long and flowing, but it was super pink. The straps were thin and tied into little bows at the top. It would be cute if it were to my taste. The whole thing screamed Juliana and not Annabelle.
Walking out of the room, the girls looked at me with very different opinions. Dillon absolutely hated it. While Juliana loved every part. Of course, she did because it’s up to her ally. I can see why Drew likes her. My style was edgy, though I tried to make it colorful. Juliana’s look seems like it’s more appealing to guys.
“I told you it’ll look good on you,” Juliana screeched.
Dillon shook her head. “No way,” she disagreed.
Looking in the mirror, I had to agree with Dillon. “Yeah, Julie, this isn’t working,” I say. “It’s great for you, though.”
Julie sighed. “Nonsense, it looks amazing on you!” She was excited. “I can imagine Cameron’s face when he sees you in this.”
Dillon cackled, and I almost choked on my spit. Did she think Cam had a thing for me? Everyone seemed to think we were into each other because of how close we got so quickly. As much as Cam is lovely, we don’t see each other that way. Even he would say the same thing. We’re close friends like Dillon and I. The only thing is Cam was a guy. That doesn’t mean I have to like him in that way. Anyway, my crush was on her boyfriend. That couldn’t be said.
Regaining my composure, I looked at her, almost flustered. “Oh no, we’re just friends.” I couldn’t stress that enough.
She looked confused. “Are you sure? Guys don’t look at girls longingly for nothing,” she remarks.
Now I’m the one confused. “He doesn’t look at me that way,” I say. There was just no way. “Honestly, I’m not into the boy thing right now. I’m just trying to get a feel for the campus, ya know?” It was a lie, but we didn’t need any drama.
“Yeah, no need to worry about boys right now,” Dillon tried to stir the conversation away from this topic.
Julie didn’t want to hear it, though. “That’s so hard to believe. I see how he looks at you.”
“I think you’re reading too much into it,” Dillon said.
She definitely was. Cameron didn’t see me as anything more than a friend and vice versa. He knows my situation with Drew and how I felt about him. Julie didn’t know that key detail, making her believe we had something brewing. It’s best that she doesn’t know about my crush, otherwise, she’ll end up hating me. For now, it was easier to let her think Cam is the one I’m interested in. Eventually, she’ll know and I’m not prepared for it.
Still, Julie insisted I get the dress, and if it would get us out of here faster than I would get the damn thing. For wearing it, I doubt that would be the case. Even for the campus party, I couldn’t see myself in that. No one would recognize me because it’s not me. It’s not my taste and frankly, I didn’t want to impress anybody. Even Drew, though it would be nice to gain his attention more than I’ve had.
We got the dress and got out of there as fast as we could. Juliana was fun to be around. It almost made me feel bad for liking Drew how I do. She was perfect in every way and didn’t need someone like me trying to get in between them. In my heart, Drew would always be someone important to me. Someone that doesn’t even know how much he saved me from utter torture. But maybe it was time for me to let that go.
It was time to let go of Drew.