Chapter 59 ~Time stood still~
(Fiona's POV)
“Come on, girls. Let's go up.” Brianna called out. Then she paused, maybe just noticing my face was ashen. “Fiona, you look like you've seen a ghost.”
Yara looked just as worried as I did. Xander was here, and it was not going to be good.
“Did you say Xander is here? Like, at this party?” I willed her to say she was mistaken. Maybe it was a slip of her tongue.
“Yeah. He's here. Does that bother you?” Brianna asked with an arched brow.
I gulped, my throat suddenly dry.
“Aren't you guys like together or something?” Jasmin asked.
“Wait…” Frances stopped in her tracks. “Oh my god, did you guys break up?”
I glared at them like I was mute. I didn't know what to answer.
“No, of course not.” Yara blurted, answering on my behalf. “They just are having a little lover's quarrel, you know.”
Brianna looked unconvinced, but she nodded nevertheless. “Okay.”
“Well, if you want to get back at him, I suggest you make out with one of the boys there. Trust me, it works every time.” Frances said.
I'm not sure I wanted to do that.
Yara mindlinked me. ‘You should do that.’
I glared at her pointedly.
‘Just saying. Hehe.’
“Let's just go up and have a good time.” I spoke out.
I was already mentally preparing myself for facing him.
I actually wanted to see how he was doing. Whether he missed me, whether he thought about me the same way I did.
We climbed up the stairs. I tried to still my breathing.
We maneuvered through empty liquor bottles, pizza boxes and drunken teenagers making out by the stairway.
Finally, we got to the entrance, which was a large door that led to a big room.
As we entered, my eyes adjusted to the dim lighting.
I heard a whistle.
“Damn! Who is that?” someone muttered. And there was a round of laughter.
My anxiety went up a notch as I walked closely beside Yara to get a seat.
“Guys, this is Fiona and Yara.” Brianna introduced us to the small crowd.
They muttered greetings, to which we responded.
Where was Xander? I couldn't find him here.
“Oh my gosh, stop it. She has a boyfriend.” Jasmin said a little too loudly. This got my attention.
When I turned to her, I could see there was a boy beside her and they were both staring at me.
Great! Just great!
Who on earth knew what they'd been talking about?
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.
The music was too loud, it was too dark in here and there were way too many people in here than were comfortable for me.
I tried to ignore the glances I was getting and wore a poker face, hoping it would deter them from approaching me.
But of course, it didn't.
One of the college students (I didn't need a shaman to tell me he was one) walked up to me.
He wore a black shirt that was a little too tight and he had tattoos scattered all over his arms.
“Hey beautiful.” He smiled at me, taking my hand in his.
Yara got up from beside me with a small smile. “And that is my cue to leave. I'll be by the chocolate fountain, Fiona.”
I exhaled roughly.
I couldn't believe that Yara was leaving me in such a weird situation. I pleaded with my eyes, but she shrugged and walked off.
‘I hate you.’ I mindlinked her.
‘I love you.’ She responded in a beat.
The college student took over the chair she was sitting on. He kissed the back of my palms.
“You're absolutely gorgeous.” He said with that exaggerated tone most college boys used when around a girl.
“Thanks.” I muttered uncomfortably.
“My name is Andre. I'm Brianna's brother.” He smirked.
I widened my eyes. Brianna's elder brother!
“Um… that's nice.” I answered, unsure of what to say.
He chuckled. “Do I make you uncomfortable? You seem a bit distant.”
Yes, yes, I was uncomfortable.
“Of course not.”
“Great.” He passed two solo cups from the table and handed one over to me. “Here you go. It definitely helps to be a little tipsy.”
Well, fuck it… I might just as well down the whole thing.
I drank the contents in one big gulp that had my throat burning.
“Whoa… easy there, tiger.” He laughed deeply.
I took a few more cups of alcohol.
Now that I was successfully on my way to being drunk, I could laugh too. And I did.
Suddenly, I saw Xander walk in.
Our eyes met and time stood still.
The smile on my lips froze as I stared at him. It was now that I had seen him again that I realised how much I missed him.
His eyes were on mine, and suddenly a girl I did not recognise walked up to him. His eyes left mine and faced her.
She was petite and dainty. With a babyish voice.
I don't know what she whispered in his ear, but he laughed… like a genuine, deep laughter.
He didn't look very bothered about my absence. Actually, he looked better than when I last saw him.
And who was she?
My heart tugged painfully in my chest as I tried to control my tears.
He wasn't looking at me. At all.
I took another gulp of alcohol and suddenly remembered Yara's advice.
I turned abruptly to Andre. “Would you like to dance?”
He looked surprised for a bit. But conceded. “Sure, let's dance.”
I held his hand, and we walked to the centre of the room where others were dancing.
‘Work’ by Rihanna came on.
And a thought flashed through my mind. Why be sad all alone?
I would love to see Xander's reaction to me dancing with Andre.
We began dancing, moving in sync to the rhythm of the music.
I was repulsed by the fact that I was dancing with Andre, but I had to make Xander jealous.
So I grinded on him when the chorus came up. I was genuinely praying that Andre would not think much of it.
We were giggling as we danced.
I snuck a glance at Xander. His eyes met mine.
They were unreadable. The only difference in his countenance was that his jaw had tightened.
The girl he was with didn't seem to notice this and was still talking.
I felt a little happy that I'd gotten his attention.
When Andre put his hands on my waist as we danced, my body was screaming for him to let go. But I was too tipsy to care. Plus, I was enjoying Xander's reaction.
I didn't look in his direction again until the music changed to another.
Breathless, I left the dance floor with Andre.
When I turned to look at Xander, he was no longer standing by the door.
He was sitting at the other far end of the room, still discussing and laughing with the girl. Clearly unbothered by my display.
I suddenly fell sick to my stomach and blinked quickly to stop the tears that were threatening to spill from my eyes.