Life Changes » Marcus Armstrong

Twelve.

"Anyway, we're here to party and not to have deep conversations - not now, at least." Luna knocked on the front door of the house of one of their friends. "This will probably be the last party for a couple of weeks, so make the most of it."

"You sound like a complete influencer," Jane teasingly said.

Before Luna could reply, the door opened, and a football player was standing in the door opening. "Ladies!" Bastian said and widely smiled. "My rockstar and influencer, come in!"

"You really had the hardest job on dressing up," Luna sarcastically said and entered the house. "Just your football outfit, no problem!"

A laugh rolled over Jane's lips, and she followed Luna and Bastian to the living room. There were about twenty people in the massive living room, all dressed up. Jane didn't know everyone, but enough people to enjoy the Saturday evening. There were friends of friends, classmates, other people.

Michael handed over a beer to Jane. "Hey, rockstar," he widely smiled.

"Ciao..." Jane looked questionable at him, trying to figure out what he was dressed up as, and took a sip of the beer. He didn't look dressed up, more like himself, but more stylish. "Yourself?"

"My better self."

"Ah, I see."

He nodded. "Yeah."

Jane looked over his shoulder, and the muscles in her face relaxed - but negatively. Her eyebrows lowered, and she blew out some air via her mouth. She frustratedly took a sip from the bottle of beer.

"Wow, wow, wow," Michael said and looked perplexed at Jane. "Calm down, bad arse. Just a small reminder, you look extra angry with that makeup and outfit when you look like that... Don't kill me, please," he dramatically said.

"Hmm, what?" Her face softened, changing the angry look to a more friendly look. "I'm sorry." She didn't realise she looked unamused, rather furious.

"What's up?"

"Don't look behind you, but Leonardo is here. Who the fuck invited him?" Jane expiated the brown bottle by drinking it away with a few big sips. Leonardo wasn't friends with anyone here.

Michael looked behind him, acting like he was looking for someone in the crowd. Just when Luna happened to look up and waved, he had the perfect coverup. Before Michael waved and smiled back at Luna, he made a few seconds of eye contact with Leonardo; it was like Luna knew what Michael wanted to do. "Right, dressed up like a dick," he breathed and looked back at Jane. "Time for tequila, bella."

»

The night fell, just like multiple wine and beer bottles. A loud cheer filled the living room, and some started to clap in their hands. Everyone was waiting for this moment to happen, it was just a question when it would happen and who would do it.

Jane sat on the sofa, being separated from the crowd. Her social battery started to run out. She was twirling one of the golden rings around her finger and stared at the broken glass. It happened to be the special agent who did it, Jane didn't know him.

"You good?" Leonardo gave Jane a glass of wine and sat down next to her on the sofa.

Jane only shared an annoyed look and rolled her eyes away. Not now... She grabbed the glass anyway, but didn't reply to her ex-boyfriend. She put the glass down on the ground next to her.

"You look pretty bad arse," he continued and took a sip from his wine. "Never thought you would pull this off."

Her eyes were focused on the special agent who was cleaning the floor now. She bit on the inside of her lip and tried to act like Leonardo wasn't sitting next to her. Her breath was heavy; she didn't want to cause a scene, but she didn't want him near her.

It was silence, making Jane impatient. His presence was annoying her, it felt like he was following her. The alcohol started to kick in; people began to do stupid things, and more laughter filled the space.

"What do you want?" Jane blurted after a while. She was blurting things; she was direct, meaning she was tipsy. And Leonardo knew that.

"Nothing," he replied and pressed his lips into a thin line. "I miss you." Leonardo was dressed up like a doctor.

Jane looked down; I do not miss you. "Yeah..." She cleared his throat and grabbed the glass of wine. She took a sip and sighed.

"I've been trying to talk to you, Jane."

"Yes, and I'm trying to avoid you."

"But why?"

Another loud sigh rolled over her lips. "Do I really need to tell you this, Leonardo? We broke up; there's no reason to stay in touch." She looked at him. "So stop bothering me."

Silence fell between the two. Neither of them got up from the sofa, they both didn't want to be the first to give up this battle and show their weakness. It was odd for bystanders to see the two together again; everybody knew what happened between the two.

Leonardo parted his lips. "What has that driver boy what I don't have?" He acted hurt.

"I really don't have the energy to do this," Jane replied and rubbed her hand over her forehead. Her eyes closed for a couple of seconds.

"No, but for real. What does he has what I don't have?"

"You will find your person, Leo. Just give it time, and you will find her."

"But I have found you."

"I am not the one," Jane snorted and looked at him. "I'm not your person, far from that." She took another sip. "Or we would both know it."

Leonardo looked at her, her dark eyes had something special. "I know you-"

"No. Leo... We don't belong to each other, it is obvious we don't. Look, we are different persons with different priorities. We are not on one line, we don't belong to each other."

"Then tell me what to do to change." He straightened his back, his eyes widened. It was like the alcohol disappeared from his body. "I would do anything, Jane, anything to change for you."

"No, no, no," Jane said and shook her head. "That won't help. You can't just change for just a person." She was surprised by herself; she never sounded this harsh. "Look, we don't belong to each other. You deserve someone who has the same interests, the same priorities and...someone who values you more than I do. I moved on; you have to move on too." It was like she was trying to be polite.

"And the driver boy gives you the appreciation I apparently didn't give you?" Leonardo scoffed. "Mamma Mia..." He ran his hand through his hair and shook his head. "I thought we had something special."

"You will find someone special," Jane softly said and put her hand on his back. It just happened, it went automatically. She stroked his back. "She's somewhere out there; just give it time."

Leonardo leaned towards Jane and put his head on her shoulder. "I want you back, Jane..."

It was almost scary to see how quick the emotions between Jane and Leonardo changed. From annoyance to anger, confusion to support.

"I won't happen, Leo. I want you to be happy; you won't be happy with me next to your side." She pressed a kiss on his hair.

"I love you." This was the first time he said it to her. His eyes closed. "You're way too nice," he whispered.