It's Just Ann

Chapter 27 - Rejection

I want to go back to last week, when things were nice and friendly. I want to go back to that night he cooked for me, the evening we spent together so comfortably.

Maybe this is how he felt when I was avoiding him, probably not as depressed, but confused and worried, puzzled because I never explained things and he had to figure it out on his own.

"Come on, Ann! Let's go, let's go, let's go, let's go, let's go, let's go, let's go, let's g—"

"Fine!" I shout, louder than him just to stop him from keep repeating that. It was causing me a tick. "I'll go, but if you plan on leaving me alone with Gareth or anything like that, I won't talk to you ever again. Got it? You are insisting to go the two of us, so don't leave my side."

"What if I want to use the loo?" he asks. He is fighting the smile, so I know he's only joking.

"I'll wait outside until you come come out, and if you take more than fifteen minutes I'll go inside to look for you."

His scandalised reaction makes me chuckle, which helps to improve my mood a bit. Trust Cece to keep your mind busy with babbling or anything else. Trust him to make you laugh when your heart feels heavy and you can't find the words to actually talk about it. Also trust him to decide to give you a makeover for a simple party, deciding that I needed a stronger look for a party. Sometimes I think Cece sees me as his doll or something like that.

Regardless of that, we go together to the party and are a bit late considering everyone else has arrived already and the party is full going. Many faces are familiar but so many are new to me, and it is really crowded. If Gareth is here as Cece said he would, I doubt I can find him in this sea of people. With my friend we go to the bar to get something to drink, and because there are so many people around, maybe even some paparazzi or whatnot, I settle for just drinking juice so I won't get in any trouble for drinking alcohol and still being a minor.

I greet the people I run into, even some executives from Mare's label that we had to talk to regarding aspects of the contract and to buy the credits of certain songs for the soundtrack. That aside, I spend all the time with Cece next to me. He makes me laugh and even makes me dance at some point. Even if I can't tell him yet what had me in a bad mood, his company makes me feel better.

At some point Cece really has to go and use the loo so I'm left alone for the first time in the night. I don't really mind, I keep myself busy reading emails and checking my schedule for tomorrow. But at that moment I receive a text message that I really didn't expect.

Did you come to the party? —Gareth

I stare at it for a while, with my brain frozen, incapable of thinking of a reply or even to move my fingers to type anything. I just stare at it, surprised that he's asked such a thing.

Yeah —Ann

I reply. Four letters that take me more than what a paragraph would. I'm just still surprised he's texted me at this time and asking that.

Where are you? I haven't seen you and I've been looking for you —Gareth

For a second I think of replying honestly and tell him I'm by the bar, waiting for Cece to come back from the loo, but before my fingers can actually type that answer I realise I shouldn't tell him anything. He's been avoiding me and if my feelings are what have made him feel uncomfortable, then the more reason to stay away because I still like him so much and I won't be able to hide that.

No worries, I won't be staying for too long so don't bother —Ann

I send that instead, even if it's a lie. I'm pretty sure Cece has no intention of leaving yet but I rather say that instead of the truth.