Chapter 8 New Suspicions

I'm reeling. Seb is acting crazy and he never acts crazy. He is one of the most sensible and logical people you'll ever meet. I try not to drop the wine glass in my hand and kept the smile on my face. Onstage, Lucien's friends are having the time of their lives roasting him, the birthday boy. And all around me are the servers, my friends, and a couple of strangers that would absolutely judge me if I hurl right now. Thankfully, Seb is nowhere to be found. I don't think I can look him in the eye.

All I could think about was my first day at Hector Park High, when I saw him and Brad in a diner for the first time in years. They didn't recognize me then yet I panicked and left my diary. The diary I've now traced to be the reason for my extreme embarrassment at school the other day. Could Seb have picked it up? Could he be the one doing this to me? I shake my head at my wayward thoughts. This is Seb. I know him. We might fight every day of the week, but he would never do that to me.

"Ari, you okay?" Brad's voice finally pulls me away from my thoughts.

"Y-yeah," I shoot him a smile, but I know I did very little to convince him I was fine.

Brad frowns, "You look like you need some air. Guys! Guys--"

But no one was listening to him. Kier is busy glaring at his phone, while Cal and Simon are busy muttering at each other, arguing about something I couldn't hear. Dave, on the other hand---he is sitting beside Dina, his body completely turned toward each other. They aren't saying anything to each other, but you can see it in their actions, nobody else existed for them. Dave's arm is wrapped around the back of Dina's seat and she is sipping her cocktail while raising a coquettish eyebrow at him. As if on impulse, Dave bends down and drops a kiss on her shoulder while his hand squeezes her waist. It is a simple gesture, one that any guy would do to the girl he was dating. But somehow I know. They had been intimate. I take a breath at the realization. Dina and Dave are much deeper in their relationship now than they ever were.

Without my permission, the thought clenched my gut. I try not to stare but failed miserably. Brad, perhaps noticing the change in my expression, clears his throat. "Ari, let's get some air," he told me.

"I'm okay. I'm just---" I swallow, "Yeah. Yeah, I think I'm going to get some air. " I say, pushing out of my chair.

"Okay, I'm coming with you. I need to tell you about the person who sent you those---"

I continued to move, tuning him out.

"Hey, rude! Where are you going?!" Brad calls out to me.

"Restroom!" I shout back so he wouldn't follow me. Though, it isn't a lie. I quicken my steps to the direction of the bathroom, my head bent down and promptly bump into someone.

"Ow!" the person protests. I look up, an apology ready on my lips.

"Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry. Olive, are you okay?" I ask my bespectacled friend, the secretary of our Student Council, and also Brit's girlfriend.

"Yeah, I'm okay, Ari," Olive says, straightening her glasses. "But are you? You look super freaked out."

"Y--yeah, I mean, no. I'm just...I just needed distance from my friends, you know." I reply. "They wouldn't leave me alone. Ever since that..."

I trail off, unable to finish the sentence. I didn't need to anyway. Olive likes to keep to herself and wouldn't come out of her shell unless it was something Brit is involved in. But judging by the extent of the rumors about my misfortune, I guess she would've known about it.

"I heard. I'm so sorry that this is happening to you, Ari." Olive says sincerely and for some reason, I feel hot tears gather in my eyes. I blink them away.

"I have to go," I tell Olive and try to get past her, but she grabs my arm.

Her grip is tight and I look at her in alarm. As if sensing my surprise, she looks down and lets me go. "Sorry, I just--I don't think you should go in the restroom right now."

"What? Why?" I ask her.

"Yesterday at school--you weren't at History because you were excused for the Student Council, remember? But Brad--he--" Olive pauses as if considering whether to tell me something. She must have decided not to because she grabs my arm again and starts to drag me toward the bar. "How about a drink, huh? That should help you keep your mind off of things, even just for a bit."

"No," I say, suddenly annoyed at her. "For the past few days, people have been trying to protect me by not telling me things. Did you guys really think I wouldn't be able to handle it? What is this about Brad? And why are you here, anyway? Last time I checked, your family doesn't know Lucien. And he doesn't just invite anyone."

Olive blinks, hurt crossing her features. "I'm here because I got that internship at Lucien's hospital, remember? He personally invited me here."

I curse myself at that verbal diarrhea, "Shit. Olive, I'm so sorry."

But Olive has already closed off. Releasing my arm, she steps aside, "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have tried to stop you. I have no right to. Whatever this thing is, I shouldn't be involved. I'm not part of your group. Brit and I never were." she says before walking back to the where most of the party is.

I open my mouth to call after her, to tell her that I never for a second thought that. It's true that before we met them, Brit, her, and Dina, it was just me and the boys. But we never wanted to seem like we don't welcome anyone in the group. But it's too late. Olive has already disappeared with the crowd. Sighing, I push open the doors to the restroom, not knowing who is waiting in front of me.