Chapter 2
Elaine was sitting by the window, wearing a cream-colored sweater. Her hair was a bit longer than it had been in high school, falling over her shoulders. The light hit her face, and she was as beautiful as ever.
She was looking at me too.
The moment our eyes met, she gave me a small smile.
I quickly looked away and found a seat in the corner.
"Grace, long time no see."
"Wow, you've lost weight."
"So, where are you working now?"
I replied to each of them, my smile so stiff I felt like my face was about to freeze.
But out of the corner of my eye, I kept feeling like someone was watching me.
I quietly glanced up and scanned the room.
Elaine was staring at me.
It wasn't just a quick look. She was really watching me, her gaze fixed on me and never wavering.
My heart gave a sudden jolt.
Why was she staring at me? We hadn't seen each other in five years, so why were her eyes fixed on me now?
I glanced down at my hoodie, kind of regretting not picking something better.
Suddenly, memories from senior year came flooding back.
Elaine liked Dean, and Dean liked her. Were they ever a thing? Did they break up? Was she still into him?
Was she watching me because I used to have a crush on Dean? Did she find it a joke?
I buried my face even deeper.
After a few drinks, the atmosphere got lively.
Someone suggested we play Truth or Dare.
I felt a pang of anxiety, but before I could say no, I was already dragged into the group.
Elaine was sitting across from me, with several people in between us.
I kept my eyes on my glass, doing my best not to look her way.
The first round landed on Charles.
He picked Truth and got asked, "Who did you secretly like back then?" He scratched his head and said a name, and everyone went wild, laughing and making a fuss.
The second round was a girl's turn.
She chose Dare and had to call her ex-boyfriend. She dialed, but he didn't answer. Everyone teased her, saying, "He's already forgotten you."
The third round landed on Elaine.
The room went quiet for a second.
Everyone was staring at her, their eyes practically sparkling with excitement. Who wouldn't want to hear the truth from the group's ultimate crush?
I kept my head down, staring at the bubbles in my glass, acting like I wasn't interested at all.
"Truth or Dare?" the classmate running the game asked.
She thought for a second. "Truth."
"Alright!" the classmate said with a gossip-hungry grin. "Okay, here's my question. Is there anyone you like right now?"
My heart skipped a beat.
She answered, "Yeah."
Everyone started hooting and teasing.
"Who is it?"
"Is it one of us?"
"Tell us the name."
She smiled, keeping quiet.
The classmate running the game tapped the table. "Alright, she only needs to answer one question. Don't push it."
I stole a glance at Elaine.
She was looking right at me too.
Our eyes met, and she curved her lips into a small smile.
I panicked and quickly lowered my head.
What was with her staring at me? She answered the question, so why look at me?
Was she trying to mess with me?
The fourth round landed on me.
My stomach clenched.
The classmate running the game looked at me with a sly grin. "Grace, truth or dare?"
"Truth," I said.
"Alright!" she paused for a moment, then asked, "Did you ever have a crush on anyone in high school?"
The room went quiet for a second.
I could feel everyone's eyes on me.
And Elaine was watching too.
My throat tightened.
Who did I have a crush on in high school? Dean. But could I really admit that? With everyone here, and knowing he was into Elaine back then, wouldn't I simply be setting myself up for humiliation?
I stayed silent for a few seconds.
Someone started egging me on. "Come on, spill it."
My face burned with embarrassment.
"I..." I opened my mouth, but the words wouldn't come out.
"Alright, that's enough." A voice broke the silence.
Everyone froze.
I looked up.
Elaine rose to her feet, glass in hand, staring right at me.
"She's easily shy, so don't tease her," she said, her tone casual but somehow impossible to argue with.
The classmate running the game paused, then burst out laughing. "Whoa, Elaine's actually defending Grace!"
Everyone else laughed along.
I sat there, my face burning even hotter.
What did Elaine mean by that?
Was she really coming to my rescue?
Why was she helping me?
I looked at her, but she was already talking to the person next to her, as if nothing had happened.
I lowered my head, staring at the bubbles in my glass, my thoughts all over the place.
By the time the party wrapped up, it was almost eleven.
I was the last one to leave the private room.
Elaine was standing by the door, looked like she was waiting for someone.
When she saw me come out, she moved a bit, like she was about to walk over.
I paused, dropped my gaze, and hurried past her.
"Grace," Elaine called out.
I paused, but didn't turn around.
Things went quiet behind me for a few seconds.
Then she said, "Take care getting home."
I gave a quick "yeah" and kept walking.
As I stepped out of the pizza restaurant, I glanced back over my shoulder.
Elaine was still standing by the door, watching me.
The night breeze tossed her hair, and her cream-colored sweater stood out under the streetlights.
I turned back around and hurried toward the subway station.