An Unwanted Reunion

The next day went very well. Lily introduced me to her high school friends, who were also in town for the holidays. Most of the time I was with her, and Kate joined us that evening.

Tim apologized to her and assured her that he didn’t cheat on her that night at Drew’s house. She was happy with him, and I started to see them in a different light.

Maybe she acted differently because she was just in love this time?

Lily’s parents also spent some time with us that evening, after they had returned from their friends. Mrs. Jones insisted on Logan’s presence, and of course, it meant that Melanie was there also.

She still didn’t like me and acted bitchy toward me, even though I kept my distance from Logan. It was getting easier and easier, though.

Yes, I felt an attraction toward him, and sometimes I stared too much, but that’s all. I guess it was better because he distanced himself from me too.

So, at this point, I could say that the winter break was going smoothly... if not for Drew.

I refused to stay for dinner the night before Christmas when I found out that he was going to be there with Phoebe.

Up until now, I had managed to avoid seeing him since he had apparently gotten very drunk at his party and had a huge hangover after.

This time, I couldn’t ask Lily to come with me because her parents prepared the dinner, and it was them who invited Drew. They were used to him being at their house.

Kate wanted to be with me, but it was wrong for both of us not to be there, so I declined her offer. I decided to finally visit the public pool I had read about while with Nina at the dorm.

I apologized to Mrs. and Mr. Jones and drove off an hour before the dinner. I was planning to come back closer to 11 p.m. I hoped that by that time, everyone would have left already.

The pool was vast but still very comfortable and cozy. I enjoyed my time there, doing lap after lap. I stopped only when my muscles started to ache.

The pain was pleasant, and it also helped me clear my thoughts.

I walked out of the pool; my hair was still a little wet and curly from the water. I dressed in my jean shorts, a green T-shirt, and a blue hoodie.

When I was near my car, my phone buzzed; it was my mom. I leaned my back on my car and answered.

“Hey, Mom! It’s so nice to hear from you! Where are you now?”

“Hey, honey! We're still in Paris, and it's a magnificent city with a unique style, but…”

“But?”

“I miss you. And Dad does too. I've even started to think that it was a terrible idea to leave you alone for your first Christmas home from college.”

“Mom, stop! You deserve this vacation. I want you to enjoy your time there. We'll see each other as soon as you're back. I'll come to visit you before the next term starts.”

I talked with her for some time, and then I decided that it was time to go back. It was late. I glanced at the clock on the dashboard. It was half-past twelve.

The ride to Lil’s house would be about ten minutes. Okay, if they were still there, I would sneak into the house. At least I would try.

I parked my car, collected my bag from the backseat, and walked to the house. As I opened the door, I heard laughter and voices from the living room. Shit!

It was the night before Christmas, they were celebrating, and there I was with my hair still wet and my everyday clothes.

“Becca, is that you?” I heard Mrs. Jones’s voice. Just awesome.

My heart started to beat wildly. I didn’t want to go into that room. I didn’t want to see anyone right now, and I especially didn’t want to see Drew with his girlfriend.

There was nothing I could do about my hair or my makeup-free face, or even about my clothes. So I just straightened my shoulders and walked to the room with a smile glued on. Perhaps, I could say that I was too tired after swimming and that I wanted to go to bed?

They were all there, except for Lily and Kate. It was exactly as I had pictured, nothing fancy, but all of them were well dressed. The girls were in dresses, while the guys were in white shirts and trousers. I felt way out of place!

I noticed Drew. He was sitting on the couch, and he had Phoebe plastered to his side, with one of her legs over his knees. I averted my eyes and looked for Mrs. and Mr. Jones.

They were sitting at the table; Logan and Melanie were with them.

“Yeah... sorry for the intrusion, Mrs. Jones.”

“It’s okay, honey. How are you feeling?”

“Refreshed and tired at the same time.” I smiled at her.

“We were a little surprised that you went to the pool instead of having dinner with us, but if that’s what makes you feel better, then it’s wonderful. I hope you didn’t wear yourself out at the pool?”

“I still think it was a really rude thing to do. She’s your guest and should respect you,” Melanie said, not even looking at me.

“That’s enough, Melanie.” Mrs. Jones’s tone of voice was sharp, cutting Melanie off cleanly. “Honey, are you okay?”

She was concerned about me. Well, it was not surprising. While Kate was all smiley and happy, I was moody and unsociable. It was so unlike me, but I couldn’t make myself act differently.

“Everything is fine, and I am just tired. I am sorry, but where are Lily and Kate?”

“They went to the kitchen.” It was Drew who answered. I didn’t turn my head to look at him.

“I will go then. I am sorry again for my decision to miss out on dinner and for the intrusion. It was wrong of me…”

“Don’t be, Rebecca. We all have our good and bad days,” Mr. Jones said to me with a kind smile. “I hope you will feel better in the morning and will finally be able to enjoy your stay here. Goodnight!”

His wife also nodded in my direction, smiling. I shifted my gaze to Logan and Melanie. Melanie’s eyes were glued to her phone, and there was a frown on her face.

Logan looked at me as if he were studying my face. I managed to smile at him, and his eyes quickly softened. I saw his lips moving; he was silently saying, ~Night~, to me.

I left the living room and, halfway to the kitchen, I bumped into Kate. She was walking out of the kitchen door.

“Good Lord, Becca! You scared me! I texted you that they are still here, so we weren’t expecting you back yet.”

“Oh? I didn’t see it, because if I did, I would never come home until they’ve left. Look, Kate…”

Just then, the kitchen door opened again, and Lily came into view.

“Becca? I was sure that I heard your voice, but Kate said that you wouldn’t show up until they had left.”

“I didn’t see the message… Listen, I am exhausted. Every muscle in my shoulders is aching right now. Is it okay for me to go to bed? I could stay and help you if you need me.”

“Nah, go. We'll be okay. You should rest. We'll be here for two days, then the bitches will leave, and we'll go to the lake house,” Lily said. “It's a gorgeous place! I'm sure you'll like it.”

“Well, I have my doubts, but in any case, thank you for looking out for me! Night!”

I waved at them, climbed the stairs to the second floor, and went to my room. Once I was inside, I closed my door and leaned my back against it. I stood there, thoughts circling in my head.

How am I going to survive this trip to the lake house? I could barely look at Drew, and there, I won't be able to avoid him. I sighed and walked to my bed.

I took off my hoodie and tossed it on the bed. I really should go to bed. Sleep will do me good. I went to the bathroom and washed my face, then combed my hair a little, as it still wasn't completely dry.

When I walked back into my room, I almost jumped in surprise. Drew was sitting on my bed.

“What are you doing here? You almost gave me a heart attack!”

“We need to talk, Rebecca. This is starting to be ridiculous.”

“You shouldn’t be here.”

“Tell me that I wasn’t the reason you missed the dinner, and I will leave.”

“Drew…”

“Answer me, Rebecca. Am I the reason? Or Phoebe?”

I frowned. There was no way that I could admit it, but there was also no way that he would believe me if I just lied to him. I sighed. I guessed it was time for my cards to be laid out on the table.

I walked to my bed and sat near him. Maybe saying everything out loud would help me?