(Edit)
Dinner parties.
I didn't expect things to go so wrong so soon. I walked down to Casey's apartment building, and all I could do was pace around.
I was complimenting how I would tell her, and how I should do it. I expected a least a lot of people, so I could make our way to her bedroom to tell her. But then what...
I pressed the bell with anxiety building up in me. When she buzzed me in, I walked down to the elevator and waited for the door to open. A few seconds passed and I walked in. A voice that sounded so familiar called after me, and I held it.
Big mistake.
I would have expected Jess, but not her. Emily ran towards the elevator, as I stared at her confused. She couldn't be going to the same place I was.
"I know I look good and all, but staring isn't nice," she said grinning. She wore a red dress and tied her blond hair in a neat bun.
She couldn't be serious. Okay now I think she's stalking me for real. I'm going to be needed a restraining order, and soon.
"Emily...what the hell are you doing here?"
"I was invited."
"By who!"
"Casey." The door opened and she walked towards the room that I wished I wasn't going now. I followed slowly behind her as I felt the blood leaving my brain.
I can't do it with her here. She wouldn't allow it. In fact she'll make it seem like we were a thing. I'm doom. I fear death is far more easily than escaping this women.
She knocked a few times before, Casey opened the door. She looked so beautiful. Her hair was let down, and that dress made me tingle. That tight black dress made me feel like sweeping her into my arms and kissing her repeatedly.
Her eyes glisten as well as her smile. Her whole face lit up as that door opened.
I didn't know that I was staring at her for as long as I was, until Emily shoved me hard.
Emily scoffed at me, proceeding through the doors as she waved her hips. She's trying way too hard.
When I stepped I waited for her. "You look beautiful." I said almost tripped half way there, and she smiled at me helping me gain my balance.
"Thank you. Here I'll take that." She pointed down the hall to a bright room, as she takes my jacket off and put it in the closet. I walked in front of her, and I froze.
I didn't expect a room filled with a little amount of people. My perfect plan would never work. God I knew I needed a backup plan.
In the already seated chairs where almost filled with people I knew.
The girl that I meant that was with Casey that very first day we reunited. As well as Jamie, Jess, Emily, and of course Chase.
There was 2 other guys there that I had no idea who, probably Chase's friends.
Anyway, I took the seat next to Jess and Emily. Jamie sat in front of me with that girl that I later found out was called Sarah while the guys were Austin and Luther.
Casey brought out some food and we all dig in.
Was I the only one who question what was actually going on here.
I went to the bathroom because it was way too quite, and I needed to clear my head. I needed to come up with something.
When I came back, everyone was chatting as if they knew each other. As if there was no awkward silence before all of this. As if I was the intruder.
I looked up at Casey who was having so much fun with her friends, while Jess and Chase were talking like old friends.
Traitor.
Chase chimed his glass and we all settled down. He looked to his left to the girl sitting right to him.
Casey.
"I have a very important announcement. And I would like to thank Luke here for helping me realize what I have." I raised my glass at him to acknowledge his words.
I still don't like the guy.
Emily whispered into my ear, "Right Luke." I eyed her, making sure she knew that this wasn't the time and place.
"Casey... We have been dating for 2 years now and..."
Oh God stop right now.
"And I wanted to know..."
He can't be doing this.
He got of his chair, and stood there. "Would you..."
Jamie turned to me as those words that stabbed me came out.
He fell to the ground and kneeled on one of his knees. "Would you marry me?"
Time stopped.
My heart began to beat harder and harder as the seconds felt like years. Years that would or would not be taken away from me.
Her.
She turned to me, and stared into my eyes, while I to her. The look was unmistakable. Her eyes were asking for permission, but all I could do was stare.
I could see that my eyes were starting to become cloudy as tears began to form in my eyes.
Everyone looked back and forwards between Chase and I. This was his plan all along, wasn't it. He doesn't love her, it looked like he wanted her because I wanted her. She was his trophy, but she was my heart.
Jamie turned to me and I looked away. I guess the secret is out. I looked over at Jess whose eyes were on the table and only there. The two other guys didn't understand the sudden silence between everyone.
While the whole time, Casey and I never left each other's eyes because we were dawned together by this one discussion.
But then....but then I smiled. I forced a smile that made her think otherwise. And from that moment on, my heart was losing a race of its own.
The seconds turned into minutes, and the minutes turned into worried looks from everyone around. The longer she linger the more they all worried. The more I felt safer.
She turned to him, faced him as his smile came back.
All of a sudden a whispered came out of her mouth that broke me, that broke my entire being.
"Yes."
"Yes!" Chase shouted. "Yes, yes, yes! She said yes!" I think I heard it the first time. He pushed her into a hug, and she gladly allowed him to. She closed her eyes, and I felt that she knew. For that split second, I thought she knew it was me.
Jess turned to look at me, but I didn't bug. My whole body tense up, as I feel that drop fall down my cheek.
I cried. I am literally about to cry for this girl.
I quickly get up from the table, not caring that I was causing a scene. I just needed out. Closed to the door, I grabbed my jacket and as soon as I was about to open the door, she showed up. She pulled me back, and I knew it was too late. My voice said it all. I was crying in front of her, I was letting myself go.
"Luke..."
"No I'm happy for you. I really am."
She formed a frown, and looked away from my crying self. "Luke..."
"No. Casey.... Just stop."
"Okay." She moved aside, and I don't know how or why I did it, but I did. My body moved towards her and kissed her right there in the hallway. I pressed my lips onto her like it was the last time I was going to see her, maybe it was. I don't know anymore.
She didn't bug. She didn't even move a muscle as I did this. Instead she let me be, kissing me back as if this was real.
Now I know she feels something. Too bad it would soon be nothing.
I release myself from her, and walked out the door.
But before I could do that. I whispered into her ear, "Cheers to you my love." My body was doing its own little thing because I would never be doing this if it wasn't for him.
For a while, I just drove. It seemed like there was no place in California that I could go and relax myself, until I found it. I parked my car and walked up the steep hill, and sat there.
Is it just me or was it that fact that I believed that she was following all the way here that made me think something else. It really was. Too much movies and you start thinking of your life as one.
To be honest, all I did was sit here and cry. I cried so much that the tears had stopped coming.
Why was I so stupid?
Why did I leave her?
All of this would have gone so differently. I could have had her with me right now; I could have been the one to ask her that question.
Chase didn't even deserve her, I did. I worked my butt off, I tried every possible way, ha I even hired a spy, great work that was.
Then it hit me. Uncle Sam was right. I did all that, but never ever told her how I feel. And when I did...It was too late.
*******
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What you think about this sudden change?
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