Part 45 (1/2)

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”Kristen?” The angelic, soft voice of a man called out to me.

I caught my breath at his delicate touch. When I saw his eyes, I almost stopped breathing again. He kept his hand on my back just to make sure I was all right.

”Kristen, are you all right?” John asked. Concern remained in his eyes as I slowly pulled away from him.

”Thanks,” I said. ”I'm okay now.”

”Are you sure?” His wonderful eyes glistened in the twinkling lights.

”Yeah.” I turned away from him and looked back out at the sky.

”What are you doing out here? There's a kicka.s.s party going on in there.”

”I'm just getting some air.”

”I see,” he said.

He wasn't getting the hint that I didn't want to be around anyone. He moved closer to me and stood right beside me.

Looking up at the sky, he said, ”You came out here to drink.”

”Don't tell my Mom,” I said.

”I won't,” he laughed.

”Don't tell Lexus either.”

”No worries,” he said as he continued to find humor in the situation. He took his eyes off the sky and looked directly at me.

He was making me nervous. Looking at Lexus was wonderful, but when he looked at me, I was sure he wasn't seeing anything special. I put my hand over the right side of my face so that I could cover up and hide from him. Not realizing that I was actually making it worse, I kept my hand up, and he was able to get a good look at the scars on my wrists. When I heard him deeply sigh, I realized I had made a mistake.

He said, ”How have you been?”

I nodded.

”What does that mean?” he sincerely asked.

”It means... It means I'm better,” I told him. His concern for me made my heart flutter.

It seemed as if he believed me. He let out a sigh of relief before he curled his lips into a satisfied smile.

It was apparent that he was not going to leave me alone, so before he could ask me any more questions, I turned to face him and I said, ”So, who are all of those people in there, anyway?”

John laughed. He said, ”Honestly, I don't even know half of them. I bet they're all my parents' and Lexus' friends.” His smile was terribly adorable.

”Congratulations, John. You and Lexus are going to be great together. I'm really happy for you guys,” I said.

John stared into my eyes for a quick moment. In that moment, I felt my knees grow weak. Before I could fall, John grabbed me and embraced me with both of his arms wrapped around me. I hugged him tight. I squeezed him, and I didn't want to let him go.

He slowly started to pull away after that quick embrace that we shared. The moment seemed to go by too fast.

His convincing and handsome smile that I loved so much was present on his face. His enthralling lips curled up perfectly and created a flawless smile that I could never deny.

John said, ”Thank you. You know, it really means a lot to hear you say that.”

”I'm sure you both have already heard that from everyone here,” I said.

”But it means a little more, coming from you, Kristen.” He sounded too much like Lexus talking.

I smiled, holding back my tears.

”I have to get back,” John said. He looked back inside at the hall. ”Have a good night, and remember to take it easy on that stuff.” He pointed to my empty cup.

I laughed and said, ”I will. You have a great night.”

After that, he left me alone, outside on the terrace. I would remember John that way for the rest of my life. He was beautiful, kind, and happy.

That night Lexus insisted that I come to her apartment after the party. She suggested that we have a sleepover, and it would just be the two of us. She said it would be like old times. I said good night to Nick and Alison, and told my mother where I would be. She didn't have too much to say to me, so I left the party with Lexus.

John walked with us out to Lexus' car. I turned away from them as they kissed each other and said good night. My stomach turned at the sounds they were making with their mouths and tongues. Finally, Lexus was able to break free of John's embrace, and we got into the car.

As Lexus pulled out of the parking s.p.a.ce, John waved to us and shouted, ”I love you,” to Lexus. She smiled and drove off. I watched John in the rearview mirror. He grew smaller in the distance until Lexus turned the corner and he was out of sight.

”It wouldn't kill you to smile,” Lexus started.

”Yes, it would. It would kill me,” I joked.

”Ha, ha, very funny,” Lexus said.

CHAPTER 58.

Spending the night over at Lexus' house was just like old times. Lexus let me borrow one of her nightgowns, and we both settled down in front of her television once we were out of our formal clothes. We sat on the floor on top of a blanket Lexus had spread out, and we ate frozen yogurt while a late night comedy show played on the television.

”So, was it too much?” Lexus asked.

”I liked your party. It was like a dream,” I said.

”That was my mother's idea of what an engagement party is supposed to be like. She wanted something out of a fairy tale. Oh, wait until you see the ideas she gave the planner for my wedding. I think I'm going to feel like Cinderella.”

”You're far from being Cinderella,” I told her.

”You know what I mean. Not the evil step-mother part. You know, the princess part. When she meets her Prince Charming and everything is so enchanting.”

”Oh,” I said as I sc.r.a.ped up the last of my frozen yogurt out of the bowl.