Page 22 of Always Been You
“Am I supposed to know you?” She asks, squinting at me like I’m some half-forgotten memory.
I chuckle, shaking my head. “Of course. You’re still the same as ever, Arie-bear.”
I use the affectionate nickname her father gave her when we were kids, something only a handful of people are privy to. Her brows knit together for a second before realization flashes across her face.
“Pompous…” she starts, her lips twitching upward.
“Shit,” I finish for her, unable to stop the grin that’s tugging at my mouth as I watch recognition dawn in her eyes. Her laughter is immediate, bright, and unrestrained, and for a second, it feels like no time has passed at all. The nickname had started as an insult she used to call me back in school, “pompous piece of shit.” It wasn’t entirely unearned, considering how I turned down everyone who so much looked at me with interest. I already had my eyes on Lawliss, except no one knew. Aria used to make a show of rolling her eyes every time I corrected someone’s grammar mid-confession, saying I had an actual talent for arrogance with a smile. Eventually, the name stuck, but it became less of a jab and more of a running joke between us, something that had quietly tethered us together through those years.
“Oh my God! Is that you, Eddie?” she exclaims, a smile breaking across her face as she stands abruptly to hug me. The warmth of the moment is almost overwhelming. Aria’s hug feels genuine, grounding me in a way I haven’t felt in years. Then Lauren, ever the dramatic one, lets out an exaggerated gasp as she joins in, throwing her arms around both of us.
“Jeez, you look like a man,” Lauren says when we break apart, her wide eyes sweeping over me. She reaches out, her fingers brushing my shoulder as though she’s inspecting me.
“Does that mean I wasn’t a man before?” I reply dryly, earning a soft chuckle from her.
She steps back, but Elisa’s sharp voice cuts through the moment. “Is he supposed to be a friend?” I turn towards her. She’s standing with her arms crossed defiantly. Her gaze dissecting me like the mere sight of me can tell her what she needs to know.
“You must be Elisa,” I say, my tone light but with a teasing edge. Elisa and I rarely interacted. She was always with her boyfriend. Those two made love look beautiful. I was tempted to confess my feelings to Lawliss whenever I saw them. They looked like they would get married before anyone in our circle.
“And?” She shoots back, her gaze narrowing further.
I chuckle, shaking my head in mock exasperation. “What if I told you I saw the start of your relationship with your boyfriend—what was his name again—Gabriel-James?” I say, my tone deliberately dramatic, meant to tease. But the silence that descends speaks volumes. I frown, my tone darkening as I glance at everyone.
“Did that fucking boy hurt you?” The question hangs in the air, but no one answers. Silence. I wait, but no explanation comes. I hate that I don’t know. I regret not keeping closer tabs. When the news broke that Lawliss was in a relationship, I knew I’d lost my chance. After that, it felt wrong to watch her too closely. Like I was already too far outside her life to look in. Instead, I focused on my thirst for vengeance and the Dua business, as it felt safer and less intrusive. But now I realize that wasn’t enough.
They’re still quiet, not until the man seated beside Lawliss speaks with his French accent.
“Taboo name,” that’s all he says. His voice is composed but carries an undercurrent of something unspoken. I turn toward him fully, recognition hitting me instantly.
“Dashiell,” I say, my tone flat.
“Yes,” he replies with a calm nod, the earlier laziness in his posture now replaced with something more professional. Elisa’s voice breaks the moment, her anger sharp and unyielding. “How do you know him/us?" she gestures to everyone.
“Why don’t you go into your memory and try to place me like your sisters did?” I reply, raising a brow in challenge.
Her gaze hardens further. “Wouldn’t it be better to just introduce yourself after intruding on us so rudely?”
Okay. I think I might have escalated things a little too quickly with the Gabriel comment but how was I supposed to know?
“Come on, Riri, Ren, help me out here,” I say, turning back to Aria and Lauren with a small grin. I glance at Lawliss and catch her watching the exchange, a faint frown on her face. She isn’t saying anything, just observing us, like she’s piecing together some puzzle in her head.
Elisa's eyes narrowed again, suspicion mingling with something else. Very few people knew them by that name, as far as I recall, and I suppose it’s still the same.
If she doesn’t recognize me now, then I will just have to do the introduction she wants. Come to think of it, how the hell did Lawliss recognize me easily? It seems among them, she recognized me faster. Now that is an interesting take. I glance at her again, unable to help myself. She’s quiet now, her expression thoughtful, almost distant, like she’s caught in her own world. She doesn’t notice me looking, but I know that look all too well. Lawliss’s always got that way when she was trying to piece things together.
Even now, I can’t help but admire her. She hasn’t changed much, not where it counts.
“Edmund?” Elisa whisper-shouts, her voice filled with shock. I see her excitement as she finally places me, like passing some kind of test she didn’t know she was taking. Finally! I heave a sign of relief and nod.
“Theeee Edmund?” She stretches, her posture changing into that of relaxation.
“The reason she became a lawyer?” Elisa presses, pointing directly at Lawliss as though trying to confirm who I am with that.
“Me?” Lawliss snaps, clearly offended. “What rubbish are you talking about?”
“You don’t remember crying and—” Elisa starts, but Lawliss’s hand flies out, covering her sister’s mouth in an instant. I can’t help it; I laugh. Interesting.
This family. Just by being near them, they’ve managed to unearth a part of me I thought I’d buried long ago. My eyes trail over everyone and I find myself feeling at home for the first time since my arrival. I guess I can survive Louisville.
