I release another laugh, then I walk again. Jace tries to keep up.
- Brooke, don't talk like you're easy. You know damn well you're not.
Jace passes in front of me and holds my shoulders so I can face him. I sigh, then smile sadly at him.
- Listen, he was drunk and so was I. I knew what he looked like and yet I let myself get involved. - I mean shrugging my shoulders. - It's not as bad as it looks. Life goes on.
I refused to stand by and play the poor bastard. The young lady who was fooled by a seductive idiot. I had not suffered because of Aron's attitude and I refused to suffer because of Ryder. I was determined to keep the situation as if nothing had happened.
I frown on Jace's expression when he bowed his eyebrow to something behind me. Curious, I turn in time to see Ryder coming towards me with a brunette leaning on her shoulder kissing her neck. Looking disgusted, I look at both of them with disgust, because I knew they were coming from the broom closet. Even with anger, I make a point of not demonstrating, so I smile at Ryder with sarcasm when he stops by my side greeting Jace. He looks at me like I'm bewildered, but I don't care about him or the girl.
- Hello, sunshine! - he says with a wobbly voice. - Are you going to the library later?
- I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I was gonna call you to cancel, cause I have to get to the club early tonight. - I answer by shrugging my shoulder. - I hope you don't mind and take the rest of the day off.
- Are you sure that's all it is? - Ryder asks with sarcasm.
I frown on him without understanding the question.
- Sure! Why else would I be absent from our engagement?
- I don't know! - returns him with a debauched voice and folding his arms. - Maybe because of a date, who knows.
I take a deep breath, assuming he already knows about my date with Parker.
- Ryder, even if that was the reason, I would have warned you, because I'm not like you. - I answer coldly. - Since you brought it up, I'm going out with Ash tonight and I hope I have fun. I think I deserve a little attention, after going through a very stressful and tiring week.
Smiling at Jace, I approach and kiss his cheek.
- Thank you for your concern, but the only thing that really hurts is my nose that is not yet recovered. - I say. - Tell Amanda I sent her a kiss.
Before I turn around and leave, I smile ironically at Ryder.
- Life goes on! - I whisper. - Life goes on!
***
Six was boiling that night. Jane and I were having trouble keeping people away, especially the drunken nerds who gained a little courage because of it. At one point, anticipating a great deal of confusion, Leon replaced us on the track with two boys and released us earlier. Jane left with one of Phi Iota One's boys, even about my protests. I smile when I see Ash, as soon as he points at the club entrance. He decides to stay right there and invites me to a dance. After several minutes on the dance floor, the legs are already buzzing, so we decided to sit down for a drink. The hours pass while we take turns talking and dancing. Ash manages to make me laugh, forgetting about Ryder and I thank him for not showing up at Six that night. It was almost five in the morning when Ash took me back to my dorm.
- So... - Ash says when we got to the door of the complex. - I heard about you and Taylor leaving. Since I've never seen him with one girl, I have to ask. Is this serious?
I sigh shaking my head and smile at him.
- Ash, we're just friends. - I mean in an attempt to convince myself. - He only cares about my well-being.
- Good, because you'd hate to do that if you were seriously engaged to someone.
I frown without understanding. Ashton brings her face closer to mine, so she smiles before she kisses me softly. Although it was not the kiss I was used to receive, I had to agree that he was a very good kisser. He didn't make my leg wobble, set my whole body on fire, or make my heart flash, like Ryder's kisses did. There wasn't the same emotion, but he returned the kiss in the hope that something would change.
- Good night, princess! - Ash says smiling when she finishes the kiss.
- Good night! - I whisper, thanking God for the kiss being over.
Ash leaves, heading towards the car and sighs with anger for having compared Ash's kiss with Ryder's.
- Damn you, Ryder! - I whisper, turning to walk to the entrance of the building.
A groan draws my attention and I stop, looking around in the direction of the trees. Grabbing a baseball bat that I kept hidden behind the fire extinguisher at the entrance to the complex, since I suffered Tiffany's attack, I follow in silence towards the noise. The moaning was getting louder and louder until it turned into a cry. Dropping the bat, I gaze with despair when I
