The Art of Falling in Love

Chapter Twenty Six

I grit my teeth, feeling jealousy. I push it down and force a smile, "Sounds like fun. Who's your friend?"

"His name is Connor," Amelia says. "He graduated last spring so his parents let him go to their cottage with a few friends for the weekend. It's right here on the mountains, about a ten minute walk from this lodge."

I text the group chat the new plans for tonight, but can't help but feel reluctant to go. To say the least, I'm not going to be ecstatic to watch Amelia and Noah flirt all night long, but I figure with some booze it will be a little more bearable.

❀ ❀ ❀

It's not bearable. In fact, I think being tipsy has fuelled my anger even more.

"Are you really going to let that French phoney steal your guy?" Alyce yells at me, jumping up and down with energy. Alyce is probably the most lightweight person I know when it comes to drinking. Only two shots in, she gets like this.

Amelia and Noah have been talking for the past twenty minutes, ever since we got to the party. He's laughing while she touches his upper arm, both holding red solo cups.

"Yeah! Go and get your man!" Hunter hypes me up alongside Alyce. They are the dream team.

"Shut up, he's not mine," I sulk, taking another shot. "And he never will be."

"Damn, sad Diana sucks," Damon deadpans. "Does alcohol do this to you, or are you just in a bad mood?"

"Bad mood," Thalia says over the music with Dylan at her side. "Diana's usually a fun drunk."

I note Dylan's arm around Thalia's waist and narrow my eyes at the movement. "Just what do you think you're doing, Hall?" I point accusingly towards Dylan.

"It's fine, Diana," Thalia chides. "We're just pals, right, my friend Dylan?"

"I was kind of hoping you would want to be more," Dylan says flirtatiously, wrapping his other arm around her waist, as well. "Are we really just friends?"

Alyce, Damon, Hunter and I awkwardly slip away, not wanting to listen in on this seemingly private conversation. It is almost comedic how quickly we scamper away.

I walk onto the back balcony, looking over the ski hills. It had snowed earlier today, the mountains now freshly covered with another beautiful layer of snow. Sipping my drink, I feel the buzz of alcohol. The mind numbing ambiance made everything matter just a little bit less. It is kind of nice, the peace and quiet. I try not to think of Noah, but of course, being a hormonal teenager, my mind wanders anyway.

"What are you doing all alone?" A loving and familiar voice asks.

I turn to see Noah, without Amelia by him. I feel a slight sense of relief, despite knowing they had spent so much time together prior.

"Needed some fresh air," I reply. "Where's Amelia?"

"Connor was talking to her after I went to the bathroom, so I decided to just let them talk," Noah shrugs. "But a beautiful girl like you is normally the center of attention at parties. People will start to wonder where you went."

"Let them," I chuckle. The alcohol washes over me, causing me to feel bubbly and happy. "I like being out here with only you."

"You're drunk." He states.