Chapter 18 SLOANE
Chapter 18
SLOANE
“Sloane!” Daisy’s voice filled the classroom, waving at me, dressed in a floral dress, her Hermes tote bag around her shoulder. She looked so beautiful, so bright. Rave was next to her, waving as well.
I smiled and waved at them. They walked up to me, holding a cup of coffee which Daisy placed in front of me. “Iced latte, that’s what you drink right?” she said taking a seat before me.
Huh?
“How did you..”
“You order the same thing every day you visit the coffee shop, it would be weird not to notice.” she giggled. “Oh, Isaac!” she waved behind me. Her lips curled into a wide smile, eyes glinting just like that day too.
Is there something between them?
“Hey, come sit with us!” She gestured to the seat next to her. Isaac always sits alone, even after we shopped together and studied together, he still sits alone during class.
I turned to find him where he sat, alone, his glasses on and thankfully, dressed neatly and properly. He grabbed his laptop and books and made his way towards us. She didn't even call him twice.
Wow.
Are they that close?
He waved at me as he got close and slid into the seat next to Daisy.
My eyes remained glued on them, brows slightly arched, head tilted, eyes squinted. There is a vibe between them. There is definitely a vibe.
The professor walked into the class and the four of us turned to a statue. Listening attentively, taking notes, and asking questions.
“Now, this is why I like this class, they never disappoint me. I wish all my students were like you.” Our professor praised with a proud smile as he made his way out of the class.
“We should go for coffee,” Rave suggested.
“Don’t you guys think you drink too much coffee?” Isaac interrupted, fixing his laptop into his bag.
I pouted, turning to him. He does have a point. I have had two cups already today. But what other drink can someone have?
“Oh, then let’s have beer!” Rave suggested, biting her lips with excitement.
Oh yes! Beer! We had beer at the party. It tasted so good. I miss alcohol so much. It’s been a while since I drank as I did at the party. Jasper hates alcohol, so I had to pretend I didn't like it too.
“Alcohol is a nice idea, does anyone have anywhere to be today?” Daisy asked, leaning for a response. I shook my head like a kid excited to go to the park. “Okay! Beer it is! Isaac, you’re our driver for the day!”
We dashed out of the class, got into Isaac’s car, and zoomed off. When you have rich friends like Isaac and Daisy, getting private space to drink in broad daylight would be easy.
“Welcome, Ms Daisy, this way please.” The waitress gestured towards a private room. The door was open for us and we made our way in. Bottles after bottles of beer were brought in. Bowls of coated chicken in sauce. Bowls of fried chicken and another bowl of roasted chicken.
“So Sloane, how is Xaden?” Daisy wiggled her brows, her lips curling into this teasing smile. Rave leaned closer to Daisy, giving me the exact look Daisy had on her face.
I coughed, hard, almost choking on the drumstick I took a bite from. Causing Rave and Daisy to laugh out loud, mocking me.
“Daisy…” I grumbled.
She rolled her eyes, “Come on, you can’t keep all the spice to yourself.”
I gasped, eyes flickering, “What spice… There is…nothing going on between us… We're just.. Family friends.” I could feel the heat burning up my cheeks. My face was hot. I kept coughing.
Rave and Daisy turned to each other, “The family friend you have a crush on and kissed on your eighteenth birthday?” They said in unison.
“Guys!” I squealed, hands clasped over my burning cheeks.
“What?” They laughed, taking a sip of their beer.
“Hold on, isn't Xaden older?” Isaac, cut through the mockery, his eyes darting between the girls and me.
“Five years.” I pouted.
“Not much, the perfect age gap,” he said.
“So tell me, any improvement… Did you ask him why he left?” Daisy asked, the teasing smile was gone and I could sense the worry and concern she felt in that moment. Rave had the same look.
How did I manage to end up with friends who barely know me but care about me?
“He… He told me to give him some time…” I muffled.
“After five years?” Daisy frowned, she looked like she was ready to punch Xaden in his face.
I laughed, “Xaden.., rarely keeps secrets from me and he promised to tell me… I’ll wait.” I took a sip of my beer. It wasn't an exaggeration. The reason I decided to hold on to my anger, the reason, I didn't push through, the reason I never hated him… was that I knew something happened… something very bad happened, something he wasn't ready to tell me.
So I chose to trust him one more time. So I’ll wait.
“Oh, look at you, you are so down for him.” Rave teasing voice yanked me out of my thoughts, and it was only then that I realised, I had been smiling.
“No, I’m not… stop teasing me.”
“So if he asks you to date him now, would you say no?” Isaac, whom I least expected to chime in, blurted with a smirk on his face.
Oh, God! I take it back, these guys are the worst.
“No wait… if he asked you… Or if he kisses you now, would you hate it?” Daisy added.
I paused. Eyes flickered as my mind played back to how he snuck into my room last night. How my heart kept beating faster than a freaking bullet as I rubbed ointment on his lips. I could barely hold myself back, from pressing my lips on his, from, asking him to stay a little longer when he decided to leave.
Ah…
The answer to that question is no. If Xaden takes my lips right now, I’ll fall on my knees and let him do whatever he wants to me. I know, I’m down for him…bad. How can I still be hopelessly in love with him after all these years?
Isaac and the girls laughed as I couldn't bring myself to respond, I couldn't even pretend to hate the idea of kissing Xaden.
My phone chimed, I shook my head, and took my phone. It was Jasper.
“Where are you?”