Chapter 5 Sparks and Scars

The ballroom shimmered with elegance, chandeliers casting their light over a sea of gowns and tuxedos. Cassie was at the buffet table, her heart pounding. She tugged at her dress, the purple silky material hugging her figure in a way she felt both empowered and terrified by. The laughter surrounding her was muffled, as though she was in an anxiety bubble.

Then she saw him across the way-Jeffery. He appeared dashing in his fitted suit, smiling confidently as he socialized with attendees. Panic surged through her system. She hadn't anticipated seeing him tonight, and memories of the two of them poured into her mind like an unwanted wave.

Cassie stepped back, trying to blend into the background. She concentrated on her drink, trying to read the label while desperately searching the throng for an exit.

"Cassie," his voice rang out, reassuring and smooth.

She turned slowly, trying to muster a smile amidst the tumult within.

"Jeffery." Her voice was barely audible through her lips.

He stepped in closer, and his energy electrified and stifled her all at once. "You look amazing."

She brushed it aside, looking around for someone else who would come to her rescue. "Thanks."

"Come on," he said with a smile that had her heart skipping a beat despite herself. "Don't tell me you're going to avoid me all night."

Cassie folded her arms protectively but could not hide the way his eyes trapped hers.

"I'm busy," she said, even as a part of her wished she could reach out and bridge the gap between them.

One dance, he pleaded, his voice genuine but teasing. "For old times' sake?"

Her heart was pounding at the possibility of being in his arms once more-his touch was branded in her mind like fire on flesh. She wavered, caught between desire and anger.

"I don't think-"

"Please." His eyes met hers with a fervor that weakened her determination. "One dance.".

Despite all reason, she felt herself nodding almost imperceptibly as if succumbing to the pull of gravity. He extended his hand to her, waiting patiently as if knowing the storm brewing within her.

She placed hers in his palm with trembling fingers-a jolt ran through her at the contact. Memories invaded unbidden: laughter shared beneath starry nights, whispered secrets in darkened corridors.

As they moved onto the dance floor, Cassie grappled with a surge of mixed emotions-excitement and fear intertwined in a shiver-inducing dance of their own.

* * *

After the music faded, Jeffery escorted Cassie to a less crowded part of the large ballroom, away from twirling couples and pealing laughter. The air was heavy with unspoken things, tension between them. "Cassie," he said, his voice low and sincere. "I've been wanting to speak with you for so long."

She crossed her arms, shielding herself from what he would tell her next. The warmth of the dance lingered in her veins, but just below the surface, fury bubbled. "What is there to talk about?" she snarled, turning away as the memories threatened to overwhelm her-sitting side by side in the library, their giggles echoing in the empty halls. The bet. That goddamn bet that had ruined it all.

"I know you're still angry," he said, a step closer now, his gaze scouring hers. "I screwed up. But I never intended to hurt you."

Cassie hardened her jaw against the urge to let those memories overwhelm her-how they used to lie on her bed afternoons, talking futures and dreams as they whispered secrets together. They had been each other's entire universe once, within their own private world.

"You don't understand," she shot back. "You embarrassed me in front of everyone. I thought we were real."

His face changed from determination to remorse. "It was a foolish bet! A weak moment that got the better of me."

She recalled sitting in the cafeteria as it all fell apart-her heart sinking as rumors spread like vultures around their table. She had watched shame cross his face as their friends laughed behind their hands, and it had hurt more than any betrayal could.

"Stupid?" Cassie's voice shook with suppressed anger. "You think saying it was stupid makes it alright? You didn't care about me then."

"I did care!" His voice rose a level before he caught himself, glancing around to ensure no one was eavesdropping on their private storm.

Her breathing quickened as she recalled how they'd once talked of forever-how they'd planned a lifetime together under stars that now felt so distant.

"Then why did you let it happen?" she asked, her guard faltering as memories pulled at her heartstrings.

Jeffery paused, pain carving deeper lines in his face. "I wanted you then-I still want you now."

Time hung between them for a moment, each heartbeat pulsing with the weight of their tangled past and unspoken feelings heavy in the air like an unwanted visitor.

* * *

Cassie left the big ballroom, cool night air caressing her like a salve. She propped herself up against the wall of the building, allowing laughter and clinking glasses to fade into the night. The moon was high above, casting silvery light that danced across the pavement.

Jeffery's recollections burst forth once more, filling her mind as she fought to keep them suppressed. His smile, the sparkle of deviltry in his eyes-had she ever stopped loving him? She shook her head, attempting to force the thoughts out like strands of smoke.

"Stupid bet," she cursed beneath her breath, her voice thick with bitterness.

"Hey, you okay?" Lila's voice cut into her daydreaming as she drew near, a look of concern on her face. Cassie had phoned her after she'd left the gala, in need of an anchor amidst the emotional whirlwind. Lila had been her best friend since college, and together, they were determined to make it big after graduating.

"Cassie took a shaky breath. "I just. ran into Jeffery."

Lila's eyebrows rose. "Oh? And?"

"He wants to talk," Cassie replied, nibbling at her lip as she recalled the confrontation earlier.

"Wants to talk? That's serious." Lila crossed her arms and stood against the wall next to Cassie.

"It's not serious," Cassie said too quickly. "It's just. complicated." She couldn't look at Lila, instead gazing down at the ground as if it contained secrets.

Lila bumped her shoulder lightly. "Complicated how? You still into him?"

"I don't know!" Cassie's fury bubbled in her chest as she kicked a loose pebble down the sidewalk. "Half of me wants to yell at him for what he did; the other half recalls how he made me laugh."

"That's understandable," Lila placated, her head tilting in a contemplative gesture. "You had something special. But do you recall how it ended? It wasn't a mistake he made-it was a decision he made."

Cassie looked up at Lila, seeking understanding in that knowing gaze. "I thought we were real. I thought I meant something to him."

"You did mean something to him," Lila said firmly. "But sometimes people are idiots-especially when they're young and stupid." She paused before adding softly, "You've grown since then."

A spark of pride ignited in Cassie's chest at Lila's statement. The assertive woman she had grown to be was worlds away from that flushing, timid girl who once blushed at the simple look from Jeffery.

"So what do I do?" Cassie whispered, trying to deal with warring emotions that fought in her chest like prickly ivy.

Decide what you desire first," Lila advised, placing her hand on Cassie's shoulder. "Don't let his past mistakes cloud your judgment now."

* * *

Days went by, and Cassie got back to her routine, trying to brush off the storm of feelings. She immersed herself in work and friends, but during quiet moments, her mind wandered to Jeffery. No sooner had she gotten used to a new normal than the doorbell rang one afternoon.

Cassie opened the door to discover a bouquet of wildflowers on the porch. A little card nestled in the flowers drew her attention. She lifted it and read:

"Hey Cassie,

I thought these might make your day a little better. I'm sorry things ended the way they did. Can we talk?

Her heart pounded in her chest, shock and anger welling up inside her. She crumpled the note in her hand, not knowing whether to wad it up and discard it or hold on to it as a reminder of his past transgressions.

The following day held another surprise-a lovely origami crane neatly folded and perched on her car windshield with a note:

"Thought you might like this one. It reminds me of your laughter. Miss you.

Cassie gazed at the crane for a long time, running her fingers over its slender edges. Part of her wished to yell at him for playing games; part of her was charmed by his effort and consideration.

When Lila dropped by later that night, she spotted the crane sitting on the kitchen table.

Is that from him?" Lila asked, looking at it with a raised eyebrow.

Cassie nodded slowly, not sure how to explain the way she was feeling. "Yeah. he's been sending me things."

Lila moved in closer, examining the paper art. "And how does that make you feel?"

"I don't know," Cassie confessed, irritation seeping into her tone. "It's frustrating! He screwed up so badly, and yet here he is trying to get me back with flowers and paper birds.".

You can be angry," Lila coaxed softly. "But are you also feeling something else, perhaps. touched?"

Cassie snorted while she thought over Lila's inquiry. "Perhaps. I just wish he'd waited so much earlier."

A message vibrated in on Cassie's phone at that moment-a text from Jeffery:

"I know I messed up before; I've been trying to improve ever since. Can we get together? Just once?

Cassie gazed at the screen, feelings tumbling like waves on a stony beach-anger bubbled under confusion and questioning regarding what he had turned into since they last communicated.

* * *

The gala awaited, a swirl of silk dresses and suits populating the lavish hall. Cassie stood at the entrance, smoothing her dark blue gown. The lights sparkled overhead like evening stars, yet her stomach twisted with anxiety.

"Relax," Lila counseled, tugging at her own dress. "You've got this."

Cassie manufactured a smile. "Yeah, sure."

As she socialized with clients and colleagues, the night went uneventfully-until she spotted Jeffery in the distance. He was different; confidence emanated from him as he conversed with another executive. Her chest hurt with a knot as she attempted to look away, but her eyes stayed fixed.

The moment their eyes met, a jolt of electricity passed between them. He stepped forward, shoving through the throng of people until he stood next to her.

"Cassie," he said, his voice low but level.

"Jeffery." She crossed her arms defensively over her chest.

"You're beautiful," he said to her, his eyes falling to her dress before rising back to her face.

Cassie rolled her eyes. "Flattery won't get you anywhere with me."

He chuckled low in his throat. "I'm not flattering you. Just stating the truth."

The electricity of tension crackled through the air. They sat in a moment of silence as each of them drew the other into the mood within the laughter and clinking glasses that surrounded them.

"Enjoying yourself?" he asked, nodding toward the raucous crowd.

"It's all right." She dismissed the question with a wave of her hand but couldn't prevent a small smile at an inside joke from earlier in the evening.

"Good." He moved closer, his voice dipping so she could hear. "I've missed this. us."

His sincere tone had Cassie's heart racing wildly out of control. Her guard down for a brief second, as they shared long, silent stares.

"You can't just-"

"I know I messed up," he cut in, his voice low. "But I want to make it better."

She was drawn to him-his fervor tapped into something within her walls. The atmosphere became thick between them as they were inches apart; she could sense the fire in his gaze and the yearning in his voice.

"Cassie," he whispered, edging closer as if testing the boundaries that had always separated them.

Her breath caught when their faces drew near-everything else melted into a vague haze of sound and motion. There was nothing else in the world at that moment except him and the force drawing them together-a heartbeat away from crossing an unknown boundary.