Rachel's comments from Tuesday have been on my mind all week. She thinks I should be weirded out by Cameron moving on from me. I get it-he was my first love-but honestly, what's the big deal? People change, and so do their feelings. It's not like I just woke up one morning and thought, "Oh, I don't love him anymore."
No, it wasn't some dramatic, sudden decision. We drifted apart over time. There was no earth-shattering moment when everything ended; it was slow, gradual, almost inevitable. The spark we once had, that electric feeling whenever he touched me, just... disappeared. The magic of love-the thing that had held us together-started to fade. And that's completely normal. Everyone's making a big deal out of this, but seriously, they need to chill.
Sure, a part of me will probably always care about him. He was my first, after all. You don't just forget that. But the intensity of my feelings has changed. It's softer now, less consuming. When I told Cam this a few years ago, he understood. It wasn't easy for him to hear, and it wasn't easy for me to say, but we both knew deep down that it was true. We weren't the same people we were when we first got together, and that's okay.
It was hard for both of us to let go of what we had. There were moments when I second-guessed everything, wondering if maybe we could make it work, but deep down, I knew better. Even when we were together, a small part of me had this nagging feeling that he wasn't my endgame. I tried to push those thoughts aside, focusing instead on the present, on the happiness we shared in the moment. And don't get me wrong, we were happy. But happiness in the moment doesn't always mean forever.
Our separation was necessary. We'd reached a point where staying together would've only held us back. So when I see Cam now, with Celestie by his side, I don't feel weird at all. In fact, I feel relieved. Happy, even. They seem good together. They are good together. It's the kind of relationship Cam deserves-the kind of love that has a real shot at lasting. And he deserves that. He deserves something more than what we had, more than a relationship that was never going to last forever.
So, no, I'm not weirded out by seeing them together. If anything, I'm at peace with it. I know what we had was special in its own way, but I also know it ran its course. Cam and I needed to move on, and he's found someone who makes him happy in a way I couldn't. That's something to celebrate, not feel awkward about.
Rachel and the others can think what they want, but for me? It's clear. Cam and I were meant to end, and he was meant to find Celestie.
I was shaken from my train of thought by the loud ringing of my phone. Flipping the cover, I saw Sierra's name flashing on the screen.
"Hey, girlie! Sup?" Sierra's voice boomed through the speaker like she was hosting a party... or calling from a megaphone.
"Si, you sound like you just found a $20 bill in an old pair of jeans."
"Pfft, it's better than that, babe." I could hear the smirk in her voice.
"Better than free money? This has to be big," I said, sitting up on my bed. "Wait-did someone give you free fries at McD?"
"Nah, even better than fries," she sang in that dramatic tone she uses when she's about to drop some so-called 'major news.'
"Si, nothing's better than free food unless it's free food AND Selene leaves the country forever."
"Close, but no." She giggled like she was holding back something.
"Just spit it out already!" I groaned, tossing a pillow at my wall.
"Invitation to Skylar Stone's birthday party!" she announced, and my mood tanked faster than my maths grades after that awkward encounter with Kevin.
Skylar Stone-ugh. The golden girl of our school, or as I like to call her, "Queen Backhanded Compliment." You know the type-long, glossy black hair that could star in a shampoo commercial, blue eyes that seem to pierce your soul, and a body that makes you question whether you've ever met a treadmill. Girls wanted to be her, and guys wanted to be near her, as if standing in her glow would magically improve their popularity by association. But let me tell you, behind that perfect exterior? She's about as sweet as a porcupine in a tutu.
Skylar specializes in passive-aggression. I'm talking backhanded compliments so sharp you'd need bandages afterward. "Oh my gosh, Vinny, I love how you're so confident with your... unique style!" Yeah, thanks, Skylar, because wearing clothes like a human is so brave. The first time you meet her, you think, "Wow, she's popular for a reason." But by the second time, you realize the reason is probably fear.
And then there's her trusty sidekick, Selene Petals. The two of them? Total power couple of mean-girl energy. They weren't always attached at the hip, but now they rule the school's social scene like it's a reality show, and we're all just supporting characters in their drama. How they became besties is a mystery, but I'm pretty sure it involves some sort of evil pact or shared love of sabotaging group projects. But that's a story for another time.
"Yay... thrilled." My voice dripped with sarcasm. "Why don't I just go ahead and RSVP as 'The Girl Who'd Rather Eat Cardboard'?"
"Oh, come on, Vinny. It'll be fun! You're officially ungrounded as of today! The party's tonight, and literally everyone's going.Even Kevin will be there too. "She let the last part hang, and I could practically feel her wiggling her eyebrows through the phone.
I rolled my eyes but couldn't deny the pull. Part of me wanted to see Kevin again-though I wasn't sure why. Maybe it was unfinished business, or maybe I just missed the comfort of something familiar.
"I am not sure whether I should go or not," I said with a sigh. "You know I had enough of Selene's drama this week."
"Relax! Just show up, look fabulous, and-"
"Yeah, yeah. Go, have fun, try not to make a scene... same old plan. What could go wrong at Skylar's party? I'm sure it'll be a perfectly normal night filled with totally balanced people," I quipped, already mentally preparing for the chaos.
Sierra laughed. "Okay, sure. It's not that bad. Besides, I'm pretty sure Skylar likes you-"
"Yeah, like a cat like chasing mice."
"Well, at least you're the cute mouse. And you know Skylar, she'll be too busy backhand-complimenting everyone else to focus on us."
"Right, because nothing boosts party vibes like passive-aggressive royalty."
"Exactly! That's why we're showing up, so you can roll your eyes with me every time she says something like, 'Oh my God, Vinny, I wish I could pull off an effortless look like yours.'"
I laughed. "If by 'effortless,' she means looking like I just crawled out of a sleep-deprived pit, then sure!"
"There you go! That's the spirit. Now, get this-Rachel's down to be DD."
"Wait-Rachel is DD? Was that decided via blackmail or bribery?"
"A bit of both," Sierra giggled. "I told her we'd need a sober witness for whatever disaster we inevitably create."
"Smart move. Fine, I'll be there, but just know-if Skylar tries anything, I'm taking a cupcake and launching it."
"Deal. Just aim for someone who's not me, yeah?"
"No promises," I teased. "See you later, Si."
"Later, babe! Let's go ruin Skylar's night-uh, I mean, 'have fun.'"
She hung up, and I threw my phone onto the bed, already dreading whatever drama lay ahead at the party.
Isn't it weird how I was just getting all sappy about my first love, and now I'm gearing up for the birthday party of my nemesis's best friend? Talk about a mood swing! I took a moment to process that before diving into the disaster that was my closet. Great! Now let me see what I can wear to this damn party. Oh yeah, that midnight blue dress Mum bought me on my birthday would look amazing. I opened my closet, and everything decided to stage a dramatic protest, tumbling out in a fashion avalanche straight onto my face.
Taking a deep-very deep-breath, I let out a primal scream.
"JAAAAADDDDDDDEEEEEEEE!"
Three seconds later...
"JAAAAADDDDDDDEEEEEEEE!" I yelled again, my frustration with the chaotic closet overpowering my usually calm demeanor.
In a flash, Jade barged into my room, wearing a grin that could rival a Cheshire cat. "Alright, what's the crisis? Did your clothes stage a rebellion?"
"You could say that," I replied, gesturing dramatically at the unruly piles of fabric. "But I don't have time for your witty remarks. I have to get ready for Skylar Stone's birthday party!"
Jade chuckled, "Looks like your wardrobe needs a peace treaty. Let's negotiate."
As we plunged into the fashion battlefield, she couldn't resist a quip, "Skylar Stone's party, huh? Never thought I'd see the day you'd willingly step into that lion's den."
I sighed, rolling my eyes. "Sierra convinced me. Plus, Kevin will be there."
Jade arched an eyebrow, a mischievous smirk forming on her lips. "Kevin? The eternal saga continues. Brace yourself." She knows all too well about my tangled feelings for Kevin. We're in the same grade, and she's got a knack for reading my reactions-especially when he's involved.
Sorting through the chaos, we finally settled on the midnight blue dress. Jade nodded approvingly. "Classy choice. But spill, what's Sierra scheming? There's always a motive with her."
I shrugged, trying to play it cool. "She claims I'm 'ungrounded' now. And, of course, Kevin's presence is part of the draw."
Jade smirked knowingly. "Ah, the Kevin card. Classic Sierra move. Well, let's hope it's at least entertaining."
After we conquered the closet chaos and finally whipped my wardrobe into some semblance of order, Jade glanced at the clock. "Time to glam up, Vinny. You don't want to keep the party waiting. Plus, I'm pretty sure Skylar's not the type to handle lateness with grace."
As I headed to the bathroom, Jade called after me, "And remember, sarcasm is your best accessory tonight! Can't wait to see you cut through her sweetness like a hot knife through butter."
Once in the bathroom, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and dread. Applying my makeup was a ritual in itself. I slathered on foundation as if preparing for battle, convinced I needed armor against whatever Skylar might throw my way. I added some eyeliner to create the illusion of fierce confidence, but deep down, I was pretty sure I'd still look like a deer caught in headlights when faced with the queen bee.
After what felt like ages, I stepped back to admire my handiwork. "Not bad, Vinny. You're almost ready to face the lion's den." I told myself. A final check on the outfit, and I slid into the midnight blue dress. It fit like a glove, hugging me just right. I could almost hear Jade's voice in my head-Classy choice, Vinny!
When I finally emerged, Jade was already waiting, her phone in hand. "Wow! Look at you! You're definitely going to give Skylar a run for her money tonight."
"Let's not get carried away," I replied, adjusting the neckline nervously. "Skylar's like a runway model with a side of evil."
Jade laughed. "True, but you're not going to let her overshadow you, are you? Just remember: confidence is key. And a healthy dose of sarcasm."
"Right, my trusty sidekick!" I said, grabbing my clutch. "Now, how are we getting there?"
Jade smirked, "I told you, it's a party! I'll drive, and we'll meet up with Sierra and the others. Plus, I'm fully prepared to handle any royal drama that goes down."
"Perfect. I can already envision myself rolling my eyes at every backhanded compliment Skylar throws my way."
As we headed out, I felt a flutter of nerves in my stomach. It was just a party, after all, but something about Skylar's gatherings always turned into a spectacle. Would I survive the night without ending up as fodder for her jokes?
Jade seemed to sense my anxiety. "Just remember, Vinny: you're fabulous, and if she tries to bring you down, just hit her with that killer comeback you've been perfecting in your head."
With that, we hopped into the car, and Jade turned up the music, filling the air with upbeat tunes. We were off to the lion's den, ready to take on whatever Skylar Stone had in store. Little did I know, this night was about to take some unexpected turns.
As Jade and I pulled up to Sierra and Rachel's house, I glanced at the festive decorations and the unmistakable hum of excitement spilling from within. The twins' home was practically buzzing with energy.
Jade smirked as we got out of the car. "Let's hope the inside is just as lively as the outside. I could use a distraction from the fact that we're heading to Skylar Stone's birthday party."
"Right? It's like willingly walking into a lion's den and hoping for the best," I replied, rolling my eyes.
We made our way up the porch steps, and the door swung open to reveal Sierra with her signature enthusiastic grin. "Finally! I thought you two got lost in a cereal aisle or something."
"Oh, we definitely found the cereal aisle, but it was out of Lucky Charms," Jade quipped. "Total disaster."
Rachel peeked from behind Sierra, raising an eyebrow. "What's the plan? Are we going to survive this party or just collect embarrassing stories to tell later?"
"I vote for a mix of both," I said, crossing my arms. "We need to document the chaos, after all."
Sierra motioned us inside. "Well, you two are just in time! The snack table is fully stocked, and we need to figure out the seating arrangement in the car."
As we shuffled into the living room, I took a quick glance around. It was packed with decorations and a bunch of teens laughing and chatting. "Let's just hope Skylar doesn't put her passive-aggressive claws into us tonight."
"Don't worry; we'll keep our distance. Like observing a wild animal," Jade joked. "And if she approaches, we'll go all National Geographic on her."
Rachel giggled. "Just remember, if she starts her classic backhanded compliments, we'll counter with our own sarcastic remarks."
"Exactly," I said, smirking. "It's all about survival tactics."
We made our way outside to the twins' car, and as we piled in, Jade claimed the front seat with Sierra, while Rachel and I squeezed into the back. I glanced at Rachel and whispered, "Do you think we'll come back with any new war stories?"
"Only if we play our cards right," she replied, leaning back. "And if Skylar doesn't notice we're actually a threat."
Sierra started the car, her excitement palpable. "Alright, ladies! Time to roll out to Skylar's party! Buckle up; it's going to be a wild ride!"
As we sped off into the night, laughter filled the car. I couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and dread. Whatever awaited us at Skylar's, I knew we'd tackle it together-with a lot of laughter and a sprinkle of sass.
A/N-
Greetings, fellow beings!
How has your week been? Mine was quite hectic, hence the late update. Please accept my apologies for the delay. Now, let's dive into the latest chapter!
I'd love to hear your thoughts on it, so don't hesitate to share. And if you enjoyed it, remember to cast your vote!
Stay tuned, because more exciting chapters are on their way!
~Soul
Question of the Chapter-
What's your favorite season?
As for me, I'm a winter enthusiast-I just love bundling up in cozy clothes! (Weird, right? 😉)