Chapter 3 Chapter 3

Paris

We returned to the dance, where we parted. I found Shanae and her boyfriend, Nick, and Colton found his new girlfriend. Though they weren’t a ‘thing’ yet, I had an instinctive urge to claim him as mine first. I felt like a third wheel in both cases, so I spent most of my time drinking spiked punch.

I watched as Colton laughed and danced with her, and even though I wouldn’t admit it out loud, they looked good together. Before I knew it, my head was spinning, and I was dancing with anyone in sight. I wasn’t good with alcohol, and alcohol and heartbreak were a recipe for disaster.

When my eyes found him again, he and Anastasia were leaving. So, I ran after him, catching him right in time for him to stop.

“Hey, where are you going? You took me here, r-r-remember?” I slurred as I blinked to focus my vision.

“Gosh, Paris, you’re drunk,” he muttered as his arm wrapped its way around my waist as if on instinct. “I’ve got to take you home now. Sit here, okay? I’m going to pull up the car.”

He led me to a chair as Anastasia’s eyes darted between the two of us.

“But what about showing me the fountain?” she asked as she followed behind him.

I paid no attention to what happened as the lights dimmed, and a slow song started. Thrill suddenly filled my body, as I disobeyed Colton and moved from my seat. My feet took me to the stage area, and I had no idea how nobody saw me. But as I stood behind a mic, that’s when heads turned.

“Awe, you lot look so lovely together,” I mumbled as they watched me in confusion. I noticed Shanae’s eyes going wide as she tried to make her way through the crowd, no doubt trying to save me from whatever nightmare I was getting myself into.

“So in love and cute,” I continued with a giggle. “We all deserve love; but not me, apparently. The one I love doesn’t love me, and the person he loves is prettier than me.” I giggled as the mic almost slipped from my hand. Everything around me seemed blurred and foggy, yet my brain didn’t take it as a huge red flag.

“Paris, get down from there!” Shanae shouted through a harsh whisper from the side, but I ignored her.

The door then opened, and Colton and his date reentered. Yet, my stupid mouth would not stay closed.

“There he is right now!” All heads turned to face him as I pointed. “I love you, Colton! Love me too!”

My eyes drooped as someone pulled me from the stage and through the back door. A splash of water on my face snapped me right out of my daze, and I was face-to-face with Shanae and a whole lot of realisation.

I just told Colton that I loved him. I just told the entire school! Gosh, I’m such a freak. I stood embarrassed, hurt, and I felt stupid. So, I did the only thing that seemed logical. I ran—sprinting as fast as I could in no specific direction, with a shouting Shanae behind me. I didn’t stop until I was a few metres from the famous bridge.

And so, here I was.

“Are you done yet?” Shanae asked, and I finally jumped from the bridge onto the ground with a sigh.

I slid down against the rail with my head in my hands as I pulled my knees to my chest. Shanae sat beside me, and I waited for her to say something encouraging to cheer me up. Instead, she just had to be herself.

“I told you not to drink that punch,” she whispered, as if that helped. I threw her a glare which, of course, only made her laugh.

“You’re not a good friend,” I complained, hitting her shoulder.

“Hey, I ran five miles behind you, and I’m not a good friend?”

“Okay, maybe you’re a decent friend,” I chuckled, and she did too.

I squinted as bright headlights stopped in front of us, and I saw it was a very familiar jeep. My heart raced as Colton jumped from it and rushed to my side.

“Well, that’s my cue,” Shanae mumbled as she left.

“Hey wait, don’t leave—”

“Thank God you’re okay,” was the first thing he said before he wrapped me in a hug, leaving me bewildered.

“Aren’t you upset?”

“Why would I be? Worried I was, but I’m not mad.”

“I just thought that…” I paused, not wanting to embarrass myself anymore.

“Thought what?” he probed.

I sighed. “I caused all that attention back there… with my declaration,” I mumbled the last part hoping he wouldn’t hear, but, of course, he did.

He said nothing right away, which unnerved me. Instead, he took Shanae’s former spot beside me and guided my head on his shoulder.

“It’s okay, Paris. I love you too. I would’ve been mad if you said you didn’t,” he said, shocking me out of my skin.

My heart leapt in hope as I met his eyes. His ‘date’ was in the car, so this was a tad immoral. Still, the alcohol in my veins prevented me from caring.

“Really? You love me too?”

“You really are drunk, aren’t you?” he chuckled. “Of course, I do, Paris. Whether or not you’re drunk, remember that.”

A wave of disappointment flooded me when I noticed we were both referring to two different types of love, so I simply nodded.

“Besides, it doesn’t matter if everyone else thought you meant it differently. We know what you meant, and that’s all that matters. You’re my best friend, and I’ll love you forever,” he added, crushing me even more.

Right. Just best friends.