Page 37 of Piece By Piece

“Sure they are.” Then we’re jogging towards the car. Apparently, she really can’t wait to get going.

I recognize Sebastian’s car and for the first time in weeks, my heart starts racing in anticipation rather than panic. Mattheo and Andrew wait for us outside and both greet me with a hug. When I round the car to get in the back behind the driver’s seat, I’m surprised to find the owner of the car leaning against its side rather than sitting inside.

My heart trips over itself and I nearly miss a step. He turns to me fully with a lazy smile on his face, taking me in from head to toe in a way that has my skin heating. When he’s done, he steps closer and says, “Hey,friend.”

He pulls me into a hug and I lose my voice to reply. I just stand there, hugging him back weakly as I soak up the bliss of the innocent contact. Shit, whoever said magic didn’t exist has never received a good hug.

Someone slapping the car’s hull loudly interrupts the moment and Sebastian pulls away. “Come on, let’s get going!” Andrew urges.

“Touch my car again and I’ll break your hand,” Sebastian retorts even as he opens the door for me. Once I’m seated inside, he gets behind the wheel and starts driving.

“So, Aliena, what have you been up to? I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever!” Mattheo pouts. I smile at him, glad when that motion doesn’t hurt, at least.

“I’ve been swamped with work, sorry. I wouldn’t dare miss my girl’s birthday though. Twenty-three, you old cow. I remember when you got your first training bra,” I tease her. She glares playfully.

“Shush now, we didn’t all start growing boobs at twelve!” She laughs and conspiratorially adds, “And stopped at fourteen.”

“Ey! Below the belt!” I warn her, just joking.

“Wait, what?” Mattheo interjects. Lily is happy to elaborate.

“Our darling Aliena might’ve thought she was growing boobs early, she didn’t think they’d stop doing so so soon though. She had to take the pill to get those tatas we all see and adore now.”

I groan as the guys all burst out laughing. “Some friend I have,” I mumble though I feel better than I have in weeks. I’m glad I came tonight.

When we finally arrive at the destination, my enthusiasm dims a little again. There’s already music playing inside and the place looks amazing. Extravagant and elegant in an effortless way. It’s so Lily, so much more so than I could ever have achieved. It feels like a slap in the face and my earlier disappointment and shame return.

Oblivious to my inner turmoil, my friends enter the party. I follow them and try not to look like a beaten dog as I do.

Mattheo is off almost immediately, being swept up by the people on the swimming team. Lily and Andrew make their rounds saying hi to everyone. I try to disappear on one of the couches in a dark corner, feeling more like a jerk the more I feel bad for myself.

I don’t know what’s happening to me. Others are dancing but I can’t seem to bring myself to join them. I don’t feel like being here at all anymore. I’m tired and it feels like the short interactions I had in the car with my friends drained me completely.

I hate what’s happening to me, but I can’t seem to stop it.

I’m torn from my thoughts when someone joins me on the couch. I look to my right to see Sebastian getting comfortable. When he’s happy with his position, he turns to me.

“No dancing tonight?” he asks throwing his arm over the back of the couch so it’s close to my face. Before I can question it, he starts playing with the ends of my ponytail.

I try to muster a weak smile. “I don’t know. I’m still waiting for the music to call for me, I guess,” I reply lightly.

He frowns a little, studying me more closely. As he does so, it feels like he can see right through me and I start feeling nervous. “Rough week?” he finally asks. I just nod, which he seems rather unhappy with. Before he can keep questioning me, I speak up.

“How come you’re not saying hi to all your classmates? Don’t you have friends?” I ask as teasingly as possible. It’s excruciatingly hard to keep up the façade under his scrutiny but for now, he doesn’t comment on it.

“You know my friends and I already said hello to all of them,” he replies flatly. I smile at that. Truly.

“I am so not surprised. If you don’t like any of these people, why do you host so many parties?”

“Because I can. I have the best location for it and it gets me a good reputation. It’s not like I have to clean up the mess myself afterward and I get to hang out with my friendsin the private room,” he explains. I huff softly at that explanation.

He arches a brow. “Is there a problem? The last time I checked, you enjoyed my parties greatly.”

“Yeah, they’re all right,” I play it down.

“All right, huh?” he retorts with a grin, tugging at a strand of my hair. I swat his hand away.

“Hey, that took me twenty minutes to get right. Don’t mess with it,” I protest and he raises his hands in mock surrender.

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