Chapter 6 The Party I Shouldn’t Have Come To
Lila’s POV
I stood in front of my mirror for a full ten minutes, staring at my reflection like it was going to suddenly tell me the right decision to make.
My outfit was already picked out—a simple black top and fitted jeans, nothing too much, nothing too little. My hair fell over my shoulders in soft waves, and I’d redone my lip gloss twice already.
I don’t need Cole.
Right?
That thought had been on repeat in my head ever since I walked out on him at the library. I grabbed my phone, staring at the screen like maybe—just maybe—there’d be a message from him.
But there wasn’t.
I couldn’t expect anything good from an arrogant jerk like him.
Before my brain could over think it, I snatched my bag off the bed and headed for the door.
Ryan’s house was already pulsing with music by the time I got there, bass thumping in a way I could feel in my chest before I even stepped inside. The front door was wide open, people spilling in and out like they owned the place.
I hesitated on the porch, just for a second.
Then I straightened my shoulders and walked in.
You’ve got this, Lila.
You do not need Cole.
The second I stepped inside the room, the scent of Soda hit me, mixed with cheap cologne, and something else I couldn’t quite place.
Laughter echoed from somewhere deeper inside, and people filled the living room—talking, dancing, leaning against the walls and making out like this was the most natural thing in the world.
I scanned the room quickly.
And then my eyes landed on him.
Ryan.
He stood beside the kitchen counter, surrounded by a group of people, laughing at something someone had said. He looked exactly like he always did—effortlessly handsome, like he didn’t even need to try.
Okay.
This is it.
I inhaled slowly and began to make my way toward him before I could overthink it. I was just a few steps away when his gaze flicked up—and landed on me.
For a split second, something like surprise crossed his face.
Then he smiled.
And just like that, everything else didn’t matter anymore.
“Hey,” he said as I reached him.
“Hey,” I replied, hoping my voice didn’t betray the way my heart was racing.
“I’m glad you made it.”
“I—yeah,” I forced the words out quickly, trying to act calm. “I couldn’t miss your birthday party for anything.”
“Cool.” He nodded, then glanced behind me briefly, as though he was expecting to see somone else.
“What?” I asked.
“Where’s Cole?”
Shit!
He just had to ruin this beautiful moment by asking about that jerk.
“He’s…running late,” I replied, forcing a casual shrug. “He said he’d be here soon.”
Ryan nodded slowly, like that made sense. “Figures,” he said. “Cole’s always late to everything.”
I let out a small laugh, even though every instinct inside me screamed to leave before this got worse.
For a moment, an awkward silence settled between us. Then someone next to him started talking again, pulling his attention away, and just like that—I wasn’t the center of his focus anymore.
I was just… standing there.
I shifted slightly, unsure where to stand, what to do with my hands, how to exist in a place like this where I didn’t quite belong.
“You want something to drink?” Ryan’s voice caught my attention again, his back half-turned toward someone else.
“Uh, sure.”
He handed me a cup without really looking at me, then went right back into his conversation. I stood there, holding it, trying not to feel invisible.
As always.
I don’t know how long I stayed like that, but I stood long enough for the excitement I’d walked in with to slowly drain out of me.
It was so stupid of me in the first place to think that things would be different tonight.
That maybe we’d talk. Really talk.
Get to know each other to cover up for the two years we had never spoken. Instead, I was here standing like a fool, listening to a conversation that didn’t include me.
“Wait,” a girl’s voice cut in suddenly. “Who are you again?”
I blinked, my attention snapping to her. She stood across from me, her arms crossed, her eyes scanning me like she was trying to figure out what someone like me was doing in a place like this.
“Oh,” I said quickly, trying not to show how nervous I was. “I’m Lila.”
“Lila…?”
“Thompson,” I added.
“Oh,” she said after a pause that felt a little too intentional. “Right.”
Even as she said the words, it was still obvious from her expression that she still didn’t remember me. Her voice began to draw attention towards us as a couple of people nearby began to glance at me, curiosity flickering in their eyes.
“Are you in our department?”One of them asked.
“Yeah,” I said, forcing a small smile.
“How come I’ve never seen you around?” another voice added.
Act cool
Say something, Lila!
“I—I am,” I said quickly. “I just—”
“Wait,” the first girl interrupted, her eyes lighting up slightly. “Aren’t you the girl who just started dating Cole recently?”
The room didn’t go silent.
But inside me, it did.
“Yeah…no…” I said, too fast. “I mean, we just—“
“Ohhh,” she dragged out, exchanging a look with someone beside her. “If you’re really dating Cole, then where is he? Why didn’t he come with you?”
“He’s—“
“It’s just a simple question,” she cut in before I could finish. “The Cole Harrison I know doesn’t just miss parties.”
All eyes were on me now.
Waiting for my demise.
I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry.
“He’s on his way.”
“Mm,” the girl hummed, clearly not buying anything I just said.
I glanced across the room—Ryan standing there. He didn’t even say anything or try to ease the tension. He just… stood there and let it happen.
Something inside me cracked instantly as I stared down at the drink in my hand, wishing that the floor would just open and swallow me.
Why did I even come here in the first place?
What was I expecting?
That Ryan would suddenly—
“Hey babe.”
A familiar voice cut through the room before I could finish reeling in my thoughts. My head snapped up to see the last person I was not expecting would appear tonight.
Cole.
He was standing just a few feet away, both hands sliding into his pockets, eyes already locked on me. For a second, relief crashed through me instantly.
Because for the first time—
It actually felt good to see him.
“H—“
I didn’t get to finish, because in the next second, he was already moving. In two fast strides, Cole closed the distance between us.
His hand came up, brushing lightly against my jaw as he leaned in. Before my brain could even catch up, his lips crashed against mine.
My brain completely shut down, and for a second, I forgot where I was. Who I was…what was even happening.
Then just as suddenly—
He pulled away.
“I’m so sorry babe,” he said, his voice low—but loud enough for everyone to hear. “You shouldn’t have had to come here alone,” he added. “After the fight we had.”
My breath caught.
Fight?
Alone?
What the hell is he talking about?
