The Past Between Us novel Chapter 26

|Present|

I sighed in frustration as I smoothed down my dress.

I couldn't believe this was happening.

My mind recalled what had happened a few short hours ago.

I'd been reading peacefully in my room when someone knocked.

"Come in." I had called out.

My father stepped inside hesitantly. After a few awkward moments of silence he finally spoke up.

"I've arranged a small party tonight, to announce Sara and my engagement. I'd really appreciate it if you joined us." His voice had been almost timid.

We were enveloped by a thick silence once more.

Finally, I had given him a silent nod.

I had almost laughed at how surprised he looked, like he'd been expecting me to fight or throw a tantrum. Honestly, I had been surprised myself by how calm I was.

I had realized that it was easier just to accept some things.

Sometimes acceptance made things easier, less painful.

I could hear people laughing and talking downstairs. The party had started an hour ago but I couldn't bring myself to join them.

The door suddenly flung open and I turned around, half expecting it to be Danielle or Jace, I'd invited them for moral support.

My smile faded when I saw who it was.

"What the hell are you doing here Nichole?" I snapped.

She chuckled coldly. "It's my sister's engagement party, where else would I be?"

"Get out of my room." I gritted out.

She shrugged nonchalantly. "Nah. I like it here, I'll stay."

I could feel my anger flaring and I watched her walk around and touch my things.

My breath hitched when I saw her pick up a photo-frame on my dresser, the one with the picture of me and my mother. It was the last present she had given me.

"Put that down." I spat out.

She turned towards me slowly. Her lips drew into a smirk.

"Okay." She responded.

I watched in horror as she flung it to the ground. My heart dropped as I watched it break into a thousand pieces.

My shock was soon replaced by anger.

"You will pay for this." I hissed in fury.

She just laughed. "What are you going to do about it? Run away for another three years again?"

I snorted. "You know, I'd like to hate you Nichole but you're nothing but an insecure and pathetic spoiled little girl and I only feel sorry for you."

Her eyes blazed. "Take that back." She threatened.

"Make me." I taunted.

She took a step towards me and my hands curled into fists, prepared to fight. I wasn't going to back down. Not this time.

"What's going on here?" A new voice suddenly broke in.

My eyes trained on father's fiancé standing by the door.

"What did you do Nichole?" Sara's voice was hard.

"Why do you assume it was me who did something?" Nichole snapped.

"Because you're my sister and I know you." Sara retorted evenly. Her eyes trained on the broken frame littered on the floor and her lips drew into a thin line.

Sara's furious gaze trained on her sister.

"Leave." Her voice was calm but her eyes flashed with challenge.

"Don't tell me what to do." Nichole spat out.

"I don't want you ruining tonight for Scarlett or me for that matter. You're going to go and ask the driver to take you home right now or else I'm going to tell mom and dad all about this and you know what will happen then. Do you want to go back to that place?"

Nichole's face paled a little at her sister's words. They both glared at each other for a few moments. I watched in disbelief as Nichole turned to walk away.

When she had gone Sara turned to me, her face apologetic.

"I'm very sorry Scarlett. My sister can be. . . difficult. I don't think she can help it." Her voice was sad.

I just stared at her still in shock over what happened.

No one had ever stood up to Nichole for me.

"Thank you." I told her truthfully.

She smiled. "You should go downstairs, your friends are waiting for you. I'll clean up this mess."

"No! You don't have to clean-" I started but she cut me off.

"Please Scarlett. It would make me feel better. She's my sister and I feel really guilty about everything."

I sighed in defeat. I knew I couldn't change her mind.

I gave her one last grateful smile before walking out.

I took a deep breath as I slowly made my way downstairs. My eyes immediately fell on Danielle and Jace who were standing together in a corner.

I sighed in relief. Thank God they were here! I started to make my way towards them.

I yelped in surprise as an arm curled around my waist and spun me around.

My eyes locked with a pair of dark grey ones.

"Hunter?" I sputtered in disbelief.

"Surprise." He murmured in my ear, his lips drawn into a smirk.

"What are you doing here?" I whispered, still in shock.

He shrugged. "Your dad invited me. We're neighbors remember?"

I guess that makes sense.

"I need to take you somewhere. Come on." His smirk widened as he started tugging me away.

"Hunter I can't do that. This is my house. I can't just abandon the party." I hissed as I tried to get out of this hold.

"I wasn't really asking." He murmured his grip around my waist tightened as he started moving me towards the exit.

I turned to look at Danielle and Jace but they only eyed us with amusement. Neither one of them made a move to help me. Traitors.

I gave up struggling after a few minutes.

"Hunter let go of me!" I gritted out in frustration once we were outside.

I was seething.

"Who the hell do you think you are?!" I snapped. "You can't just drag me around whenever you want."

He finally let go of me but I wasn't done.

"I don't know what you think is going on here but let me clarify, we are not friends. We're not even associates. We are nothing."

I noticed how his face went completely blank at my words.

"What's today's date?" His voice was so soft, I almost didn't hear it.

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"What day is it today Scarlett?" He said again, his tone flat.

"October Second." I answered automatically.

That's when my heart dropped.

Today was October second!

Which meant...

Today was Megan's birthday!

My eyes cut to Hunter's face and the look of devastation I saw there almost made me crumple to the ground.

He didn't want to be alone on Megan's birthday, that's why he asked me to be with him.

I am a horrible person

At this particular moment I hated myself.

"I'm sorry." I whispered.

His gaze remained fixated on the ground. My heart clenched as I watched him turn away from me without another word.